Dry type transformer in a wood shop

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Yota Master

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I need to hook up a new piece of equipment in a wood shop. The new piece of euipment runs at 480 V the shop has 208 V, i will be backfeeding the transformer to do this. My concern is installing a open vetilated transformer in the wood shop with dust. They have a good dust collection system but there is still dust. The shop seem to fall into Zone 22 506.5(3) the TX really would not generate any sparks do you think it would be ok if it maybe had rain shields on it? I cant locate it outside. What is your take on this.

Jack Cooper
 
Yota Master said:
I need to hook up a new piece of equipment in a wood shop. The new piece of euipment runs at 480 V the shop has 208 V, i will be backfeeding the transformer to do this.
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How are you planing to bond this transformer or are you going to provide ground fault indicators?

As far as being in a wood shop I don't see a problem assuming it is under 112.5 kVA
 
Yota Master said:
I have done this before, and ACME TX had us ground one of the 480 legs.
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Cool, that gives you corner grounded Delta which is legal although there are some folks entirely against the use of corner grounded 480 systems.
 
Yota Master said:
I need to hook up a new piece of equipment in a wood shop. The new piece of euipment runs at 480 V the shop has 208 V, i will be backfeeding the transformer to do this. My concern is installing a open vetilated transformer in the wood shop with dust. They have a good dust collection system but there is still dust. The shop seem to fall into Zone 22 506.5(3) the TX really would not generate any sparks do you think it would be ok if it maybe had rain shields on it? I cant locate it outside. What is your take on this.

Jack Cooper
Click to expand...

Watch how you classify dust. Typical sawdust does not create an explosion hazard location (it is flammable just not combustible). Sanding dust is a different issue, if it is very very fine like flour then it may actually be a Class II location. You need to consider how hot surfaces get when they are covered in dust which is carried by the cooling air into the transformer, not just the big stuff that falls down on top of it.

I would check with a fire department or insurance carrier for their classification and comments. I have seen few sawing operations that require special equipment, but I don't feel qualified to say if they are correct.
 
Based on my experience with wood working shops, I have some concerns with installing an open type transformer in the shop. I would ask the installer to have someone, such as the manufacturer provide a letter stating the install is safe.
 
Any reason why you couldn't get a rain shield for it and stick it outside next to the building? I'm not too excited about putting transformers in a woodshop. If you do that anyhow, sell them some kind of annual PM contract, for sure.
 
Dust will get in everything in a wood shop the static caused by the xfmr will draw it in no matter what. We are in the process of relocating a cabinet shop and it is "unbelievable" how much dust gets into things that are closed up to normal standards.
 
Encapsulated

Encapsulated

Your transformer should be encapsulated

Don't mess around. Wood dust is one thing, finish is another. I watched my father's cabinet shop burn down . . . twice. Both from electrical fires.
 
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