Standby Power Consumption of a Residential Utility Transformer

[kwired]

We are trying to convince our REMC to not only disconnect the transformer from the primary but to also take down the transformer after 3 years of hanging there without use. The transformer can then be reconditioned and re-purposed to new service somewhere else in the system.

Also these new procedures will discourage and/or eliminate power theft.

3 years is different then those monthly non payment disconnects - which many will pay in short time and then it is in use again. In fact minimum billing even if no energy is used is partially about collecting for these losses, they collect that monthly minimum every month unless you did happen to be off for more then a month, so though it is an energy loss it isn't a financial loss - it was accounted for in billing.

Around here where I commonly see transformers being removed is on services to pasture wells. The ones that have an active account are left energized - sometimes there is no usage for several months, but they are on a different rate structure then most other services around here. There is an annual fee that includes up to a certain kW/hr of usage, if more is used it will be billed on the next annual billing, if less is used, there is no credit. There are places where the service has been disconnected for a long time - they sometimes do pull transformer but leave all other equipment in place. If lucky enough it is in usable condition when customer does want to use again and all they need to do is install a transformer and meter again.

I won't mention how many of them wouldn't pass an inspection (no permit required for agriculture applications) and have old meter/mains with 60 amp pullout disconnect from the 40's or 50's, with who knows what cobbled into them. :blink: