Transformer conductor and breaker selection

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jimhall

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grand coulee, Wa
I am installing a 45kva transformer that is 480vdelta to 120/208Y. The other electricians are questioning my installation and sizing of conductors.

1) I am feeding 45kva transformer with a 60 amp breaker(nameplate on transformer is 56 amps at 460v)

2) I am feeding transformer off of 60 amp breaker with #6 copper thhn

3) I am feeding from transformer secondary with #2 copper thhn to 100 AMP MAIN breaker panel

Is this acceptable or violation?

I understand that 60 amps is less than 125% of transformer flc.
 
We need to look at two things: Art 450 for transformer protection and Art 240.21 for conductor protection.
With a 60 amp breaker you are well within the allowed 125% of the primary current and that can be as much as 250% IF you have proper secondary protection.
Likewise you are below the allowable secondary over current protection with your 100 amp breaker.(I normally see 125 amp or 150 amp on a 45kva)
You wire size are correct for the over-current protection you describe. (The secondary could possibly have been a #3).

As far as what you stated, you are Code compliant provided the length of your secondary conductors must meet one of the 250.21(C) rules.

You did not mention how you handled your system bonding jumper, grounding electrodes, etc.
 
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We need to look at two things: Art 450 for transformer protection and Art 240.21 for conductor protection.
With a 60 amp breaker you are well within the allowed 125% of the primary current and that can be as much as 250% IF you have proper secondary protection.
Likewise you are below the allowable secondary over current protection with your 100 amp breaker.(I normally see 125 amp or 150 amp on a 45kva)
You wire size are correct for the over-current protection you describe. (The secondary could possibly have been a #3).

As far as what you stated, you are Code compliant provided the length of your secondary conductors must meet one of the 250.21(C) rules.

You did not mention how you handled your system bonding jumper, grounding electrodes, etc.[/QUOTE

The only thing that one should be cautious about when selecting a primary MCCB protective device is to make sure that the instantaneous pickup is greater than the transformer's inrush when energizing the transformer. A 150deg C rise 45kva transformer customarily will have 11x or greater inrush. When considering 115, 80degC and K-factor transformers the inrush will be even greater. As such my suggestion would be is to select the highest rating OCPD that is allowed by the NEC. There really is no reason to do otherwise. Basically, when secondary protection is required and/or provided go with the 250% rule for primary protection. The sec. oCPD is the device that protects the secondary conductors as well of the transformer for overload.
The Pri. Device simply provides short circuit protection should the there be a transformer failure which often is commonly an internal fault. The goal is to take that transformer off line before it affects the upstream dist. system.
The most difficult application is the 3ph 480D-208y/120 75kva transformer with a 90fla primary. I have have countless call regardind nuisance tripping when energizing the transformer. All too often the panel being used to feed thevtrasformer is limited to a maximum of a 100a frame breaker. Pointing out what that issue is not a pleasant task.
 
bonding transformer

bonding transformer

I was planning on using a #4 stranded copper from building steel and running a #6 from main breaker panel and tying these to x0 on xformer. any better way?
 
xformer update for grounding and bonding

xformer update for grounding and bonding

Sorry. but this isn't exactly how i have it.

1) #4 bare stranded copper ran from building steel to x0 at transformer

2) #6 copper thhn from 480 panel which is a subpanel to lug on frame of xformer

3) #6 copper thhn from 208/120 panel ground bar floating from neutral bar

4) #2 copper thhn grounded conductor from xo of transformer to neutral of 208/120 panel which has 100 amp main breaker and #2 thhn feeders.
 
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