Transformer in res garage.

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cowboyjwc

cowboyjwc

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OK I know what it says about mounting heights in commercial garages and most people tend to keep the receptacles up in residential garages.

My question is this: I have a residential garage where they are installing a 15 kva transformer.

Do you think that this needs to be raised up at so that the bottom is at least 18" above the floor or do you not see a problem?

Yes it is being protected with bollards.

Thanks.
 
The height restriction in garages is due to the lower 18" being a classified location, not for their physical protection. Yes, the xfmr must be elevated.
 
I disagree. A residential garage is not a classified area. So the 18" restriction would not apply.
 
I agree with Charlie B. The residential garage is not classified. However, the mechanical code requires appliances with an ignition source be mounted so the source of ignition is not less than 18" above the floor. Got that? IMO, your transformer has no ignition source & can be floor mounted.
 
I'm with Charlie and Ron, a residential garage is not a classified area. What's the 15 KVA transformer for?
 
infinity said:
I'm with Charlie and Ron, a residential garage is not a classified area. What's the 15 KVA transformer for?
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Maybe they have 15,000 watts of interior and exterior low voltage lighting? :confused:
 
mdshunk said:
Maybe they have 15,000 watts of interior and exterior low voltage lighting? :confused:
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That would be required to be fed from a transformer part of a listed lighting system. Don't think that you'll find many 15Kva low voltage lighting systems.;)
 
Thanks guys, I was thinking along the lines of most of you that since it was a residential garage that it was not a classified location. 18 years as an inspector and this one is a first.

As for what it's for. It's being located in the garage of the residential portion of one of those self storage places so the main switch gear is located in one of the storage buildings and each buiding has it's own step down transformer. The electrician and I both questioned why they just didn't put it outside, but the engineer is always right.
 
Nope, just across the driveway there are three transformer sitting outside one of the buildings and the swith gear is located outside also.

I think it was just one of those things, "hey this is as good a place as any to put it."
 
cowboyjwc said:
I think it was just one of those things, "hey this is as good a place as any to put it."
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Hey don't knock it. That is a legitimate design consideration. :grin:
 
mdshunk said:
Maybe they have 15,000 watts of interior and exterior low voltage lighting? :confused:
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Wouldn't each secondary be limited to 750w for a low voltage lighting system by Art. 411? (25A x 30V)?

Mark
 
rcarroll said:
However, the mechanical code requires appliances with an ignition source be mounted so the source of ignition is not less than 18" above the floor.
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Do you have the text of that requirement, perchance? :)
 
George, here is what the 2006 IRC mechanical section says about elevating an ignition source.

M1307.3 Elevation of ignition source. Appliances having an
ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition
is not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor in garages.
For the purpose of this section, rooms or spaces that are not part
of the living space of a dwelling unit and that communicate
with a private garage through openings shall be considered to
be part of the garage.
Click to expand...

Chris
 
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