Transformer placement

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dm9289

Industrial Maintenance Electrician
Location
Pennsylvania
Occupation
Industrial process repair/ maintenance Electrician
I have seen this type of transformer installation before and I wonder if anyone has an opinion on why its an advantage?
Or would you consider it a working space violation? Bottom of transformer is approximately 8-1/2 foot.
Sorry for imperfect picture but there is room on the left
 

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dm9289 said:
I have seen this type of transformer installation before and I wonder if anyone has an opinion on why its an advantage?
Or would you consider it a working space violation? Bottom of transformer is approximately 8-1/2 foot.
Sorry for imperfect picture but there is room on the left
Click to expand...
Working space only goes to 6.5 feet. At 8.5 ft it is well above that.
 
thank you I just found it in 110.26A(3). Thats just a ton of overhead weight and thank you for your responce
 
dm9289 said:
Or would you consider it a working space violation? Bottom of transformer is approximately 8-1/2 foot.
Click to expand...
I would not consider the transformer foreign to the panelboard, so even if it were directly above, without the "headroom", I would still be ok with it.

Now if the transformer were directly below the panelboard, then it would be violating the working space of the panelboard, and that would be unacceptable, unless the panelboard were build out with channel and within 6" of the front of the transformer. Still would be a bad idea due to heat from the transformer being emitted into the panelboard, but not a code violation.
 
ron said:
I would not consider the transformer foreign to the panelboard, so even if it were directly above, without the "headroom", I would still be ok with it.

Now if the transformer were directly below the panelboard, then it would be violating the working space of the panelboard, and that would be unacceptable, unless the panelboard were build out with channel and within 6" of the front of the transformer. Still would be a bad idea due to heat from the transformer being emitted into the panelboard, but not a code violation.
Click to expand...
I agree thank you for your input
 
We do HVAC maintenance in warehouse. All forklifts' chargers and power transformers are mounted off the floor to prevent damage from forklifts.
 
mtnelect said:
We do HVAC maintenance in warehouse. All forklifts' chargers and power transformers are mounted off the floor to prevent damage from forklifts.
Click to expand...
from my experience when it comes to fork trucks & equipment there is no such thing as "prevent".. reduce possibility of damage perhaps :)
 
ron said:
I would not consider the transformer foreign to the panelboard, so even if it were directly above, without the "headroom", I would still be ok with it.

Now if the transformer were directly below the panelboard, then it would be violating the working space of the panelboard, and that would be unacceptable, unless the panelboard were build out with channel and within 6" of the front of the transformer. Still would be a bad idea due to heat from the transformer being emitted into the panelboard, but not a code violation.
Click to expand...
That allowance for 6" into the work space applies to top/ bottom or sides of the panel requiring working space, so need to be above 6.5 feet if it extends more than 6" past front plane of panel, same rule if it were immediately to the left of the panel and there is not at least 30" wide working space to whatever is on the right side of the panel - it could not protrude more than 6" into work space.
 
Just ran into a similar situation on a commercial restaurant. Limited space and transformers needed to go in small managers office. We ended up wall mounting via brackets with bottom at 8'. In my case panel was not directly below the transformers. If they were vertical like you have shown I wouldnt imagine there would be any issues since maintenance isnt typically needed on transformers and all manufacturer clearances are followed which it appears you have covered.
 
WA_Sparky said:
Just ran into a similar situation on a commercial restaurant. Limited space and transformers needed to go in small managers office. We ended up wall mounting via brackets with bottom at 8'. In my case panel was not directly below the transformers. If they were vertical like you have shown I wouldnt imagine there would be any issues since maintenance isnt typically needed on transformers and all manufacturer clearances are followed which it appears you have covered.
Click to expand...
If much size to that transformer I bet that office stays plenty warm.
 
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