Standard for
Published by
NECA 4092009
Standard for
TM
Published by
National Electrical
Contractors Association
National
Electrical
Installation
Standards
Table of Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Products and Applications Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Products and Applications Excluded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Regulatory and Other Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
2.
Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
3.
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Safety Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Safe Work Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
De-energizing Electrical Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5.
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Coordination with Other Trades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Supporting Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
General Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Electrical Circuit Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Grounding and Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Transformer Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
6.
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
7.
7.1
7.2
iii
7.3
7.4
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Spare Parts and Special Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
8.
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
9.
9.1
9.2
9.3
10.
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
Drying Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drying by Internal Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drying by External Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Drying by Internal and External Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Determining Drying Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
11.
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7
11.8
11.9
11.10
iv
Foreword
1. Scope
This standard describes the installation and maintenance procedures for single- and three-phase general
purpose dry-type distribution and power transformers and associated accessories rated 600 Volts AC or
less, and 0.25 kVA or more.
This publication applies to indoor and outdoor, ventilated and non-ventilated, single-phase and threephase transformers used for supplying power, heating, and lighting loads for commercial, institutional,
and industrial use in nonhazardous locations both
indoors and outdoors.
It also covers periodic routine maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for transformers, and special
procedures used after adverse operating conditions
such as a short-circuit, ground-fault, or immersion in
water.
This publication does not cover single- and threephase general purpose dry-type distribution and
power transformers and associated accessories rated
above 600 Volts AC, or any liquid-filled transformers
(see NECA 410).
2. Definitions
Dry-Type
Transformer
Ventilated
Transformer
A transformer constructed to
provide ambient air circulation
through its enclosure to cool the
transformer core and windings.
Indoor
Transformer
Non-Ventilated
Transformer
A transformer constructed to
provide no intentional circulation of external air through the
transformer, and operating at
zero gauge pressure.
Outdoor
Transformer
High Intensity
Transformer
Transformer
3. Safety Procedures
e. Do not enter equipment enclosures when components are energized. Do not remove access covers,
doors, panels, etc., when equipment is energized. Do
not expose conductors, connections, or terminations
when components are energized. Using established
safety procedures guard energized conductors and
equipment in close proximity to work.
3.1
General
3.2
c. Do not work on energized conductors or equipment. Electrically isolate all conductors and equipment in accordance with established procedures and
manufacturers instructions and recommendations.
d. Use care in opening and closing doors to energized equipment. Conductors and terminations may
be exposed and within the reach of openings.
NECA 409
3.3
3.4
a. Follow all manufacturers instructions and recommendations for electrically isolating equipment
and components. Render equipment electrically safe.
Follow lock-out/tag-out procedures. Disconnect all
sources of power before opening any enclosures or
compartments. Verify that source circuit breakers
and switches are open.
b. Identify all sources of power to the conductors
and equipment. Interrupt the load current before
opening the disconnecting means for each power
source. Where possible, visually verify that blades of
disconnecting means are fully open and that drawout-type circuit breakers are fully withdrawn.
c. Test conductors and equipment at both sources
and equipment terminals for the presence of voltage.
4
Use electrical testing equipment rated for the operating voltage of the system. Test the voltage sensing
equipment on a known, energized source immediately before and after testing the equipment to be tested
to ensure that the voltage sensing equipment is operating properly.
d. Apply lockout/tagout devices in accordance with
a formal, written policy and in accordance with
NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the
Workplace. Padlock and red tag all source switching
devices in the open position. Remove locks and tags
only after work is complete and tested, and all personnel are clear of the area. Protect against accidental energization of automatic or remotely controlled
equipment by identifying, opening, locking, and tagging starting devices. Open and lock or tag all load
isolation devices to ensure that there are no loads
connected to the equipment.
e. Use listed personal protective grounds that are
sufficient for the available short circuit current of the
system. Connect personal protective grounds to the
line terminals of the main circuit breaker or main
lugs, to the neutral terminal bus bar, if so equipped,
and to the grounding terminals of the equipment.
Provide warning signs at all primary disconnects
indicating that the terminals are grounded. Do not
remove the personal protective grounds until ready
to test or energize conductors and equipment.
Ground all possible sources of induced voltage and
stored electric energy, such as, conductors in close
proximity to energized parts and capacitors. Shortcircuit and ground each transformer winding for a
minimum of one minute to drain any static voltage.
f. Carefully inspect the work area and remove any
tools and objects left inside before energizing conductors and equipment. Install all devices, panels,
doors, covers, etc., before energizing.
4.1
Receiving
4.2
Handling
NECA 409
4.3
Storage
4.4
Pre-Installation Checks
Complete the following checks prior to setting transformers in place. Contact the manufacturer if any
test results are deficient.
a. Compare the manufacturer's shop drawings or
wiring diagrams to ensure that the transformer
and accessories are connected so that it will perform its intended function. Correct any discrepancies. Compare nameplate ratings and wiring
diagram with the manufacturers shop drawings.
b. Perform an insulation resistance test to determine whether the transformer windings have
absorbed moisture (see 11.3). Consult the manufacturer for acceptable test results. If test results
indicate that the transformer has absorbed moisture, dry the transformer in accordance with
Section 10.
5. Installation
5.1
Environmental Conditions
5.2
5.3
Supporting Transformers
a. Install mounting brackets, concrete pads, hangers, and other supports prior to setting transformers
in place.
NECA 409
5.4
5.5
e. Use a calibrated torque wrench to tighten electrical connectors and terminals according to the manufacturer's published torque-tightening values.
f. Seal connections with an electrical joint compound as recommended by the manufacturer for
transformers installed outdoors or in a harsh environment.
g. Verify that wiring methods for transformer primary and secondary conductors connected to transformer enclosure are made in locations designated by
the manufacturer.
5.6
5.7
NECA 409
Transformer Accessories
Cleaning
6.2
6.3
10
Testing
Test transformers in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Maintain all test results for
future comparisons. At a minimum, perform the following tests on all transformers. Where test procedures are not specified by the transformers manufacturer, follow the procedures described in Section 11.
a.
NECA 409
c.
In addition, perform the following tests on singlephase transformers rated 167 kVA and above, and
three-phase transformers rated 500 kVA and above:
a.
6.4
Energizing Transformers
11
NECA 409
7. Site Cleanup
7.1
7.2
7.3
Training
Provide training for the Owners maintenance personnel in accordance with contract documents, if
required. Discuss routine maintenance, operating
procedures, cleaning, etc., using the manufacturers
standard installation, operation, and maintenance
manuals as references. Notify the Owner or General
Contractor a minimum of seven days in advance of
training.
7.4
13
8.2
Routine Inspections
NECA 409
h. On transformers equipped with winding temperature indicators, record the values indicated and
record the ambient temperature near the transformer
enclosure noting the date and time of day.
8.2.1 Transformer vaults or rooms
a. Measure and record the temperature of the vault
or room where indoor transformers are installed.
Visually check indoor transformer enclosures for evidence of exposure to liquids. Look for any recent
changes in sprinklers or other plumbing that might
now expose indoor transformers to a source of liquids. Eliminate sources or provide necessary protection for indoor transformers exposed to liquids:
NECA 409
c. Inspect the interior of transformers for arc spatter, sooty deposits, and tracking. Inspect core laminations for signs of arcing or overheating. Investigate
sources of arcing or overheating. Consult the transformer manufacturer for recommendations.
16
NECA 409
8.5
8.6
Re-energizing Transformers
8.7
17
18
10.1 General
19
NECA 409
20
11.1 General
a. De-energize and electrically isolate the transformer from the distribution system in accordance
with established safety procedures and Section 3.
b. Connect a megohmmeter between each highvoltage winding and ground, between each low-voltage winding and ground, and between each highvoltage and low-voltage winding.
NECA 409
b. Measure and record the resistance of each transformer winding at each tap connection. Allow readings to stabilize for a minimum of 30 seconds before
recording results.
c. Because winding resistance varies with temperature, record the winding temperature at the time of
the test.
d. Compare results with prior test results, factory
test results, and results from identical transformers.
e. Test results, after adjusting for temperature differences using manufacturer recommended correction factors, should compare within 1% of factoryobtained results and should be comparable between
phases of multiphase transformers.
22
NECA 409
firm that it is de-energized. Remove accessible covers, plates, weathershields, etc. Re-energize transformer and loads in accordance with Section 6.4, and
perform an infrared scan of all transformer electrical
connections and terminals while the transformer is
energized and operating under maximum load conditions.
e. Use an infrared scanning device designed to
measure actual operating temperatures, or designed
to detect significant deviations from surrounding
conditions. Provide documentation of the device
calibration.
f. Prepare a certified report identifying the transformer tested and describing the results of the
infrared scan. Include notation of deficiencies
detected, remedial action taken, and results from
retesting after remedial action.
g. Maintain a permanent record of all infrared scan
results to track electrical characteristics of transformers over time.
h. Consult the transformer manufacturer for repair
or replacement recommendations if infrared scan
results indicate overheating of components.
i. De-energize the transformer. Observe the safety
procedures in Section 3. Test the transformer to confirm that it is de-energized. Install all accessible covers, plates, weathershields, etc. Re-energize transformer and loads in accordance with Section 6.4.
Annex A: Transformer
Troubleshooting Guide
Use Table 1, Transformer Troubleshooting Chart, as a guide in conjunction with the inspection, maintenance,
and testing procedures outlined in this publication.
Elevated Transformer
Operating Temperature
24
Possible Cause
Remedy
Short-circuited core
Test for excitation current and noload losses per manufacturer recommendations. Tighten core bolts and
clamps. Check for welded core laminations. Repair or replace damaged
transformers in accordance with
manufacturer recommendations.
Symptom
Excessive Transformer
Noise and Vibration
NECA 409
Possible Cause
Remedy
Unbalanced loads
Transformer overload
25
NECA 409
Symptom
Possible Cause
Remedy
Winding failure
Winding fault
Elevated Secondary
Voltage
Smoking Transformer
26
Symptom
Possible Cause
Remedy
Overheating
Lightning surge
Winding damage
Insulation Thermal
Damage
NECA 409
27
NECA 409
Symptom
Possible Cause
Remedy
Low frequency
Core damage
Overload
Loose connections
Undersized conductors
Excessive Conductor
Heating
28
Symptom
Breaker or Fuse
Operation
Physical Winding
Damage
NECA 409
Possible Cause
Remedy
Overload
Short circuit
Winding failure
Short circuit
Weather
Corrosive environment
Overload
29
NECA 409
Symptom
Overloaded Neutral
Conductor
Unbalanced Voltages
29
Possible Cause
Remedy
Overload
Single-phasing of three-phase
transformer or bank of single-phase
transformers
NECA 409
31
NECA 409
NECA 409-2009, Recommended Practice for Installing and Maintaining Dry-Type Transformers (ANSI)
NECA 410-2005, Standard for Installing and Maintaining Liquid-Filled Transformers (ANSI)
NECA 411-2006, Standard for Installing and Maintaining Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) (ANSI)
NECA 420-2007, Standard for Fuse Applications (ANSI)
NECA 430-2006, Standard for Installing Medium-Voltage Metal-Clad Switchgear (ANSI)
NECA/IESNA 500-2006, Standard for Installing Indoor Commercial Lighting Systems (ANSI)
NECA/IESNA 501-2006, Standard for Installing Exterior Lighting Systems (ANSI)
NECA/IESNA 502-2006, Standard for Installing Industrial Lighting Systems (ANSI)
NECA 503-2005, Standard for Installing Fiber Optic Lighting Systems
NECA/BICSI 568-2006, Standard for Installing Commercial Building Telecommunications Cabling (ANSI)
NECA/MACSCB 600-2003, Recommended Practice for Installing and Maintaining Medium-Voltage Cable (ANSI)
NECA/NEMA 605-2005, Recommended Practice for Installing Underground Nonmetallic Utility Duct (ANSI)
32