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New DOE requirements for transformers

Energy Conservation Program of the Department of Energy

The target of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act
of1975 (EPCA) is to save energy in various consumer
products and certain commercial and industrial equip-
ment, including distribution transformers. A new rule
will become effective as of 1st of January 2016 with
even stricter energy conservation standards than its
predecessor in 2010.
General information
Name of the rule:
10 CFR Part 431 Energy Conservation Program: Energy
Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers;
Final Rule
Scope of application:
Distribution transformers up to 2,500 kVA
Contents: The Rule defines a framework for the require-
ments for the environmentally-friendly design of energy
consumption-relevant products. The objectives include
improved energy efficiency and a general environmental
compatibility and thus the reduction of CO2 emissions.
The maximum energy efficiency determined by DOE that
istechnologically feasible and economically justified shall
be achieved. The Rule applies to all transformers manu
factured in or imported into the United States of America
after January 1st, 2016. DOE also added that they will
monitor the market for electrical steel and determine
in2016 if even higher standards will be implemented
infuture efficiency standards for cast resin transformers.
Exceptions: The term distribution transformer does not
include a transformer that is an
Autotransformer
Drive (isolation) transformer
Grounding transformer
Machine-tool (control) transformer
Non-ventilated transformer
Rectifier transformer
Regulating transformer
Sealed transformer
Special-impedance transformer
Testing transformer
Transformer with tap range of 20 percent or more
Uninterruptible power supply transformer
Welding transformer
Changes for operators/transformer buyers
All distribution transformers delivered to the US after
January 1st will need to comply to the new rule of the
DOE. Siemens has taken care of this and is able to provide
the complete range of distribution transformers according
to the new standards liquid-immersed as well as cast-
resin-design. Our processes and designs are adapted
according the new standard, so that the loss levels at no
load and under load will be reached or even outperformed
if required by customers.
However, the new efficiency standards could result
inhigher transformer prices due to additional material.
Alsothe weights and dimensions might increase which
might have an impact on the design of pad dimensions
orpole-type mounting.
We always aim to design and manufacture cost effective
transformers that not only are offered at a low base price,
but also pay off during their lifetime by saving energy.
This is why we offer an efficiency calculator for mobile
devices (http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/en/power-
transmission/transformers/siemens-transformer-
calculator.htm) that helps calculating the efficiency and
costeffectiveness of transformers over a certain deprecia-
tion period.
Efficiency standards for dry type
transformers
The efficiency of a cast resin distribution transformer
manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, shall be no less
than that required for their kVA rating in the tables below.
Cast resin distribution transformers with kVA ratings not
appearing in the table shall have their minimum efficiency
level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and
efficiency values immediately above and below that kVA
rating.
Efficiency standards for liquid immersed
distribution transformers
The efficiency of a liquid-immersed distribution trans
former manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, shall
beno less than that required for their kVA rating in the
tables below. Liquid-immersed distribution transformers
with kVA ratings not appearing in the table shall have
their minimum efficiency level determined by linear inter-
polation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately
above and below that kVA rating.

Single-phase Single-phase Three-phase

kVA BIL* Rating Efficiency Rating Efficiency
Efficiency
kVA % kVA %
2045 kV 4695 kV 96 kV
10 98.70 15 98.65
%
15 98.82 30 98.83
15 98.10 97.86
25 98.95 45 98.92
25 98.33 98.12
37.50 99.05 75 99.03
37.50 98.49 98.30
50 99.11 112.50 99.11
50 98.60 98.42
75 99.19 150 99.16
75 98.73 98.57 98.53
100 99.25 225 99.23
100 98.82 98.67 98.63
167 99.33 300 99.27
167 98.96 98.83 98.80
250 99.39 500 99.35
250 99.07 98.95 98.91
333 99.43 750 99.40
333 99.14 99.03 98.99
500 99.49 1000 99.43
500 99.22 99.12 99.09
667 99.52 1500 99.48
667 99.27 99.18 99.15
833 99.55 2000 99.51
833 99.31 99.23 99.20
2500 99.53

Three-phase
kVA BIL*
Efficiency
2045 kV 4695 kV 96 kV
%

15 97.50 97.18

30 97.90 97.63

45 98.10 97.86

75 98.33 98.13

112.50 98.52 98.36

150 98.65 98.51

225 98.82 98.69 98.57

300 98.93 98.81 98.69

500 99.09 98.99 98.89

750 99.21 99.12 99.02

1000 99.28 99.20 99.11

1500 99.37 99.30 99.21

2000 99.43 99.36 99.28

2500 99.47 99.41 99.33

Comparison 2016 to 2010:
Efficiency standards for dry type transformers
Three-phase 2016 Three-phase 2010
Rating Efficiency Increasing Difference
2045 kV 4695 kV 96 kV 2045 kV 4695 kV 96 kV
kVA % % %

150 98.65 98.51 98.60 98.42 0.05 0.09

225 98.82 98.69 98.57 98.73 98.57 98.53 0.09 0.12 0.04

300 98.93 98.81 98.69 98.82 98.67 98.63 0.11 0.14 0.06

500 99.09 98.99 98.89 98.96 98.83 98.80 0.13 0.16 0.09

750 99.21 99.12 99.02 99.07 98.95 98.91 0.14 0.17 0.11

1000 99.28 99.20 99.11 99.14 99.03 98.99 0.14 0.17 0.12

1500 99.37 99.30 99.21 99.22 99.12 99.09 0.15 0.18 0.12

2000 99.43 99.36 99.28 99.27 99.18 99.15 0.16 0.18 0.13

2500 99.47 99.41 99.33 99.31 99.23 99.20 0.16 0.18 0.13

Comparison 2016 to 2010:

Efficiency standards for liquid immersed distribution transformers
Three-phase DOE 2016 DOE 2010 Increase Three-phase DOE 2016 DOE 2010 Increase
Rating Efficiency Efficiency [%] Rating Efficiency Efficiency [%]
[kVA] [%] [%] [kVA] [%] [%]

15 98.65 98.36 0.29 300 99.27 99.23 0.04

30 98.83 98.62 0.21 500 99.35 99.25 0.10

45 98.92 98.76 0.16 750 99.40 99.32 0.08

75 99.03 98.91 0.12 1000 99.43 99.36 0.07

112.50 99.11 99.01 0.10 1500 99.48 99.42 0.06

150 99.16 99.08 0.08 2000 99.51 99.46 0.05

225 99.23 99.17 0.06 2500 99.53 99.49 0.04

2000 99.51 99.46 0.05

2500 99.53 99.49 0.04

*BIL means basic impulse insulation level.

Note: all efficiency values are at 50 percent of nameplate rated load, determined acc. to the DOE Test Methold for Measuring
the Energy Consumption of Distribution Transformers under appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR part 431.
Frequently asked questions
How does this impact transformer
manufacturers?
Beginning January 2016, distribution
transformers imported into or manu
factured for use in the United States of
America must comply with the require-
ments in the new rule if they fall within
its scope of applicability.
How does this affect existing product or
product intended for use outside the US?
The aforementioned guideline does not
apply to products manufactured for export
to other countries. Products a
lready in
circulation and in operation may continue
to be operated.
Who is responsible for compliance?
The party seeking to introduce the prod-
uct to the United States is responsible.
This is either the manufacturer, its repre-
sentative or the product importer.
Who reviews compliance with the
regulations?
Each manufacturer, its representative,
orproduct importer must register with
the DOE and submit performance data
toprove compliance. More information
isavailable at the following DOE website:
https://www.regulations.doe.gov/ccms/
registration-and-authorization-forms
Can Siemens fulfill the requirements?
In the past years, Siemens has designed
and produced transformers that already
comply with the new rule. We have done
this by using new materials such as amor-
phous laminations in distribution trans-
formers, whereby more energy-efficient
transformers can be designed and manu-
factured.
In addition, the method of loss evalua-
tion used for many years for defining
individual, economically ideal solutions
has proven itself. It should, therefore,
still apply.
What effects does the guideline have
on the transformer design?
Potential effects can lead to larger
orheavier transformers, more costly
depending on design and to a greater
useof higher-quality electrical sheets.
It is, however, important that all legal
requirements can be implemented now
with the design concepts and materials
available in the industry.
Questions about the DOE rule?
If you have questions regarding this
rule or its implementation and fulfill-
ment, please contact your partner
atSiemens.
Published by and copyright 2015:
Siemens AG
Energy Management Division
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
Siemens AG
Transformers
Katzwanger Strasse 150
90461 Nuremberg, Germany
www.siemens.com/energy
Printed in Germany
TH 101-150319 DB 0715
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