Safety Clearance for Transformer

SEPTEMBER 2, 2012 9 COMMENTS

Safety Clearance for Transformer:

Clearance from Outdoor Liquid Insulated Transformers to Buildings
(NEC):
Liquid Liquid Fire Non- Combustible Vertical
Volume (m3) Resistant Combustible Wall Distance
Wall Wall

Less NA 0.9 Meter 0.9 Meter 0.9 Meter 0.9 Meter

Flammable

<38 m3 1.5 Meter 1.5 Meter 7.6 Meter 7.6 Meter

>38 m3 4.6 Meter 4.6 Meter 15.2 Meter 15.2

Meter

Mineral Oil <1.9 m3 1.5 Meter 4.6 Meter 7.6 Meter 7.6 Meter

1.9 m3 to 19 4.6 Meter 7.6 Meter 15.2 Meter 15.2

m3 Meter

> 19 m3 7.6 Meter 15.2 Meter 30.5 Meter 30.5

Meter

Clearance between Two Outdoor Liquid Insulated Transformers (NEC):

Liquid Liquid Volume (m3) Distance

Less Flammable NA 0.9 Meter

<38 m3 1.5 Meter

>38 m3 7.6 Meter

Mineral Oil <1.9 m3 1.5 Meter

1.9 m3 to 19 m3 7.6 Meter

> 19 m3 15.2 Meter

Dry Type Transformer in Indoor Installation (NES 420.21):

Voltage Distance (min)
Up to 112.5 KVA 300 mm (12 in.) from combustible material unless separated
from the combustible material by a heat-insulated barrier.
Above 112.5 KVA Installed in a transformer room of fire-resistant construction.
Above 112.5 KVA with Class 155 separated from a fire-resistant barrier not less than 1.83 m (6
Insulation ft) horizontally and 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically

Dry Type Transformer in Outdoor Installation (NES 420.22):

Voltage Distance (min)

Above 112.5 KVA with Class 155 separated from a fire-resistant barrier not less than 1.83 m (6
Insulation ft) horizontally and 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically

Non Flammable Liquid-Insulated Transformer in Indoor

Installation (NES 420.21):
Voltage Distance (min)

Over 35KV Installed indoors Vault (Having liquid confinement area and a pressure-relief
vent for absorbing any gases generated by arcing inside the tank, the pressure-
relief vent shall be connected to a chimney or flue that will carry such gases to
an environmentally safe area
Above 112.5 KVA Installed in a transformer room of fire-resistant construction.
Above 112.5 KVA (Class separated from a fire-resistant barrier not less than 1.83 m (6 ft) horizontally
155 Insulation) and 3.7 m (12 ft) vertically

Oil Insulated Transformer in Indoor Installation (NES 420.25):

Voltage Distance (min)

Installed indoors Vault (With construction of reinforced concrete that is not less than
Up to 112.5 KVA
100 mm (4 in.) thick.
Up to 10 KVA & Up to Vault shall not be required if suitable arrangements are made to prevent a
600V transformer oil fire from igniting
Up to 75 KVA & Up to Vault shall not be required if where the surroundingStructure is classified as fire-
600V resistant construction.
Furnace transformers
Installed without a vault in a building or room of fire resistant construction
(Up to 75 kVA)

Transformer Clearance from Building (IEEE Stand):

Transformer Distance from Building (min)

Up to 75 KVA 3.0 Meter

75 KVA to 333 KVA 6.0 Meter
More than 333 KVA 9.0 Meter

Transformer Clearance Specifications (Stand: Georgia Power

Company):
Description of Clearance Distance (min)

Clearance in front of the transformer 3.0 Meter

Between Two pad mounted transformers (including Cooling fin) 2.1 Meter
Between Transformer and Trees, shrubs, vegetation( for unrestricted natural 3.0 Meter
cooling )
The edge of the concrete transformer pad to nearest the building 4.2 Meter
The edge of the concrete transformer pad to nearest building wall, windows, or 3.0 Meter
other openings
Clearance from the transformer to edge of (or Canopy) building (3 or less stories) 3.0 Meter
Clearance in front of the transformer doors and on the left side of the transformer, 3.0 Meter
looking at it from the front. (For operation of protective and switching devices on
the unit.)
Gas service meter relief vents. 0.9 Meter
Fire sprinkler values, standpipes and fire hydrants 1.8 Meter
The water’s edge of a swimming pool or any body of water. 4.5 Meter
Facilities used to dispense hazardous liquids or gases 6.0 Meter
Facilities used to store hazardous liquids or gases 3.0 Meter
Clear vehicle passageway at all times, immediately adjacent of Transformer 3.6 Meter
Fire safety clearances can be reduced by building a suitable masonry fire barrier
wall (2.7 Meter wide and 4.5 Meter Tall) 0.9 Meter from the back or side of the
Pad Mounted Transformer to the side of the combustible wall
Front of the transformer must face away from the building.

Clearance of Transformer-Cable-Overhead Line (Stand: Georgia Power

Company):
Horizontal Distance (mm)
Description of Clearance to pad-mounted to buried HV to overhead HV
transformers cable Line

Fuel tanks 7.5 Meter 1.5 Meter 7.5 Meter

Granaries 6.0 Meter 0.6 Meter 15 Meter
Homes 6.0 Meter 0.6 Meter 15 Meter
Barns, sheds, garages 6.0 Meter 0.6 Meter 15 Meter
Water wells 1.5 Meter 1.5 Meter 15 Meter
Height of Antenna
Antennas 3.0 Meter 0.6 Meter
+ 3.0 Meter