North America | May 27, 2014

Lansdale Electric to upgrade power transformers

USA, Pennsylvania:The Lansdale Borough Council Electric Department plans to carry out replacements of power transformers with one already underway.

 

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USA, Pennsylvania: The Lansdale Borough Council Electric Department plans to carry out replacements of power transformers with one already underway. 

Last November, the Council awarded a contract to replace the power transformer on Hancock Street, and a new $ 500,000 transformer to increase the borough power grid’s capacity and flexibility is still due for delivery later this year.

At the location, one of two power transformers has a concrete oil containment system around its base, while the other one stands on several wooden planks, also showing their wear, according to The Reporter.

“If this substation should fail, you’re talking roughly 3,500-some-odd people out of power. We’re not saying that’s going to happen, but if we keep kicking the can down the road, it may happen,” said Electric Superintendent Andy Krauss.

Scheduled maintenance at the end of May should give a better picture of the old transformer’s current condition, but Electric staff have already noticed the oil level dropping due to possible leaks. Parts are getting harder to find as the transformer ages, and internal temperatures are running colder than usual in winter and high in spring — signs that it may be time to plan that next upgrade.

“The breaker at Richardson has over 12,000 operations, so it’s been run through the wringer.” Krauss said. Two transformer upgrades already add up to nearly $ 1 million in long term capital projects.

“Some of the current transformers out there now were installed in the 1940s and ‘50s and may be sized incorrectly, because things have changed over the years in terms of both electric usage and the residential or commercial use in certain buildings.“ Krauss added.

Source: The Reporter