Should Dry Type Transformers Be Installed Indoors or Outdoors?

Indoor Installation of Dry Type Transformers

Indoor installation of dry type transformers refers to when you install a dry type transformer inside a building or a specific structure for which the dry type Transformer will regulate electricity. 

When indoor installation of dry type transformers is done?

You can select the indoor installation of your dry type transformer if your location has any type of environmental protection issue or has the security concerns related to the transformer or for the application for which the transformer is being used. Space consideration is also an important factor among dry type transformer installation requirements. 

Applications for which indoor transformer installation is done?

From all the applications for which you can install a dry type transformer, there are following applications for which indoor installation is recommended or can be done

• Installation for your commercial building where your transformer will provide safe electricity for all electrical needs including HVAC system.
• Installation for industrial facilities in manufacturing plants where each dry type transformer can be installed indoors to regulate and provide safe electricity for specific machinery or a process.
• The indoor installation is also done for large hospitals and data centres including cryptocurrency related exchanges and mining centres where a dedicated dry type transformer is crucial for reliable operations.
• Other installation applications include all types of horse weather conditions where installation of a transformer in an outdoor environment can compromise its performance.

Indoor Installation Requirement

There are certain requirements that the installation site and the Transformer itself should have to successfully and safely install a dry type transformer indoors. 

Mounting Platform

Those requirements having a mounting place for the transformer is the first requirement. The installation site should have a specifically constructed for either have wall brackets in place for safe and reliable installation of transformer.

Accessibility

This accessibility is the second requirement from the installation site. The building or the installation site should have enough space and area to easily deliver the transformer to the designated area, do all the installation work, and has space for any type of future upgradation and maintenance work.

Transformer Enclosure

As from the Transformer, if you are planning to install your dry type transformer indoors then your Transformer should be delivered with an enclosure. This is for the safety of humans working around the Transformer and Transformer itself. The enclosure will  prevent any type of accidental contact between the Transformer in the humans or other machinery working around the transformer.

Transformer Grounding

The proper transformer grounding is one of the most important requirements that the installation site and the Transformer itself has to satisfy. This will ensure that all types of electrical search is due to accidents or environmental factors not done in electrical hazards.

Clearance and Space Requirement

The indoor installation of the transformer came with certain dry type transformer clearance requirements. Depending on the dry type transformer specification like size, power rating, and national and international standards,  you need to provide a certain clearance around the Transformer. 

This is compulsory to protect the other equipment installed around the transformer from the waste heat being rejected by the transformer. The minimum space and clearance requirement is also compulsory to do any type of maintenance work around the Transformer.

Ventilation and Cooling Considerations

As the dry type transformer relies on the natural or forced flow of air to remove the waste heat being produced at the winding. So the indoor installation of the transformer should consider the proper ventilation and cooling mechanism of the transformer. 

If your Transformer relies on natural flow of air for cooling, then the selected indoor side should have the windows or have required structure in a manner that allows a natural flow of air across the Transformer.  

If your Transformer relies on the forced air flow for cooling then the infrastructure should have the required space so that the cooling fan can suck in fresh air and have the required space for exhaust.

If required the installation site should also consider the installation of an entire HVAC system just for the transformer cooling.

Safety and Fire Protection Measures

The indoor installation of the dry dry Transformer also required certain safety and fire protection measures that you need to follow during indoor installation. These safety measures include constructing a fire resistant barrier around the transformer or having an enclosure that separates the high risk area from the other area. 

The indoor installation side should also follow the related fire safety protocols like NFPA and IEC safety standards. The installation site should also have a fire suspension system such as the sprinkler, fire extinguishers, and fire resisting panels to suppress any fire in emergency conditions.

Advantages of Indoor Installation

• The indoor installation of dry type transformers is a protection against all types of horse environmental conditions like thunderstorm, rain, dust, and extreme temperatures.
• The indoor installation  enhances the security of the Transformer against any type of vandalism or theft that can prove very costly in case of sensitive application.
• In house installation of dry type transformers have reduced transmission losses as the distance between the load and the transformer is minimum.
• The indoor installation offers easy maintenance as maintenance in any type of control environment is very easy as compared to the unpredicted environment.

Disadvantages of Indoor Installation

• Indoor installation of dry type transformers always requires a dedicated space that most of the time is not easily available especially if  large space is required.
• Ventilation and cooling for the dry type transformer for indoor application offer various challenges and increase installation and operational cost in almost all cases.
• Installation requirements specifically the fire safety measures and compliance with local and International building codes will add complexity and increase cost of overall project.

You may enjoy: Step-by-Step Guideline On Installing A Transformer

Outdoor Installation of Dry Type Transformers

The outdoor installation of a dry type transformer means installation of the transformer in an open area with no building or infrastructure covering the Transformer site. This outdoor installation of dry type transformers also has its own requirements, applications, advantages and disadvantages.

When outdoor installation of dry type transformers is done?

The outdoor installation of the dry type transformer is usually preferred whenever there is a single Transformer powering multiple electrical loads or when the indoor installation is not possible due to one or several reasons mentioned above.

Applications for which outdoor transformer installation is done?

Like some specific applications for which the indoor installation of the right time Transformer was done there are some specific applications for which it is highly recommended to only do outdoor transformer installation.

• Whenever a dryer type transformer is being installed for residential areas then the installation is always recommended to be an outdoor installation.
• The dry type transformer installed for any specific power station like solar or wind power plants are very likely to be installed outdoors.
• When installation is done in a remote site where there isn't any suitable building or a structure  that can satisfy all indoor requirements then the installation will be done outdoors.
• Industrial installations where one single dry type transformer will power multiple buildings or multiple sections of a single industrial plant, the installation is always recommended to be out or installation.

Outdoor Installation Requirement

Like the indoor dry type transformer installation requirements, there are certain dry type transformer installation requirements when  there will be an outdoor  installation.

Foundation

The foundation mostly depends on how you plan to install your dry type transformer. If you  are planning to install the Transformer on ground then appropre concrete platform  is needed to be constructed as per the size, weight and overall dimensions of the transformer. However if you have a small dry type transformer which can be installed on a pole then a proper Steel platform or steel brackets  need to be fixed on all before installation of the transformer.

Weatherproof Enclosure

One of the most important installation requirements from the transformer if you are planning to install it outdoors is the requirement of a weather proof enclosure. Your transformer should have a  weatherproof enclosure Quality should be either based on NEMA rated or IP rated  to ensure weatherproofing. This enclosure is important to ensure that the transformer and all its electrical components will remain safe from extreme weather like thunderstorms, rain, dust, or from extreme heat.

Reading more: Choosing the Right Transformer Enclosure for Your Project

Grounding and Lightning Protection

The outdoor installed Electrical Transformer needs proper grounding in lightning protection as it will be subject to Thunderbolt strikes during thunderstorms. The grounding shows that any type of short circuit over electrical  search due to any fault or bad weather does not affect or damage Transformer parts. Similarly the lightning protection system shows that Thunderbolt strike doesn't effectively damage the Transformer.

Space and Clearance Requirements

The outdoor installed Electrical Transformer has its own space and dry type transformer clearance requirements. Depending upon the dry type transformer specification like size, the power capacity, and the national or International safety laws about the installation of electrical equipment specially Transformers, you need to provide sufficient clearance around the installed dry transformer. The Transformer should be appropriately spaced from the buildings and other structures and should be easily accessible to show maintenance but also ensure security. Transformers should not be installed on or near Pathways or in high traffic areas. 

Security and Safety Considerations

When installing the dry type electrical Transformers outdoors you need to have sufficient security and safety  of your Transformer as well as for the people that might be moving around it. Installing fences or barriers to prevent any type of an authorised assessor using padlock on the enclosure, having security cameras or alarm system to protect your valuable transformer is all part of security consideration. Similarly you can install a number of safety and warning signs around the Transformer to inform people that  a high voltage equipment is nearby.

Advantages of Outdoor Installation

• You can save a lot of indoor space by installing your dry type transformer outdoors for all those applications that do not require in door installation.
• The outdoor installation of dry type transformer ensures that there is no additional work needed for any type of ventilation.
• Why is darling your dry type transformer outside you can totally eliminate the fire or explosion related hazards that associated with transformer

Disadvantages of Outdoor Installation

• Continuous exposure of an outdoor installed dry type transformer to the extreme weather condition can affect its performance and useful life.
• You need to work and spend more to ensure that the Transformer installed is fully squad and to avoid any type of vandalism and theft during the entire useful life of the dry dry transformer.
• What you Transformer installed in either extreme cold or extreme hot region the schedule and regular maintenance can be challenging especially in case of any emergency.

Get it free: Technical Requirements for Transformer Installation

Comparison of Indoor vs Outdoor Installation

Conclusion

Dry type transformers can be installed indoor and outdoor but should dry type transformers  be installed indoor or outdoor depends on a number of factors including the application, dry type transformer specification like the size, the power capacity, space, ventilation, fire safety, and security requirements. Some applications only require you to install dry type transformers indoors to ensure safety and lability of operations and similarly somewhere applications can only allow you to install the transformer outdoors. 

We have explained all the installation requirements above in detail and have provided advantages and disadvantages of both indoor and outdoor installations. You need to consider all these factors before you decide about the installation location of your dry type transformer.

Follow Up

Dry type transformer installation work needs a high level of understanding and technical skill to install transformers properly and safely. We at Daelim not only offer dry type transformers of all types, sizes, and power capacity, we also offer reliable installation services of our transformer. We follow all types of national, international standards during the installation process to ensure the safety of equipment and people that work around the equipment. If you have any questions about transformer installation, Contact Us and we will guide you through the process.