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#184548 02/12/09 10:18 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
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I had a friend who always bolts his transformers to the floor, but was questioned by another electrician whether it was necessary...we'd like to know if there is a reference in the CEC about having to bolt transformers to the floor or perhaps a building code requirement under "seismic"?

Thanks, any feedback would be appreciated!


Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 613
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Well we don't lean the panels against the wall either. All equipment has to be securly mounted.

The building code defines these things and in a seismic area the rules are stricter often requiring snubbers and seismic rated anchors etc.
2-118 refers us to Appendix G which are the many Building code references.

I can tell you that they must be secured but it surprises me that the rule that says so is not so easy to find and I will be looking.

Joined: Sep 2006
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26-248(1)Transformers of the dry-core open-ventilated type shall be mounted so that there is an air space of not less than 150mm between.............
26-240(4)Transformers shall be protected from mechanical damage.
I'd say either one of those covers it


Last edited by Eddy Current; 03/22/09 12:00 AM.
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twh Offline
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I carry a hot glue gun just for the purpose of mounting transformers on the floor. It also provides mechanical protection by providing some "give" if a fork lift hits it.

I'm not advocating leaning panels against the wall, but I've seen a few transformers hung by threaded rod from the ceiling and they move quite freely. Sitting on the floor is way more secure - without glue.

The other electrician, in the original post, has a good point. Are there any rules about mounting transformers? What is secure?

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If it's suspended by unistrut on threaded rod it's always bolted to the unistrut. If bolting's good enough for the hanging ones it's good enough for the floor mounted ones.


Ghost307
Joined: Jun 2006
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Originally Posted by ghost307
If it's suspended by unistrut on threaded rod it's always bolted to the unistrut. If bolting is good enough for the hanging ones it's good enough for the floor mounted ones.

Be careful about that assumption. A transformer hanging from a ceiling might likely survive a seismic event where the one bolted to the floor does not. For example the hole that the bolt goes through can act as a bolt cutter if the hole is larger than the bolt. The side to side motion of a transformer can hammer on the bolt and shear it off. Bolts are much stronger in stretch than shear. the hanging transformer and its suspension will give in a shaker where the bolts on the floor mounted transformer shear off because it is more rigid.

Joined: Mar 2003
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Ummmm Then do you Require Large MCC sections or Switchgear to be Bolted to the Floor also?? What if its mounted on Steel Rails like a lot are in Factorys?? Do you then require it be Welded to the rails????

Joined: Dec 2000
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In California, you'd get a big fat red tag for not bolting down transformers, MCCs or switchgear......

The inspector would probably walk away shaking his head, laughing.


Joined: Mar 2003
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Then in California do they Require Gear WELDED to rails when gears set on them???
Do you know what I mean by metal rails???

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When I was at GE, we'd void your warranty if you didn't bolt down the MCC, Switchboards and Switchgear.


Ghost307
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