It would be grossly inefficient for power companies to size transformer as we do.
The power company would be paying for all the losses caused by the 'over sized' transformers.
Though, in theory, there are fuses on the primary side of all the pole pigs which should open if overloaded, right?
Yes and no.
There are fuses on the primary side.
Will they open when the transformer is overloaded by our standards?
No, not likely. If I recall the fuses they use will sustain 150% of their rating indefinitely.
They will open when the transformer primaries eventually short out protecting the rest of the grid from failure.
On another forum a member posted the following and it has stuck with me as I think it is very true.
The NEC is concerned with turning the power
offThe NESC (Power Company rules) are concerned with keeping the power
on under most conditions.
[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 08-12-2006).]
