Information Sheet

Minnesota

Upgrade transformers to improve energy efficiency

Know these critical details about transformer types
If you are planning a replacement or new
purchase of a transformer at your business
facility, the following information is critical to
your analysis and decision-making process. As
part of the Custom Efficiency program, brought
to you by Xcel Energy, we offer cash incentives
for choosing energy-efficiency measures that
exceed standard options but aren’t covered by
our other energy conservation programs.
Standard transformers have efficiencies
that are based on the average efficiency of
transformers sold in the market today. The
efficiency range starts at 95.7 percent for the
smaller-sized transformers and increases to
98.7 percent for the larger-sized transformers.
These transformers are general-purpose, linear
load transformers intended for power, heating
and lighting applications.
Energy-efficient transformers are
constructed with larger wires than standard-
efficiency transformers and use an improved
core that causes less heat to be produced
from the transformer operation. The efficiency
range starts at 97 percent for the smaller-sized
transformers and increases to a high of 98.9
percent for the larger-sized transformers. These
transformers also are called ENERGY STAR®
transformers and meet the NEMA standard
TP-1 for efficiency ratings.
adjustable speed drives (ASDs) and some
fluorescent lights. Energy losses are reduced
because the transformer is designed with a
core and wires that provide less resistance to
harmonic currents than a standard-efficiency
or energy-efficient transformer design.
Harmonic-canceling transformers reduce
the harmonic currents that flow through the
transformer to other loads connected to
the transformer. The reduction in harmonic
currents will reduce energy loss caused by the
harmonic currents. The transformer also will
maintain the power quality to loads served by
the transformers if those loads are affected
by harmonics. These transformers may have
lower energy loss than K-factor transformers,
depending upon the type and quantity of
harmonic loads that are connected to the
transformer.
Use high-efficiency non-linear
harmonic-canceling transformers
for today’s digital electronics
Today’s average business facilities, from a
standard office building to a high-tech industrial
operation, require electricity for more than
incandescent lighting and simple motors.
Many common types of equipment, such as
computers, fax machines, copiers, fluorescent
lighting and ASDs, can create harmonic
distortion caused by their non-linear electrical
loads. This can negatively affect power
quality, transformer efficiency and the life and
operation of your electronic equipment.
Upgrade to a high-efficiency
harmonic-canceling
transformer and you could …
• Improve power quality
• Reduce your operating costs
• Decrease your energy bill
• Earn cash incentives

K-factor transformers are designed

specifically to withstand harmonic heating and
high neutral currents associated with computer
equipment and other non-linear loads. These
transformers are also called non-linear type
transformers. The standard ratings are K-1,
K-4, K-7, K-13 and KI-20 where the higher the
number the more heat from harmonic currents
the transformer is able to handle. These
transformers will operate more efficiently than
standard or energy-efficient transformers when
serving non-linear loads such as computers,
Upgrade transformers to improve energy efficiency information SHEET
business solutions center 1-800-481-4700 Minnesota
Transformer upgrades to non-linear
harmonic-canceling units improve more
than power quality:
• Reduce current and voltage distortion
• Lower energy usage saving you money on
your bill
• Improve power quality inside your facility,
which decreases downtime, extends
electronic equipment life, reduces
unscheduled maintenance
Where are harmonics generated?
When utilities generate voltage, it is free from A common problem of harmonics is that they
harmonic distortion. Non-linear loads inside
your home or business generate harmonics.
These loads draw current in a non-linear
fashion, which creates harmonics.
Having electrical harmonics does not
mean pleasant music
When voltage is generated, it looks like a sine
wave. When you connect a linear load such as
an incandescent light bulb, it will draw current,
which is also a sine wave.
(See Figure 1.) Connect a non-linear load
such as a switch mode power supply from a
personal computer, and it will draw current in
pulses, which is a non-sinusoidal waveform.
Figure 2 shows a typical current waveshape
from a switch mode power supply. Examples
of non-linear loads are: personal computers,
magnetic and electronic ballasts, ASDs, lighting
dimmers, battery chargers, uninterruptible
power supplies.
Figure 1 Voltage
Linear Load
Current
Why are harmonics a problem?
Wiring systems in the United States are
designed to handle 60 Hz power. When the
power is rich in harmonics it has higher
frequencies present. Currents at higher
frequencies generate more heat than at 60 Hz.
Another problem with harmonics is that current
harmonics will distort the voltage waveshape.
This voltage distortion can cause problems for
other equipment using the power.
What are the symptoms
of harmonic problems?
cause overheating of electrical equipment.
This can be harmful to neutral conductors,
transformers, motors, generators, and power
factor correction capacitors. Harmonic problems high-efficiency options
also can result in the problems listed in the
next section. Consider the following when
purchasing a transformer serving non-linear
loads:
• Choose a non-linear rated unit with harmonic- • C ontact a transformer vendor to determine
canceling or phase-shifting features
• Select a unit that is designed to solve the
specific power quality problem Analyze
your existing and future electronic needs
for potential problems by answering these
questions:
• Are you having power quality problems?
• Inventory your sources of non-linear load; do
you expect to increase the number of these
types of equipment in the future?
• Do you have problems with overheating
equipment?
Voltage
Figure 2
Non-Linear Load
Current
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•H
 ave you noticed motors running backwards,
premature lighting ballast failure, blown
capacitor bank fuses, unreliable circuit
breaker operation, audible noise or vibration
in electrical panels?
• Is it important to control maintenance and
energy costs?
Gain more benefits with a high-efficiency
harmonic-canceling transformer versus
standard-efficiency units
If you answer “yes” to one or more of the
questions in the previous section at the bottom
of the first column, a transformer change could
be beneficial to your business. Cash Incentives
through Xcel Energy’s Custom Efficiency
program may help offset the cost of installing
Here’s how to participate in Xcel Energy’s
Custom Efficiency program:
harmonics levels and how they’re affecting
your electrical load
• C hoose energy-saving models (either
harmonic-canceling or energyefficient,
based on the vendor recommendation) if
you determine that you need to replace or
purchase a transformer for new operations
• C ontact our Business Solutions Center
at 1-800-481-4700 or EnergyEfficiency@
xcelenergy.com for more information
on cash incentives.
(Pre-approval is required prior to purchase
and installation to qualify for rebates)
Your conservation efforts benefit everyone!
Upgrading to a high-efficiency transformer will
reduce energy costs and may help you improve
power quality. You also help Xcel Energy reduce
the costs for producing the energy we all
consume and help us delay the need to build
expensive new generating plants, which help
Xcel Energy keep its electric rates among the
lowest in the nation. When you use energy
more efficiently, you also save nonrenewable
natural resources such as natural gas, oil and
coal used to generate electricity.