July 2015
LET’S BE PACIFIC
Volume 14 Number 1
New 2016 DOE Efficiency Standards
Change Transformer Landscape
Overview
Beginning January 1, 2016, new DOE efficiency standards
for low and medium voltage dry-type as well as liquidimmersed distribution transformers will take effect. All
units subject to the standard that are manufactured on
or after January 1, 2016 are required to meet these new
standards. The new DOE standards replace the current
TP-1 standards which went into effect on January 1,
2007 for low-voltage, dry-type distribution transformers and January 1, 2010 for medium-voltage, dry-type
transformers.
percent for liquid-immersed transformers, 13 percent for
medium-voltage dry-type transformers, and 18 percent
for low-voltage dry-type transformers.
Distribution transformers covered by this standard
are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR
431.192. Three types of distribution transformers are
covered by the standard: low-voltage dry-type, liquidimmersed, and medium-voltage, dry-type. The full standard can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations,
10 CFR 431.196.
According to the US Department of Energy, these newly
amended energy efficiency standards will save up to
$12.9 billion in total costs to consumers — ultimately saving families and businesses money while also reducing
energy consumption. The new distribution transformer
standards will also save 3.63 quadrillion British Thermal
Units (BTUs) of energy for equipment sold over the 30year period of 2016 to 2045.
Product Impacts
The new standards apply to all distribution transformers
sold in the US. The majority of transformer units will be
required to deliver higher efficiencies, but the mandated
efficiencies for some types/classes of transformers
remain unchanged from previous regulations. Several
types/classes of transformers that have been exempt
from regulation remain exempt under 2016 DOE.
The new amendments to the existing efficiency standards further decrease electrical losses by about 8
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otherwise expressly approved in writing is strictly prohibited. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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The table below briefly summarizes which products fall under the new standard. Please refer to the full standard for
your specific transformer type.
Higher efficiencies required to meet 2016 DOE standards
Three-Phase Low-Voltage (600V), Dry-Type: 15KVA to 1000KVA
Three-Phase Medium-Voltage, Dry-Type: 15KVA to 2500KVA
No change in efficiency requirement under 2016 DOE standards
All Single-Phase Distribution Transformers
Exempt from 2016 DOE standards
Low-Voltage (600V) Transformers rated <15KVA OR >1000KVA
Medium-Voltage Transformers Rated <15KVA OR >2500KVA
Transformers with Input Voltage >34.5kV AND/OR Output Voltage >600V
Transformers exported for use outside the US (even if manufactured in US)
Transformers not rated for 60Hz operation
Transformers with Tap Range of 20% or more
Transformers typically utilized in specialty applications: Autotransformer, Drive Isolation, Grounding,
Mining, Machine Tool, Non-Ventilated, Rectifier, Regulating, Sealed, Special-Impedance, Testing, UPS
& Welding Transformers
Transformer efficiency increase and associated loss
decrease will require most manufacturers to re-design
their current transformers to achieve the new standard.
These re-designs may require an increase in use of wiring conductor, use of more efficient grades of electrical
core steel and/or more efficient core construction design. These design modifications may increase the physical size and weight of the units along with their costs.
able for products with desired delivery dates outside
of the standard lead time. Inventory of stock 2016 DOEcompliant transformers will be built in Q4 2015 so that
product will be available for immediate delivery after
the December 31st end of manufacturing date for TP-1
compliant products. Depending on customer demand,
inventory of TP-1 units that were built before January
1st may be available into 2016 but once this inventory is
depleted there will be no more TP-1 units available due
to the manufacturing cutover.
Federal Pacific & 2016 DOE
As a leader in delivering high quality distribution transformers that adhere to government standards, Federal
Pacific is working diligently to re-tool its product line
ahead of the January 1, 2016 cutover to the new DOE
requirements. Prototype designs and initial builds are
complete, and pilot production runs are in progress.
Pricing for stock units, availability and full specifications,
including enclosure sizes and weights, will be published
in Q4 2015. If you have a specification question about a
model ahead of formal release please contact your local sales representative as information on your specific
model may be available earlier. Updates on DOE 2016
from Federal Pacific will be released in future issues of
Let’s Be Pacific.
Federal Pacific is now quoting engineered 2016 DOE
transformers for standard lead time delivery, with quotes
valid for 30 days. Budgetary pricing information is avail-
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otherwise expressly approved in writing is strictly prohibited. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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The efficiencies mandated under the new standards vary by transformer type and rating. The charts below summarize
the new efficiencies compared to the old standard.
Chart 1: Low-Voltage (600V), Dry-Type Efficiency %
(600 Volt Class)
TP-1 Efficiency
98.23
98
97.89
99.28
99.23
99.14
98.9
98.8
98.7
98.6
98.5
98.3
98.2
99.02
98.94
98.83
98.74
98.6
98.4
DOE 2016 Efficiency
97.7
97.5
97
15
KVA
30
KVA
45
KVA
75
KVA
112.5
KVA
150
KVA
225
KVA
300
KVA
500
KVA
750
KVA
1000
KVA
Chart 2: Medium-Voltage Dry-Type Efficiency % (20-45kV BIL)
DOE 2016 Efficiency
TP-1 Efficiency
97.9
97.9
97.5
97.5
15
KVA
30
KVA
98.1
98.1
45
KVA
98.49
98.52
98.33
98.33
75
KVA
112.5
KVA
98.6
98.65
98.73
98.82
98.82
98.93
225
KVA
300
KVA
150
KVA
98.96
99.09
500
KVA
99.07
99.21
99.14
99.28
99.22
99.37
750
KVA
1000
KVA
1500
KVA
99.27
99.43
99.31
99.47
2000
KVA
2500
KVA
Chart 3: Medium-Voltage Dry-Type Efficiency % (>96kV BIL)
TP-1 Efficiency
DOE 2016 Efficiency
99.21
99.11
99.02
98.89
99.09
99.28
99.15
99.33
99.2
98.99
98.91
98.8
98.53
98.57
225
KVA
98.63
98.69
300
KVA
500
KVA
750
KVA
1000
KVA
1500
KVA
2000
KVA
2500
KVA
This document contains proprietary information of Electro-Mechanical Corporation or its operating divisions in whom title remains. Any reproduction, distribution, disclosure or use not
otherwise expressly approved in writing is strictly prohibited. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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©2015 Electro-Mechanical Corporation
This document contains proprietary information of Electro-Mechanical Corporation or its operating divisions in whom title remains. Any reproduction, distribution, disclosure or use not
otherwise expressly approved in writing is strictly prohibited. Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.
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