The New Transformer

Manweb, the local Distribution Network Operator, have been today and spent my £16,000. To be fair, it was a major undertaking, with two cherry pickers, a lorry with Hiab crane, a couple of vans and a Landrover with a foreman. They disconnected the supply to the old transformer, and after going through what seemed like an endless list of health & safety checks, proceeded to remove the old transformer and replace it with the new. We have also taken the opportunity to upgrade the supply, replacing the 45 year old 44 kVA transformer with a 100 kVA. The old one wouldn’t have been any use for the 80 kW turbine anyway.

The interesting thing about changing the old transformer though is that if it had actually failed, Manweb would have replaced it at their expense. But because we needed it changing for the new supply arrangements, we have had to pay the full cost even though the old one was 45 years old and was showing some serious signs of corrosion when they got it on the ground. Manweb’s reasoning was that they wouldn’t have had to pay anything at all if it wasn’t for us, as the old transformer may have lasted another 10 years before failing.

All went well, and the job was completed between 9 am and 3 pm so that our regular dairy milking regime wasn’t disrupted. They also recovered the redundant poles as the new supply is buried underground. So we now have our new electricity supply in place, all ready and waiting for the turbine to be installed.