Pylon Transformers and 3phase Inverter/Converters

[seasonalbiz]

I am considering buying an ex-agricultural building witha yard, for my business. The downside of this place is there is only single phase electricity present in the building, although there is a wooden 3 cable pylon in the yard (with a single phase transformer mounted).

Could anyone give me a rough idea what UK Power Networks might charge to swap this transformer to a 3phase unit. I appreciate there are a number of factors, so I am only looking for a rough idea from anyone whom has been involved with a similar situation.

The alternative is 3phase inverters/converters… is this afeasible alternative with the machinery we are using, which currently includes…

4x 3kw Saws
1x 6kw Saw
2x 2kw Dust Extractors

Any info appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[mechelec]

I'll start with £10000.

 

[Richard Burns]

I have had someone just move a transformer 200yds and it cost £24,000!
But it should not cost quite that much to get a 3 phase supply.

 

[ian.settle1]

I am considering buying an ex-agricultural building witha yard, for my business. The downside of this place is there is only single phase electricity present in the building, although there is a wooden 3 cable pylon in the yard (with a single phase transformer mounted).

Could anyone give me a rough idea what UK Power Networks might charge to swap this transformer to a 3phase unit. I appreciate there are a number of factors, so I am only looking for a rough idea from anyone whom has been involved with a similar situation.

The alternative is 3phase inverters/converters… is this afeasible alternative with the machinery we are using, which currently includes…

4x 3kw Saws
1x 6kw Saw
2x 2kw Dust Extractors

Any info appreciated.

Thanks.

Just get the crystal ball out as you haven't given much info have you?
Distance of pole from position of meter/DB.
Total loading
Where you live
Best to contact your DNO for the cost

 

[Knobhead]

Come on give us half a chance.

 

[seasonalbiz]

Just get the crystal ball out as you haven't given much info have you?
Distance of pole from position of meter/DB.
Total loading
Where you live
Best to contact your DNO for the cost

East of England so UK Power Networks…. The building is approx. 40m from the pole, but the pole is within the property – so if it were cheaper (and to keep UKPN’s involvement to a minimum) I guess a meter cabinet could be co-located near the pylon. Not sure about load?... what more info would you need than the wattages I’ve listed?

Thanks for the replys... any info on the feasibility of inverters/converters as an alternative also would be appreciated.

 

[Fin170]

I'd phone them up and ask them for a quote, then pay the local undesirables to knock the pole over so it gets replaced with hopefully a 3 phase one :lol:

 

[Knobhead]

You’re going to have to consider an earth nest. UKPN will supply the MV earth, you’re problem is will they share the MET. That depends on the resistance of the nest.

They classify sites as hot or cold. Cold has a nest ≤1Ώ and MV & LV earthing can be linked. Hot the two nests have to be separate.

All you can do is talk to them.

 

[Knobhead]

What size supply are you looking at?

 

[JD6400]

It depends on how the surveyor is feeling at the time ! We have had just a simple transformer swap ( from 100 Kva - 200 kva ) with all infrastructure all ready in place , cost £40,000 at one end of the County . And at the same time , at the other end of the County they installed over 1 km of brand new over head lines and a new 200 Kva transformer for £3600 !!!!?????

 

[Engineer54]

It depends on how the surveyor is feeling at the time ! We have had just a simple transformer swap ( from 100 Kva - 200 kva ) with all infrastructure all ready in place , cost £40,000 at one end of the County . And at the same time , at the other end of the County they installed over 1 km of brand new over head lines and a new 200 Kva transformer for £3600 !!!!?????

And why you should always ask for a breakdown of charges. Which they are legally obliged to provide in such instances. You can then find any discrepancies in charges. lol!! I would say that on that higher charge you have hit or got very close to the limit of that distribution supply, and the money is going towards providing a new front end supply or maybe a tie in from another distribution source!!

 

[JD6400]

And why you should always ask for a breakdown of charges. Which they are legally obliged to provide in such instances. You can then find any discrepancies in charges. lol!! I would say that on that higher charge you have hit or got very close to the limit of that distribution supply, and the money is going towards providing a new front end supply or maybe a tie in from another distribution source!!

Without a doubt , a copy of the quote needs to be asked for ! Even if it is just to see what items are contestable , alone ? As for that transformer , it was for a existing grain store expansion . Our client had already built it before getting us in !!!! So I guess the surveyor thought he had my client by the short and curly's and priced accordingly . As it was for just a transformer swap only , according to the paper work that I saw anyway that is !?

 

[edrobbo8]

I have a very similar job coming up, where there is an 11kv line accross a field with an agri barn in, they want power in the barn which is 160m away from the pole, they have the surveyor coming out to it in the next few weeks.

My question is would it be cheaper to have the meter put into a shed by the pole so the owners can run their own cable from the pole to the barn? As in the future they want to build a house up by the pole, so having 1 cable running from the pole to the barn and one short run from the pole to the new house? Any help appreciated!

 

[mechelec]

You will have to get two quotes from the DNO. One termination near pole and one in the barn. You can the get an electrician to quote you to run a sub main from the remote position for comparison. If you carry out the on site excavation yourself you will save a large proportion of the DNO cost.