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Distribution Transformers
A distribution transformer provides the final voltage transformation in the electric power distribution
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system by reducing the high voltage of electric current from a power line to a lower voltage for use
regulations for this and other
in a building. The Department of Energy (DOE) has regulated the energy efficiency level of lowproducts
voltage dry-type distribution transformers since 2007, and liquid-immersed and medium-voltage drytype distribution transformers since 2010. A distribution transformer designed and constructed to be mounted on a utility pole is referred to
as a pole-mount transformer. A distribution transformer designed and constructed to be located at ground level or underground, mounted
on a concrete pad, and locked in a steel case is referred to as a pad-mount transformer.

Beginning in 2016, newly amended energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers 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 of energy for equipment sold over the 30-year period of 2016 to 2045.
The new amendments to the existing efficiency standards would further decrease electrical losses by about 8 percent for liquid-immersed
transformers, 13 percent for medium-voltage dry-type transformers, and 18 percent for low-voltage dry-type transformers. In addition, about
264.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions will be avoided, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of about 51.75
million automobiles.
The distribution transformers final rule was the DOE's first "negotiated rulemaking," conducted under the Federal Advisory Committee Act
and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act, and is viewed as an alternative to traditional procedures for drafting proposed regulations.
The Standards and Test Procedures for this product are related to Rulemaking for Liquid-Immersed and Medium-Voltage Dry-type
Distribution Transformers Energy Conservation Standard and Rulemaking for Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers Energy
Conservation Standard.
Recent Updates | Standards | Test Procedures | Waiver, Exception, and Exemption Information | Statutory Authority | Historical Information
| Contact Information

Recent Updates
DOE published a final rule regarding amended energy efficiency standards for liquid-immersed, medium-voltage dry-type, and low-voltage
dry-type distribution transformers. 78 FR 23335 (April 18, 2013). For more information, please see the rulemaking webpages: liquidimmersed and medium-Voltage Dry-type and low-voltage dry-type.

Standards for Distribution Transformers

The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for distribution transformers. The text is not an official reproduction of
the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.
Current Standard

. The three types of

Distribution transformers covered by this standard are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.192
distribution transformers covered by the standard: low-voltage dry-type, liquid-immersed, and medium-voltage, dry-type distribution
. This information is also in the
transformers. The full standard can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.196
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
The efficiency of a low-voltage dry-type distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2007, shall be no less than that
required for their kVA rating in the table below. Low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing in the table
shall have their minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above and below
that kVA rating.
Table 1. Energy Conservation Standards
for Low-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution
Transformers
Single phase

Three phase

kVa

Efficiency (%)1 kVa

Efficiency (%)1

15

97.7

15

97.0

25

98.0

30

97.5

37.5 98.2

45

97.7

50

98.3

75

98.0

75

98.5

112.5 98.2

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Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards

100

98.6

150

98.3

167

98.7

225

98.5

250

98.8

300

98.6

333

98.9

500

98.7

750

98.8

1000

98.9

Efficiencies are determined at the following reference conditions: (1) for no-load losses, at the temperature of 20C, and (2) for load-losses, at the temperature of
75C and 35 percent of nameplate load. (Source: Table 42 of National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Standard TP12002, "Guide for Determining
Energy Efficiency for Distribution Transformers.")

The efficiency of a liquid-immersed distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, shall be no less than that required
for their kVA rating in the table below. Liquid-immersed distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing in the table shall have their
minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above and below that kVA rating.
Table 2. Energy Conservation
Standards for Liquid-Immersed
Distribution Transformers
Single phase

Three phase

kVa

Efficiency (%) kVa

Efficiency (%)

10

98.62

15

98.36

15

98.76

30

98.62

25

98.91

45

98.76

37.5 99.01

75

98.91

50

99.08

112.5 99.01

75

99.17

150

99.08

100

99.23

225

99.17

167

99.25

300

99.23

250

99.32

500

99.25

333

99.36

750

99.32

500

99.42

1000

99.36

667

99.46

1500

99.42

833

99.49

2000

99.46

2500

99.49

Note: All efficiency values are at 50 percent of nameplate-rated load, determined according to the DOE Test-Procedure. 10 CFR Part 431, Subpart K, Appendix A.

The efficiency of a medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2010, shall be no less than that
required for their kVA and BIL rating in the table below. Medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing
in the table shall have their minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above
and below that kVA rating.
Table 3: Energy Conservation Standards for Medium-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers
Single phase

Three phase

BIL
kVa

2045 kV efficiency
(%)

4695 kV efficiency
(%)

15

98.10

25
37.5

BIL
kVa

2045 kV efficiency
(%)

4695 kV efficiency
(%)

97.86

15

97.50

97.18

98.33

98.12

30

97.90

97.63

98.49

98.30

45

98.10

97.86

50

98.60

98.42

75

98.33

98.12

75

98.73

98.57

98.53

112.5

98.49

98.30

100

98.82

98.67

98.63

150

98.60

98.42

167

98.96

98.83

98.80

225

98.73

98.57

98.53

250

99.07

98.95

98.91

300

98.82

98.67

98.63

333

99.14

99.03

98.99

500

98.96

98.83

98.80

500

99.22

99.12

99.09

750

99.07

98.95

98.91

667

99.27

99.18

99.15

1000

99.14

99.03

98.99

833

99.31

99.23

99.20

1500

99.22

99.12

99.09

2500

99.31

99.23

99.20

2500

99.31

99.23

99.20

96 kV efficiency
(%)

96 kV efficiency
(%)

Note: BIL means basic impulse insulation level.

Note: All efficiency values are at 50 percent of nameplate rated load, determined according to the DOE Test Procedure. 10 CFR Part 431, Subpart K, Appendix A.

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Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards

Standards: Final Rule, Federal Register, 71 FR 58190 (Oct. 12, 2007)

Technical Support Document
Technical Support Document Appendices
Docket No. EERE-2006-STD-0099 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked
Questions page.
Amended Standard
Distribution transformers covered by this standard are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.192. The three types of
distribution transformers covered by the standard: low-voltage dry-type, liquid-immersed, and medium-voltage, dry-type distribution
transformers. The full standard can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.196. This information is also in the
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
The efficiency of a low-voltage dry-type distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, shall be no less than that
required for their kVA rating in the table below. Low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing in the table
shall have their minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above and below
that kVA rating.
Table 4: Amended Energy
Conservation Standards for LowVoltage Dry-Type Distribution
Transformers
Single phase

Three phase

kVa

Efficiency (%) kVa

Efficiency (%)

15

97.70

15

97.89

25

98.00

30

98.23

37.5 98.20

45

98.40

50

98.30

75

98.60

75

98.50

112.5 98.74

100

98.6

150

98.83

167

98.70

225

98.94

250

98.80

300

99.02

333

98.90

500

99.14

750

99.23

1000

99.28

Note: All efficiency values are at 35 percent of nameplate-rated load, determined according to the DOE Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Distribution Transformers under Appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR part 431.

The efficiency of a liquid-immersed distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, shall be no less than that required
for their kVA rating in the table below. Liquid-immersed distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing in the table shall have their
minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above and below that kVA rating.
Table 5: Amended Energy
Conservation Standards for LiquidImmersed Distribution Transformers
Single phase

Three phase

kVa

Efficiency (%) kVa

Efficiency (%)

10

98.70

15

98.65

15

98.82

30

98.83

25

98.95

45

98.92

37.5 99.05

75

99.03

50

99.11

112.5 99.11

75

99.19

150

99.16

100

99.25

225

99.23

167

99.33

300

99.27

250

99.39

500

99.35

333

99.43

750

99.40

500

99.49

1000

99.43

667

99.52

1500

99.48

883

99.55

2000

99.51

2500

99.53

Note: All efficiency values are at 50 percent of nameplate-rated load, determined according to the DOE Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Distribution Transformers under Appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR part 431.

The efficiency of a medium- voltage dry-type distribution transformer manufactured on or after January 1, 2016, shall be no less than that

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Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards

required for their kVA and BIL rating in the table below. Medium-voltage dry-type distribution transformers with kVA ratings not appearing
in the table shall have their minimum efficiency level determined by linear interpolation of the kVA and efficiency values immediately above
and below that kVA rating.
Table 6: Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Medium-Voltage Dry-Type Distribution Transformers
Single phase
BIL*
kVa

2045 kV efficiency
(%)

Three phase
4695 kV efficiency
(%)

96 kV efficiency
(%)

BIL
kVa

2045 kV efficiency
(%)

4695 kV efficiency
(%)

96 kV efficiency
(%)

15

98.10

97.86

15

97.50

97.18

25

98.33

98.12

30

97.90

97.63

37.5

98.49

98.30

45

98.10

97.86

50

98.60

98.42

75

98.33

98.13

75

98.73

98.57

98.53

112.5

98.52

98.36

100

98.82

98.67

98.63

150

98.65

98.51

167

98.96

98.83

98.80

225

98.82

98.69

98.57

250

99.07

98.95

98.91

300

98.93

98.81

98.69

333

99.14

99.03

98.99

500

99.09

98.99

98.89

500

99.22

99.12

99.09

750

99.21

99.12

99.02

667

99.27

99.18

99.15

1000

99.28

99.20

99.11

833

99.31

99.23

99.20

1500

99.37

99.30

99.21

2000

99.43

99.36

99.28

2500

99.47

99.41

99.33

BIL means basic impulse insulation level

Note: All efficiency values are at 50 percent of nameplate rated load, determined according to the DOE Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of
Distribution Transformers under Appendix A to Subpart K of 10 CFR part 431.

Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 78 FR 23335 (April 18, 2013)

Technical Support Document
Government Regulatory Impact Model (GRIM)
Docket No. EERE-2010-BT-STD-0048 and EERE-2010-BT-STD-0051
After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the
draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify
those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA. The document below provides more information:
OIRA Compare Document

Test Procedure for Distribution Transformers

Current Test Procedure

and
To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.193
Appendix A
for distribution transformers manufactured or distributed in commerce. These are also in the Electronic Code of Federal
Regulations.
Final Rule: Test Procedures, Federal Register, 71 FR 24972 (April 27, 2006)
Docket No. EERE-2006-STD-0090 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked
Questions page.

Waivers, Exceptions, and Exemptions

Waivers
Test procedure waivers have not been issued for distribution transformers. For more information, please see the table below.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR section 431 subpart V

Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for distribution transformers.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003

State Exemptions to Federal Preemption

DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from
preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10
CFR 431 subpart V
or subpart W
.

Statutory Authority
The current energy conservation standards for distribution transformers are mandated by Part A1, the "Certain Industrial Equipment" of

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Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards

Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 63116317
). This equipment is treated as covered
equipment under Part A-1. (42 U.S.C. 6317(a)
) In addition, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT 2005) amended EPCA to set energy
)
conservation standards for low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. (42 U.S.C. 6295(y)

Historical Information
DOE published a final rule in October 2007 that established energy conservation standards for liquid-immersed and medium-voltage drytype distribution transformers. 72 FR 58190 (Oct. 12, 2007). During the course of that rulemaking EPACT 2005 amended EPCA to set
) Consequently, DOE removed these transformers from
standards for low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers. (42 U.S.C. 6295(y)
the scope of that rulemaking. 72 FR 58191 (Oct. 12, 2007). Prior to publishing the October 2007 energy conservation standard, DOE
(April 27, 2006).
published a final rule test procedure for distribution transformers.71 FR 24972
Previous Standard
Energy Conservation Standards for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Correction, Federal
Register, 70 FR 61698 (Oct. 25, 2005)
Energy Conservation Standards for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial and Industrial Equipment: Final Rule, Federal
Register, 70 FR 60407 (Oct. 18, 2005)
Docket No. EERE-2005-0002 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.

Helpful Links and Contact Information

Helpful Links

Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
Contact information
For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:

distribution_transformers@ee.doe.gov

Contacts | Web Site Policies | U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

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