2025-08-25
If you need these two types of transformers, please contact our company., while both serve the identical function of stepping down voltage for end-use, their physical design, location, and application are determined by the type of electrical distribution system they serve.
| Feature | Pole-Mounted Transformer | Pad-Mounted Transformer |
| Location & Installation | Mounted high on a wooden or concrete utility pole. | Placed on a concrete slab (pad) at ground level. |
| Application | Primarily used with overhead power lines. | Used with underground power lines. |
| Typical Use Cases | Residential areas (older), rural areas, industrial facilities, along streets. | Suburban subdivisions, commercial plazas, schools, hospitals, urban areas (aesthetic reasons). |
| Capacity (kVA) | Generally smaller. Common range: 5 kVA to 500 kVA. | Generally larger. Common range: 75 kVA to 5000 kVA. |
| Design & Access | Compartmentalized: The transformer itself is visible. Fuses, switches, and the primary bushings are separate and mounted on the pole. | Enclosed (Locked Cabinet): Housed in a grounded, tamper-resistant metal cabinet. All wiring and components are locked inside for public safety. |
| Safety & Accessibility | For the Public: High off the ground, but exposed terminals are still dangerous. | For the Public: Much safer at ground level; all live parts are locked inside a steel cabinet. |
| For Linemen: Requires a bucket truck to access for maintenance. | For Technicians: Easier and safer to access for maintenance from ground level. | |
| Aesthetics | Considered by many to be visually unappealing, cluttering the streetscape. | More aesthetically pleasing as they are lower profile and can be screened by landscaping (bushes, fences). |
| Cost | Generally less expensive to install and maintain due to simpler mounting and widespread use for overhead systems. | Generally more expensive due to the need for a concrete pad, trenching for underground lines, and the more complex, enclosed design. |
| Vulnerability | Susceptible to damage from vehicle collisions with poles, tree limbs, and severe weather (wind, ice). | Protected from vehicle collisions (if placed correctly) and weather, but can be susceptible to flooding. |
1. Overhead vs. Underground: The choice between the two is primarily dictated by whether the electrical distribution system in that area is overhead (poles and wires) or underground (buried cables).
2. Safety is a Major Driver: Pad-mounted transformers are a critical safety innovation for underground systems, preventing accidental public contact with high-voltage components.
3. Capacity and Community: As communities grow and demand for electricity increases, utilities often use pad-mounted transformers for new subdivisions and commercial projects because they can handle higher capacities and are considered more desirable from a planning and aesthetic perspective.
