Transformers for Hospitals
The transformer specification therefore centres on reliability, redundancy, fire safety and maintainability rather than lowest first cost.
Hospital power is life-critical. Electrical systems are split into essential services — operating theatres, intensive care, life support, emergency lighting — and non-essential services that can be shed.
The transformer specification therefore centres on reliability, redundancy, fire safety and maintainability rather than lowest first cost.
What Matters for This Application
- Continuous 24/7 essential load with no outage tolerance
- Very sensitive imaging and diagnostic equipment
- Fire and smoke safety inside occupied clinical buildings
- Noise limits near wards and treatment rooms
- Future expansion of departments and equipment
- Requirement to maintain supply during maintenance
Recommended Transformer Solution
- Dry type cast resin transformers for indoor hospital substations
- Redundant transformer arrangement with automatic changeover
- Low-noise design with acoustic treatment
- Class H insulation for high reliability and overload margin
- Winding temperature monitoring with alarm and trip to BMS
- Design that allows isolation and maintenance without losing essential supply
Sizing Guidance
Hospital sizing is built from the essential and non-essential load schedules, with the essential board typically backed by generators and UPS. Diversity is applied conservatively for clinical areas.
Installation Notes
- Separate essential and non-essential distribution clearly at the substation
- Provide acoustic isolation where plant rooms adjoin wards
- Ensure the maintenance and changeover procedure is tested before handover
- Keep clear documentation for clinical risk management and certification
Testing and Commissioning
Before energisation the unit is checked on site: insulation resistance, voltage ratio and vector group, earthing and terminations, and functional checks of protection and monitoring devices. See the testing page for the full programme.