Transformers, The Heart of Utility

Across the rural landscape of North Dakota, your electric cooperatives work hard to deliver electricity to communities when and where they need it. Poles and wires are easily recognized for their important role in delivering electricity. Yet the transformers, often time go unnoticed.

What is a transformer? We aren’t talking the robots seen on the big screen. A transformer is an electrical apparatus that converts alternating current from one voltage to another. Essentially a transformer stands between you and the grid, to step up, or step down voltage at levels that can be used safely in your home and backyard.

Transformers are used all around us. A distant relative of utility transformers is your cell phone charger which essentially performs the same function at a much smaller scale. Every time you charge your cell phone, the charger converts the voltage available in your outlet to a current low enough to charge, but not fry, your device. Charging your cell phone at 120 volts, the average voltage available for use in your home, would instantly fry your cell phone. As you can see in this example, stepping down electricity prior to its intended use is essential.

Not all transformers are made equally. Just as a cell phone charger is a much smaller scale of stepping down voltage, transformers utilized to deliver electricity to MWEC members also vary in size and capacity. The transformer found at a MWEC utility substation receives 115,000 volts before stepping down the voltage to each transformer on the electrical line route. By the time the electricity reaches its destination, the level of voltage is low enough (between 120/240 volts) to be used safely and efficiently. Stepping down voltage impacts your ability to watch the big game, heat your home, or have the electricity needed to run your farm or business.

A long standing partnership. MWEC and Virginia-Georgia Transformer have worked together for 17 years. As supply chain issues continue across all industries, this partnership has enabled us to receive reliable, highly efficient transformers for our substations, with lower lead times from a company we know and trust. Right now, we have more than 20,000 designs to choose from – allowing us to get the right transformer, every time. This relationship also benefits our members through improved efficiency and lower rates.

As your member owned electric distribution cooperative, you can count on us for power that is always safe and reliable. Powered by our transformers, the heart of utility.

Scott Iverson, PE
Senior Electrical Engineer