Electric Pole transformer cost

ShaleniFarm · Aug 4, 2003

Hi All,

Anyone know how much an electric transformer costs? I'm sure the size matters, but don't know that.

Thanks,
Neil.

chim · Aug 4, 2003

Need more info. Size and voltage really matter a lot.............chim

ShaleniFarm · Aug 4, 2003

Thanks Chim,
I'll have to wait for later when the electrician shows up.

It does have a big 25 on the side of it. (I've attached a pic.)

Just looking for a sanity check, as the electric company is going to bill me, but haven't said how much.

Thanks again,
Neil.

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 4, 2003

It hardly matters. They're going to bill you whatever they're going to bill you and, once you come to after you faint from reading it, you're going to pay it. It's not like you can go to the competition for a competative quote. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

_RaT_ · Aug 4, 2003

Looks like a regular 12000 volt/ 120V/240V secondary transformer. 25 may refer to its size, my guess is 25K watt. Another stab would be about $2000. Labor is often the largest cost. Rat...

ShaleniFarm · Aug 4, 2003

Thanks Gary & Rat.

Yeah, the electrician says a 25KVa. (If I heard correctly.)

You're right Gary, no choice in the matter. Hopefully they'll setup a payment plan.

Rat, that is what the electrician said too, they'll really get me on the labor.

Bummer.
Neil.

JerryG · Aug 4, 2003

I had one pole removed and two installed with one transformer. This was 3 years ago and the price was $2700. What upset me the most other than the price was they wouldn't even let me have the old pole they took out. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

MikePA · Aug 4, 2003

they wouldn't even let me have the old pole they took out. 
Around here, the old poles were treated with creosote, which can not be used anymore. I imagine that when they (electric company) take the old pole out they are responsible for proper disposal, which wouldn't include giving the pole to the homeowner. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

chim · Aug 4, 2003

Just curioius. Why are they charging you? Around here, the power company is responsible for wiring to the homeowner's meter base. When we built our house, there was no power on the road, just phone lines. The power company paid the phone company to replace six or seven poles with taller ones, strung the wiring to a pole at the corner of my property, dropped about 400' of underground cable in a ditch I provided, installed a padmount transformer, ran secondary about 100' in another ditch I provided to my meterbase and connected it. Total cost to me was $0.00. The power company rep had me sign a paper giving them right-of-way to maintain their cable and transformer, then gave me $1.00 in payment...........................chim

_RaT_ · Aug 4, 2003

Consider yourself lucky. Today, the power companys may provide a pole or two, but after that, its your's to buy. I am a bit suprised that there is a cost for the transformer, thats a new one. I have seen about 2000 to 3000 feet provided be it above or underground (120V/240V) only on the underground. Rat...

Slamfire · Aug 4, 2003

Things have sure changed there chim, when my grandparents had their golden wedding anniversary, their 10 kids chipped in to run the electric line 1/3 mile from the nearest pole so they could wire their house. I don't know what it cost but the old folks couldn't afford it. It was Metropolitan Edison, before the TMI incident. Here we have CO-OP power distribution. The cost of the poles is spread over 15 years, and is included on the power bill. I never heard of a utility charging for the transformer.
Neil you heard right 25 kVA which is not the same as 25 kW actual power is calculated at about 80%.

ShaleniFarm · Aug 5, 2003

Why are they charging you?

Well...........................

Short answer is a tree was dropped on the old transformer.

Long answer: I'm in serious discussions with the tree service that made that happen......

At least no one got hurt, and it is only money...

Thanks for all the thoughts,
Neil.

PS When I get the bill, I'll let y'all know.

Currmudgeon · Aug 5, 2003

( I'm in serious discussions with the tree service that made that happen. )

I sure hope so! They should have insurance. If youy wanted to wreck the transformer, you coulda done it yourself and saved money. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

JerryG · Aug 5, 2003

Just send the bill to the tree service.

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 5, 2003

You should be in good shape if it's a legitmate tree service and not just some guy with a truck and a chain saw. I'd sure ask him to either pony up immediately or get the name of his insurance carrier.

What's this tree guy telling you at this point?

ShaleniFarm · Aug 5, 2003

( What's this tree guy telling you at this point? )

Well, I'm trying to get a hold of him now.

Legitimate is a good question. As they say, hindsight is 20-20. But a semi-complicated situation. I don't have all the answers right now, so I won't say much yet.

I have another call into him. Maybe he is on vacation.

I'll keep y'all posted.............
Neil.

chim · Aug 5, 2003

Now I understand. Glad nobody was hurt. When I read your post, I assumed the transformer was for a new service. Hope the contractor antes up.................chim

Slamfire · Aug 6, 2003

Oh you broke their transformer, now it becomes clear. They do have a tendency to charge for those. If the bill seems too high, ask 'em for a copy of the no PCBs certification. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 6, 2003

Well, I'm trying to get a hold of him now... I have another call into him. Maybe he is on vacation. 

I'd say a personal visit to his place of business if he has one and to his home if he doesn't. While you're there, make sure to jot down things like his license plate number(s), etc. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd guess from what you've written here this is not going to go well.

If the guy was legitimate, he'd have come to you when he did it and either made arrangements to pay for it himself or he'd have given you the name of his liability insurance carrier so they could handle it directly. I get the impression that neither of those things happened.

Act now. The longer you wait the tougher it gets. I've done more than a little work collecting money from people who don't want to pay and time, as they say, is of the essence.

Good luck with this. I hope it works out for you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ShaleniFarm · Aug 6, 2003

( I'd guess from what you've written here this is not going to go well.)

The uncertainty is not going well. I can't get a hold of the electric company claim rep either. And now another company has a claim, but he is on vacation. So I have no idea what sort of $$$ (or is that $$$$$) we are talking.....

( If the guy was legitimate, he'd have come to you when he did it ) I was there when it happened. He said and has said all along that he'll take care of it. He wants to keep his insurance out of it, but I don't see why. (Unless he has improper or lapsed coverage...)

He also "hid" when the electric company showed up, saying he was just helping. I'm going to have to rectify that and get out of the middle of this.