Don’t Try to Hide Transformer Boxes

Beautifying our homes is important to many of us. If your home is served by an underground electric cable, you may be tempted to hide the accompanying transformer cabinet from sight by planting shrubs or flowers around it. Please refrain from doing so.

Obstacles around a transformer could pose safety risks and inhibit power restoration should an electric cooperative employee need to access it for maintenance and repairs.

Padmount transformers serve the purpose of stepping down electricity from the 8,000 volts carried by transmission lines to the 120 or 240 volts that your home needs. Contact with electricity from the transformer could cause shock or electrocution.

Shrubs and other structures must be at least 10 feet away from the door opening and 5 feet away from all sides of transformers.

Never paint a transformer. They are a uniform color so that electric cooperative employees can easily identify them.

Digging close to the unit can be dangerous and life-threatening. Wires from a transformer could extend out in any direction. Always call 811 before digging in your yard.

Emphasize the dangers of these units to your children and other family members, and keep them away.
Transformers might look like a bench or a jungle-gym obstacle, but children should not sit on or play on or around transformers. Prevent kids from inserting objects into cracks in the transformer case, as tempting as it might be to deposit sticks or rocks inside.

For the safety of your family and ours, give transformer cabinets a wide berth and keep them free from debris and coverings.

If you notice any signs of disrepair to a transformer, such as a faulty lock, oil leaking or damaged welds, contact Babndera Electric Cooperative immediately. Stay away from the transformer until repairs can be made by professionals.