Distribution Transformers
Distribution transformers convert high voltage electricity from the national grid into usable voltage levels for home and business use.
Single and three phase, dry and oil immersed transformers with a power rating between 10kVA and 2500kVA, that are designed for 11kV and 22kV networks, must meet minimum energy performance standards (MEPS).
Registration*
All high voltage models must be registered and undergo a performance test. New Zealand operates a joint energy efficiency programme with Australia, sharing standards and a website. Models registered in Australia do not need extra registration to be sold in New Zealand. It’s free to register products. To check which products are registered see the Australian energy rating website.
You can also find out which transformers are registered on the Energy Rating site - click on ‘Selecting an appliance’.
To register, click on ‘Registering a product’.
Registering in New Zealand is slightly different to Australia as we do not charge a fee and do not require a sample label or sample test report.
Standards
MEPS requirements are set out in AS 2374.1.2. Test specifications are set out in 2375 for dry type, and AS 2374.1 for other type transformers.
The Standards are available from Standards Australia.
Exemptions
Transformers not covered by the following description are exempted - single and three phase, dry and oil immersed transformers with a power rating between 10kVA and 2500kVA that are designed for 11kV and 22kV networks. For a full list of exclusions refer to AS 2374.1.2.
Sales data
In order to track the effectiveness of energy rating labels and MEPS, importers and manufacturers are required to supply EECA with annual sales data and efficiency information.
What’s coming up?
Proposed MEPS increases for Distribution Transformers
Distribution Transformers sold in New Zealand have been subject to MEPS since 2003, and high efficiency levels are currently voluntary. However, it is proposed that MEPS be increased to the high efficiency levels in the next few years.
New technologies and designs of transformers are now available which meet the high efficiency levels. The high efficiency levels can be found in the standard AS 2374.1.2-2003 – see link below.
Please find a link below to the technical report that has been developed to investigate the impacts of this proposed MEPS increase.
Please take the time to read the techical report and send any written submissions to regs@eeca.govt.nz by 25 January 2007.
If you have any queries about this proposal, or would like to be added to our contact list, please contact the Products team at EECA on 0800 358 676 or at regs@eeca.govt.nz.
This proposal is part of the ongoing work of the Trans-Tasman Equipment Energy Efficiency Programme (E3). Under the E3, EECA works in partnership with the Australian government agencies to deliver MEPS and labelling for products in Australia and New Zealand. These measures help people to produce and purchase products that are cheaper to run and more environmentally friendly.
Link to the Standard AS 2374.1.2-2003
Link to the technical report on the Energy Rating website.
* Although the term ‘registration’ is used here, the legal requirement in New Zealand is to ‘complete and submit the prescribed forms’. Requirements to register apply only to suppliers in Australia, but completing and submitting the forms on the online database at www.energyrating.gov.au to the New Zealand regulator fulfils requirements here.