Transformer Question: 2KVA
We have a facility with over a hundred dock doors that are being upgraded with new dock fans. The new fans draw about 9A FLA, while the existing ones only pull 3A. The old setup tied the fans into the dock leveler controller through a 500 VA control transformer, but that clearly won’t cut it anymore.
My current thought is to use 2 kVA 480 to 120 V step-down transformers, powered from the existing dock-leveler circuit (30 A, 3-phase). Each transformer would feed one of the new fans. I’d like to make the setup cord-and-plug connected to eliminate the need for a grounding electrode conductor connection, since running GECs would require aerial work.
Does that approach seem reasonable, or am I overlooking something?
The main reason for doing it this way—rather than installing new dedicated 120 V branch circuits—is to avoid the extensive labor and aerial work that would come with that option, especially given the limited windows we have for elevated access.
I did find a unit from Larson Electronics that comes pre-wired with cord/plugs on both the primary and secondary and includes OCP for both. Assuming it’s a listed assembly, because the cost is steep.
Thoughts?
Posted Nov 5, 2025, 11:39 PM UTC