In a newbuild, transformers are not bought as standalone items. They are procured against the vessel electrical system, and the specification that matters is the one the yard and the owner have already agreed.
Where transformers sit in the build sequence
The procurement sequence runs predictably: the specification is written against the vessel electrical system, the unit is ordered and manufactured, the yard installs it as the switchboard area is fitted out, and commissioning happens alongside the rest of the electrical systems, before sea trials.
The constraint that catches projects out is lead time rather than technical difficulty. A transformer that arrives after the switchboard area has been closed up is far more expensive to install than one that was ordered on schedule.
Specification items that decide the unit
- Power rating in kVA, with the load schedule behind it.
- Primary and secondary voltage, frequency and phase arrangement.
- Vector group, which fixes the phase relationship between primary and secondary.
- Impedance, set against the fault level at the point of installation.
- Insulation class and the temperature rise permitted at rated load.
- Cooling method, which follows from the space and the ambient temperature.
- Dimensions, weight and termination positions from the shipyard drawing.
- Classification society and any type-approval the vessel is held to.
Most of these are not chosen by the purchaser. They come from the vessel’s electrical documentation, which is why sending that documentation shortens the quotation considerably.
Classification society approval
Where classification review applies, the process is sequential and each step gates the next.
- Design documents submitted to the society for review.
- Type testing where the rules require it for the equipment category.
- Manufacturing inspection by the surveyor during production.
- Unit testing and certification before dispatch.
- Installation inspection on board, before commissioning is signed off.
We support the documentation, inspection and witness testing process for the society named in your specification. We state up front which approvals we hold and which would be obtained for the project, so that the approval route is clear before the order is placed rather than partway through production.
What to send with an enquiry
For a newbuild enquiry, the vessel electrical documentation plus the space available is usually enough to come back with a configuration. See the marine transformer range, or contact us with the drawings.
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Request a Custom Quote
Need a custom transformer for your application? Send us your technical requirements and our engineering team will provide a custom solution within 24-48 hours.
Related equipment
If you are specifying this as part of a larger distribution scheme, the surrounding scope is covered on the oil and gas electrical distribution, MV switchgear and compact substations pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I approach specifying a marine transformer for shipbuilding?
Start from the load and the environment, then let the equipment follow. Working from a catalogue rating backwards is how projects end up with either a marginal unit or one that costs money sitting under-loaded.
What makes a marine transformer different from an ordinary one?
The construction around the transformer, not the electrical function. Continuous vibration, salt-laden air, confined spaces and the classification society approval route all shape the design. Vibration-resistant core clamping, corrosion protection and the documentation package matter as much as the rating.
Which classification approvals are needed?
It depends on the flag state and the class society the vessel or platform is registered under. Approval requirements are confirmed against your project before production rather than assumed, and the documentation package is assembled to the route your project follows.
Which standard applies, and is it certified?
The applicable standard and clause set are agreed against your project specification before production starts. Where a project names IEC 60076 for the transformer, we work to those clauses and the routine test report ships with the unit.
What do you need from us to quote?
The single-line diagram or a description of the application, the voltages, the load with its duty, the site conditions, and any standard the project specifies. Send what you have – if something is missing, it can be worked out together rather than delaying the enquiry.