Old GE Street Lighting Transformer - Need GE Archive Contact

[Laplacian]

We have an old GE street lighting transformer (constant current regulator) that has been in the shop about once per year for various failures. It is presently at a repair facility with orders to upgrade the control scheme. The technical personnel there is familiar with these regulators, but has never seen the control scheme on our unit and can't identify all the components. It was installed in 1956. I've tried all the GE channels I know and submitted the following information with no success. I'm asking if anyone out there knows of a guy in retirement somewhere that may know where GE's drawings are for these units.

Nameplate Information:
GE Street Lighting Substation
480V Primary
Constant current - 6.6A output @ 15KW
Catalog # 3279967 CRE Type ROS2
Form P# 9892841
Manual# GEH-1896
Manufactured in Lynn, MA.
GE Wiring Diagram 138B993

 

[RichardMi]

Is this still being used for street lighting? Just curious about that.

You may consider looking at the transformers used for airport lighting. These are modern, constant current units that have similar outputs.

 

[Laplacian]

Yes, this transformer is still in use. It is for parking lot lighting at an industrial facility. I identified the perfect replacement a few years ago, but someone decided it would be better to keep repairing the failed unit. Specialty Transformers, Inc bought the Westinghouse version of this regulator and currently produces them today:

http://www.specialtytransformers.com/

The problem now is the price has tripled over the last three years and repairing our old unit will always be more cost effective. Upgrading the parking lot lighting is out of the question until they stop making luminaires for the fixtures.

 

[waross]

Boy that takes me back. The older units had a shorting device rather than an under current relay to provide safety on open circuit conditions. In the event of excess secondary voltage, the device shorted the secondary and the transformer remained energized.
It was similar to the shorting button used in the bayonet stab on incandescent lamp holders.
It looked like the tire from a small toy car. It was 3/4" to 1" in diameter and 1/4' to 3/8" thick with a hole in the center.
A lead button was pushed into the hole followed by a number of thin plastic or mica washers. then another lead button was inserted. The device went into a holder and the full transformer secondary voltage was impressed across it. In the event of an open circuit the higher voltage would arc over. The arc would be maintained for enough seconds for some lead to melt and flow across the gap. The lead would then solidify and the output would be safely shorted.
Another device that may be included might be a PT and a voltage relay to disconnect the transformer in the event of an open circuit.
A short circuited secondary had no adverse effects on a current regulator and early designs left the regulator energized and used short circuiting devices for safety.
Sorry I can't give you specific information on your regulator, but knowing that older designs used shorting devices and that relay protection could be provided by either an over-voltage relay or an under-current relay may help you identify your components.
Respectfully

 

[apowerengr]

I'll try a couple guys I know at GE and let you know.