With apologies to “The Jeffersons,” we’re movin’ on up. Or at least our transformers are.

Unless you work in the electric industry, a transformer’s probably one of those things you see every day without noticing it. It’s a vital link in delivering your neighborhood’s power, but it also fades into the background. Some are big metal boxes mounted on concrete pads while others hide in underground vaults, with only a ground-level hatch to even show that they exist at all.

Whatever the type, transformers eventually get old and need to be replaced. And when the time comes to replace an underground one, we’ll be bringing in a box instead.

That’s right. As much as we can, we’re scratching the hatches.

Why? A few basic reasons:

• Since pad-mounted transformers sit above ground, they’re not at risk of water damage the way a vault would be.
• Pad-mounted transformers are the industry standard these days, which means it’s easy to get parts and materials for them.
• For repairs and maintenance, pad-mounted transformers are quicker and easier for a crew to work on than underground ones – which means a more reliable electric system for you.

There’s a few places where we won’t be able to make the switch – mainly in areas where people have widened their driveways near a vault, so that there isn’t room to install a pad. (Which also means people there will have to keep being careful to not drive over and damage a transformer hatch.)  But wherever we can bring an old and worn transformer out of the ground and a fresh new one into the sunshine, we’re going to do it. 

So don’t be surprised if sometime in the near future, you see a boxy new neighbor.  Just be careful around it as you and your family would with any electrical equipment and enjoy the increased reliability.

In fact, you could say the benefits are mounting.