Electric transformers aren’t something most people think about unless one attached to the power lines serving their home or business is damaged resulting in a power outage. Most of the time power is back on quickly indicating that the transformers were not the problem. It takes longer to replace a transformer damaged beyond repair.
And that can be a problem if large numbers of transformers are damaged at once such as occurred in the recent California wildfires. That’s because the waiting time for new transformers is now 127 weeks.
In case you don’t know, transformers are typically used to bring down voltage. Utilities use high voltages to transfer electricity long distances because it’s more efficient. The electricity voltage must then be “stepped down” to the level that most homes and businesses use.
It turns out American trade policy is complicating matters for the American grid. The Build America, Buy America…
