Simplifying Temporary Power Distribution: Storing and Moving Equipment

Temporary electrical power is essential for industrial turnarounds, modern construction sites, and disaster recovery operations. However, the process of storing, transporting, and protecting transformers & distribution panels introduces challenges. As every manager knows, material handling “challenges" often translate to “less efficiency.”

Purpose-built material handling equipment can provide a solution. Solus Group carries the BHS Transformer Cart (TC), a heavy-duty steel cart that provides a portable distribution panel for powering heavy equipment. It’s a safer, more efficient way to get power where you need it.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the issues that impact efficiency in temporary power distribution. We’ll also discuss how the Transformer Cart addresses these issues — and provide a few tips for keeping your operation running. 

Temporary Power Distribution: Challenges to Consider

On any active worksite, the physical management of power distribution hardware presents several key challenges:

• Protecting High-Value Equipment: Transformers and distribution panels are expensive, and they’re susceptible to damage from the physical impacts, weather damage, and theft. They’re more likely to incur damage if they’re transported with nonspecialized equipment — and if a transformer isn’t properly secured, it’s also an enormous safety risk.
• Transporting Heavy Components Safely: Moving heavy, bulky power equipment poses a significant ergonomic risk to personnel. It’s impractical without a forklift, and if you need to move the equipment regularly to service new areas, you need that equipment to be maneuverable. 
• Achieving Optimal Placement: The difficulty of transport often leads to poor equipment placement. That means hazardous long cord runs, voltage drops, and overloaded circuits, all of which harm productivity.
• Meeting OSHA Compliance Standards: It is difficult to meet the OSHA requirement that equipment be "firmly secured" when components are simply placed unprotected on the ground or a pallet.
• Ensuring Access for Maintenance: Haphazard placement can easily violate OSHA 1926.403(i)(1) by failing to provide adequate, safe working space around electrical panels for crucial maintenance tasks.

Specialized material handling equipment can solve these challenges. The Transformer Cart acts as a secure frame for transformers — and can be pre-loaded with a transformer, if needed. 

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How BHS Transformer Carts Improve Safety and Efficiency

The challenges of temporary power distribution demand an engineered solution. Here’s how the BHS Transformer Cart improves safety and efficiency on the job site:

• Provides Complete Equipment Protection: The cart's heavy-duty steel frame shields the transformer and distribution panel from costly impacts from vehicles or materials, while a durable powder-coat finish prevents rust and corrosion from weather exposure.
• Enables Safe, Ergonomic Transport: Integrated fork pockets and lifting eyes allow for mechanical transport, eliminating the serious ergonomic risks of manual lifting. For precise adjustments, heavy-duty casters enable one person to easily position the unit in tight spaces.
• Optimizes Power Distribution Layout: Because the cart is highly mobile, it is easy to place the power hub in the most efficient location close to the point of use. That minimizes the need for hazardous, high-voltage extension cords, which reduces trip hazards and voltage drop.
• Simplifies OSHA Compliance: The locking caster brakes allow the unit to be secured in place. The self-contained design helps maintain the mandatory clear working space around panels needed for safe installation and maintenance.

The Transformer Cart is an excellent example of purpose-built material handling equipment: It’s affordable, durable, and designed to address specific challenges on an actual worksite.

Contact Solus Group for Custom Transformer Carts

By providing a single, robust, and mobile unit to protect, transport, and secure your core electrical components, the BHS Transformer Cart eliminates logistical headaches and their dangerous side effects. It helps you run a safer, more compliant, and more productive operation — while protecting mission-critical equipment.

Of course, every job site has unique requirements. To discuss custom configurations or learn more about how Transformer Carts can improve your operation, contact the Solus Group sales team at 314-696-0200 or request a quote online.