Beaver Electric – 347-120/240v Transformer

Description

Beaver Electrical SER5N-G8C — Epoxy Potted Single-Phase Isolation Transformer, 5 kVA, 347V–120/240V
Catalog Number: SER5N-G8C
Brand: Beaver Electrical (Canadian manufacturer)
Product Line: SER Series — Epoxy Potted Single-Phase Isolation Transformers
Cross-Reference: Replaces / equivalent to SC5E-K/EP

Product Overview
The Beaver Electrical SER5N-G8C is a 5 kVA, single-phase, epoxy-potted isolation transformer designed for stepping down 347V to 120/240V. This is a Canadian-voltage transformer built for the standard 600Y/347V distribution systems found across commercial and industrial facilities in Canada — it takes a single 347V phase-to-neutral leg and provides 120/240V single-phase output for lighting, receptacles, controls, and general-purpose loads.
As an isolation transformer, the primary and secondary windings are physically and electrically separated — there is no direct electrical connection between the input and output. This provides galvanic isolation, which is important for safety, noise reduction, and establishing a separately derived system with a new neutral-to-ground bond at the secondary per CEC requirements.
The epoxy encapsulation fully potts the windings and core in solid resin, making this transformer highly resistant to moisture, dust, vibration, and corrosive atmospheres. Combined with the NEMA Type 3R enclosure, this unit is rated for both indoor and outdoor installation.
Made in Canada.

Electrical Specifications
ParameterValuekVA Rating5 kVAPhaseSingle-phase (1Ø)Frequency60 HzPrimary Voltage347 VACSecondary Voltage120/240 VACWinding MaterialCopperTransformer TypeIsolation (separate primary and secondary windings)EfficiencyStandard

Calculated Current Ratings
SideVoltageFull-Load Current (at 5 kVA)Primary347 V14.4 ASecondary (240 V)240 V20.8 ASecondary (120 V)120 V41.7 A
Note: These are calculated values (kVA ÷ voltage). Actual nameplate FLA may differ slightly — verify against the unit’s label.

Primary Voltage Taps
Based on the Beaver SER-N series cross-reference data, this transformer is expected to have primary taps at 330V / 347V / 364V (approximately ±5% taps around the nominal 347V). This allows the transformer to compensate for high or low incoming voltage conditions.
Verify exact tap voltages against the nameplate or wiring diagram on the actual unit — some SER-N models have 2 taps (±2.5%) while others have 4 taps (2 × ±2.5%).

Construction & Enclosure
ParameterValueConstructionEpoxy encapsulated (fully potted)Enclosure TypeCSA (NEMA) Type 3RInsulation Class[VERIFY ON NAMEPLATE — typically Class F (155°C) or Class H (180°C)]Indoor/OutdoorBoth — NEMA 3R is rated for outdoor use (raintight)
What Epoxy Potting Means
Unlike standard ventilated dry-type transformers that rely on air circulation for cooling and have exposed windings behind a ventilated enclosure, an epoxy-potted transformer has its windings and core completely encased in a solid epoxy resin block. This provides:

Moisture and dust immunity — No exposed windings to contaminate
Vibration and shock resistance — Solid encapsulation prevents winding movement
Reduced audible noise — Epoxy dampens core hum
Corrosion resistance — No exposed copper or iron to corrode
NEMA 3R outdoor rating — Can be mounted outside without additional weatherproofing
Compact size — Potted units are typically smaller than ventilated units of the same kVA

The tradeoff is that epoxy-potted transformers cannot be rewound or repaired — if the windings fail, the unit is replaced, not repaired.

Typical Applications

347V to 120/240V step-down — Deriving standard receptacle and lighting power from a 600Y/347V Canadian distribution system
Separately derived system — Establishing an isolated 120/240V system with a new neutral-to-ground bond per CEC
Outdoor installations — NEMA 3R enclosure allows direct outdoor mounting (mechanical rooms, rooftops, exterior walls)
Harsh environments — Epoxy potting makes this suitable for dusty, humid, or vibration-prone locations where a ventilated transformer would degrade
Commercial lighting panels — Feeding 120V lighting and receptacle circuits from a 347V lighting leg
Control power — Providing isolated 120V control power for building automation, HVAC controls, or industrial control panels

Catalog Number Breakdown
CodeMeaningSERSER Series — Single-phase, Epoxy potted, Rectangular enclosure55 kVA ratingNPrimary voltage class: N = 347V (Canadian standard)G8CConfiguration code: G8C = 120/240V secondary, Type 3R enclosure
Other Primary Voltage Codes in the SER Series (for reference)
SuffixPrimary VoltageSystemN347 VCanadian 600Y/347V (phase-to-neutral)S480 VUS/Canadian 480Y/277V or 480V systemsT600 VCanadian 600V systems (phase-to-phase)

Physical Specifications
ParameterValueApproximate Weight[VERIFY — typically 75–110 lbs for a 5 kVA epoxy unit; weigh the actual unit]Dimensions[VERIFY on nameplate — dimensional drawing available from Beaver Electrical for SER5N-G8C]MountingWall-mount or floor-mount (verify mounting provisions on unit)
Beaver Electrical provides downloadable dimensional drawings on their product page. The exact weight and dimensions should be taken from the unit’s nameplate or the manufacturer’s drawing and entered into the listing.

Certifications & Standards
StandardDetailsCSACSA certified (Canadian Standards Association)EnclosureNEMA Type 3R (raintight — suitable for outdoor use)

Condition & Notes
Condition: [INSERT: New / New Surplus / Used]
Tested: [INSERT: Megger tested — primary-to-secondary insulation resistance verified / Turns ratio verified / Visual inspection only / New in crate]
Includes: [INSERT: Transformer unit only / Mounting hardware / Original documentation]
Important for buyers: Verify the primary tap connections match your incoming voltage. If your 347V supply runs high or low, adjust the primary taps accordingly — a tap set too low for a high-voltage supply will produce over-voltage on the secondary, potentially damaging connected loads.

Cross-Reference / Equivalent Models
ManufacturerEquivalent ModelBeaver Electrical (older)SC5E-K/EPGeneral function equivalentAny 5 kVA, 1Ø, 347–120/240V isolation transformer (Hammond, Acme, Marcus, Rex, etc.)
Note: Physical dimensions, mounting patterns, and terminal configurations may differ between manufacturers — a cross-reference is electrically equivalent but may not be a direct physical drop-in replacement.

Key Documents (Available from Beaver Electrical)

Dimensional Drawing: Downloadable from beaverelectrical.com product page (SER5N-G8C)
Beaver Electrical Contact: beaverelectrical.com — Canadian manufacturer, ships from Canadian facilities

Sold by Celtex Electric & Automation — Calgary, Alberta
Contact us for pricing, availability, and technical support.