We buy 500 kVA three-phase transformers from sellers throughout Virginia. This rating appears in large commercial buildings, industrial plants, hospitals and EV charging installations. Equipment released by a service upgrade, facility closure or canceled project may still fit another application, but the nameplate tells us more than the building it came from.
If you need to sell 500 kVA transformer equipment, start with its actual configuration: outdoor pad-mount, indoor dry-type or a transformer within a unit substation. Our transformer size guide covers other ratings. This page focuses on the details that distinguish a 500 kVA unit and help us understand what you have.
01What a 500 kVA three-phase rating means
A 500 kVA rating describes apparent-power capacity under the transformer's specified operating conditions. On a three-phase nameplate, it normally means 500 kVA total, not 500 kVA per phase. It is not automatically 500 kW of usable load: real power depends on load power factor, and installation requirements still govern how the transformer can be used.
For three-phase equipment, full-load current equals kVA × 1,000 ÷ (√3 × line-to-line volts). At a 480-volt secondary, a 500 kVA transformer has approximately 601 amps of rated full-load secondary current. Use the amp table on this page for other voltages, or see the kVA and full-load amps guide. This calculation does not establish breaker size or installation suitability.
02Pad-mount, dry-type and unit substation configurations
A 500 kVA pad-mount transformer commonly serves an outdoor underground distribution connection. We pay attention to dead-front versus live-front construction, loop-feed versus radial-feed arrangement, and the primary and secondary compartments. Photos of bushing arrangements and installed accessories help distinguish units with similar ratings. Learn more about the equipment we buy on our pad-mount transformer page.
A 500 kVA dry-type transformer may be a low-voltage distribution unit or part of a medium-voltage installation. Photograph its enclosure and accessible nameplate without opening energized equipment. For unit substation equipment, identify whether the transformer is being sold alone or with attached primary switches, transition sections or secondary switchgear. Those boundaries affect both the equipment description and handling plan.
Full-load amps for a 500 kVA three-phase transformer
The amp table on this page uses the standard formula Amps = kVA × 1,000 ÷ (1.732 × line-to-line volts). Match the voltage on your nameplate to read the rated full-load current of each winding.
| Winding voltage | Full-load amps |
|---|---|
| 208 V | 1,388 |
| 240 V | 1,203 |
| 480 V | 601 |
| 600 V | 481 |
| 2,400 V | 120 |
| 4,160 V | 69.4 |
| 12,470 V | 23.1 |
| 13,200 V | 21.9 |
| 13,800 V | 20.9 |
| 23,000 V | 12.6 |
| 34,500 V | 8.4 |
03Voltage combinations that define the application
Medium-voltage 500 kVA units may have primary ratings such as 12470GrdY/7200 or 13200 volts, with secondaries such as 480Y/277 or 208Y/120. Low-voltage dry-type units commonly include 480-volt primary and 208Y/120 secondary configurations. These are examples, not interchangeable specifications. Copy the full voltage notation, including grounded-wye markings, directly from the nameplate.
A 480Y/277 secondary provides 480 volts line to line and 277 volts line to neutral; 208Y/120 follows the same relationship at its stated voltages. The connection diagram, available neutral and primary winding arrangement matter alongside voltage. A transformer from a hospital or charging site is not automatically suitable for another similar facility, even when both require 500 kVA.
04Confirm 500 kVA on the nameplate
Look for the kVA field and a three-phase designation on the transformer itself. Do not use a switchgear label, breaker rating or project drawing as the only evidence of capacity. Photograph the entire plate straight on, then take a closer image if small lettering is difficult to read. Include the connection diagram when it is on a separate plate.
We pay attention to manufacturer, serial number, primary and secondary voltages, impedance, frequency, taps and cooling designation. Some nameplates show multiple capacities tied to cooling stages; record every rating rather than choosing the largest number. For liquid-filled equipment, include the fluid description, such as mineral oil or FR3 natural ester, plus any PCB documentation. Cooling markings such as ONAN/ONAF should be copied exactly.
- Show the complete kVA rating and any alternate cooling-stage ratings.
- Include voltage, phase, impedance and tap information.
- Photograph fluid labels and preserve available PCB records.
05Physical dimensions and weight affect the move
There is no single footprint or weight for every 500 kVA transformer. A liquid-filled pad-mount, ventilated dry-type and complete unit substation package can differ substantially. Use the manufacturer's drawing or marked weight where available, and identify whether a stated weight covers the transformer alone or the assembled equipment.
Send overall height, width and depth, including projecting radiators, cabinets or attached sections. Photos should show the route out of the building or off the pad, nearby obstructions and available loading access. We do not perform electrical disconnect work; sellers use their own qualified electricians to de-energize and disconnect. Do not drain fluid for a sale inquiry. Handling requirements belong in the written freight and loading terms.
06What makes a 500 kVA unit useful to another project
The 500 kVA size can serve substantial building distribution, plant loads and charging infrastructure, but demand depends on the exact specification. Voltage combination, winding connections, impedance, enclosure and condition determine whether a unit fits a particular requirement. We buy used and new-surplus equipment; an unused unit still needs a readable plate and a clear account of storage conditions.
We pay attention to missing bushings, damaged terminals, leaks, corrosion and signs of overheating. Available test reports can add useful information, but do not substitute for identifying the equipment. For indoor units, our dry-type transformer buying page explains configuration details. Brand names describe the equipment only: Virginia Transformer Buyers is an independent buyer, not affiliated with any manufacturer.
07Send the details needed for a 500 kVA offer
When you sell 500 kVA transformer equipment, describe whether it is operating, disconnected, stored, new-surplus or failed. Include quantity and location, and note any missing components. For a unit substation, list the sections included. Disclose and document PCB status; if records are unavailable, say so rather than assuming a fluid label settles the question.
Send nameplate and overall photos with those details through Get an Offer. We review the equipment and may ask about test data, PCB status or access. If it fits, we send a written offer covering price, freight, loading and payment terms, then schedule pickup with you. Payment follows the written terms. See how the buying process works for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 500 kVA three-phase transformer rated 500 kVA per phase?
No, the nameplate rating normally represents 500 kVA total across all three phases. Confirm the phase designation and any separate cooling-stage ratings on the plate. A label on adjacent switchgear does not establish transformer capacity, so send a photograph of the transformer nameplate itself when requesting an offer.
Can I sell a 500 kVA transformer with a 208Y/120 secondary?
Yes, Virginia Transformer Buyers buys 500 kVA transformers with 208Y/120 secondaries. Include the primary voltage and winding connection because the secondary alone does not identify the unit's application. We also need its form, condition and location. A clear connection-diagram photo helps distinguish equipment that otherwise looks similar.
Can I sell just the transformer from a 500 kVA unit substation?
Yes, you can submit the transformer alone for an offer. Clearly identify which switches, transition sections and secondary equipment remain with the seller. Include photos of the complete assembly and the transformer nameplate. Removal boundaries and access matter, and your qualified electrician must handle de-energizing and electrical disconnection.
Does a 500 kVA transformer have a standard shipping weight?
No, 500 kVA transformers do not all share a standard shipping weight. Construction, fluid volume, enclosure and attached equipment affect the total. Send the marked weight or manufacturer drawing if available, along with dimensions. State whether the weight includes fluid, cabinets and attached substation sections so the handling information is clear.
Will you review a failed 500 kVA transformer?
Yes, Virginia Transformer Buyers reviews failed 500 kVA transformers case by case. Describe the reported failure, known damage, leaks and missing parts, and provide any available test records. PCB status must be disclosed and documented. Do not energize damaged equipment or drain its fluid to prepare it for a sale inquiry.
Is a 500 kVA transformer from an EV charging site different?
Its source does not by itself make it a different transformer type. The nameplate, winding connections, voltage ratings and construction define the equipment. Include any available project specifications or test records, but do not assume that another charging installation can use it solely because it also calls for 500 kVA.