A 5,000 kVA transformer is a 5 MVA unit, a rating found in industrial substations, campus distribution systems and renewable-energy projects. We buy this size in all brands, including equipment removed during plant changes, canceled projects or substation upgrades. Construction and voltage configuration matter as much as the headline rating.
If you need to sell 5,000 kVA transformer equipment, start with the actual nameplate rather than a project description or inventory label. At this size, a cooling-stage rating or a mistaken voltage entry can change how buyers interpret the unit. Our broader transformer size guide helps distinguish nearby ratings when a site has several transformers available.
01What the 5,000 kVA rating actually means
The 5,000 kVA rating describes apparent-power capacity under the transformer's specified operating conditions. It does not mean the unit continuously consumes that amount of power, and it is not automatically a 5,000 kW rating. The real power supplied to a load depends on power factor.
Read the rating alongside the cooling designation. An oil-filled transformer may have separate ONAN and ONAF ratings: natural oil circulation with natural air cooling, and natural oil circulation with forced air cooling. A 5,000 kVA entry may be the base rating or a fan-assisted rating, so send the entire rating block, not just one number.
Full-load current depends on the voltage at the winding being evaluated. For three-phase equipment, amps = kVA × 1,000 ÷ (√3 × line-to-line volts). For example, 5,000 kVA at 4,160 volts is approximately 694 amps. Use the amp table on this page for other voltages, or see the kVA and full-load amps guide for the calculation method.
02Voltage combinations that shape the next application
At 5 MVA, voltage configuration often determines the practical buyer pool. Examples include 13,800 volts to 4,160 volts for plant distribution, 34,500 volts to 13,800 volts for substation service, and medium-voltage primary ratings feeding 480Y/277-volt systems. These are examples, not interchangeable configurations.
Solar collection equipment may connect a lower-voltage inverter system to a medium-voltage collection circuit. Industrial and mining units may supply medium-voltage motors, process distribution or a lower-voltage secondary. Campus substations can use this size to support multiple buildings through downstream distribution equipment.
We pay attention to winding connections, impedance, frequency and tap positions as well as the two voltage numbers. Record a designation such as 12470GrdY/7200 exactly as shown; it conveys more information than simply calling the primary '12 kV.' Include any reconnectable voltage information and the tap chart so we can identify the available configuration.
Full-load amps for a 5,000 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 | 13,879 |
| 240 V | 12,028 |
| 480 V | 6,014 |
| 600 V | 4,811 |
| 2,400 V | 1,203 |
| 4,160 V | 694 |
| 12,470 V | 231 |
| 13,200 V | 219 |
| 13,800 V | 209 |
| 23,000 V | 126 |
| 34,500 V | 83.7 |
03Substation, pad-mount and power configurations
We buy 5,000 kVA three-phase transformers in substation, pad-mount and power configurations. The rating alone does not describe how a unit connects to a system. Terminal arrangements, enclosure layout and attached equipment help distinguish a standalone transformer from part of a larger assembly.
Substation transformers may have exposed bushings, enclosed terminal chambers or close-coupled connections to switchgear. For a unit substation, show both transformer ends and identify which attached sections are included in the sale. Missing transition compartments or connection hardware should be noted.
For three-phase pad-mount equipment, photograph the exterior and accessible connection compartments only when safe. Dead-front versus live-front construction, loop-feed versus radial arrangements, and installed switches or fuses are useful details. Do not open energized compartments to obtain sale photos.
Power transformers at this rating may have radiators, fans, control cabinets and tap-changing equipment. Tell us whether those accessories remain with the unit. We also buy dry-type and cast-resin equipment at this size; its enclosure and cooling information should be documented rather than inferred from an oil-filled model.
04Confirm the rating and condition from the nameplate
A useful nameplate photo shows the complete plate, with enough resolution to read the smaller entries. Confirm that the rating says 5,000 kVA or 5 MVA and identify every cooling-stage rating. Include secondary plates if accessories or a replacement nameplate carry additional information.
We buy used and decommissioned units, so an honest condition description is more useful than a polished exterior photo. Explain why the transformer left service, whether it was operating at removal and whether any components are missing. Existing test reports can help distinguish documented performance from an unknown storage history.
- Manufacturer, model, serial number and manufacturing date, if listed
- Three-phase rating, frequency, primary and secondary voltages, and winding connections
- Impedance, tap range, cooling classes and temperature-rise information
- Total weight, fluid quantity and fluid type, including FR3 natural ester if identified
- Available test reports, maintenance records and known leaks or damage
- Disclosed and documented PCB status
05Physical size, weight and access affect the offer
There is no single shipping weight or footprint for a 5,000 kVA transformer. Voltage class, insulation system, enclosure construction, fluid volume and cooling equipment all affect dimensions and weight. Use the nameplate weight and available outline drawings rather than estimates based on kVA alone.
Measure the overall envelope, including radiators, bushings, cabinets and other projections. Tell us whether the unit is indoors, outdoors, behind fencing or inside a building with restricted doors. Photos of the access route help identify loading constraints that an equipment-only photo would miss.
Freight and loading responsibilities belong in the written offer. We do not perform electrical disconnect work; sellers use their own qualified electricians to de-energize and disconnect equipment. Do not drain fluid for a sale inquiry. Disclose leaks, damaged bushings and any storage conditions that may affect handling.
06Demand for 5 MVA equipment and requesting an offer
A 5 MVA rating can fit industrial, campus, solar and mining applications, but demand is configuration-specific. Matching voltage, impedance, cooling capacity and connection style matters more than having the right kVA number alone. A complete transformer with documented condition is easier to match to an application than a unit with unclear ratings or missing accessories.
To sell 5,000 kVA transformer equipment, send us the nameplate, overall photos, location, quantity and condition notes through the offer request form. We review the information and may ask about PCB documentation, test data or site access. If the equipment fits, we send a written offer specifying price, freight, loading and payment terms; pickup is scheduled with you and payment follows those terms. See how the sale works for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 5 MVA transformer the same size as a 5,000 kVA transformer?
Yes, 5 MVA equals 5,000 kVA. Check that the number refers to the same cooling stage before describing the equipment for sale. A multi-rating nameplate can list different capacities for natural cooling and fan-assisted operation. Send the full nameplate so Virginia Transformer Buyers can read the ratings in context.
Can I sell a transformer rated 3,750/5,000 kVA?
Yes, we buy transformers with multiple cooling-stage ratings, including units marked 3,750/5,000 kVA. Include the corresponding cooling designations and tell us whether the fans and controls are present. If 3,750 kVA is the base rating, our 3,750 kVA transformer page provides related size information. Do not describe the higher rating as available independently of its specified cooling equipment.
Do you buy 5,000 kVA solar collection transformers?
Yes, we buy 5,000 kVA solar transformers, including used and new-surplus units. Send the winding voltages, connection diagram, impedance and cooling ratings, along with photos of the connection compartments and accessories where safely accessible. Identify any multiple-secondary arrangement and explain whether the transformer was installed, energized or stored for a canceled project.
Can I sell a failed 5 MVA transformer?
Failed 5 MVA transformers are reviewed case by case. Describe the failure, known damage, fluid leaks and any missing parts, and include available diagnostic or test records. PCB status must be disclosed and documented. Do not drain fluid or attempt additional electrical work to prepare the unit for an inquiry.
What if I do not know the weight of my 5,000 kVA transformer?
Send the nameplate and any outline drawing first; those documents may list the weight. If neither provides it, tell us the weight is unknown and supply overall dimensions and access photos. Do not substitute a weight from another 5,000 kVA model, because construction and voltage class can produce materially different handling requirements.
Does a 480Y/277-volt secondary make my 5 MVA transformer more valuable?
A 480Y/277-volt secondary alone does not establish the value of a 5 MVA transformer. We also need the primary voltage, impedance, construction, cooling ratings, condition and completeness. Connection equipment and transport requirements matter too. Send the complete nameplate rather than assuming a familiar secondary voltage guarantees an offer.