Waukesha Ships First 345kV High Voltage Transformers From Wisconsin Plant
Units Meet Utility’s Stringent Requirements for Nuclear Plant Upgrade

(April 14, 2003) A milestone was reached at the recently expanded Waukesha Electric Systems plant in Waukesha, WI, with the shipment of two high voltage (345kV) power transformers destined for installation at a major nuclear power station located in the central Illinois town of Clinton. The 14,300-acre power station site is one of the largest in the world and serves residential and industrial customers throughout central Illinois and the surrounding region. The two new Reserve Auxiliary transformers from Waukesha, top-rated at 33.33 MVA (Mega-Volt-Amperes), are part of the customer’s “Summer Preparedness Project” at Clinton and will replace older transformers from various suppliers.

Waukesha Electric Systems’ engineers from Milpitas, CA, Goldsboro, NC and Waukesha, WI, worked closely with operations and manufacturing personnel to design and build the 345kV transformers in Waukesha, which had traditionally produced designs up to 230kV. Waukesha engineers had to meet the stringent specifications required for the power station while matching the design parameters of the existing older units that were manufactured by other suppliers.

Reserve Auxiliary Transformers provide power from the high voltage grid to the generating station to energize critical plant systems needed to get the plant running and producing power. Once operational, the plant’s internal Unit Auxiliary transformers begin operating to meet the plants electrical needs. The Reserve Auxiliary transformers also act as a backup to the Unit Auxiliaries should any problems occur.

According to Hue Schlegel, Waukesha Electric Systems’ Market Communications Manager, “Consumers expect consistent and reliable power from their utility and Waukesha Electric Systems knows that its transformers must be there when called upon to keep power stations, like the one in Clinton, up-and-running, 24/7/365.”

Schlegel also said that the utility has selected Waukesha Electric Systems as a key supplier to upgrade a major nuclear generating station in Northern Illinois, which is capable of producing enough power to support the needs of over 1 million average American homes.