Sell a 1000 kVA transformer from your Texas facility
A 1000 kVA transformer is rated at 1 MVA, or one megavolt-ampere of apparent power. This size commonly serves large warehouses, hospitals and manufacturing lines, where substantial three-phase loads need reliable distribution. Replacement projects, facility closures and changes in service requirements can leave a unit available for sale.
Texas Transformer Buyers is a buyer of 1000 kVA (1 MVA) transformers, including single units and whole lots of any brand. We consider equipment that is new in a crate, used and working, retired or failed. Our yard and office are at 6402 McGrew St, Houston, TX 77087, and we buy across Texas.
You do not need to reduce the equipment to scrap before requesting an offer. Send photos of the complete assembly, including attached cabinets and accessories, so we can see what is included and discuss the sale accurately.
| Voltage | Full-load amps | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| 208 V | 2,776 A | Low-voltage secondary |
| 240 V | 2,406 A | Low-voltage secondary |
| 480 V | 1,203 A | Low-voltage secondary |
| 600 V | 962 A | Low-voltage secondary |
| 12,470 V | 46 A | Distribution primary / secondary |
| 13,800 V | 42 A | Distribution primary / secondary |
| 24,940 V | 23 A | Distribution primary / secondary |
| 34,500 V | 17 A | Distribution primary / secondary |
Check any rating with the kVA to amps calculator.
Common 1000 kVA forms and voltage combinations
At this rating, a three-phase padmount usually has a ground-level enclosure with separate medium-voltage and low-voltage compartments. Dead-front construction means the medium-voltage connections use insulated, shielded interfaces rather than exposed energized terminals. Loop-feed equipment has connections that allow a distribution circuit to continue through the transformer location.
Our padmount transformer buying page covers that equipment type. A unit substation combines a transformer with associated switching or distribution equipment; photograph those connected sections as well. See our unit substation buying information when the sale includes more than the transformer.
Cast coil and medium-voltage dry-type transformers are also common at 1000 kVA, particularly in building electrical rooms. Cast coil windings are encapsulated in resin, while other dry-type designs use different insulation systems without a liquid-filled tank. Our cast coil transformer page explains that category.
Common primary-to-secondary combinations include 12,470 V to 480Y/277 V and 13,800 V to 480Y/277 V. Systems may also use 24,940 V or 34,500 V primaries, or secondaries such as 208Y/120 V and 600 V. Primary is the supply side and secondary is the output side; verify both from the nameplate rather than appearance.
Full-load amps and why the voltage matters
For three-phase equipment, full-load current is calculated as kVA × 1,000 ÷ (1.732 × volts), using line-to-line voltage. The table below shows approximately 2,776 A at 208 V, 1,203 A at 480 V and 962 A at 600 V for a 1000 kVA rating.
On the medium-voltage side, the same rating corresponds to about 46 A at 12,470 V, 42 A at 13,800 V, 23 A at 24,940 V and 17 A at 34,500 V. These are calculated full-load values, not measurements of the transformer's present operating load.
Buyers care because voltage determines the current that connected cables, bus and switchgear must accommodate. A 480 V secondary is not interchangeable with a 208 V secondary simply because both transformers carry a 1000 kVA rating. Use the transformer kVA-to-amps calculator to check the current for the voltage on your nameplate.
What affects value and demand at 1 MVA
Demand for this size depends on matching an available transformer to a project's electrical and installation requirements. Warehouses, healthcare facilities and manufacturers may need similar capacity but different voltages, connections or enclosures. A recognizable rating helps identify potential uses; it does not establish value by itself.
A used 1000 kVA (1 MVA) transformer is evaluated by its voltage combination, design, condition, completeness and available records. Storage conditions, damaged bushings, missing doors, corrosion, leaks and removed accessories all matter. Tell us whether the unit was operating when removed and why it came out of service.
Impedance, the transformer's internal opposition to current expressed as a percentage, affects fault-current calculations and compatibility with an installation. Winding connections, taps and cooling ratings also help define the equipment. ONAN/ONAF means oil-natural, air-natural cooling versus oil-natural, air-forced cooling; include both ratings if the plate lists them.
For liquid-filled units, send existing oil test records when available. DGA, or dissolved gas analysis, can help describe internal condition, while PCB records identify documented polychlorinated biphenyl content. Failed equipment is still worth submitting, but explain the failure and identify any known missing or damaged parts.
Nameplate details and photos to send
The nameplate is the starting point for assessing 1000 kVA (1 MVA) transformer specs. Take a straight-on, readable photo and include any separate connection diagram or accessory plate. Our guide to reading a transformer nameplate helps you locate the electrical information.
Send overall views from several sides, plus clear photos of the connection compartments, bushings, gauges and visible damage where safely accessible. For dry-type equipment, show the enclosure and visible winding condition without opening energized equipment.
- Include manufacturer, serial number, kVA rating, phase, frequency, primary and secondary voltages, winding connections and tap positions.
- Capture impedance, cooling class, temperature-rise information and listed weights. Include fluid information for liquid-filled units.
- State quantity, Texas location, current condition, removal status and whether cabinets, fans, switches or other accessories are included.
Weight, rigging and trailer planning
Do not estimate shipping weight from the 1000 kVA rating alone. The nameplate lists exact weights; photograph those entries and distinguish total weight from any separately listed fluid or component weights. Share manufacturer drawings if available, especially for an assembled unit substation.
Load-out planning depends on lifting points, equipment configuration, access and the available loading area. Photos should show gates, overhead obstructions, the route to the transformer and room for a truck. Trailer selection depends on the actual shipping size, weight and loading method, not just capacity.
Disconnection and de-energizing stay with the seller or the seller's qualified electrical contractor. We plan the trucking and loading with you ahead of pickup. Before any equipment leaves the site, the price, payment method and pickup details are put in writing.
Get an offer for your 1000 kVA transformer
When you are ready to sell a 1000 kVA transformer, call or text (951) 403-5738, email Industrial832@gmail.com, or submit your transformer details for an offer. Include the nameplate, overall photos, quantity, location and condition so we can assess the equipment and respond with an offer.
For a 1000 kVA (1 MVA) transformer in Texas, also mention site access and whether removal is part of an active project. If you have several units, identify each one separately so specifications and condition are not mixed together.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 1000 kVA transformer the same size as a 1 MVA transformer?
Yes. Both describe the same apparent-power rating. The voltage, winding connections, cooling ratings and equipment design still need to be checked.
Can I sell a failed 1000 kVA padmount?
Yes, we buy failed transformers. Send the nameplate and photos, describe the failure, and identify leaks, damaged connections or missing parts.
Does a 1000 kVA transformer always supply 1,203 amps?
No. Approximately 1,203 A applies to three-phase full-load current at 480 V. Other voltages produce different current values at the same kVA rating.
Should I include the switchgear with a 1 MVA unit substation?
Show the complete assembly and identify which sections you want to sell. Include separate nameplates for the transformer and associated equipment.
Can you arrange pickup outside Houston?
Yes. We buy statewide and coordinate trucking and pickup with the seller, using the equipment details and site access information to plan load-out.