Residents’ agony of spending long hours in darkness because of transformers getting burnt would soon be reduced.

Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (Pesu) would install around 300 high-quality distribution transformers to prevent the recurrent problem because of overloading. The new transformers, with a capacity of 200KV each, can bear more load than the regular ones and do not get burnt in case of overloading. Instead, these trip automatically.

Pesu would also replace the existing transformers in some key areas of the city..

“For the first time, we have decided to install star-rated 200KV transformers at locations where transformers are overloaded leading to frequent complaints of burning,” Pesu general manager-cum-chief engineer SKP Singh told The Telegraph.

The board has purchased high quality star rated transformers, Singh said, adding that about 20 such distribution transformers have been installed in various localities under Pesu’s 10 divisions.

When asked whether the undertaking intends to replace all transformers in the capital considering the increasing load, Singh said: “As of now, we have decided to install/replace 300 such distribution transformers in the next three months in the capital. The Bihar State Electricity Board might consider replacing low capacity or overloaded distribution transformers in the future.”

The board has already started installing high quality star rated distribution transformer (from which consumers get the supply) on the directive of Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Explaining some features of these distribution transformers, Singh said these can bear more load than normal ones and that’s why these transformers do not get burnt in case of overloading. Instead these trip automatically.

“There is an in-built fuse system installed in the high-tension and low-tension wires, which help to disconnect the power supply automatically in the event of overload,” he said, adding that these transformers would also help board in saving line loss.

Sources said the new distribution transformers would not only reduce frequent power cuts owing to burning but would prove to be cost effective as well. These transformers would be installed at the same places replacing the older ones using the same structure. Sources added that space crunch is a reason why additional transformers cannot be installed at some sites.

The old transformer of 200KV costs around Rs 1.1 lakh whereas the new one would cost something between Rs 1.80 to Rs 2 lakh, the chief engineer said.

About 4,000 distribution transformers cater to around 3.5 lakh consumers (connections) in the capital under the jurisdiction of Pesu, which has divided the city into 10 divisions from Patna City in the east to Danapur in the west.

When asked about the number of transformer burning cases Pesu receives every year, Singh said it was difficult to provide the exact number as out of 12 months, it was between April and August when Pesu received bulk complaints, which could be around 10 per cent.