Recycled Transformer Box – 台電文創

Recycled Transformer Box

After transmission over long distances across mountains, electricity finally reaches transformer boxes, which are the last stop before households. On these unassuming green boxes, painters have created outstanding artworks. These appealing visuals bring transformer boxes to the foreground of our views.

Material Knowledge

Transformer boxes are relay stations in the power generation and supply process. They are filled with copper wires, copper sheets, and insulation oil, to compensate for power loss in transmission before household usage. Some marks are left on boxes for maintenance and management, such as capacity, voltage level, coordinate, and warning signage. Transformer boxes used to vary in size due to capacity and specification. After standardization, transformer boxes will be more consistent in size in the future.

Material Property

Retired transformer boxes are often intact in coating. Designers can be creative with metal materials. After dismantling, transformers can become steel sheets in large sizes. They can be easily processed and repurposed. Most importantly, each sheet will be unique in coating.

Material Source and Quantity

TPCreative mostly sources transformer boxes from Shuinandong Warehouse. In fact, up to 1.4 million transformer boxes scatter in Taiwan. Thousands of boxes are retired annually, before being sold to recycling companies by weight. TPCreative and designers are developing circular design products based on transformer boxes. They will be available in the near future.

Painted Transformer Boxes as Unique Street Views in Taiwan

Paintings on transformer boxes are unique but familiar to people in Taiwan. Many regions have developed distinctive styles and local features. For maintenance, transformer boxes are repainted every three years. In recent years, neighborhoods and/or painters are invited to participate. Many three-dimensional artworks are created as a result.

After TaiPower modified its transformer box policies, however, it prioritized local environment and aesthetics. In order to minimize impacts on urban landscapes, TaiPower began to reduce the visibility of transformer boxes. To preserve these receding memories, TPCreative and designers reinterpret and bring them back to life.

machining procedure

Material Property Tests

Transformer boxes are made from iron or stainless steel. These boxes vary in size and thickness. To keep paint and coating intact, we experiment on how each process may damage or impact on them as the first step.

Cutting into Shape

Grinding wheels, circular saws, water jet cutters, and plasma cutters are all applicable on transformer boxes. It is crucial to choose tools that do not damage paints or coating. We use laser cutters for details and precision, and plasma cutters when separating sheets from transformer boxes.

Grinding and Protection

After cutting into desirable shapes, we need to grind sharp edges for user safety. We also spray protective coating on the surface to keep patterns longer and enhance quality.

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