100 kVA Transformer Price Guide 2026
The 100 kVA transformer is the smallest rating most buyers still specify as a three-phase oil immersed distribution unit, and it is one of the ratings where quotations differ most widely — because two suppliers can mean very different things by the word "standard". It is the workhorse of small industry and rural distribution: a single production line, a water pumping station, an 11 kV spur feeding a village, a mining camp, a commercial building, or the auxiliary supply of a solar plant.
This guide gives budgetary 2026 price ranges for a 100 kVA oil immersed distribution transformer in the 11 kV and 33 kV classes, the specification to attach to your enquiry so that offers are comparable, and an honest explanation of the six things that move the number. Treat the figures as planning values for budgeting and for sanity-checking a quotation — then ask for a firm price against your own drawings.
100 kVA transformer price at a glance
The table below shows typical FOB China budgetary ranges for a standard 100 kVA three-phase oil immersed distribution transformer with copper windings, ONAN cooling and Dyn11 vector group, quoted in Q4 2026.
| Configuration | Budgetary FOB price (USD) | Typical production time |
|---|---|---|
| 100 kVA, 11/0.4 kV, S11 losses, copper windings | 1,200 – 1,700 | 12 – 20 working days |
| 100 kVA, 11/0.4 kV, S13 losses, copper windings | 1,400 – 2,000 | 12 – 20 working days |
| 100 kVA, 33/0.4 kV, S11 losses, copper windings | 1,800 – 2,600 | 25 – 35 working days |
| 100 kVA, 11/0.4 kV, S11 losses, aluminium windings | 900 – 1,300 | 12 – 20 working days |
| 100 kVA cast resin dry-type equivalent (SCB13) | 1,900 – 2,800 | 20 – 30 working days |
100 kVA transformer specification
Ask every supplier to quote against the same specification table — otherwise two prices are not comparable. These are the standard values for a 100 kVA oil immersed distribution transformer built to IEC 60076 / GB 1094.
| Parameter | Typical value for 100 kVA |
|---|---|
| Rated power | 100 kVA |
| High voltage | 11 kV (6 / 6.3 / 10 / 13.8 / 33 kV also common) |
| Low voltage | 0.4 kV (415 V / 400 V) |
| Tapping range | ±2 × 2.5% on HV (off-circuit); ±5% in four steps available |
| Vector group | Dyn11 (Yyn0 on request) |
| Frequency | 50 Hz or 60 Hz, specified at order |
| Short-circuit impedance | 4.0% (±10%) |
| No-load loss | 0.15 – 0.20 kW depending on loss grade |
| Load loss at 75 °C | 1.50 kW |
| No-load current | 0.3 – 0.6% of rated current |
| Insulation level (11 kV class) | LI 75 AC 35 |
| Insulation level (33 kV class) | LI 170 AC 70 |
| Cooling method | ONAN (oil natural, air natural) |
| Temperature rise | Top oil 60 K, winding 65 K |
| Sound level | ≤ 50 dB(A) |
| Total weight | Approximately 600 – 750 kg (including 90 – 120 kg of insulating oil) |
| Overall dimensions | Approximately 1,180 × 760 × 1,140 mm |
| Standards | IEC 60076, GB 1094.1, GB/T 6451 |
Our S11 oil immersed distribution transformer covers this rating as standard, the D11 single-phase unit is the alternative where only single-phase load is served, and the 33 kV selection guide explains what changes when the primary moves to 33 kV.
The six factors that move the price
1. Voltage class
A 33 kV primary winding needs more insulation, larger clearances, higher-grade bushings and a taller tank. Expect 40 to 70 percent more than the equivalent 11 kV unit. On a 100 kVA rating the premium is proportionally larger than on a big power transformer, because the extra insulation and clearance are a bigger share of a smaller unit — so it is worth confirming that your network genuinely needs 33/0.4 kV rather than a 33/11 kV unit feeding existing 11 kV infrastructure.
2. Loss grade
S11, S13, S20 and S22 refer to the loss levels defined in China's efficiency standard, and equivalent classes exist under the European EcoDesign regulation. Lower losses mean more or better core steel and a more carefully built core, so price rises with the grade. Whether the extra money is worth it depends on your tariff and how many hours a year the transformer runs loaded.
3. Winding material
Copper is the traditional choice; aluminium saves 20 to 30 percent on the transformer and reduces weight, which also lowers freight. On small ratings the freight saving matters as much as the price saving. Both are legitimate — the decision is about life-cycle cost and tender requirements, not about quality. See the FAQ below.
4. Fittings and options
On-load tap changer, winding temperature indicator with alarm and trip contacts, Buchholz relay, pressure relief device, oil level gauge with alarm, marshalling box, cable boxes instead of bushings, and a roller base all add cost. A fully instrumented utility-spec unit can cost 25 percent more than a bare industrial unit of the same rating. On a 100 kVA unit, decide early whether you need the full utility package — it is the easiest place to overspend.
5. Destination certification
Conformity assessment for the importing country — SONCAP for Nigeria, PVoC for Kenya and Uganda, SABER and SASO for Saudi Arabia, COC for Algeria and Egypt, INMETRO for Brazil — is arranged per shipment. It is a real cost line, and a supplier who has done it before will save you weeks at the port.
6. Order quantity and packing
A single unit carries all the fixed cost of drawing, tooling and documentation. Two to four identical units spread it and often save 5 to 10 percent per unit. Export packing also matters: a fully enclosed plywood crate with a vapour barrier costs more than a skid, and is worth it for long sea routes and humid destinations.
Shipping: how many units fit in a container
A 100 kVA oil transformer occupies roughly 1.18 × 0.76 × 1.14 m and weighs about 650 kg. In export packing it is normally shipped as a single layer — transformers are not stacked — so capacity is set by floor area: a 20 ft container takes 8 to 10 units and a 40 ft high-cube container 18 to 22 units. If the oil travels in separate drums rather than in the tank, more units fit in the same box but you take on oil handling at destination.
Because the freight bill is charged per container, the cheapest route for small ratings is to consolidate. A mixed load of 100, 200 and 250 kVA units in one 40 ft container usually beats two part-load shipments on landed cost per unit and on total transit time. Always ask for the freight figure separately, with a validity date: a CIF quotation to your port valid for 15 days is comparable between suppliers, a vague "freight extra" is not.
How to get an exact price in 24 hours
Suppliers can only quote accurately when the specification is unambiguous. Send these seven items and you will get a firm, comparable price the same day:
- Rating: 100 kVA (state clearly if the load is single-phase)
- Voltage ratio: for example 11/0.4 kV or 33/0.415 kV
- Frequency: 50 Hz or 60 Hz
- Vector group and impedance: Dyn11 and 4% if not specified by your consultant
- Loss grade required: S11, S13 or a maximum loss value in watts
- Quantity and delivery deadline
- Destination port, so certification, packing and freight can be priced correctly
Why buyers choose BeiDian for 100 kVA units
We are a manufacturer, not a trading company. Winding, core cutting, tank fabrication, assembly and testing all happen in our own plant in Jinxiang County, Jining, Shandong, which is why we can hold both delivery time and tolerances on small custom ratings that trading companies simply pass on.
- Every unit is routine-tested before shipment — ratio and vector group, winding resistance, insulation resistance, no-load and load loss, induced and applied voltage, plus oil dielectric strength.
- 13 third-party type test reports issued by CNAS-accredited national laboratories, covering temperature rise, lightning impulse, short-circuit withstand and sound level on adjacent ratings including S13-M-400/10 and S22-M-630/10-NX1. Type tests on one rating of a family support the whole family — ask us for the report set that covers your unit.
- In-house laboratory with lightning impulse generator, partial discharge detector and temperature-rise test capability.
- Long-term joint production cooperation with ABB China, building to agreed drawings, workmanship standards and quality plans.
- Small orders welcome — single units and mixed containers are normal business for us, not an exception.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 100 kVA transformer cost?
Budget USD 1,200 to 1,700 FOB China for a standard 11/0.4 kV unit with S11 losses and copper windings. An S13 loss grade adds roughly 15 to 25 percent, a 33 kV primary adds 40 to 70 percent, and aluminium windings reduce the price by 20 to 30 percent. Freight, duty and inland delivery are extra.
Is 100 kVA the same as 100 kW?
No. kVA is apparent power and kW is real power, related by the power factor. At a power factor of 0.8 a 100 kVA transformer delivers about 80 kW of real power. Motors, rectifiers and lightly loaded networks usually run between 0.7 and 0.9, so always size in kVA and check the connected load in kW against it.
How long does delivery take?
Production is typically 12 to 20 working days for an 11 kV unit and 25 to 35 days for a 33 kV unit or one with an on-load tap changer, counted from drawing approval and deposit. Sea transit adds roughly three to five weeks to West or East Africa and two to three weeks to the Gulf.
How many 100 kVA transformers fit in a container?
Roughly 8 to 10 units in a 20 ft container and 18 to 22 in a 40 ft high-cube, since small transformers ship in a single layer. Mixed loads with 200 and 250 kVA units are common and usually reduce landed cost per unit.
What documents come with the transformer?
Routine test reports for every unit, oil test report, packing list, certificate of origin and the mill certificates for core steel and windings. Type test reports from CNAS-accredited laboratories are available on request, and we welcome buyers and consultants to inspect the original documents.
Related reading: 250 kVA transformer price guide · 33 kV distribution transformer selection guide · S11 oil immersed distribution transformer
Get a firm price for your 100 kVA project
Send us the rating, voltage ratio, frequency, vector group, loss grade, quantity and destination port. Our engineers reply within 24 hours with a specification, general arrangement drawing and factory price.