退役變電箱Recycled Transformer Box 台電文創TPCreative-每一分用料，都是來自發電剩餘的循環經濟

退役變電箱 | 彩繪變電箱，台灣街頭最特別的一道風景

電力傳輸跋山涉水重重關卡，終於到達變電箱，這是電力網路將進入家戶的最後一站。外觀綠色太過平平無奇，它成為各路畫手清湛畫技的載體，因此變電箱上的各式彩繪圖樣，早已成了台灣民眾熟悉的獨特日常風景，甚至在不同地區發展出多樣在地特色，各有不同風格。為了維持整潔美觀，變電箱每三年即需要重新粉刷一次，後來發展出邀請當地鄰里參與繪製、或邀請繪師進行繪製的模式，於是變電箱就成了創作的載體，開始創造出一座座別具風格的立體畫作。

然而自從台電公司推動變電箱設計改造計畫以來，以環境美學優先的思維出發，在降低對都市景觀影響程度的前提下，開始弱化變電箱在城市中的存在感，這也使得變電箱上的彩繪圖樣不復存在。為了保存這些美好記憶，台電文創團隊與設計師透過設計重新詮釋，將它們歷經歲月的各種美完整封存起來，再次回到生活中。

TRANSFORMER BOX | PAINTED TRANSFORMER BOXES AS UNIQUE STREET VIEWS IN TAIWAN

After transmission across mountains, electricity reaches the final stop before homes — the transformer box. Though often overlooked, it has become the canvas for talented artists. Once a visual focus, it now seeks to blend silently back into the landscape.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.

Painted Transformer Box

材料知識

變電箱就是發電、供電的中繼站。箱體內部佈滿銅線、銅片以及絕緣油，用來彌補輸電線路造成的電力耗損，以便將最合適的電壓送到家戶。變電箱上會標註一些方便台電維護、管理的資訊，例如電能容量、電壓等級、圖號座標與警示標語等。不過，以往因廠商生產的規格不同、電能容量的差異，會看到體積不一的變電箱。目前已制定標準規格，未來變電箱的體積會趨於一致。

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.

材料特性

退役之後的變電箱，通常組成外觀的塗裝都還保存完整。這些金屬製的材料，就成為設計師值得玩味、變造的素材。雖然結構紮實具有一定厚度，但變電箱拆解後，大多為平面的大片鋼材，以一般金屬加工工法即可應用，具有很高的利用率。更重要的是，每片裁切下來的鋼片，保證都是與眾不同的塗裝。

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.

材料來源與數量

全台各處都有變電箱，總計高達有140萬個，每年也有數以千計的變電箱退役，而它們大多都以廢鐵秤斤論兩賣給回收商。台電文創在2022年籌劃以變電箱為主材料的循環設計商品，使用了全台北中南東包括離島近4000片廢棄門板，這個計畫動員了最多第一現場的台電同仁，齊心協力完成這個不可能的任務，也順利讓這些退役變電箱的美麗身影重現到生活中！

Material Source & Quantity

Across Taiwan, there are around 1.4 million transformer boxes, and thousands are retired each year. Typically, these metal boxes are sold by weight as scrap. In 2022, TPCreative launched a project to give these retired boxes a second life. Using nearly 4,000 panels involved the largest number of frontline Taipower staff ever mobilized for a design initiative. Together, they turned what seemed like an impossible task into reality, allowing these once-forgotten metal surfaces to return to everyday life in a whole new form.

退役變電箱計畫 | 加工程序 | Machining Procedure

材料特性測試

變電箱以鐵或不鏽鋼製成，各式規格變電箱配合箱體尺寸不同，使用的板材厚度也有差異。然而，因變電箱表面覆蓋有彩繪漆料，為了保持圖樣完整，正式加工前需實驗各種金屬加工程序可能造成的耗損及影響，以達到保留變電箱彩繪圖樣的效果。

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.

造型切割

一般金屬切割所使用的砂輪、圓鋸、水刀、電離子切割機等等，也能使用在變電箱板材上。各種切割工具中，以不會對漆料造成傷害的工法最為理想。因此在細部的板材切割時，使用快速又精準的雷射切割，而將板材從變電箱體分離時，則是使用等離子切割機。

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.

細修與保護

依預定造型切割完畢後，在切割處邊緣會呈現不平整的突起，為了使用安全，需先針對邊綠進行細修，去除切割過程形成的不平整。而變電箱板材表面漆料，則另外再噴塗保護漆，使得彩繪圖樣可長久固著不剝落，亦更進一步增加質感。

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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