Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a transformer?

A transformer is a device that varies the voltage. It is completed by winding two wires around an iron core, one attached to the primary side and a second wire attached to the secondary side. In the casing of low-voltage halogen lighting, the transformer has an input or main voltage of 120, 230, 240 or 277V and an output or resultant voltage of 12V or 24V.

2. What is an electronic transformer?

Conventional transformers, as well called electromagnetic transformers are very large and heavy, and contain an iron core and the sets of wire. An electronic transformer, on the other hands, and contains an electronic device, an inverter, which allows the size of the definite transformer to be reduced. This electronic device and the reduced size output transformer make up the most important components of what we normally call an electronic transformer.

3. How does an electronic transformer work?

The inverter conditions, the current to change path at a frequency of concerning 20-50,000 times per second (called 20-50,000 Hertz or Hz) as different to the power from your wall outlet, which changes direction at a frequency of 50 or 60Hz. It has higher the frequency of the current, the smaller the transformer. Most electronic transformers on the market at present give (high frequency) AC output.

4. What is a DC transformer?

A DC transformer is a predictable electronic transformer where the output is converted to DC with the help of a device called as a rectifier. The DC output nearly eliminates drop voltage and reduces radiated RFI. A DC transformer, although smaller and lighter than a magnetic transformer, and it is generally slightly bigger than an AC electronic transformer providing the same power.

5. What is the advantage of an electronic transformer?

Electronic transformers are enormously small and light when compared to magnetic transformers, most of the time small enough that fixture manufacturers can often take in them within a lighting product sooner than leaving the customer to come across a hiding place. Even when not incorporated with the fixture, electronic transformers are easy and quite simple to handle and install.

6. Can transformers be operated at various frequencies?

A 60 Hz design is normally smaller than a 50 Hz design. For kind information please DO NOT use 60 Hz rated transformers on 50 Hz service. Without exacting designs, higher losses and greater heat rise will result. Operating 60 Hz transformers at higher frequencies may simply give less voltage regulation.

7. Can transformers be used in parallel?

It is simply very common for transformers to be placed in parallel service. To give maximum efficiency, voltage and impedance values have to match closely for each transformer involved. A failure to match voltage and impedances will result in unbalanced loading for the transformers and possibly will lead to overheating or premature failure.

8. Why is the transformer case hot?

Transformers are intended to operate at a particular load. As transformers are overloaded, losses generated raise, resulting in a potential for case heating. If a transformer is correctly sized for a particular application, no excessive heating should be present. Why do transformers create noise? It's because the hum is caused by alternating flux in the core and is called as magnetostriction. The humming can be minimized in manufacturing and in the course of the use of dampening pads when installed.

9. What is an isolating transformer?

In an isolating transformer, the primary and secondary windings are related magnetically, but not electrically. It's also referred to as an "insulating" transformer.

10. Can I connect a single-phase transformer to a three-phase source?

Yes, the transformer output will be single-phase. It simply connects any two wires from a 3- or 4-wire source to the transformer's two primary leads. Three single-phase transformers can be used for three-phase applications. They can be made use of in delta-connected primary and wye or delta-connected secondary. To avoid an unstable secondary voltage problem, NEVER connect wye primary to delta secondary.

11. What is the inductance of a transformer?

In very easy terms it is a measure of the number of turns on the coil, the cross section and the permeability of the core. We in general talk about the inductance of a winding, usually the primary. It has the greater the inductance, the greater the ac resistance or the impedance of the winding. The impedance of an inductor rises proportionally to frequency.

12. Why did my transformer blow the moment it was installed?

Make sure the wiring system. Chances are that you comprise connected the output (12V) to the power supply, and the input (120V) to the fixtures.

13. What is an isolation transformer?

An isolation transformer, as well referred to as an insulating transformer, is one where the primary and secondary windings are separate, as opposite to an autotransformer where the primary and secondary share an ordinary winding.

14. How does the use of an electronic transformer vary from the use of a magnetic transformer?

The output of an electronic transformer, if not it is a DC transformer, is high frequency. This has the effect that there is substantial voltage drop if the wires carrying the current are long or far apart. Always follow the following rules to avoid a voltage drop. So, use thick wires on the secondary/output side. The thicker the wire the less drop voltage you will occur. The shorter the distance between transformer and lamp the less drop voltage you will occur. Try to make use of a pair of secondary wires that are twisted together. The closer the two output wires are to one another when a transformer powers more than one fixture, split the output of the transformer directly into numerous different circuits rather than carrying all the power in one pair of wires. The less power per circuit, the less drop voltage you will occur. I.e. a 300W lamp/circuit will have more severe fall of voltage than a 50W lamp/circuit.

15. How does one can test an electronic transformer?

Always, keep in mind the following: Observe the wiring guidelines above. The majority failures happen as a result of reverse or improper wiring. Check the lamp and move it around inside the lamp holder. The majority voltmeters give misleading readings when applied to high frequency currents. You can simply measure the voltage on an electronic transformer using a "true RMS" voltmeter with an enough range.

16. Why do we need transformers?

In nearly all cases, machines and appliances using electricity are manufactured to operate using a particular voltage and frequency. Sounds easy, right? Well, let me throw you a curve - voltage and frequency differ from place to place. Not all countries - and at times not all regions within the same country - make the similar voltage and frequency in their electricity.

That's where transformers appear in. Transformers adjust the voltage coming into the appliance to the proper level, and pump the electricity in the course of the appliance to continue it operating properly. The nearly all common, and preferred, class of transformer is the autotransformer - mainly those with a single tapped winding (as different to isolation transformers with 2 separate windings). Autotransformers are smaller, lighter, and give greater voltage stability and overload tolerance.

Despite the fact that transformers do adjust voltage, they do not - and cannot - change frequency. In nearly all cases, frequency is irrelevant to the apt operation of the appliance. Where frequency is a matter - like with clocks, stereo components, and timers - the appliance must have both a transformer to adjust voltage, and physical correction of gears, pulleys, etc. to correct the speed of operation.

Frequency can, on the other hand, be an issue in cases of appliances whose motors run continuously, or endlessly stop and start, like refrigerators and air conditioners. In these cases, it is a good idea to adjust your voltage up or down in accordance with the frequency. For instance, 60 Hz motors should be run at 10% less voltage when operated on 50 Hz, while 50Hz motors should be run at 10% higher voltage when operated on 60Hz.

17. What is an inductor? How do inductors behave? How do you protect against inductive kick-back?

Inductors are directly related to capacitors; the rate of current vary in an inductor depends on the voltage applied across it, while the rate of voltage change in a capacitor depends on the current through it. The sign and defining equation for an inductor is where L is known as the inductance and is measured in henrys (or mH, uH, etc.) and "di/dt" is the alteration in current over a small period of time. Putting a voltage across an inductor causes the current to increase as a ramp (for a capacitor), supplying a steady current causes the voltage to rise as a ramp; 1 volt across 1 henry produces a current that increases at 1 amp per second) The symbol for an inductor seems like a coil of wire; that's since, in its simplest form, that's all it is.

Variations contain coils wound on different core materials, the most popular being iron (or iron alloys, laminations, or powder) and ferrite, nonconductive, a black, brittle magnetic material. These are all ploys to multiply the inductance of a given coil by the "permeability" of the core material. The core can be in the shape of a rod, a toroid (doughnut), or still more bizarre shapes, like a "pot core" (which has to be seen to be understood). Inductors find heavy use in radio frequency (RF) circuits, serving as RF "chokes" and as parts of tuned circuits. A pair of closely coupled inductors forms the remarkable object identified as a transformer. An inductor is, in an actual sense, the opposite of a capacitor.

18. What is a magnetic core & coil low voltage transformer?

A low voltage transformer is an electrical device that cuts 120 volts (line voltage) into 12 volts or 24 volts (low voltage). It is at times made by winding two wires around an iron core with one wire joined to the primary side (line voltage side) and the second wire joined to the secondary side (low voltage side). In the case of low voltage halogen or low voltage xenon lighting the low voltage transformer has an input or primary voltage of 120 volts (sometimes 277 volts) and an output or secondary voltage of 12 volts or 24 volts. An instance of a core and coil type transformer is our LS and LT models.

19. What is an electronic low voltage transformer?

Conventional low voltage transformers, as well called magnetic core & coil low voltage transformers can be very large and heavy, contain an iron core and two sets of wires as described in the previous paragraph. An electronic low voltage transformer, in contrast, also contains an electronic device, called an inverter, which lets the size of the low voltage transformer to be substantially smaller. An inverter and a small transformer make up the most important components of what we usually call an electronic low voltage transformer. An instance of our electronic transformers is our RS and VS lines.

20. How does an electronic low voltage transformer work?

The inverter conditions the voltage to change direction at a frequency of concerning 20,000 times per second (called Hertz or Hz) as different to the "normal" power from your wall outlet, which changes direction at a frequency of 50Hz or 60Hz. It contain the higher the frequency, the smaller the low voltage transformer can be. The majority electronic low voltage transformers supply high frequency AC output.

21. What is the advantage of an electronic low voltage transformer?

Electronic low voltage transformers are extremely small and light compared to magnetic low voltage transformers, in nearly all cases small enough that fixture manufacturers can often include them within their lighting fixture rather than leaving the customer to locate a hiding place. Even when not included within the lighting fixture an electronic low voltage transformer is simply easy to install in a small hidden location.

22. What is the advantage of magnetic core & coil transformer?

The magnetic core & coil transformer contain simply - temperature rating. When size and weight are not a matter and a high temperature is required, a magnetic transformer is a fine choice. Hatch magnetic low voltage transformers can handle standard operating temperatures of 180 degree Celsius.

23. What should I check if the transformer does not appear to be working?

(A) Please make sure that the black and white input wires (primary side) of the low voltage transformer are joined to the power line (120 volts or 277 volts) and that the two red output wires (secondary side) of the low voltage transformer are joined to the low voltage light source (12 volts or 24 volts). The majority failures occur as a effect of reverse or improper wiring.

(B) Make sure the filament of the lamp to see if is burned out. (Keep in mind the glass envelope of a halogen lamp should NOT be touched by bare hands since the natural oil from your hands will cause the lamp to burn out prematurely.)

(C) Make sure the connection somewhere between the output wires of the transformer (red wires) and the lamp. The transformer has a difficult short circuit/overload protection system. If it senses a small or a bad connection or too many lamps (ie: too much wattage) it will result problems. Check all the connections for tightness, corrosion, arcing etc. If all are tight and clean and you do not have above the maximum wattage of lamps on the system, then seem at the lampholder itself. Check the contacts in the lampholder where the lamps plug in are still tight and do not show signs of carbon.

24. What is low voltage transformer?

A low voltage transformer is an electrical device that transforms line voltage (generally 120 volts however sometimes 277 volts) into 12 volts or 24 volts (low voltage). It is at times made by winding two wires around an iron core with one wire joined to the primary side (line voltage side) and the second wire joined to the secondary side (low voltage side). In the casing of low voltage halogen or low voltage xenon lighting the low voltage transformer has an input or primary voltage of 120 volts (at times 277 volts) and an output or secondary voltage of 12 volts or 24 volts.

25. What is DC low voltage transformer?

A DC low voltage transformer is a conventional electronic low voltage transformer in which the output is changed to direct current (DC) by means of an electronic device called a rectifier. The DC output cuts radio frequency interference (RFI) and virtually reduces any possible voltage drop (the drop in voltage over a long circuit). A DC low voltage transformer, while smaller and lighter than a corresponding magnetic low voltage transformer, is generally slightly larger than an AC electronic low voltage transformer providing same power.

26. How does the use of an electronic low voltage transformer be different from the use of a magnetic low voltage transformer?

The output of an electronic low voltage transformer, if it is a DC low voltage transformer, is high frequency (20,000-50,000 Hertz). This indicates that there can be a substantial voltage drop if the wires carrying the high-frequency current are extensive, thin, or far apart. Always follow these rules to keep away from a large voltage drop. Use thick wires on the secondary/output side. The thicker the wire, the less the voltage drop you will practice. The shorter the distance between transformer and lamp(s), the less the voltage drop you will occur. Try to use a pair of secondary wires that are twisted jointly. The closer the two output wires are to each other, the lower the voltage drop you will occur. When a low voltage transformer powers more than one fixture or circuit, split the output of the low voltage transformer right away into several separate circuits rather than carrying all the power in one pair of wires. The less power per circuit, the less the voltage drop you will occur. That is, a circuit with a total of 300 watts of load will have a bigger voltage drop than a circuit with only 50 watts of load. A DC low voltage transformer offers the only electronic answer that overcomes this type of voltage drop issue.

27. How do standard transformers work?

Alternating Current (AC) flowing via an input coil (the primary) creates an alternating magnetic flux in the core. When another coil (the secondary) is placed on the core near the primary coil, the magnetic flux will travel via the core magnetically linking the secondary to the primary coil. This magnetic coupling to the secondary coil will make a voltage across the secondary coils output terminals. The voltage current at the secondary terminals will be determined by a ratio of the number of secondary coil turns to the number of primary coil turns. Coil turns are at times known to as windings. A larger number of windings on the secondary coil than the primary coil will end result in a step up in voltage while less windings result in a step down in voltage.

28. What is Step up Transformer?

A step-up transformer is one whose secondary voltage is above its primary voltage. This type of transformer "steps up" the voltage applied to it. A transformer converts alternating current (AC) from one voltage to one more voltage. It has no moving parts and works on a magnetic induction principle; it can be intended to "step-up" or "step-down" voltage. So a step up transformer raises the voltage and a step down transformer lessens the voltage.

29. How does a step up transformer or the step down transformer work?

A transformer is completed from two or more coils of insulated wire wound around a core made of iron. When voltage is applied to one coil (often called the primary or input) it magnetizes the iron core, which induces a voltage in the other coil, (often called the secondary or output). The turns ratio of the two sets of windings verifies the amount of voltage transformation.

An instance of this would be: 100 turns on the primary and 50 turns on the secondary, a ratio of 2 to 1. The Transformers can be considered nothing more than a voltage ratio device.

With a step up transformer or step down transformer the voltage ratio among primary and secondary will mirror the "turns ratio" (excepting single phase smaller than 1 kva which have compensated secondaries). A realistic application of this 2 to 1 turns ratio would be a 480 to 240 voltage step down. Note that if the input were 440 volts then the output would be 220 volts. The ratio involving input and output voltage will stay constant. Transformers should not be worked at voltages higher than the nameplate rating, however may be operated at lower voltages than rated. As of this it is possible to do some non-standard applications using standard transformers.