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Re: [Amps] Transformers in series

To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Transformers in series
From: W2RU - Bud Hippisley <W2RU@frontiernet.net>
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 03:56:25 +0000
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Rex Lint wrote:
> Be careful tho, the primaries and the secondaries BOTH have to be in
> parallel... or else you're just running a short circuit!
>   

I'm not sure Rex said exactly what he meant to say.

You can put primaries in series and secondaries in parallel, or vice 
versa, depending on what voltages in and out you're trying to accomplish 
with the transformers you have on hand.  What you CAN'T do with 
paralleled secondaries is parallel them with their voltage waveforms OUT 
OF PHASE. 

Examples:  I have two filament transformers, 6.3 VAC @ 1 Amp secondary , 
115 VAC primary.  If my input line voltage is 115 VAC, I would parallel 
the primaries, and then I could either parallel the secondaries with 
correct phasing to get 6.3 VAC @ 2 Amps, or I could put the secondaries 
in series with correct phasing to get 12.6 VAC @ 1 Amp.  Alternatively, 
if my supply line was 230 VAC, I'd put the primaries in series and then 
do either series or parallel secondaries, as before, depending on 
whether I needed 6.3 VAC @ 2 Amp or 12.6 VAC @ 1 Amp.

The problem is the PHASING.  It is a bigger problem for paralleled 
secondaries than for the series case.  If I wire the two secondaries in 
series out of phase, the only problem I have is my net secondary output 
voltage will be zero or very close to zero.  But with paralleled 
secondaries, I have two voltage sources of opposite polarity trying to 
feed each other; instead of seeing the rated load resistance, each 
transformer will see very nearly a short circuit and catastrophe will 
result.

If you're lucky, the two transformers are identical and the leads coming 
out of them are identically placed so that you can reasonably assume 
which leads need to be tied together for proper in-phase operation.  If 
they're not identical, I use a scope or a small amperage fast blow fuse 
in the primary to help me figure it out.  I'm sure there are other, 
cleverer techniques out there.

Bud, W2RU
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