Transformers 101: How They Work & How To Wire Them

In this video, I'll talk about the basic fundamentals of a transformer. And also discuss how to configure a transformer for use in different applications.
Information provided in this video is for educational purposes only.
If you attempt to recreate/replicate anything you’ve seen in this Or any other video, you’re doing so at your own risk.
- Schematix -

[@Ekvorivious]

Those 127 dislikes were searching for the movie... 😂 Thanks for the information, good explanation!

[@CristianSpitz]

nope... Those 127 dislikes wired in paralel the toroidal transformer (Yet they had the one with a shunt).

[@Greebstreebling]

@@CristianSpitz there's me thinking I was the only person with a toroidal shunt. My wife said to me WATCH OUT FOR THAT SHUNT, but I was too late....

[@jacktownsend3382]

@SkotKash lmao it took me a minute but that’s funny

[@kennedymutinda4806]

So about a year ago we could see the number of dislikes 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@james77011]

😂😆 🤫

[@donron8463]

Finally a video that uses visuals for explaining transformers. Awesome job thank you!

[@wayneolson2221]

I been looking at a BUNCH of videos and this one is the one that explains it so clear that I can finally understand it. Thank-you

[@johnheuser5000]

This is the best explanation so far I have seen--speaking as an electronically challenged citizen.

[@halfbeardsilvertongue5129]

Thank you very much! I hope you're still around, this was the first video I watched that made it clear enough for me to understand transformers. It wasn't that I didn't know what they did, but rather that you made the distinction between the voltage and amperage changes on the outputs and what the purpose of the taps on the input can do. Thank you, again.

[@jasongooden917]

I learned more about transformers from this one video than any other one I've watched before...great video

[@billyrain6764]

The chirping birds add a relaxing ambiance.

[@lovinglife5572]

I have watched other uploads on this type of transformers and could never understood it but you sir made it so clear and I thank you keep up the good work God Bless

[@michaelr6205]

I stumbled across and found your channel. I'm really getting into learning about electronics. I wanted to stay, I really enjoy the way you describe components and systems. I also love the way you break components down into "crude" forms for description. Subscribed.

[@weetarted3715]

Greatly informative. Thank you. Perhaps and video on building a safe and stable, variable power supply for safe experimenting power, would be a wonderful step-by-step instructional video. Perfect for the amateur garage lab experimenter. Thanks again for your time and creativity.

[@LifeGeneralist]

Although the volume on this video is too low for my laptop, the video is explained perfectly. I gained some understanding. Thank you

[@pat2655]

Thank you very much You spoke clearly and gave understanding and principles of how a transformer works.

[@muxallopeniot9194]

I definitely found this video informative. You did amazing job explain the basic fundamentals of a transformer.

[@sand0077]

Straightforward and understandable for the layperson, thank you for posting!

[@groundzonepilot7536]

Very good, clean & simple video. Thanks for making it, I have a fairly good understanding of transformers now. Cheers 👌

[@walker55able]

Thank you very much for this video. I have been wanting to achieve a certain voltage/current arrangement on a 50va transformer. Your video has helped me to manage this.

[@rodsofgod6863]

Thank you for the video, learning a ton!! Can't wait to see the next video explaining the Bridge rectifier and the capacitor.

[@Schematix]

You're welcome :)

[@titodejesus6238]

Sir you give a simple and clear explanation I am sure almost anyone with basic knowledge will be able to understand.I thank you for this video.

[@ironspider9026]

Man you're amazing, your explanations are so clear and to the point I find them very easy to follow. Thanks and stay blessed.

[@carroltamangaro742]

Iron Spider

[@BooktownBoy]

Brilliantly explained and well presented. Thank you.

[@mattpiper5278]

Excellent video! Just stepping into electronics and this was very helpful.

[@oldscoolgaming.5040]

that was a great help just what i needed to know. thanks

[@PnPModular]

Great video hope you made the video on what equipment you need to check primary and secondary as this would massively benefit me I've subscribed thanks again

[@TeddehSpaghetti]

In this part of my Electronic Principles class (military training) we were only taught that magic happens in the transformer and we won't bother reviewing it. I like this video's explanation better.

[@BurnerStudio]

that was very well explained, thanx

[@mcorrade]

great information. I know really get it. I had wished you did go into identifying the way to find primary using the method you eluded to.

[@ziongite]

I took a transformer out of a computer PSU, it typically converts 240v into lower voltages obviously. I noticed it actually has 3 inputs on the input side, this is because one input remains the same, but it would be electrically moved from one pin to another whether it's being used with 240v or 120v. Essentially it's the tap thing you explained, the 120v I would say would have more windings, where as the 240v would be tapped in there before the windings are completed, because the 240v is already starting at a higher voltage to begin with. Then on the output side there were a crazy 7 pins, however 2 sets were connected on closer inspection, so actually it's 5 separate outputs. Being a computer power supply transformer, it's understandable as in a computer power supply it's meant to create 12v, 5v, 3.3v. It's using the tap method also on the output, so sharing one pin, and then different pins are used for different voltages, that would equate to 4 pins however, I found out that the fifth pin didn't appear to to anything, it also looked odd compared to the rest and didn't come from the actual roll of coiled wires, but just came out of the bottom of the frame. In order to figure out the voltages on these 4 outputs, and luckily with AC it doesn't matter what way you put things around as it's alternating anyway. It means you can attach simple devices to the transformer while it's powered up. Using a 12v bulb, it's simple to see. It's bright when you are between the 12v ones, it's drab when it's between the 5v ones, and it's not even lighting up between the 3.3v ones. Then you can use a permanent marker to put dots near the main ones so you don't have to remember, obviously I am using the 12v ones, this would be the full span of the output windings. I wasn't able to actually find a datasheet on it, to figure out it's amp allowance. But the power supply that this transformer came out of, said on it's box to not draw anymore than 280w. This tells me that I shouldn't draw anymore than 23 amps from this. However to be on the safe side I stick to around 200w flat, which is around nearly 17 amps, when it's run like this it only gets mildly warm so I know it's not hurting it. After all, if you burn these things out, they are totally useless, it's best to run them in a safe range, because I know they are expensive to replace. I turned mine into a DIY homemade heater, basically the transformer runs 2x 100w ebay bought resistors that were only 2 dollars each. I then use a large metal half tube over the transformer to cover it, and I put a small fan in between it and the resistors, it sucks air over the transformer and blows it onto the resistors, that are screwed onto a larger heatsink. This was very cheap to make, as I already had the heatsink, I already had the transformer and the computer fan, the only thing I had to purchase was the 2 resistors, so the total project only cost me 4 dollars. Despite being pretty low wattage, it doesn't spread the heat around the room fast, it's slow to dissipate, so it means it retains warmth more in a small area, this is very comfortable to take the nippy edge off the cold, I run it only around 50cm from where I sit at my computer desk. Of course because it is homemade I don't ever leave it on if I leave the house or room, it's turned off, as there is obviously no built in safety.

[@normanchambers1356]

Awesome teacher! Please more electronic videos, schematics & parts diagnosis. Thanks dude.

[@DwcBradB]

great video and awesome explanation , thank you !!

[@rubenperez3337]

Thank you for the class, you rock.

[@johncware66]

Very nice video. I did flinch when you touched the big capacitor's contact, I treat them like a loaded gun.

[@hightekkrednek]

This.. this is the video I was looking for. Nice job, thank you.

[@joshlcaudill]

Very Informative.....Thanks.

[@TheClampetts]

It would be very nice if you could make a video showing how to determine what are inputs & what are outputs on an unknown transformer. That question is what brought me to this great video in the first place. Thanks for making this helpful video.

[@Dixitkushagra175]

Great Video. More of these kinds of videos please.

[@sarahhardy8649]

I used to make industrial transformers in a machine made by Tanaka. Output was about 1000 a day. The machine wound 2 at a time. There was guarding all around the machine and the Tanaka wouldn’t start until it was engaged, but when the wire broke as the transformer was winding, bits would fly everywhere. I was still finding the occasional shrapnel in clothing 5 years after I left.

[@dgb5820]

The best video, really appreciate this outstanding and simple demonstration

[@rudiandrewharris2026]

If any of my teachers had any clue they would be like you... You have a gift of making things seem simple. Awesome channel*****

[@travishaynes1180]

Bullshit , maybe I'm just super slow / mentally retarded but he still managed to confuse me with "primary wiring is in from the wall , secondary is what we connect our load to"......? Why not just say , primary is what comes in and secondary is what comes out. Not everyone knows what he means when he refers to "load".

[@nathanzimmerman5846]

Great video! Would love to see a second video on transformers.

[@dougharvey9766]

Great video and explanation thank you : )

[@vinmansucc2698]

Your explanation very clear and easy to understand thanks

[@raidboukri706]

thank you, you give us a lot of infomations

[@20thcenturyboy85]

Awesome Explanation! Thank You!!!

[@harukoyama9515]

Thank you for the knowledge. Now so know on AC if copper wire turn around a metal. It does not short out... I was wondering how the circular type of transformer is winding. Is primary wind around a circular metal. While circular winding go on top of primary winding.

[@johnkirby5637]

I can't thank you enough ! Your videos are immensely helpful with a project I have worked on for several years . Keep up the great work !

[@Synth2000]

great video, this is EXCELLENT

[@Odenix75]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge 👍👍

[@josephgkrestan3044]

Another great video. Thanks! Joe

[@shawngoldsberry747]

He is easy to listen to and understand. Im subbing.

[@adrianclark9581]

Fantastic explanation thanks.

[@SciDOCMBC]

very good explained, thx for this video

[@janmichaelmilo1546]

Thank you very much Sir for this very informative explanation about transformers Sir. It's brilliant.👍👍

[@elioalcala4371]

May I know if I can modify the inside space of secondary winding ? to be able to fit the corrrect number of rounds? for welding or charging machines

[@ramaroodle]

Good video but I hate it when people post technical vids and say to put questions in the comment section but never answer any questions.

[@thenegotiator9701]

AndyB indeed

[@HellGoodDoogz]

Great video, my friend! Thanks for the upload! :D

[@qunicyjohn1171]

Thanks for the info 👍 this helps me in my next project

[@couchsurfer2856]

Most execellent explaination.thank you

[@user-ed7gd3de7l]

Very well presented, great

[@premiere3610]

Thank you very much this is good. more tutorial please

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

This was really useful, thank-you.

[@timdunk7278]

GReat video, thank you.

[@BangBang-oz7xt]

Thank you. Explain it so well

[@rich1051414]

Does it matter which is the 'intended' primary winding, as that would depend on if you want to step up or down the voltage? A simple continuity test can be used to figure out which wires are electrically connected to each other.

[@ramane2900]

Wow. Great video. Explained quite consicely. Even I am able to get it.

[@JoshuaChandia-ih8sy]

Wonderful explanation!

[@tinkeringwithmark1186]

Thank you. It all just kicked in!!

[@azxde9266]

very good bedtime story! nice video and quite informative!

[@ryanmalin]

Great video! Love the channel. Cheers from Florida

[@hailtothekingbaby100]

explained very well thank you very much, do you have somewhere i can reach you for Q&A?

[@rebeccatodd6104]

Good informative video

[@chrismiller4990]

Thanks for the breakdown. Much less confusing now lol

[@robertgift]

Well done! Is the torriodal transformer morefficient?

[@thedronehorseman4713]

I did what you did and short circuit live and neutral in Australia and wound them a couple times around an iron drill bit but it threw the safety cut off switch when I did!

[@anthonycook8737]

What did you salvage that large transformer from? Thanks.

[@edunewton1386]

Hi, Great video. Thanks

[@SuperRedSilk]

Great video!

[@INCYTER]

Hey Dude - Greetings from the Cold Dark North (Canada!) Your channel is awesome. I just recently discovered it. Yes - I want to see a video (preferably with your rocker long hair wig again), featuring the equipment you'd use to identify primary and the various secondary windings on an unidentified transformer...and the method to do so. Keep up the outstanding work & super fun and informative videos!!😎

[@laundrobob149]

Thank you for this video.

[@jassimmn9004]

great video keep it up

[@slasher102]

i have one of the round tranformer but i need to identify the wires can you help, great video

[@MrArmsDeal]

Hi there, great video. I watched your video ‘Transformers 101: How they work & How to Wire them’. You made mention of how to find out the Primary Winding from the Secondary Windings if the connections weren’t obvious, and that you may do a video in the future to show how it’s done. Did you ever do this? I have a transformer that was salvaged from a photographic film processing mini-lab, it’s very large in size and rated at 550VA. It has a manufactures label on it with the following markings: TYPE: S-9UF3. CAP: 550VA. PHASE: 1. FREQ: 50/60. MANUF No: 9391094Y. Chuo Electric Ind. Co Ltd. Japan. I’ve had a hunt on the web but can’t find any specs on it. It appears to have just a single set (core) of windings (i.e. all the windings are on top of each other on a single bobbin with various tapings extending from the centre to the radius), unlike your video on the microwave transformer conversion, where the primary and the secondary are two separate coils (bobbins) and easy to see. Each of the tapings terminate on a terminal strip on the top of the transformer and have the following markings on a label fixed to the terminal connector block (from left to right): ‘EXT’ - ‘PO’ - ‘200’ - ‘220’ - ‘240’ - ‘TO’ - ‘100’ - ‘SO’ - ’17.5’ - ‘24’ I have checked for continuity across each of the terminals, and from what I guess is each of the winding’s ‘PO’ ‘TO’ and ‘SO’ ‘PO’ to ‘200’ value 1.2ohms ‘PO’ to ‘220’ value 1.2ohms ‘PO’ to ‘240’ value 1.3ohms ‘PO’ to ‘TO’ No continuity ‘PO’ to all other connections to the right No continuity ‘TO’ to ‘100’ value 0.5ohms ‘TO’ to all other connections to the right & left No continuity ‘SO’ to ’17.5’ value 0.1ohms ‘SO’ to ‘24’ value 5.0ohms ‘SO’ to all other connections to the left No continuity The ‘EXT’ connection measures almost the same as the ‘PO’ connection (i.e. connectivity between EXT and 200, 220 & 240, but none of the others). My guess is that there are 3 separate winding: PO to 200, 220 or 240 TO to 100 SO to 17.5 or 24 I don’t understand what the ‘EXT’ terminal does, although there are 2 tapings from the core connected to this termination. I want to use this transformer for a 24volt supply only, but I’m hesitant to connect the ‘PO’ and ‘240’ tapings across the mains and see what voltages I get on the ‘SO’ and ‘24’ outputs (if in fact they are outputs). What do you think? I live in Auckland and I could let you have my email address if that would be easier to communicate. Thanks

[@harryhino2267]

Mate. Good video however you missed some critical information about "how" a transformer works. The "transformation" from primary to secondary happens when the magnetic field around the core collapses or builds. This is why the input must be AC and not DC. That said if you apply DC, there will be current in the secondary whilst the magnetic field builds but then stop when the core "saturates" (magnetic field is at it's maximum). If you then remove the DC, current will be induced into the secondary as the magnetic field collapses. Chop the DC and you'll get (nearly) the same waveform at the secondary (at which point the waveform becomes AC :-| ). Keep up the good work.

[@PerchEagle]

Yep that's really fundamental and thanks for clearing that !

[@miguelmunoz2440]

This video was more geared for basic fundamental understanding. What you are suggesting might be covered in a more advanced video

[@victoryfirst2878]

A video on how to figure out multiple leads of the same color would really be cool. When are you going to show us how to figure out the hookup ? Thanks and peace too.

[@dannywillis6766]

Thanks for the video. I do have a question. Around the 11:00 mark you say that "you can't simply use a voltmeter to figure out the primary from secondary windings". Do you mean to say that you can't use a voltmeter to decipher which leads are which on the secondary coil? In technicality, can it be assumed that the two wires at the back end (relative to the viewer) of the transformer are the primary and the four wires at the front end of the transformer are for the secondary? Final question, if that is in fact not the case, could you at least use the "continuity" function on the voltmeter to correctly identify primary from secondary coils? Thanks

[@efaure2008]

How do you test watt limit? I have a stepdown transformer, label had 1600 on it, now scratched out and 1000 written on top. How can I determine true watt and return to 1600?

[@KEVINNOAD1]

Thank you very much...

[@lifewithyaka6780]

thank you for the explanation

[@fefafafe5059]

I'll waiting for your next video. Thanks R

[@petewade7750]

Great video, very informative! I'm starting to understand a bit better about transformers. I'm working on a car battery charger/pyrography setup, but am stuck at how to correctly wire up the transformer. Any suggestions?

[@user-hx9yw3ln4b]

Thanks, well done.

[@What-is-thehandle]

Wonderful video!. Can you consider making a video that explains more in depth on choosing the correct transformer for the job. Example: I'm retrofitting a CNC machine that is 3ph. I only have 220v 1ph. The spindle is a 7.5KW motor that draws 10amps i believe. i have a 440v 3 ph VFD that will allow 220v 1ph input but it cuts the motor power in half. What I'm assuming i can do is take a step up transformer to turn my 220v 1ph into 440v 1ph then input that into the VFD allowing me to power the 7.5KW spindle motor. Will this work? Thanks -Chris

[@VeracityTrigger]

In a transformer is it more optimal to interlace the input wires like shoe laces or for the input and output wires to be strung left and right respectively along the iron core?

[@utkf16]

Brilliant thank you

[@walker55able]

Hi I have just checked the secondary current on my 50va transformer i was expecting less say 3.5 amps i seem to have just over 10 amps. I will look for another of your videos .Thank you

[@sivakumarathiappan5260]

Good Video. I did watch your video on MOT winding and using it in desk power supply. I am looking for EI and Torodial transformer winding formula. If you follow any please share.

[@vk3tkq333]

You were wrong didn’t put me to sleep. Good video thanks

[@deserteagleiii1643]

ive been looking for an informative video about transformer since im trouble shooting a welding machine, the welding has power but once i started working on it same connection explodes, (its the connection between switch going to the inner wire of the primary coil) can you help me fix the problem?

[@jonathansandiford4137]

How do you get 12v and 24v simultaneously from a dual 12v secondary toroidal transformer?

[@samuelschwager]

Thanks a lot for the video. A shame you don't make videos any more :(

[@toksdesbordes2299]

Great video bro