The Most Useful Transformer Ever

In this video. I show why I think that a certain transformer is the most useful I've ever come across. It is kind of like a Swiss army knife, it can be used for many different purposes depending on how it is hooked up.

[@bjtaudio]

If you use a toroidal transformer you can wind your own secondaries, and add or change voltages even easier. The only issue with using those small laminated EI transformers is regulation is poor, and if they are under-excited for example connect say 120V ac across the 277V winding the output power drops dramatically and regulation becomes very poor, mainly due to increases copper losses in the primary and secondary. I gather in US standard commercial service voltage is 277/480V Y 3 Phase, hence the requirement for the 277V input. In Australia we use 230V/400V Y.

[@T2D.SteveArcs]

Most large (industrial) buildings use three phase power and the 277v is the voltage of any of the three phases to ground .... As for your little transformer You can also wire the primary in series with the secondary either in phase with each other to add the secondary voltage to the primary (boost transformer) or out of phase with each other to reduce the primary voltage by the secondary voltage (buck transformer) ....

[@AMD1]

everything is spot on, except for the little tidbit about industry using step up transformers. Building and bucking transformers are found in industry, but their primary purpose are for small loads in machinery and equipment requiring different voltages. In the US, almost every of newer industrial/commercial building utilizes 2 separate transformers and load centers. The voltages for these two systems are 120Y208 and 277Y480. Old buildings may have 120/240∆240, and sometimes a ∆480 load center. In Canada, and few examples in the US use 347Y600. If you haven't done so already, do some research on ∆3 phase. Interesting configurations can be wired in delta, and watch out for that wild leg!

[@thersten]

OMG. I'm getting tips from a 12 year old. Gotta respect it. Good job young man. 👍

[@bebo5558]

277v is not used due to power transmission loss, it's used because it's the result of using a three phase electrical system, like a lot of industry's us.

[@FirstLast-kx1gr]

It is wonderful that so many viewers wish to help you by telling you stuff you knew when you were 8 years old?

[@thomashardin911]

5:48 where did you get that one? 6:36 where is the school dump located at, in reference to its school?

[@coilsmoke2286]

He mentioned using just the primary to change voltage is more dangerous but failed to mention why the shock hazard. There will be no isolation from current paths to ground like one gets from a separate winding on an average power transformer circuit.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

It looks as though that transformer came out of an emergency light fixture.

[@brettsalling]

My first thought as well. I've saw many of them. Haha

[@airthrow]

It's really cool to learn from a younger guy who knows so much! I just found your channel, will be going through your videos, as I'm trying to expand my knowledge in the hobby. Great job!

[@TannerTech]

Thanks!

[@djblackarrow]

The basic function of this transformer is to have a balanced voltage source. On the secondary side, the black wire is 0V (GND). Or also called center tap. Put the two red wires on a bridge rectifier. Then you add two buffer capacitors between positive and 0V, as well as between negative and 0V. Thus, you can take a positive, as well as a negative voltage. Symmetrical voltage sources can also be found in high-quality audio amplifiers, inverters and in electronic switching power supplies.

[@sun6v546]

Liked the topic and cool presentatioin WITHOUT any background music..... Cheers mate.... :)

[@tomwyrick2824]

Never watched any of your videos before but I gotta say I'm impressed! Not sure of your age but you seem like you have a really good understanding for your age. Don't listen to the negative Nancy's keep up the great vids!!!

[@therealjammit]

A Google search for "277 volt transformer" brings up "120V to 277V step up/down" transformers and dual primary transformers like the one you have.

[@wyoblacksmithtools3097]

In the U.S., 277 VAC has been used in commercial retail and industrial fluorescent lighting for a very long time (45 plus years). These lights could be nearly as efficient using the much more common 240 VAC, but there is a side benefit because thieves won't steal the lights that use 277 VAC. I don't know if that is a primary reason for using 277 VAC, but it does help reduce the number of stolen lights. Great video!

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

Rick Delair Actually now days, most high end modern LED light fixtures (both hard wired and some screw base) will run on any voltage ranging from 100 to 277 volt 50/60Hz.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

Rick Delair I disagree. I have 10 year old Cree LED recessed lights in my kitchen. And I have not noticed any loss in lumen output or any shift in color hue. We have been using them about on average 8 to 10 hours a day. Yes I have had about 4 cheap LED lights fail on me, but they were the cheap ulititec brand. But on the whole I have had complete satisfaction out of the rest of the LED's I have been using. Don't buy the cheap ones. You get what you pay for.

[@jentronics3754]

Another benefit of 277 volt lighting in a commercial setting is the number of lights that can be put on a single circuit. Because the voltage is higher, the ampere requirement per light will be lower. This means the need for less breakers. Also it is easier for a lighting control panel to turn off whole departments of lights after hours. I worked projects where I installed such a panels and after hours it would blink a dept of offices lights to notify the lights will be going down in 5 minutes. If employees are working late they can dial a number, punch in their code to keep the lights on for another hour.

[@markanderson8066]

Be careful though because when you are fooling around on the primary side like that you are NOT isolated from the powerline! Thus if you use that on your electronics as you may have you have a possible electrocution risk!

[@coilsmoke2286]

Right...He mentioned using just the primary to change voltage is more dangerous but failed to mention why. There will be no isolation from current paths to ground like one gets from a separate winding on an average power transformer circuit.

[@mrjason9382]

I have an old new stock harmond transformer with only a coil on one side of the transformer . for 120 ac voltage like he was talking about

[@jp040759]

Interesting. I just salvaged 2 of these from 2 exit signs. I couldn't quite figure out why it had 3 primary wires. It didn't seem like it was a 120 volt and 240 windings for US and European voltages. The voltages I got out of it didn't match that ratio. Thanx for clarification.

[@rh001YT]

Hi! Given your young age, you can be excused for using 277 primary tap to get high voltage for tubes, and also be excused for using it as tube output transformer. The first use is way too dangerous and you must never do it. The second use is just plain janky....tube output transformer needs air gap to prevent saturation which if not prevented results in low sound quality. At roughly your age I made an oscope from an old bw tv, without connecting any wires to the tv - signal went by rf into the tv. It was a bit janky, but impressed everyone like my parents who knew nothing about electronics.

[@wyrick6869]

It sure would be nice to have a (link) ...to the mentioned previous videos

[@boonedockjourneyman7979]

Read about 3 phase power. You will learn why 277 VAC 1P is the universal US lighting supply.

[@SaenzFonsi]

Where can I get this IM130-0501B type transformer, \?Digikey and Mouser turned their nose up at it.!

[@gyrgrls]

Interesting! Re-purposing an audio transformer for low power apps. Since 6o Hz falls within the "audio" spectrum, I guess it's legit. Not too cost-effiiecient, tho, in larger projects.

[@nerdysophie]

Tanner tech-tanner, tanner...

[@TannerTech]

Hello! This is tanner tech.

[@annelieseocallaghan801]

Nice shirt, lovely design.

[@peoplezk1]

Can someone please tell me how much the transformer costs and where I can find it? Ive looked online and all I found is that it costs close to $20. That seems pretty expensive.

[@stingerbold9327]

all in one transformer

[@pfow2006]

great video, great info ty

[@ronasca-dev]

Thanks for explanation, dear :D

[@WildfoxFabrication]

yes very awesome.

[@dennishamlin5062]

I got a crick i my neck from tilting my head trying to read the writing on the transformer. Horizontal would be much nicer!

[@johnnygee1625]

Well done

[@mrjason9382]

Interesting

[@napoleonsolo5323]

Chris Griffin from Family Guy!

[@guitarguy3688]

Ouch your intro hurts

[@TannerTech]

Guitar Guy yeah, sorry. I have since made a new and better one

[@ELECTROHAXZ]

Tanner Tech Video made with movie maker I think xD

[@Willam_J]

Tanner Tech - It sounds like you made it with a Casio SK-1 keyboard. Am I right? I used to work on those, back in the early 80’s. I picked one up several years ago, just for the nostalgia. It’s a lot of fun to annoy my wife with it. 😂

[@sficlassic]

technically that isn't an auto transformer. It's just a transformer with several taps. Since you seem smart at least get your terminology correct ! An auto transformer is an inductor with a variable tap and has no isolation from the input ( mains ). I have watched some of your video's and did like them.

[@GordieGii]

...and when he connects it to get 277V or 50V from 120V without connecting anything to the secondary then it is acting as an autotransformer...technically.

[@frankpitochelli6786]

Are you saying "Otto " Or auto..? Or audio..?? I'm not hating, just can't understand your English with a bit of nerd in it.! Again, I'm not trying to be fresh.

[@jbsthegamer]

Well I like to blow up things with 50,000 volts it’s very fun but extremely dangerous I’m very experienced with those kind of voltages and I DEFIANTLY not recommend you to play with that unless YOU KNOW about those kind of things

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

JSBsKZbin I DEFINITELY recommend not doing so DEFIANTLY... (but yeah; you're right...)

[@ahmadchaudhry]

i like u

[@SuperFredAZ]

Audio transformers should have an air gap! Without the air-gap you can saturate. Stay away from all this guy's tips!

[@sahilbookdepot7673]

Ml mo mo ml

[@akkudakkupl]

You need an air gap only in single ended outputs OR you can have a oversized transformer (VA rating) and it wont saturate either.

[@SuperFredAZ]

the real point is a power transformer does not make a good audio transformer. That's not so bad if the audio just sounds bad, the real concern is someone using an auto-transformer and not understanding that it is not isolated from the line, and getting shocked or worse!

[@akkudakkupl]

Depends what you are amplifying. I'd say that if you want to make a push pull guitar amp you can go for a slightly oversized power transformer as the output transformer. If someone doesn't understand that a autotransformer is directly connected to live mains they should not even come close to higher voltage electronics.

[@randyaivaz3356]

Its NOT an Audio Transformer, Was for Various Voltages, He was right