TRANSFORMERS - What They Are, How They Work, How Electricians Size Them

[@tonydyer5073]

Holy cow dude. My IBEW instructor could not explained this concept the way you just did. He made this subject more complicated than it had to be. Great job.

[@jessebellino9780]

Sadly there are few teachers I've had in my IBEW apprenticeship who can teach well. A lot of my learning comes from outside of the apprenticeship.

[@romeoarroyo2953]

i agree with you bro

[@eazypeazy7743]

@@jessebellino9780 have to teach yourself basically. The instructor there always talk about their time in the field and BS rather than teach

[@lpollock16]

I believe he never mentioned how to size the primary. Any one knows how to size the primary?

[@nuckalaskolew]

80% of our time in class was bullshitting. Most of my knowledge came from searching on my own.

[@eazzzye2003]

For those with little to zero experience with transformers - but always worked around them - this video is a cool little "cliff notes" version of how and why they do what they do. I'm low voltage by trade, but have always been fascinated by electricity. I've completely rewired my own home (to code, passed inspection) so I'm familiar with single phase, but the three-phase w/associated transformers always escaped me. Thanks for putting this together.

[@misterbean4125]

You could tell this dude paid his dues. Excellent informative video, especially coming from someone who still works in the trade.

[@SgtJoeSmith]

Yeah unlike the liberal kids now days that don't know crap but think they should get paid the same

[@ayeitsshane806]

@@SgtJoeSmith yeah its fucking ridiculous. We put in blood sweat and tears to build our career and pay and they just want to raise everything 7-8$ do we get that raise on top of our pay? Thats what they don't get

[@SgtJoeSmith]

@@ayeitsshane806 if min wage goes from 10 to 15 an hour....ok are the people at 15 now gonna quietly stay put or they gonna want 20. And the people at 20 they gonna want 30. And so on. My job is 5 times as hard and got to be 10 times smarter than min wage workers. I've lost tip of finger. Burnt. On fire. Shocked. Run chainsaw in dark in rain and tornado warnings. Been hospitalized. Almost killed. Knocked unconscious. So if filling cups with coke and frying French fries and putting subway sandwiches together is worth paying a teen that don't even know how many states in the country $15 an hour plus another $10 an hour in benefits. Then my job with my $5k in chainsaws should be worth $300 an hour. I guarantee none those burger flippers will do it for any less than $300 an hour. They won't spend $5k on tools to make $300 an hour. They won't even pay $500 a year for insurance that the subtract on taxes to work a $60k job. And if my job is only pay 30 an hour well I'm better off flipping burgers at 15 an hour. And the boss wants a raise too so who pays for all the raises. Well the customer. But they can afford to pay double for everything cause they got a $5 an hour raise too. And now we gone full circle. Everyone has more money but can only buy the same stuff as before the raise. Cause the dollar isnt worth a dollar anymore. It's only worth half so now you need 2$. And that's call inflation. A stupid kid told me they wouldn't need to raise min wage if there wasn't inflation. Like we wouldn't have inflation if we didn't raise min wage.

[@SgtJoeSmith]

@@ayeitsshane806 I have this economic theory called the subway paradox. No matter what the min wage is. A subway employee still gas to work 1 hour to buy a foot long at subway. $5 foot longs are now $10. Soon to be $15 foot longs.

[@ayeitsshane806]

@@SgtJoeSmith agreed and at the end of the day the working man suffers for it

[@Johnny206]

1.5 months into my apprenticeship. Today we were working on wiring 3 phase from secondary 408 panel to transformer to 208 panel today. I’m like man wtf am I looking at 🤣. My journeymen of 30 plus years who i wish we had the time to chat all day has helped a lot but man we’re there to work on the site. This helped out so much. Thanks man. Can’t wait to get back it tomorrow with a little more knowledge.

[@TnTBLACK95]

Your videos are great and helpful to tons of folks. I'm just adding a few things that may help some of your subscribers. 1)The primary and secondary side of a transformer is in respect to power flow. A step up transformer would have higher voltage on the load/secondary side and lower voltage and the source/primary side. 2)You don't necessarily get half the voltage with half the windings. The only time that happens with nominal voltages is with a Delta/Delta configuration. A 138kv to 69kv substation transformer would be a ratio of 2 primary windings for every secondary. But a 2:1 ratio in a WYE/WYE 277/480 would be 139/240. Because when calculating ratio you use phase to phase voltages on Delta and phase to ground on WYE (phase to ground is phase to phase divided by 1.732). Understanding this is a huge deal when calculating which tap to use on a transformer. 3) Knowing that Watts is "Real Power" that actually does work. Volt Amps is apparent power, real power plus reactive power. Reactive power does no actual work, like exciting a transformer that has Zero load on it. Electric co. has to generate the power to energize a transformer but the customer is not charged. Residential customers pay for kWH, commercial customers are charged for not staying with certain power factor set by the state corporation commission. Size transformers by VA not Watts. 4) Transformer windings are wound in conjunction with the nameplate vector. In your diagram the X0 -X1 winding would be induced by the H3-H2 winding. When connecting a TTR (Turn to Turn Ratio) tester to ratio the windings this is important to know, otherwise you would not be able to perform the test. Keep up the good work.

[@mastaplanna9771]

A year ago I was lost when I watched this video…I revisited and have a much clearer understanding of electrical concepts and this video really showed me that studies are paying off

[@mrfixitdon]

I'm just a home owner and your videos taught me how to wire my house. The inspector came in with a magnifying glass and passed me after doing a 90 minute inspection.

[@whit6282]

That’s awesome bet the wallet felt heavier that day

[@dallas5374]

Hire a professional.

[@georgetorres1990]

@@dallas5374 no such thing in this day and age

[@isaeproductions5217]

@@dallas5374 If he was able to pass with a stickler of an inspector he's better than alot of "professionals"

[@guarionexgarcia8727]

Thank you

[@dwaynephillips3457]

Welcome back Dustin! We just finished intro to 3 phase and transformers in trade school. You touched on a lot of mechanical installation points that were never mentioned in class. Thank you so much!

[@iturbo5733]

Thanks.....I am a student in an Industrial Electricity 2-year program and your videos are really helping me understand the relationships better than class alone.

[@bchluvrxyz816]

Having installed various sized transformers for many years, this is the best explanation and visual breakdown of the inner workings and function of a transformer.

[@johnrocha5294]

Hey Dustin, just like to say that I enjoy learning from your videos. I’ve been watching your videos since my first year in the trade and now I’m a journeyman electrician after 4 years in the trade , I start at a new company in Austin tomorrow. Thanks for your videos , they have been a great help ! Keep up the great work!

[@tennysonnorman3142]

You are easier to understand than all my instructor.

[@AlexTapia8616]

This video was super helpful. I’m in construction management and I needed to freshen up my knowledge.

[@chinuasolomon3553]

We have the show respect to Dustin for always willing to take the time to teach what he knew from years of learning and experience. Here in the Caribbean you hardly have person will to take the time to teach anything. Like him I love what I do so teaching someone else is everything to me.

[@MandrewP]

I just want to add that a transformer to electrical power is the exact same thing that a transmission is to mechanical power. The formulas are almost exactly the same as well. Volts/amps and rpm/torque. A transformer or transmission simply changes the ratio of volts/amps or rpm /torque to suit the load as needed.

[@khem205]

Thanks for explaining. I get a better understanding of the transformer winding and the tapping and the delta to star connections

[@paulkhai]

Dustin This is probably the most in depth transformer video I have ever watched. I'm a visual person and what you did in this video have really helped me understand transformers. This is by far the best. Even way much better than Ryan Jackson. You are the man!!!! Thank you for taking your time to teach us.

[@pjballs69]

I dunno man, have u seen the first one with Shia LaBeouf? Pretty good

[@godisgood2915]

Thanks for your excellent explanation! I am a journeymen electrician in California and l have had taking numerous of classes, but you are somebody that have a gift of teaching! You should be a university Electrical teacher Justin!

[@Jason_Van_Stone]

Where in cali

[@godisgood2915]

@@Jason_Van_Stone l was living in Lompoc, but l recently moved to Texas!

[@oneslow6.018]

I graduated from IEC and have learned far more from your videos than all 4 years I spent in school during my apprenticeship

[@EricLewis-m5n]

Never had an explanation so good. Great job Bro

[@EverydayNews4You]

This video couldn't have come at a more perfect time. We're doing transformers in theory right now . 3 phase power is insane! Do motors next!

[@kylem4088]

Thank you so much for the video! I remember asking for a transformer video on your ideal competition video. Super cool to see that you remembered and took the time to explain something my school hasn’t yet

[@davcot3675]

Power is power can’t change that Ohms law at work. Amazing how simple it is. Another great vid.

[@jeffm2787]

LOL, until you toss in Eddy currents, Inductive and Capacitive reactance, skin effect, etc. etc.

[@slordmo2263]

At 13:08 , you must be careful of saying the windings are 'not' insulated....they have to be, and it is usually a thin coating of plastic, or enamel ...(used to be varnish)...just usually not a thick plastic. But a very informative vid....keep us the good explanations .....

[@slordmo2263]

@Tom Garbo Yep, alot of transformers are dip coated also, mostly for moisture resistance, and it helps with lamination vibration that causes humming and buzzing. But my point was that the wire turns CAN'T touch and short out, it would burnout the winding, etc.

[@etzatlan11]

Thanks alot for your time and support

[@scottmason3476]

I as in the rest of your subscribers really appreciate your efforts to take the time out of your day to HELP us get a better understanding of the tasks we encounter over the course of our CAREERS! I can't as well as others thank you enough! Please keep it coming.

[@nwmi493]

its 16 deg out, 25mph gusts, dead of winter and im watching a video on transformers whilst drinking coffee by the wood stove.

[@alexhuseman9472]

Yoo this is so cool! One day maybe my electrical career will take me to this kind of work. Thank you so much for these videos I’m learning a lot!

[@Gruntled2001]

Dustin, you are back dude! Can't wait for all the new vids - watching this one now!!

[@RS_83]

Привет, рад вас видеть здесь тоже. Подписан на вас))

[@Gruntled2001]

@@RS_83 Спасибо!! )

[@Gruntled2001]

@@RS_83 И Вас рад видеть Мир тесен!!

[@shaneschultz5387]

I’m a mostly residential electrician. Never dealt with this much. Good video. Learned a lot.

[@FS-zv8kt]

Great video. You took a complicated subject and made it understandable. Thank You.

[@chattfiremike]

That was a really good, simplified explanation of transformers. Thanks Dustin!

[@johnlee7622]

These videos are great bro, as a guy waiting to take his test and been in the business 8 long years these videos are immensely helpful, I have installed transformers on the job w out truly understanding the theory behind it, thank u my friend!!!!! I’ll deff subscribe!!! Ure a good electrician!!!!

[@MrWzeljunior]

Welcome back Justin! Can you please do a video on the Voltage/Amp inputs and outputs of the Delta and Wye configurations?

[@santiagoperez626]

We're learning about magnetic inductance in class. This is good info and great quality.

[@p.aldama4983]

Gracias Dustin. Te agradezco que compartas tus conocimientos. Not sure if you understand it, but hopefully you do.

[@spikeklein2196]

I was never able to visualize those delta and wye diagrams in a real application until watching this video. Thanks Dustin!

[@scrublet2017]

Great informative video, but do you think you can elaborate on "dirty" power from primary, which, as you say, has no effect, or rather a"fresh start" on secondary output?

[@ironDsteele]

Dirty power means a large fluctuation in the voltage which is not good for efficiency. It can be such that something very sensitive may not even run properly or be damaged when energized with it. Hydro here in Ontario for example guarantees 10% accuracy in voltage. So out of a 230V split phase service to a home that's a difference of 23V or + or - 11.5V. That's fine for almost anything a home owner would use. Some Commercial 600V could be off by as much as 60V at any one time although 3 phase delivery would help mitigate that better than single phase. Most institutions use transformers to eliminate this error where necessary as described in the video. AC current always has a frequency and an amplitude; so there's no escaping some measure of fluctuation. The important this is: the potential difference in volts fluctuates inversely with the current in amps as stated by Ohms Law, but the total power will remain the same.

[@kenw1467]

This hands -on explanation was very easy to follow and very useful - Thank you lots

[@Perez4]

Awesome video, great break down! Thank you for the information and helping me get a better understanding on transformers. 🤘

[@jeepsaround]

Always great content. These videos are easier to grasp in small bits than just cruising through the apprentice curriculum in larger chunks with tons of broad info at once

[@Sarratak]

Great video. I sat all the way through it. Electricity is very fascinating

[@journeyman1272]

Outstanding video. Im an instructor at an NCCER school. I have a 1st and 2nd year class. I use your videos often. It would be awesome to get a video specifically focused on delta/wye. Keep doing what you do 🤙🏻

[@ElectricianU]

Journeyman 127 thank you my friend! I’ll put that on the list. Thanks for reaching out 🤘

[@glennmurphy9297]

excellent nuts and bolts explanation, appreciate it.

[@glenjamindle]

I just got done installing two 2500kVA xfmrs and I never knew how they really worked inside. Thanks for this!

[@isntlifebetter]

thank you! Best explanation. At my job the transformer blew and our entire building at our hotel was out of power. I was trying to figure out why was a transformer important to have power. The nerd in me was curious. Now I get it.

[@DaveSParty]

You are a WEALTH of knowledge and a great teacher. Thank you for sharing that. As a robotic technician, I had so many questions about these transformers. Especially the taps. Please keep it coming.

[@randymathews3348]

Welcome back my guy. Would love you're thoughts on the NEC changes

[@seniorcomputer3292]

National Exception Code.

[@bill-fc6hz]

Thanks for the class. When they taught this class, I had a horrible instructor. This was much better. Still would be interesting to see how you size the wiring.

[@DoublePipeClassic]

Cool video. Finally feel like I understand how the windings are configured inside a transformer.

[@axelychistwins9557]

Great explanation thank you

[@thenuts133]

thank you. I learned so much. I was wondering alot of this. as I am a tinkerer

[@romeoarroyo2953]

Wow! your discussion on the wye and delta connection made me undertsand it clearer❤️❤️❤️

[@elc2k385]

Nice basic video on transformers, thanks.

[@robertchapman2481]

I appreciate your way of teaching, thank you for all you do...your time.

[@corypond393]

I know an embarrassing low amount about electricity and your explanations make sense to me. Thanks for the break down my man!

[@pinchermartyn3959]

Really useful explanation. ive been scratching my head about this one. Very helpful. Thanks.

[@scottgrafer2222]

This just might be your best video yet. Excellent job, and yes please on more transformer vids.

[@troy9616]

Awesome information delivery. Love it.

[@billydyal6947]

Great video, I have been in the field over 30 years and I’m going to ask our helpers to start watching you !

[@Squat5000]

Transformers are AWESOME is what they are! Deal with 25-500KVA on a daily basis so it is great toi see this side of them.

[@KenPryor]

Excellent video. You are a natural at teaching. Thanks for all the work you do educating us.

[@geoffh4861]

At 14:50, you described the windings as "one solid conductor." The metal in those windings have a very light, but very definite varnish to act as an insulator. Otherwise, you wouldn't actually have distinct windings that are absolutely required to achieve the inductance necessary for a transformer. The degradation of that insulation is often what leads to the failure of transformers, as the reduction of "true" windings leads to improper voltage transformation.

[@GrngulaMC]

Really good video, thank you.

[@ElectricianU]

Thanks for watching, glad you got some value from it!

[@LORDSLADE]

Just got my first job in the electrical field at 23 got hired as a skilled laborer for electrical infrastructure . Super nervous as I’ve never done anything electrical other than low voltage irrigation systems don’t really know what to expect , been watching a lot of yo ur videos to become familiar with things

[@jello1847]

excellent video brother thank you

[@ElectricianU]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@eacjones]

Thx for the video! Very helpful, you should do a video or series for us HVAC guys who are still learning how work through some of our HVAC electrical problems.

[@dustind292]

Name is Dustin and I'm an electrician as well. Currently installing a 75kva 480p to 120/208 sec 3 ph. Thanks for the vid.

[@nickdolan199]

Excellent video! Not only informative but well explained and entertaining. Thanks!

[@ElectricianU]

thank you my friend!

[@seniorcomputer3292]

You are the first instructor that EVER said the secondary winding NEEDS heavier wire because of the INCREASED current. Sir: Extremely interesting video.

[@audelioespinoza1934]

Thanks for all these great videos they help everybody, apprentice, young and old electricians

[@rogerlumapat204]

Thank you I understand you more easier than other ,

[@anthonysalazar5405]

Brain melted at 15:35 hahaha good stuff

[@possibility28able]

This was awesome man. Been in the field for about 6 years now and never had to deal much with transformers, this really connected a lot of the missing dots. Have learned a lot about theory and why you do things just not much hands on. Great vid. Love the more in depth stuff like the sizing and theory of delta and wye you were talking about going into in another video

[@jameshale2440]

Bro youve worked 6 yrs and havent done much hands on.. Wtf have u been doin, i bet your a material runner which is ok big companies gotta have em but, gets ur hand on even if u gotta aggravate em to death... Youll get there

[@possibility28able]

@@jameshale2440 Sorry for misleading. All hands on, just not much with transformers.

[@michaelcraig4235]

Great video ! I've been trying to get a better understanding of how transformers are wound to get desired output voltage.

[@abimaelyisrael858]

Thanks for this video. I learned a lot from it.

[@buffydog21]

it's confusing, but fascinating. I understand it somewhat, but k still love watching the video. I know we have a transformer in our doorbell and outside in our electrical service. I'm know my Dad upgraded his old 100 amp service to 200 amp service. I understand 240 volts go into a 200 amp service, but the breakers are 120 volts a piece. I love learning and watching these videos.

[@MalakhAlMaht]

You explain things very well

[@Aepek]

Glad to see ya back at it & making some new content for us.👍🏻 Hope had a good break & everything cool. See ya on next vid, CHEERS✌🏼

[@bruceb3786]

Y O U A R E G O O D and Thorough. Period. Spellbinding videos. I wondered what happened after getting a new vid every few days, then Nothing for the past 2 months. Glad you are back, hope all is well. Compliments, from an EE doing this professionally for 42 years, 10 more before that.

[@thespiritof76..]

I’m gonna hit the 👍🏼 only bc theres not a high 🖐🏼!!! Explanation of 480 /100 in 240/200 out with 1/2 wrap was soo damn simple.... I’ve been messing around with these for a year now and have watched countless videos without that being explained.... always the princaple of how it works but never give the parameters. Only complicated mathematical formulas

[@barnburner2475]

Good explanations, much appreciated.

[@jaredsummers2460]

Very very helpful - much appreciated !

[@Sicktrickintuner]

The company I worked at, we/I built custom transformers for electroplating. 600V in at 100A and output about 12V at 10,000A Even had some with with 24,000A out, and wires aren’t big enough and need solid copper buss bars that hold 1000A each. Always a fun day when we actually put 8000A through 3000 A of copper. It was only about 480 Celsius and turned black and started burning the fiberglass resin spacer

[@goaliedude32]

That sounds like a hell of a lot of fun

[@rfpeace]

Yes!!! more transformer stuff PLEASE :) I was just checking your channel yesterday to see if maybe my notifications got changed! Good to see your back on it. Cheers!!!

[@tristankordek]

Oh man, this is the best material I have seen from the "new world" about transformers (greetings from Europe / Poland). You should change your profession to a teacher, instructor or something similar because you explain it all very well.

[@nhankhuu5643]

Think of it like driving your car. Voltage is the speed limit, amperage is the lanes available and wattage is the amount of cars that needs to reach the other side. To get get the same amount of cars across in the same given time you need to either travel at higher speed or have more lanes to not cause traffic. Lowering the voltage is like lowering the top speed so you need more lanes. That's why when you are dropping the voltage your wires on the output side has to increase in size.

[@PWingert1966]

Our building is currently having a large solar array installed on the roof. 650W panels and about 80 or 90 p[anels. It is being tied to the electric grid serving the building for a feed-through at 600V. The transformer is a 10Kv. Unfortunately, I don't have the entire set of numbers (Installers are not allowed to share it due to security concerns. Not that I understand how it could be a security concern but it's a social housing building so the rules are designed to keep tenants from knowing anything about the operations side whatsoever.) They also have a solar monitor, a combiner box, and a large breaker that isolates the panel from the transformer that is mounted on the outside of the building. There is more equipment that I saw the boxes for but didn't get a chance to read the label on as they had been blacked out. This is different than my setup for camping where we have a solar controller that combines the transformer function and some elements of the solar monitor into a cigarette pack-sized package that does 10Amps. That with the panel and a battery plus a breaker gives me the power to keep my phone and coffee machine running at the campsite. It would be interesting to see a video of how a large rooftop-mounted solar array is set up and configured.

[@barronwiley8047]

Glad you're back

[@nickgrainger2815]

Easy to understand great job

[@Joethetooltech]

Great video, thanks this helps me visualize the guts, how the current flows, & why.

[@roblyons9662]

Thank You so much for these videos, dude. I'm an apprentice and I've installed a couple Delta/Wye transformers now and this video really helped me make the connection between the diagram of a Wye System and what I'm actually seeing in front of my face in the transformer. Finally clicked.

[@ElectricianU]

Great to hear!

[@fresh55n9ne]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Fret01]

Very good explanations. It helped me get rid of some confusion.

[@patrickgreen9486]

Great video, I sent it to my instructor.

[@theirritatedirishman5440]

Great videos! How anyone gives this Man a thumbs down is beyond belief. Anyone who thumbs down shows speak up and not hide. Come out and play, let’s here all you’ve got knowledge wise electrically?

[@tonydyer5073]

The best damn video on transformers I have seen. Well done Dustin.

[@jamaalaziz9910]

This helps alot Justin because our journeyman are to pressed to get things hooked in our shop to break it down like you do.. YOU ARE MUCH APPRECIATED!!!! Thank you brother @electricianu

[@craigwstaenglen1000]

Thank you, now I get it! (The basics)

[@offrails]

I am by no means an electrician, but I like to tinker and just thought of transformers as a simple coil of wire that changes power from one voltage/current to another. My 80s childhood may be showing, but dare I say, transformers are "more than meets the eye"