Search waterheatertimer.org / all results
Search using Find button  

 Tweet button  
Industrial transformers
Buck boost transformers

E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com
Buck-boost transformers are for converting 240 volt to 120 volt, or 120 to 240 Volt.
Household voltage is dangerous and should be worked on only when power if verified OFF.
Resource: Safe electric wiring
Buck-boost transformers are for converting commercial 480 volt to 240 volt etc.
Commercial 480-277 volt power will immediately penetrate insulating effects of skin and kill.
High voltage carries extreme hazard and should be worked on only by professional electrician.
2020
Larger image
Enclosed Industrial transformers

Also called dry type distribution transformer, or encapsulated transformers.
These 4-coil isolation transformers are for single phase commercial or residential applications where input can be 240 or 480 volt, with output of 240 volt or 120 volt.

Typical household use would be to step 240 volt down to 120 volt.
Inputs and output are AC and not DC.

Installation and wiring for step down 240V to 120V
Attach transformer to structure. Access internal wiring by removing cover. Open 1 or 2 knockouts located on side of transformer. Insert a conduit or wire clamp in the knockout hole. Turn power OFF. Run wires into transformer through the knockout. Make wiring connections inside the transformer using ordinary twist on wire connectors same as any electrical connection. Reattach front cover. Turn power ON.
Wiring example for residential step down
240 Volt input: 1 wire connects to H1 and other wire connects to H4, then jumper a connection between H1 and H2.
120 Volt output: 1 wire connects to X1 and X3, other wire to X4 and X2.
Buy:
500 watt 240-120 volt step down
1000 watt 240-120 volt step down
2000 watt 240 volt to 120 volt step down

-Note 4-coil (4 winding) encapsulated transformers can be wired as autotransformer. Illustration shows 480 volt commercial power with step down to 240 volt.

-For residential applications, the isolation wiring shown at top of this section is correct because isolation insures the low voltage wires can never be energized by high voltage.

-Any industrial transformer can be wired in reverse to step up voltages (from 120 volt to 240 volt, or 240 volt to 480 volt), but not recommended for transformers rated less than 3kVA or 3000 watts.
kVA is kilo volt amps ... since vots x amps = watts (power), then kVA = 1000 watts.

480 volt is a commercial voltage and never used inside a residential home for any purpose.
Be extra careful never to connect one of these transformers in reverse for 480 volt output ... this voltage is extremely dangerous and will kill instantly even if you are not grounded.

When ordering: "If the dual voltage is separated by an “X” (120 x 240), the transformer can be connected only for 120 volts or 240 volts.
But, if it is separated by a “slash” (120/240), an additional connection is possible since the mid-point becomes available for 240/120 3-wire operation." Resource pdf pg 4
Square D transformerBuck boost transformers
These 4 coil dry-type distribution transformers are used for single-phase or 3-phase.
When delivered from manufacturer, the Buck Boost is wired as an isolation transformer. In this configuration, the Buck–boost transformers 'are used to power low voltage circuits including control, lighting circuits, or applications that require 12, 16, 24, 32 or 48 volts, consistent with the designs secondaries."

When the Buck Boost is re-wired onsite as autotransformer, it will step up (increase) or buck down (lower) voltage by 10-20%. This would be the correct use of a Buck Boost if voltages are lower or higher than standard. So if a motor is rated for 240 volt, but actual voltage at the location is 206 volt, then the low voltage can cause damage to the motor. To solve problem, a Buck Boost would be selected with 240 volt primary input and 32 volt secondary output, then wired as autotransformer so the 4 coils combine to deliver 206 volts + 32 volts = 238 volts.
Other commercial uses would be to step up 208 volt to 240 volt, or 240 volts to 277 volts.

Typical household use for a Buck Boost would be to step 120 or 240 volt down to 12 to 24 volt AC.
All inputs and outputs are AC not DC
Buy:
150 watt Square D 120-240 volt to 24-12 volt
Square D buck boost
Buck boost transformer
Siemens transformer at Amazon
240-120 buck boost transformer
Note: If 12-24 volt DC current is needed instead of AC, then an LED driver is used. Buy: LED driver

More detail
How transformers work. Inside each transformer are the primary and secondary windings. Each winding is a coil of wire that is wrapped around a shared iron core. Apply power to the primary winding and it magnetizes the iron, which induces power on the secondary coil of wire even though the two coils share no wire in common. If the number of turns of wire on the primary winding are exactly twice as many as on the primary side, then the voltage is lowered by 1/2. Varying the turns ratio lets transformers deliver a variety of voltages.

Ordinary transformers are called isolating transformers because the primary windings are electrically separated (or insulated) from the secondaries as described above. This ensures that the lower voltage wires can never be energized with the higher voltage. Example of ordinary isolating transformer is a cell phone charger, or a doorbell transformer, low voltage pathway light transformer etc.

A 4-coil buck boost transformer can be wired as an isolation transformer to step down voltages as illustrated on right ... or be wired as an autotransformer to buck up (raise) or buck down (lower) single phase or 3-phase voltages by 10-20%. Keep in mind that most voltages are usually stable, but they can vary, and are different at each location, and this makes a difference for some commercial installations which might require 10-20% higher or lower voltage.
When buck boost is wired as ordinary Isolating transformer, there are no shared wires between the primary and secondary side, and they achieve voltages using magnetic induction via the shared iron core. 

Autotransformers use a single continuous winding, where the primary and secondary voltages are electrically connected and not isolated from each other. The higher or lower voltage is achieved by having a tap (connection) along certain point(s) in the coil of wire.
Some electrical codes prohibit use of autotransformer.

Using various combinations of autotransformer wiring, the transformer can be used so higher voltage is converted into lower voltage, or lower voltage into higher voltage.
Resource
Buck boost pdf

Why can a buck-boost transformer operate a kVA load many times larger than the kVA rating on its nameplate when wired as autotransformer?
Read Question-answers-Buck-Boost-Transformers.pdf

Resources:
Kva is Kilo watts: 1 kilo watt is 1000 watts, so .5 Kva is 500 watts
Va = volts x amps = watts
Siemens transformers/ pdf
Read about household single-phase electricity
Difference single-phase and 3-phase
What is 3-phase
How to wire 3-phase timers
More detail
Power transformers and Buck-Boost Transformers are rated for heavy-duty commercial use ... but can be used for residential applications without problem.
These transformers have four separate windings; two windings on the primary side for incoming voltage ... and two windings on the secondary side for output voltage. Inputs and outputs are AC and not DC.

By definition, the primary coil is whichever is used to connect incoming power.
For example a residential transformer on the grid receives 7200 volt on the primary side, and delivers 120-240 to the residence from the secondary side of transformer.
However, if home has solar panels, and the panels are producing more power than used by residence, the solar-produced electricity sends 120-240 to the power company transformer. The transformer uses the 120-240 to produce 7200 volt ... and when this happens, the primary side is on the residential side of transformer and the secondary is on the power company side.

Transformer loss can range from .5 to 8%, meaning 92-98% efficiency.
Efficiency losses come from "eddy currents that are magnetically induced on the iron core and hysteresis loss, or heat loss, from iron atoms in the core resisting polarity change when the atoms realign with changing polarity caused by oscillating current, plus loss from resistance of the winding (wire) itself."
Higher amp draws and high heat locations cause lower efficiency and shorten life of any electrical installation.
Power transformers have humming sound ranging from 40-66 dB / while 70 dB is annoying and 100 dB is very loud. The sound can be magnified if transformer is installed against wood etc.
Transformers as a general rule, have long life expectancy, are reliable, have no moving parts, and no repairs are needed or possible.
buck boost transformer
Size: 5.1 x 5.6 x 3.6 inches ; 3 pounds



Siemens industrial transformers
The 4-coil Enclosed transformers and buck-boost transformers shown above do not require an enclosure, and the wiring is completed using twist on wire connectors.
The 4-coil industrial transformer or power transformer shown on left has terminal connections for simple wiring but require an enclosure -or- it can be installed inside an existing enclosure.
Industrial transformers are inexpensive and reliable with AC power output ranging from .05Kv (50 watt) to 3Kv (3000 watt) etc.

Different models have input for 120 with 24 volt AC output, input for 240 with 120 volt output ... or input 480 volt with 240 volt output.
Typical household use would be converting 240 volt to 120 volt.

Buy:
Siemens industrial transformers

Choose enclosure that is large enough
Bud industries hinged box 6x8x4
Metal outdoor Enclosure/ with 1/2-3/4" knockouts
Polycarbonate enclosures drill for knockouts
Thomas and Betts 6x6x4 plastic with cover at Amazon
Bud industries 11x7x5 box no knockouts
Tapered drill bit 1/4"-1-3/8 holes
tapered drill bit
Example Nema 3R indoor outdoor enclosures
2T511GA enclosureAltelix enclosure

Resources:
Siemens control transformers
Siemens transformers
Siemens MT0050AExample wiring diagram for transformer
If the input voltage is 220-230-240 volt, then connect one wire to terminals H1 and H3, connect other wire to H2 and H4.
Output on X1 X2. Optional fuse clip.
If input voltage is commercial 440-460-480 volt (480 for Americas), then connect one wire to H1 and other wire to H4, then jumper a wire between H2 and H3.
Larger image of transformer
Buy:
Siemens MT0050 industrial transformer

Note: 60 Hz Hot to Hot 240 volt is for power grid in Americas, 50 Hz Hot to Neutral 230 for Europe, and 50 Hz Hot to Neutral 220 for Australia etc.
Intermatic PX series transformers
Intermatic PX series 120 volt AC transformers with Nema 4X enclosure are rated for harsh conditions, interior or exterior installation.
Typical household use for 300-600 watt PX series transformer would be to step 120 down to 12, 13, 14 volt AC for pool lights, interior low voltage light, low voltasge pathway lights etc.
These 300-600 watt transformers are designed for 120 volt input only, and have 'multi-tap' 12-13-14 volt AC output for pool equipment and other low voltage applications such as pathway lights etc. Multi-tap means there is a choice of three output wires, each gives slightly different voltage. Use higher voltage if distance is farther or there are more lights, use lower voltage for fewer lights or less brightness
-Best if transformer is located out of direct sun where heat can shorten life of any electrical installation.
-PX series transformers are manufactured specifically for electrical safety. They are designed to electrically separate or insulate the incoming 120 volt power from low voltage wires that go to pool. This ensures that low voltage wires going to the pool or to lights cannot be energized with high voltage.

Safety
-Never use 120 volt lights under water, or where wires or connections might come into contact with the pool or any pool liner ... even if wires are properly insulated. Why? Because insulation failure of coatings surrounding a wire are not uncommon with nearby lightning strike or short circuit. The result will put high voltage into the water that will cause electrocution if a person comes in contact.
-Never depend on GFCI for 100% protection. GFCI must be properly grounded, and must be tested before each use by pushing test and then reset buttons. Ungrounded GFCI will not trip immediately, and while an ungrounded GFCI will usually protect person, there is no guarantee. Two prong extension cords, and double insulated tools do not give complete protection even if plugged into GFCI. Always use 3-prong extensions cords and grounded power tools when working outdoors.
-Always use conduit for outdoor 120-240 volt wiring. Use approved 600 volt cables and wires for 120-240 volt household wiring. It is against code to use extension cord for permanent wiring. Resource: Color code for residential wiring

PX series transformer output gives choice of 12-13-14 volt AC .... use higher voltage for longer lengths of wire or brighter lights or when more lights are used.
Use larger wire for best result ... choose 12 gauge instead of smaller gauge 14. Buy Low voltage cable

PX50 / PX50S / PX100 ? PX100S / PX300 / PX300S / PX600 / PX600S / + transformers: 119T267 / 119T340 + wiring and manuals
Buy:

PX100 100 watt multitap with choice of 12-13-14 volt
PX300 300 watt multitap with choice of 12-13-14 volt
PX600 two 300 watt transformers in one
12 volt swimming pool light
Pool cleaning equipment

Resources:
Low voltage transformers swimming pool lights / wiring
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
Buy
Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools

DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
Enter Amazon from my links
Amazon

E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com
My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders
Waterheatertimer on Twitter