audioguru2
- Apr 6, 2004
- 12,026
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 12,026
Hi,
The easiest way to determine if a transformer will work OK is to weigh it. He, he. ;D
A bad one will have its liquid core leaked out.
You could always ask the transformer. ;D ;D
The easiest way to determine if a transformer will work OK is to weigh it. He, he. ;D
A bad one will have its liquid core leaked out.
You could always ask the transformer. ;D ;D
Hi alkv23
What kind of transformer do you need to check?, there are many kinds and each will have different requirements for testing.
Types of transformer:
Power (mains)
Audio
Pulse
Radio Frequency (RF)
and others which are less frequently encountered.
Best of Luck
Ed
What kind of transformer do you need to check?, there are many kinds and each will have different requirements for testing.
Types of transformer:
Power (mains)
Audio
Pulse
Radio Frequency (RF)
and others which are less frequently encountered.
Best of Luck
Ed
Miles Prower
- Apr 27, 2005
- 28
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2005
- Messages
- 28
You can use this handy little tester to check for shorted out coils on an iron core xfmr.
Simply close the momentary contact switch, release and see if the neon light flashes. If it does, then you don't have any shorted coils. If it doesn't flash, then you likely have a shorted coil that's loading down the inductive flyback (or not enough inductance if it's a very small unit). As for open coils, simply use any continuity tester.
Another thing is simply physical inspection. Remove the covers (if any) then look and sniff. If you see discolored laminations, or evidence of melted insulation, or detect a burnt odor, then your unit has likely been overheated. Even if the coils didn't short, the unit should be discarded, as its core characteristics have likely been altered by overheating, and it probably won't last much longer anyway.
If all seems well, then test with the mains, and a light bulb in series. Once again, look, listen and sniff. Loud humming, crackling, wisps of smoke, smells like something burning, brightly lit bulb: something's not right.
View attachment 36967
Simply close the momentary contact switch, release and see if the neon light flashes. If it does, then you don't have any shorted coils. If it doesn't flash, then you likely have a shorted coil that's loading down the inductive flyback (or not enough inductance if it's a very small unit). As for open coils, simply use any continuity tester.
Another thing is simply physical inspection. Remove the covers (if any) then look and sniff. If you see discolored laminations, or evidence of melted insulation, or detect a burnt odor, then your unit has likely been overheated. Even if the coils didn't short, the unit should be discarded, as its core characteristics have likely been altered by overheating, and it probably won't last much longer anyway.
If all seems well, then test with the mains, and a light bulb in series. Once again, look, listen and sniff. Loud humming, crackling, wisps of smoke, smells like something burning, brightly lit bulb: something's not right.
View attachment 36967
audioguru2
- Apr 6, 2004
- 12,026
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 12,026
Hi Miles,
Some techies don't bother with the neon bulb and its resistor. They just use a hand to feel the high voltage spike. ;D
Some techies don't bother with the neon bulb and its resistor. They just use a hand to feel the high voltage spike. ;D
transformers, ive got a big collection of them , and i use some in reverse mode , to step up the voltage , to get high voltage, testing the secondarys, i do this with a multimeter set to low ohms and if i get a reading then , ill know which pairs of outputs out of 4 wires are paired together , now i think that if they work in reverse mode , you could assume they then work in forward mode ,