A fundamental piece of electrical equipment that uses electromagnetic induction to step up or step down AC voltages. It consists of two or more coils of wire wrapped around a shared magnetic core. Transformers are the backbone of the AC power grid, allowing power to be transmitted efficiently at extremely high voltages and utilized safely at lower voltages.
Heard on the job
The oil temperature on the main transformer is climbing, so we need to check the cooling fans.
Also heard as
- tranny
- tx
Related terms
Autotransformer
A transformer that uses a single continuous winding for both primary and secondary circuits.
Primary
The input winding of a transformer or the main current-carrying circuit in an instrument transformer.
Magnetic circuit
The closed path followed by magnetic flux lines in an electrical machine or device.