The Primary voltage is the input voltage.

The Secondary voltage is the output voltage to the customer’s electrical load.

An autotransformer is a transformer where the primary and secondary circuits have a common winding. These transformers adjust the input voltage when isolation is not required. They can be used to either step-up or step-down the secondary voltage as required. Typically, autotransformers are used in motor starter applications to reduce quick current overloads or to reduce voltage to the starter motor. A voltage reduction will delay the time it takes for a motor to reach full speed, thus reducing the overall current to the motor during startup.

A Zig-Zag transformer is a three-phase transformer that provides an artificial grounding path. A specific zero-sequence impedance and ground-fault current ratings are needed to properly design the transformer. Zig-Zag transformers can be paired with neutral grounding resistors or air core reactors form additional current-limiting impedance. Zig-Zag transformers are often used by a Utility company and are attached to their renewable load generators (solar, wind, etc). Zig-Zag systems will usually include a ground fault monitoring relay, a protection relay current transformers and applicable fuses or disconnect switches.

A Neutral Grounding transformer is a single-phase transformer that provides an artificial grounding path. Neutral Grounding Transformers are often paired with a neutral grounding resistor to dial in the particular impedance required.

A Line Reactor is an electrical device that is used to limit the current of a system. Because of the Line Reactor’s impedance, they are used to oppose the rapid change in current. They help protect your equipment with spikes in current.

Practically all transformers (with the exception of Autotransformers) are, in fact, Isolation Transformer. This is due to the fact that their primary and secondary windings are PHYSICALLY isolated from each other (they are not physically connected to each other). The transformation in voltage and current between primary and secondary windings occurs as a result of the shared magnetic field in the core (Mutual Inductance).

A Marine duty transformer is a dry type transformer, which embodies heavy-duty industrial type construction along with a high degree of anti-corrosion protection, designed to add years of life to the unit. Used in both indoor and outdoor applications such as marine vessels, dock, and piers over saltwater, pulp mills, paper mills, and dairies, anywhere in fact where extremely moist or highly corrosive conditions prevail to dry-type transformers. Acutran uses a robust galvanic shield with a terminal for easy installation. View #15 to learn more about our galvanic shielding capabilities.

Galvanic corrosion is a process that occurs by electron transfer between two dissimilar metals in a corrosive environment. In this situation, the natural oxidation characteristics of each metal are enhanced such that the metal that is more easily oxidized experiences a higher corrosion rate than it would were it not in contact with the other metal. The metal that is less prone to oxidation experiences a lower corrosion rate than normal. A galvanic shield helps to eliminate the transfer due to the direct connection to the ground.

An air core reactor that limits the short circuit fault current to a manageable value.

An air core reactor that gets connected to the neutral of a transformer for protection and control circuitries.

A reconnectable transformer typically refers to a transformer with two primary connections. These may be used for mobile equipment, test transformers or to accommodate future voltage changes and upgrades in a facility without having to change the transformer. Depending on the difference in voltages and application reconnectable transformers may be exempt from current efficiency regulations.

A Ground is the reference point in an electrical circuit that all the voltage circuits are measured. Grounding is used to protect equipment or people, by providing a path of least resistance to a protection circuit like a fuse or a circuit breaker. A ground is also used to limit the build-up of static electricity when handling flammable gases or products or a Ground can be used to shunt electrical noise.

A delta connection in only on a three-phase transformer. It is normally the standard connection where each phase is connected in series to form a closed loop with each phase 120° from each other.