How to Choose the Right Transformer for Your Needs
Selecting the appropriate transformer is critical to ensuring electrical safety, operational efficiency, and long‐term reliability. Whether you’re designing an industrial power system, upgrading a commercial facility, or specifying components for an electronics project, understanding key selection criteria will help you make an informed decision. This article walks you through the essential factors to consider when choosing a transformer that best suits your application. 1. Determine Your Power Requirements Rated Power (kVA or VA): The transformer’s capacity must exceed the total load you intend to supply. Sum up the power ratings of all connected equipment, then add a safety margin (typically 10–20%) to accommodate future expansion or inrush currents. Load Type: Assess whether your load is resistive (heaters, incandescent lamps) or inductive (motors, compressors). Inductive loads draw higher inrush currents and may require a transformer designed to handle short‐term overload...