Step Down Transformers
Step Down Transformers are built for business. Depending on your sites’ power distribution requirements, you may need a local step-down transformer.
What is a Step Down Transformer?
A Step-down transformer decreases the voltage incoming to the site by increasing the electrical current. It does this by converting the high incoming voltage in the primary winding to the necessary lower voltage in the secondary windings. Voltage may need to be ‘stepped-down’ in order to be at a voltage level that matches the devices used, whether in a small manufacturing facility or a factory covering thousands of square feet.
Having an onsite step-down transformer is especially useful for sites that are either close to their power source, or have an existing on-site power generation that requires distribution. These types of transformers can increase the cost-effectiveness of power transfers and help cut down on wasted energy.
A step-down power transformer can be extremely versatile and be configured to provide a wide variety of voltages. Their robust durability, consistent reliability and lower implementation and running costs also make them cost-effective in the long term.
UK Made Step Down distribution Transformers for Industrial Applications
Powerstar has a reputation for designing and developing step-down electricity transformers both for general use or for specialist applications.
Our step down transformers are designed and manufactured in the UK by our team of qualified experts who will build a piece of equipment to suit your site’s specific needs in order to reduce wasted energy and make energy savings.
Should you use Step Down Transformers for Voltage Management?
A step-down transformer changes the entire power output from one specific voltage to another as the transformer’s secondary winding that delivers the energy has less turns than the primary winding. Step-down transformers have many applications, from enabling US manufactured equipment to operate in UK voltage conditions (i.e. 230V to 120V), to transforming 11,000V to 400V for HV distribution transformers in the UK.
Why step-down transformers should not be used for voltage management
Many people attempt to achieve a form of voltage management through changing the tapping of a step-down transformer to get a different turns ratio and the ability to control output.
However, this is not recommended as step down transformers should not be tapped beyond the settings they were specified and built to as this is when they will operate at their optimal efficiency. Utilising this as a method to reduce the voltage is inefficient due to the relationship between voltage and current. For this reason, transformers should be set to a tap based on the site requirements, such as site capacity, to ensure that they operate at maximum efficiency.
The most effective method of reducing voltage to achieve savings is through purpose-built voltage optimisation technology as part of a combined solution involving an amorphous core distribution transformer integrated with electronic-dynamic voltage management, such as Powerstar HV MAX.
Powerstar HV MAX combines the benefits of a super low loss amorphous core transformer, which reduced load losses by up to 75% when compared with a traditional CRGO distribution transformer, with the benefits of LV electronic-dynamic voltage management, which reduces and stabilises the on-site voltage providing energy consumption and cost savings.
Due to this combination of technology Powerstar HV MAX is suitable for sites operating their own HV/LV supply alongside sites with a high incoming voltage profile and an inefficient HV/LV distribution transformer.
To learn more about our step-down distribution transformers and how they can help you with your next energy project, get in touch with a member of our expert team today.