Re: the life of an AC transformer.........

On Tue, 18 Oct 2005 23:11:07 -0500, "les" <les@xxxxxxx> wrote:

>Hello...
>I have an old photo studio speedlight (Speedotron) that is
>starting to buzz and overheat. Actually, it's the AC mains
>XFMR, but as the unit warms...and the transformer starts
>to bubble......yikes!, amazingly the strobe unit still works.
>I'm obviously in need of a new transformer.
>I know that old transformers tend to delaminate, but what other
>maladies do they suffer?
>Can they just overheat from failing insulation, or other aging issues?
>I realize rising current draw could cause similar behavior, but I'm
>assuming age as the factor in the transformer for now. Is this a foolish
>assumption? (25 years old)
>
>Les KA9GLW
>
Assuming it is not being overloaded bubbling yet operational,
implies some shorted turns in one of the (usually) hgher voltage
windings as they have the higher resistance coils. So, it;s
overloaded but still supplies enough voltage to be useable.

Even assuming no abuse through overheating, insulation can dry up
and cause problems especially with many tapped coils,
.

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