Steps To Proper Line Transformer Selection
- What power is available (you need to know both voltage & frequency)?
- Check the operating voltage of your equipment (is it single voltage or multiple?).
- What line frequency will your equipment run on? Either 50, 60 or dual 50/60 Hz.
(remember, a transformer can NOT change line frequency). - Use the chart below to determine your requirements:
| Power Available | Your Equipment | Transformer Type Required (You may also need plug adaptors) |
||
| Voltage | Frequency | Voltage | Frequency | |
| 115 | 60 | 100 | 50/60 | Step Down |
| 115 | 50 | 115 | 50 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 115 | 50 | 115 | 60 | Will not work |
| 115 | 50 | 115/230 | 50/60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 115 | 60 | 115 | 60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 115 | 60 | 230 | 50 | Will not work |
| 115 | 60 | 230 | 60 | Step Up |
| 115 | 60 | 115/230 | 50/60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 230 | 50 | 115 | 50 | Step Down |
| 230 | 50 | 115 | 60 | Will not work |
| 230 | 50 | 115/230 | 50/60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 230 | 60 | 115 | 60 | Step Down |
| 230 | 60 | 230 | 50 | Will not work |
| 230 | 60 | 230 | 60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
| 230 | 60 | 115/230 | 50/60 | None Required - or - Straight Isolation |
- Determine if your equipment is Electronic or Electrical:
- Electronic = containing IC chips, transistors or a circuit such as a radio, shavers, electric toothbrush, computer printers, camcorder battery rechargers etc...(if in doubt, check with the manufacturer or refer to your manual).
- Electrical = Simple heating device, such as irons, hair dryers, electric blankets, curling irons, etc...
- Use the chart below to locate correct series & voltage conversion in the catalog pages that follow:
| Transformer Type (determined from chart above) | Your Equipment Type | |
| Electronic | Electrical | |
| Step Up | Use Isolation (series 298) | Could use "Auto" (series 170 or 170E) |
| Step Down | Use Isolation (series 172, 179 or 289) | Could use "Auto" (series 175) |
| Straight Isolation | Use Isolation (series 169 or 171) | - |
IMPORTANT NOTES
- "Auto" transformers: are non-isolating units and should be used where only a voltage change is required. The advantages to using them are light weight (generally half), less expensive and smaller size. The disadvantage is no isolation from the power source. This type of transformer is sometimes referred to as a "converter".
- Isolation Transformers: Used for maximum safety, versatility (can be used on both electrical & electronic equipment) and isolation from the power source, used to step-up, step-down or for straight isolation. The disadvantage to using them is weight (about double the "Auto"), more expensive and larger size. This type of transformer is sometimes referred to as "double-wound"
- Adaptors: We strongly recommend that 3-prong "grounded" plugs be used with all of our products. They should be used only with our "grounded" adaptors. Adaptors do not affect voltages, they are a mechanical device only to match foreign "pin-outs" of receptacles and/or plugs.
