Hello, and attempting to clarify what the above poster said, operating a
power transformer designed for ~400 Hz at 60 Hz will probably result in
excess excitation current (and subsequent overheating) in the primary
winding. This occurs because the inductive reactance of the primary (and
secondary) will be considerably less at 60 Hz than at 400 Hz. You might
be able to offset this by reducing the primary voltage but then the
secondary voltage would be reduced by that same amount.
For a given inductance (L), inductive reactance (2 * pi * freq * L) is
directly proportional to the operating frequency. In an aircraft size and
weight must be taken into account and a power transformer designed for 400
Hz will meet these criteria more readily than one at 60 Hz at the same
power rating. A 400 Hz transformer requires less core material to achieve
the minimum required magnetization (excitation) current. Sincerely,
John Wood (Code 5550) e-mail:
[email protected]
Naval Research Laboratory
4555 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20375-533