The voltage entering a transformer depends on the specific design and application of the transformer. In power distribution systems, transformers receive high voltage from power lines. This voltage can range from several thousand volts to hundreds of thousands of volts. For example, transmission lines can carry voltages between 11,000 and 765,000 volts (11 kV to 765 kV). The transformer steps this high voltage down to lower levels suitable for distribution or use in homes and businesses.
Transformers operate with a wide range of voltages, depending on their design and application.
They are designed to increase or decrease voltage depending on the needs of the electrical system. For example, a typical residential transformer can step down high-voltage transmission lines (which may be 11 kV or more) to a lower voltage, such as 120/240 volts, suitable for home use.
The operating voltage of a transformer is directly related to its primary and secondary winding configurations and the voltage levels for which it is designed.
District transformers, used to step down voltage for residential distribution, typically operate at voltages between 4,000 and 12,000 volts on the primary side. They then reduce this to standard residential voltages of 120/240 volts on the secondary side. This step-down process makes electricity safe and usable for everyday appliances and lighting.
The exact voltage of a neighborhood transformer can vary depending on the local utility company’s distribution network and the specific needs of the area it serves.
A 12 volt transformer is a device designed to convert a higher voltage to 12 volts, commonly used for low voltage applications. This type of transformer is often used in a variety of applications, such as powering low-voltage lighting systems, small appliances, or electronic devices. It lowers the voltage from a standard household voltage, such as 120 volts AC, to a safer and more manageable 12 volts.
12 volt transformers are also used in automotive applications and to power devices such as low voltage LED lights and garden lights.
Power poles, which are part of the electrical distribution network, typically carry voltages that vary depending on their role in the network. In residential areas, distribution lines on these poles often carry voltages ranging from 4,000 to 12,000 volts. These voltages are then stepped down by transformers to 120/240 volts for domestic use.
In high voltage transmission lines, seen on larger transmission towers, voltages can be considerably higher, ranging from 69 kV to 765 kV. The voltage level on utility poles is selected based on the distance the electricity must travel and the efficiency required for power distribution.