What if a 60Hz Transformer is Connected to a 6Hz Source?

[glasgowkizz]

What would happen if a transformer designed for operation on 60Hz were connected to a 6Hz source of the same voltage?

 

[uart]

The core would saturate (magnetic) and the current would be limited mainly by the winding resistance. Hence it would either trip a circuit breaker or burn out within a very short time.

 

[vk6kro]

It would probably blow up.

The primary of a transformer has inductance and this is what stops the transformer taking too much current when it is connected to a source of voltage.

The reactance of the transformer primary is given by X_L = 2 * pi * F * L
where F is the frequency and L is the inductance.
Reactance is like AC resistance.

If you reduce the frequency to 6 Hz then the reactance will drop to 10 % of what it was before.

So, the current will rise to 10 times what it was before, at least. Mainly it will be limited by the resistance of the wire on the primary winding which is usually very low.

 

[djsourabh]

since frequency is 10 times less hence the inductive reactance of transformer.
so transformer would draw heavy current, may damage.

 

[glasgowkizz]

Thanks guys!

 

[berkeman]

(Thread moved to Homework Help, but too late...)