Electronic – Connecting two center-tap transformers for isolation transformer

transformer

I need to create an isolation transformer so I can float a Device Under Test (DUT).

The parts I have to do so are two transformers: 120V primary / 6.3V-0-6.3V secondary @ 3A.

I intend to connect the secondaries together to create an (essentially) 1:1 isolation transformer with 120V output.

My question is: do I connect the center taps?

My understanding is that with the center taps connected, the voltages reference them as neutral – essentially creating -6.3V and +6.3V (180 degrees out of phase).

Without the center taps, 12.6V would be the voltage across the remaining two (secondary) leads – right?

Best Answer

Leave the center taps disconnected, since with floating center taps there'll be no chance of imbalance in the 12.6 volt windings causing damage anywhere.

Also, be sure that your variac drives the transformer array instead of the array driving the variac, since that way the array won't have to supply the variac's losses.