Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: Ambugaton on January 31, 2017, 11:22:47 pm

Title: Curious Question About the Innards of a Power Transformer
Post by: Ambugaton on January 31, 2017, 11:22:47 pm

So I had a PT die on me from a deluxe lite build. I decided to tear into the PT just to get eyes on how it works. I didn't learn a whole lot but it was interesting nonetheless. What I did see was two of the primary wires touching inside the transformer wrapping (don't know the technical term). Is this what causes a PT short? I'm curious as to how this would occur since the amp has never been dropped or rattled in any way.

Please see the attached picture. Thanks

Title: Re: Curious Question About the Innards of a Power Transformer
Post by: sluckey on January 31, 2017, 11:30:14 pm

Those big wires are not the primary winding. More likely 5v or 6.3v filament winding. The wires are coated with varnish, or something more modern, so they are insulated. It's OK if they touch.

Title: Re: Curious Question About the Innards of a Power Transformer
Post by: PRR on February 01, 2017, 11:46:52 am

If this was the short there would likely be burn-marks.

Keep going. The thin windings touch all over. Normal. Varnish is insulation.