[Boatanchors] Boost-Buck Transformers now available

[Robert Nickels]

The topic come up fairly regularly about how to deal with today's line 
voltages that are  generally higher than our boatanchors were designed 
for.     The usual suggestion is to wire up a filament transformer as a 
bucking transformer, and that's what many of us have done.   But now 
there's also a readily available commercial solution available through 
Automationdirect.com, which has acquired a good reputation for 
competitive pricing in the industrial control arena.   They now offer 
NEMA-rated Buck-Boost transformers made by Jefferson Electric:

http://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Overview/Catalog/Power_Products_%28Electrical%29/Power_Transformers/Buck-Boost_Transformers_%28NEMA_Rated%29

Not only are these transformers new, agency-approved to meet applicable 
standards and section 210.9 of the NEC, and attractively priced,  but 
they're available in sizes that can handle an entire 20A branch 
circuit.     For those interested, there are two good references at the 
link above - a PDF file that provides detailed technical information on 
buck-boost transformers, and an Excel worksheet that makes it easy to 
select the right unit.

Any transformer can also be wired as an isolation transformer, or as a 
conventional step-down or step-up transformer.  See the documentation 
for wiring details.

Prices start at $53, and the 500VA model that would reduce a high line 
voltage of 127 to 115 volts and capable of handling a complete 20A 
branch circuit is $98.  This transformer could also be used in step-down 
configuration to get 40A of 12 volts or 20A of 24VAC.

No connection to ADC except as a satisfied customer.

73, Bob W9RAN