Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A Toroidal Autotransformer

Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A toroidal autotransformer

The toroidal autotransformer Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A toroidal autotransformer has an input/output voltage of 120V or  / 240V and an input circuit breaker of 32A, two pole.

The Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A toroidal autotransformer is used to balance step up, step down, and split phase outputs. While the step up and step down operations are fairly simple, split phase output balance may involve a little more thought. 

Consider a 30A 120/240V split phase supply, where the source is either the grid, a generator, or two stacked inverters, and some of the associated loads are 240V, while others are 120V. The load on each 120V leg should never exceed 30A. The issue is that when 120V loads are connected, the two legs exhibit different currents. This is due to the fact that the 120V loads on the two legs can never be balanced. 

A 120V 1200W electric oven, for example, will draw 10A from one leg. A 120V 1500W dishwasher could even draw in excess of 20A from one leg. Between the two legs the difference in current, or current unbalance, will therefore often be 20A or more. This means that the 30A supply will not be used up to its full potential. By the time one leg draws 30A, the other leg may be drawing no more than 10A, and increasing the 240V load, for example, will result in an overload of one leg while the other leg still has spare capacity.

For example, a 120V 1200W electric oven requires 10A from one leg and a 120V 1500W dishwasher more than 20A from another leg. As a result, the disparity in current, or current imbalance, between the two legs is frequently 20A or greater, whihch means that the 30A supply will not be utilized to its maximum capacity. When one leg draws 30A, the other leg may be drawing no more than 10A, and raising the 240V load, for example, will overload one leg while leaving the other leg with spare capacity.

The total power that can be extracted from a 30A 120/240V supply is 30 × 240 = 7,2 kVA in theory.

In the case of a 20A imbalance, the practical maximum is 30 x 120 + 10 x120 = 4,8kVA, which is 67% of the theoretical maximum.

The solution is to utilize a toroidal autotransformer to generate a new neutral, which, by keeping the neutral of the split phase supply idle, absorbs any load unbalance.

When a 30A supply is used, the load can be increased to 7,2kVA, and a 20A load unbalance results in one leg delivering 40A and the other leg supplying 20A. The 20A difference will pass through the autotransformer's neutral and windings. The current across the split phase supply's two 120V cables will be 30A.

The Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A features a ground relay for use with Multi or Quattro Inverter/Chargers.

To ensure correct GFCI operation when operating in inverter mode, the inverter/charger's neutral output has to be grounded. The neutral must be grounded too if a split phase supply is needed. This is the reason why a ground relay is included in the Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A. The 230/240V Multi or Quattro controls the relay, therefore please always turn off the internal grounding relay in the 230/240V Multi or Quattro.

The Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A with a 240V inverter could also be used as an alternative to stacking two 120V inverters to provide a 120/240V split phase supply.

Two stacked 120V 3kVA inverters, for example, will deliver up to 25A to each 120V leg. The maximum load on the other leg is still limited to 25A if the load on one leg is less than 25A.

Each 120V leg will get up to 21A of balanced load from a single 240V 5kVA inverter with a 32A autotransformer. With a maximum imbalance of 32A, less load on one leg results in more power available on the other leg.

As a result, the weight on one leg can be up to 38,5A if the load on the other leg is no more than 3,5A (maximum unbalance: 38,5 - 3,5 = 35A). If unbalanced loads are to be expected, a lower power 240V inverter with an autotransformer is preferable to the stacked inverter solution.

Please bear in mind that in case of overheating, the Victron Autotransformer 120/240V - 32A is disconnected from the supply, requiring a manual reset in order to reconnect it again.

Specifications

About Victron Energy

Founded in 1973 in the Netherlands by Reinout Vader, Victron Energy began by manufacturing and supplying inverter/chargers to the marine, land, industrial and automotive sectors. Since then it has grown to become the world leading mannufacturer in the sector of off-grid electrical power generation, both for recreational and commercial applications.

Victron Energy stands out for the quality, reliability and technical innovations of its products for battery storage and battery charging systems, as well as for its ability to provide complete customized network solutions for self-supporting electrical power generation systems.

Victron Energy has a long history, unrivaled experience and reputation in thes elf-supporting electrical power generation industry. Victron Energy products have been designed to meet the needs of any installation, regardless of the degree of difficulty that it presents.

The Victron Energy product range includes, among others:

• Inverters
• Gel batteries and AGM batteries
• Battery monitors
• Solar charge controllers
• Solar panels
• Battery chargers
• Sinewave inverters
• Inverters/Chargers
• DC-DC Converters
• Transfer Switches

Victron Energy has a worldwide network of distributors and dealers that enables it to offer a fast and competent customer service and technical support network, accessible from virtually every corner of the world.

Product Warranty

Standard warranty of 5 years, extendable to 10 years with an additional 10% of the initial investment. Contact us for more information.