Brands Victron Energy Autotransformers

An Victron Energy autotransformer is an electrical transformer with a single winding that acts as both the primary and secondary winding, unlike a conventional transformer that has separate windings. Part of the winding is common to both input and output, allowing voltage to be stepped up or stepped down efficiently.

Autotransformers are compact, lighter, and more cost-effective than traditional transformers because they require less copper and iron. They are commonly used in applications where voltage adjustments are small, such as in voltage regulators, power distribution, and motor starting.

However, autotransformers do not provide electrical isolation between the input and output, which can be a safety concern in some applications. Their efficiency is high, often exceeding 90%, especially when the voltage difference between input and output is small.

In summary, autotransformers are ideal for situations where cost, size, and efficiency are important, and full isolation is not required. They are widely used in industrial and commercial power systems for voltage conversion and regulation.