Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the programs will work for my kind of designs?
Our programs have been subjected to field testing by our users for 40 years. Many types of designs, from small “fingertip” sizes to transformers weighing several tons, have been developed using our programs and are in service today. The programs will handle just about any application except for audio and impedance-matching designs. A quick review of our program descriptions will give you a good indication of the wide variety of design types the programs can handle. If you don’t see it there, just send us an Email and ask.
What do I have to do to get started?
Notify us for the pricing of the particular program set you’ll need, sign our standard leasing contract, and we’ll send you a link to download the programs you requested. This usually takes no more than a few days. Install the programs on your system, and start designing.
Does it take long to get proficient at using the programs?
Most users can be proficient in a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the application. Our graphical user interface makes it easy to enter the design requirements and understand how the program works. We provide complete support and assistance via phone or e-mail or internet conference service (Skype, GoTo Meeting, etc.). Free training is also available at our office in Cleveland, Ohio. We also provide educational seminars and workshops to teach transformer, inductor and ferroresonant design theory and application.
Who will help me if I have questions about running a particular design?
We have experience in thousands of designs types. You can call, fax or e-mail us. Someone will be there to help. Our staff can answer most of your questions about the programs right away. If further research is necessary, we will call, fax or e-mail you back.
How much training will I need?
The programs use terms common to most transformer designers. Those who have technical experience with transformers, such as testing and manufacturing can easily learn to use the programs. (Many sales personnel use the programs to develop quick quotes for their customers and then let the engineers optimize the designs later.) The more familiar you are with transformers or the design process, the faster you will learn.
How can it save me money?
Our programs are capable of processing a tremendous amount of information in a very short period of time to provide designs, quotes and specifications. You can get answers to those “what-if?” questions to help find the most economical blend of materials and manufacturing methods and to research more cost-effective alternatives. Faster designing means faster answers and production, less mistakes and better products.
Who uses your programs?
Industries served by our Users are Utilities, Power Distribution, Power Conditioning, Aircraft, Battery Charging, and a full range of O.E.M. companies
How is data entered?
Each program uses a set of questions to obtain the data required to run the program. The programs know what information is needed and they follow built-in logic routines to prompt you for the answers. You simply tell the program what you’re trying to design.
What do I get as an output?
The programs provide a design output that includes the calculated mechanical and electrical characteristics of the design data you enter. You can then analyze the design further using an “extended analysis” routine that provides more detailed information about the design.
How is software kept up-to-date?
We are continuously working to enhance and expand the programs by adding new features. Our customers are an integral part of our development process – they tell us what features or capabilities they need. We continuously verify the programs by obtaining actual test data from our users to make sure you get realistic results. We keep you updated via mail or e-mail whenever changes are made.
What kind of computer do I need?
Our programs run on any Windows 98, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 system with at least 1GB of RAM, 250mb hard drive, a color monitor and any printer supported by Windows. Since the programs are interactive, they do not work well on networks but can be easily installed on the hard drives of separate workstations in a network environment.
How much does it cost?
We have several programs and combination of programs available. Prices start around $3600 for a one-year license depending on the combination you require. Contact us for the price of a customized set of programs to suit your needs.
What if I have my own programs?
Our programs can be used to verify and analyze your designs (as a second opinion) or to provide a “master file” of data in a format that can be imported to your own drawing or inventory programs. Some customers use our programs to develop the “starting point design” for their own in-house programs.
Glossary
% BUILD
Percentage of core window filled by thicknesses of conductor, insulation, full ducts, and clearance space.
% COIL LOSS USED IN TEMP. RISE
For multiple secondaries, a negative entry for number of secondaries will cause 2TRANS to use only the volt amperes of the first secondary in the calculation of transformer VA, primary current and temperature rise.
% DUTY CYCLE
Percent of continuous time that the transformer operates. (Continuous time is 100; one minute on, one minute off is 50.)
%EFFECTIVENESS (DUCTS)
Percent of duct free from obstruction due to leads, duct spacers, etc.
% FILL
Percentage of toroidal core opening filled with wire.
% STRAY LOSS
Enter stray losses as a percentage of total losses.
3PH5 (5)
Three-phase: three coils on five-legged core.
3PHS (6)
Three-phase: three coils on three-legged core.
AC VOLTS
RMS voltage (Line voltage if 3 phase)
(for inductors carrying both AC and DC current, enter RMS ripple voltage)
AIR FLOW RATE
Speed of air flowing past coils in linear feet per minute.
AIR GAP
Enter TOTAL air gap length if transformer has a gap. A ZERO(0) entry will cause program to consider only normal core joint effects.
AL (2)
Electrical grade aluminum with 61.8% conductivity.
AL 58% (-2)
Electrical grade aluminum grade with 58% conductivity.
ALT. DUCT ROUTINE (-3)
Alternate duct routine that considers duct surfaces, outside coil surfaces and core loss effects on the inner winding.
AMBIENT TEMP.
Temperature in degrees centigrade of room air, outside air or enclosure air in which the transformer is operating.
AVG COATING THICKNESS
Average thickness in inches of compound or encapsulant surrounding core and coil.
AW
Exciting power, entered in VA/LB.
AWG. NO.
American wire gauge number designation.
BOBBIN 9
Shell type bobbin.
BOBC
Core type using two, three-flanged bobbins.
BOBS
Shell type using three-flanged bobbin.
BR (4)
Bridge rectifier (1-phase)
BR
3-phase bridge (star)
BRC (8)
Bridge capacitive filter
BUILD (PERCENT)
Percentage of core window dimension filled by thicknesses of conductor, full ducts, insulation, and clearance space.
BULGE FACTOR
Enter factor to account for wire bulging.
(If ZERO(0) is entered, 2TRANS will use standard bulge factor of 1.10 (10%).)
BULGE FACTOR
Enter factor to account for wire bulging.
(If ZERO(0) is entered, 2TRANS will use standard bulge factor of 1.10 (10%).)
BUTT-LAPPED (1)
Core pieces are not interleaved leaving a small gap (program uses .001 gap when calculating exciting current)
C-CORE (1)
Wound cut cores
CAP
Filter capacitance in farads.
COIL SURFACE CONTACT WITH OUTER LEGS:
PARTIAL (1) OR NONE (2)
1 partial 2 none
COMPENSATION (1 or 0)
If YES (1), secondary turns adjusted to compensate for voltage drops due to internal impedance.
If NO (0), turns will NOT be adjusted.
COMPENSATION WINDING (Ferro)
Harmonic compensation (HC) winding.
COMPOUND-FILLED (4)
Solid material surrounding core-coil in an enclosure.
CONFIGURATION (Ferro)
2-COIL (2) Primary and secondary coils wound individually and separated by a magnetic shunt .
CORE TYPE (DESIGN TYPE) (2 /-2)
Two coils on one magnetic path.
(-2 coils in parallel)
( 2 coils are in series)
CORE BOX ADDITION: HT
Enter dimension to be added to each side of the core height for core box. (If TOROID)
CORE BOX ADDITION: ID
Enter dimension to be SUBTRACTED from each end of inside diameter for core box. (If TOROID)
CORE BOX ADDITION: O. D.
Enter dimension to be added to each end of core outside diameter for core box. (If TOROID)
CORE NAME
Enter core name or part number as identifier.
CRUC (6)
Cruciform cross-sectional core leg.
(Round core x-section)
CU (1)
Electrical grade copper, 100% conductivity.
CURRENT
RMS load current if unrectified, DC load current if rectified, LINE current if 3-phase
CURRENT WAVESHAPE
SINE WAVE (0)
SQUARE WAVE (1)
ALTERNATING
SQUARE WAVE (2)
HALF SINE WAVE (3)
RECTIFIED SINE WAVE (4)
SAW TOOTH (5)
CLIPPED SAW TOOTH (6)
D.C. CURRENT (UNBALANCE)
Enter unbalance in D.C. current.
D.C. VOLTS (UNBALANCE)
Enter unbalance in D.C. voltage.
DCR
Any external DC resistance in series with the diode. (If capacitive filter)
DELTA (1)
Three-phase windings are connected in series for a closed circuit.
DESIGN TYPE
Mechanical configuration of core and coil:
SHELL – 1 coil, 2 magnetic paths
CORE – 2 coil, 1 magnetic path
SIMPLE – 1 coil, 1 magnetic path
TOROID – ring core
3PHASE – 3 coils on 3 leg core
3PHASE, 5 LEG – 3 coils on 5 leg core)
CORE/split bobbin -core type using two 3-flange bobbins
SHELL/split bobbin -shell type using three-flange bobbin
SHELL/bobbin -shell type using two-flange bobbin
DESTRUCTION FACTOR
Destruction factor is a multiplier for Epstein core loss data. Enter as 1.05, 1.1, etc. An entry of 1 will use program default values.
(Destruction factor question appears only for strip cores grades M2, 3, 4. and for grades M5 & 6 when core is MITERED)
DG (2)
Distributed-gap core – tape wound core where the gap is distributed unevenly.
DIEL.TEST VOLTS(KV)
RMS kilovolts to be applied during test.
DIODE DROP
Net forward diode drop in volts.
DISK WINDING
Coils are wound in thin concentric disks
YES (1) if transformer is to be disk wound.
NO (2) if NOT disk wound.
DUCT EACH SIDE OF BARRIER
YES (1), a duct will be placed on each side of insulation barrier.
NO (0), the duct will be placed over the section insulation of the previous winding
DUCT LOCATION (for internal ducts)
Location of internal ducts within winding.
NONE – no ducts in winding
NUMBER OF LAYERS – A number equal to or greater than one (1) specifies the number of layers between ducts (2 indicates a duct every two layers).
NUMBER OF DUCTS – A negative entry of a whole number will give exact number of ducts. -1 gives one duct, -2 gives two ducts, -3 gives three ducts, etc. (program automatically assigns negative number)
DUCT SPACER REMOVED
NONE (0) if all spacers remain in the duct.
ALL (1) if spacers are removed from duct.
PARTIAL (2) if spacers partially remain in each winding.
RESTRICTED AIRFLOW (3) to consider restriction of air flow under core yokes (Full ducts only)
DUCT TYPE
Cooling duct configuration:
END (1) On end of coil outside core window.
FULL (2) Duct all around coil.
3-SIDED (3) Ducts on 3 sides of coil outside of core window (core-type designs only)
1-SIDED (4) Ducts on 1 side of coil (core-type designs only)
Three sided, or one sided external ducts are not permitted.
DUCT WIDTH FANNED OUT
Enter NO (0) if the width of all ducts are equal
Enter YES (1) if the width of the ducts increase as the coil build increases
DUCT %EFFECTIVENESS
Percent of duct free from obstruction due to leads, duct spacers, etc.
DUCTS NONE (0)
No ducts of any kind
DUCTS INT (2)
Internal ducts:
within windings only
DUCTS EXT (3)
External ducts:
between windings only
DUCTS BOTH (4)
Ducts both in and between windings
DUCTS UNBLANK (1 or 0)
YES (1) If all cooling surfaces of the ducts are unblanketed. (No insulation between the conductors and duct surface.)
NO (0) If insulation is between the conductors and the ducts surface.
DUCTS THICKNESS
DUCTS THICKNESS
Radial thickness of duct opening
DW (10)
Double wye rectified (three-phase only)
ELECTROSTATIC SHIELDS
Barrier or sheath used to reduce the electrostatic coupling between windings.
ENCAPSULATED (3)
Conformal coating of resins surrounding core/coil.
EXTERNAL DUCT THICKNESSES
Enter thickness of each duct in order they are to appear.
EXTERNAL DUCT TYPES
Enter style of each duct in the order in which they will appear. END(1), FULL(2)
EXTERNAL DUCTS: # OF LOCATIONS
Enter number of required duct locations.
EXTERNAL DUCTS: LOCATION
Enter number of winding UNDER which duct is to be located. (2 indicates duct under second winding, etc.)
EXTERNAL DUCTS: THICKNESS
Radial thickness in inches of duct opening.
EXTERNAL DUCTS: EFFECTIVENESS
Percent of duct free from obstruction due to leads
EXTERNAL DUCTS: VARIABLE
NO (0) If all external ducts are the same size or type.
YES (1). If external ducts are of different size or type.