Outback X-240 Autotransformer [RE-wrenches]

[Christopher Freitas --- OutBack Power]

Darryl, Wrenches - 

The efficiency of a transformer is a bit complex and takes some special 
equipment to measure accurately - here is more info.  

There are two types of losses involved with any transformer - the first 
is the "idle" or magnetization loss and the second is the "conduction" 
losses which relates to the amount of power the transformer is carrying. 
 This can be easily measured by a watt meter with the application of 
120VAC to one of the windings.  

The idle power loss of the X-240 is about 10 watts.  This is consumed 24 
hours a day unless the transformer is disconnected. This can be easily 
measured by a watt meter with the application of 120VAC to one of the 
windings. 

The conduction loss of the X-240 is about 97% efficient when shifting 
2.5kW from one leg to the other - which is about 75 watts of losses.  
This can be measured by the voltage drop through the transformer when 
carrying the stated load level.  

So - for a system using two inverters providing 120/240 VAC - the idle 
loss of 10 watts is made up for by the system turning the second 
inverter (slave) to standby - reducing its idle power consumption but 
still keeping the 120/240VAC available via the transformer.  

So - for a two inverter system there is a small advantage using the 
X-240 autotransformer.  For a quad system is has even more advantage.  

The real benefit in my opinion of including the X-240 is a split phase 
system (120/240VAC) is that it gives higher surge power on each of the 
AC legs - and therefore better voltage regulation and stability.  Its 
nice to be able to overload one leg above that leg's inverter ability 
for short term conditions - such as when a hair dryer and a waffle iron 
just happen to be plugged in on the same leg of 120VAC power.  Without 
an X-240 you would either need bigger inverters on each AC output leg or 
would need to be very careful to not have this occur.  

So - the X-240 is not a bit source of losses in a system - especially if 
the AC loads are reasonably well balanced with imbalances occurring 
intermittently.   

Christopher


Christopher Freitas
OutBack Power Systems, Inc.
cfreitas @ outbackpower.com  
www.outbackpower.com
Arlington WA USA
Tel 360 435 6030  


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