[clug] Exercise and pay the bills! [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Robert Edwards]

steve jenkin wrote:
> Will the power flow back up the transformers?
> Are they built for that contingency?

For a general "ideal" transformer (and most are close enough), the
answer is "yes", the power could/can/would "flow back up". A
transformer is, after all, just two coils coupled with a magnetic-
flux carrying iron core. It doesn't really care which way the power
is flowing.

I would guess that most real transformers could cope with as much
power going from high-voltage side to low-voltage side as they could
with the power flowing in the other direction. The main issue is
resistance in the windings causing heat build up which de-rates the
amount of magnetic flux that the iron core can carry which will then
cause further heat buildup until something melts (or a fuse pops).

Cheers,

Bob Edwards.

> 
> s