[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: Transformer design

Hi Mike,

> Original Poster: "Mike" <arcsnsparks-at-parlorcity-dot-com>
> I have just completed and uploaded a VB6 program which does all the
>tedious calculations needed for building iron core transformers from
>scratch or rewinding old transformers. It has internal wire tables that
>go from 0000 to 40 AWG which are fully automated. It makes it
>capable of calculating wire sizes and lengths for transformers at just
>about any voltage or current needed. It does everything except pay for
>the copper and iron. Be sure to read the two text files after you
>install the program, one has a diagram which shows what
>measurements are needed for correct input.

Snip

> The program is freeware, The name is WinXformer and can be
>downloaded at the following link. http://www.parlorcity-dot-com/zap/Files/

Nice program! Quite a bit more informative, than what I put into my
TC design program ;o)). I was only able to do a quick review of the
program (will get into it deeper, when I find the time). There are a
few things, that I found a little annoying (no offense meant):

-Get rid of black ink on a blue background. This is incredibly
 difficult to read.

- Add a switch (or even a direct input field) for the operating
  frequency so that everyone (50/60Hz) can use it ;o)).

- I am not an xformer design guru, but it would be nice if you
  could include core material and operating frequency into the
  khz (for ferrite xformers) range. Or at least have a predefined
  selection of core material and operating frequencies.

- Add a help section to the different fields, so that the user knows
  what you are asking for and / or what the results are.

- Tack on some variables to the in- and out- puts. For example,
  you have core loss. In what do you measure it (i.e. %)? Or length
  values: Are they in inch or cm? Etc.

- In the lower part of your program, the outputs are mixed. You have
  core loss, hysterisis losses, combined with primary and secondary
  layers. How about dividing the outputs a bit different. One set of
  outputs gives you all info on the secondary. Another for the primary
  and yet another for core info and a last section for misc. info.

- For ease of use, you may want to include the xformer picture within
  your program and once the user has inputed the values, show him
  the picture, with his values tacked into the xformer picture. Also
  print out this picture with the selected values tacked on, when the
  user prints out his design.

- You may want to include warnings. I made a fictitious 10kVA xformer
   and your program told me to use 13 turns on the primary ;o)) at
   230V. Of course, a program can only spit out good values, if the user
   inserts good inputs, but it might be handy to underline dangerous
   values in red to warn the user "hey, this wonŽt work properly".

I didnŽt find the time to back check your calculations, so IŽll trust
you ;o)). I think your program has some great potential, if you
*sharpen* it a bit. Go for it ;o))


Coiler greets from Germany,
Reinhard