Original poster: David Speck <Dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Norman, The magnetic shunts make them sound like Microwave oven transformers.They can be driven out to increase the potential current delivery capability of the transformers significantly.
I think the welding is to keep the laminations from vibrating and buzzing during operation. I read somewhere once that the welds are positioned so they don't make big eddy currents.
Dave Tesla list wrote:
Original poster: norman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I have come across several misc high voltage transformers with a thin welded stripe shorting all the laminations together. Why would the manufacturer do this since it will cause eddy currents? These transformers also had (coincidently?) magnetic shunts.