Thread-topic: Welding Transformer As Ballast or Choke
Hi:
I am trying to understand how a welding transformer functions as a ballast choke to limit surge current thus preventing circuit beakers tripping. I get the fact that the welder has a heavy gage winding and can handle high currents. And it has a certain inductance figure that presents inductive reactance at or impedance at 60 Hertz to changes or surges in current. But I am baffled as to why the welder has its secondary side shorted out when used as a ballast choke.
A basic transformer has its highest impedance or inductive reactance on its primary when there is no load on the secondary. As the secondary load increases, primary reactance decreases and primary current increases. So if you short the secondary, that is maximum load causing the primary reactance to greatly decrease thus raising the primary current to a maximum. ( And burning up the transformer as a result.)
So it seems to me that an unloaded secondary is the best situation while using a primary as a choke coil.
And yet, Tesla coilers seem to get best results with a shorted secondary on the welding transformer. Please explain.
Thanks,
Ron Reeland
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