I assume that those watching my video have at least a basic knowledge of electronics and electrical engineering. But unfortunately not in your case, here is a link to a video nearer to your educational level th-cam.com/video/3aWwSwkJDew/w-d-xo.html. I do look forward to hearing from you again in perhaps 10 or 20 years. Thank you for watching and your amazing insightful comments. Don’t forget to like and subscribe! My best regards Chris
It's probably mere coincidence, but I have witnessed an overly compensated & college educated professional engineer perform the antic you describe in the first of your video with remarkable results. Connecting a neutral/ground connected O-scope to industrial processing gear that did not use transformer isolation. Scope survived, with only burned off shield side lead. Engineer, only slightly butt hurt upped the ante, and resorted to using rubber gloves and "ground buster" adapter to defeat the neutral/ground from the scope. True story, not kidding.
Danish Native I have doubts your story is true. I used to design large industrial switching mode power supplies for use in industrial processes. I have burned off the odd ground clip more than once. It’s obviously very dangerous and even worse than that you end up looking like a right twat!
@@allthegearnoidea6752 That's OK. It was in-house built vacuum tube processing equipment, used to process or "age" a batch of up to 100 planar triodes. I could give some details of how it was constructed, but yeah no big deal. 1940-50's In house constructed vacuum tube processing gear did not come with a CE or UL or ISO approval. Nor did the rotary pumps. Tubes like this Chris: th-cam.com/video/S1lFS_N0kaY/w-d-xo.html
Great video, Chris! A very good explanation of transformer losses and power factor. Not many understand PF - even high-paid "professionals". Another method for measuring "off-ground" is to use the math function of the oscilloscope set to A - B, channel A connects to the "high" side and B connects to the "low" side and the ground wires connect to the chassis (or not). The limitation is the scope's input to ground rating. I learned that trick eons ago working on balanced 600 ohm audio circuits, although then A + B with B set to inverted was the set-up for most scopes and you had to remember to keep the vertical gain set the same on both channels.
David V Hello David thanks for nice comments. I did power engineering as one of my engineering degrees but that was nearly 30 years ago. I don’t have a good understanding of true power and still struggle to find a tangible explanation for it. I remember the measurements technique you mentioned but have forgotten the details. We should talk about this sometime perhaps we could demonstrate this in a video. The poor mans differential probe! Always glad to take your advice David. Many thanks regards Chris.
@@allthegearnoidea6752 Chris, I think that if your watch your own video and do a bit of doodling you will understand true power. Instead of drawing voltage and current curves try instantaneous power curves. The amount of power "under the curve" will be the same for a resistive load of 100 watts as for an inductive or capacitive load of 100 WATTS but the number of volt-amps will be higher. This is why when you connect your electric heater to your power measuring meter the Watts value and the VA value are the same (almost) but with a reactive load they are different. The ratio of these values is the power factor.
David Roberts Hello David yes I will have to keep a look out for John he is scary. I’m useless at maths but can do it if I really have too but normally best avoided. Thanks for watching Regards Chris.
Nice simple clear explanations. You kept the maths easy too so won't have switched off the brains of people like me who know the maths but hate doing it. I was just thinking that you could have run your 500w heater on the 110 output to create a 1000w load until I turned on my brain again and remembered it is an autotransformer, not a true stepdown isolation unit.
Chris, I haven't even managed to view this whole video yet but had to stop and say, "You made me laugh my socks off over the John Ward insert". Can just imagine John, with that voice of his, saying something to the tune of, "I break yur' ....ing legs"
Theoobovril I am a massive fan of John Ward despite his deadpan style he is a really nice and very clever guy. He has helped me out with industrial electrical installations questions on more the one occasion. Glad you had a laugh not many jokes in this episode had to concentrate on what I was doing. Thanks for watching regards Chris .
@@allthegearnoidea6752 Yes, I follow John too, Chris, he definitely knows hit oats alright..I wonder if John will get to see this current video of your's, I hope he does, he's bound to have a laugh over it. I always find that those commentators/presenters with a narrow range of voice inflections tend to produce the most listenable programs such as yourself and John's too.
Simon Spiers Thanks Simon very kind of you to say. Just ended up going down the rabbit hole a little bit. I did study power engineering but 30 years ago and much beer since then, I have forgotten most of it. You know I just shuffle paper for a living and I’m desperate to do some real electronics on a weekend. Thanks for watching regards Chris.
In most industries anthing above 95 would be considered good. The issue you are reffering to is not directly related to PF being close 1 it is caused by harmonic distortion that may result in changes to the source impedance likely resulting from power factor correction methods i.e capacitor banks . A few people have asked about PF so I may end up doing a more in depth video but I would rather just play with a valve radio as it smell a bit to much like the day job or possibly educational LOL. Thanks for watch and great comments. Regards Chris
Hello Chris. Across the pond these days our mains voltage, depending on where you live, is between 120 and 125 volts. This can be a problem with old transformer type equipment that was designed for 110 to 117 volt mains input. ATB Doug.
Andrewausfa Thanks Andrew thanks for the nice comments. Your right it was actually a week work and a lot of double checking myself. I never know what type of video people enjoy it’s all very random so thanks for the encouragement. Best regards Chris
Fantastic detailed explanation with pictorials...I'm surprised you're not at a million subs Chris...soon Im sure! :) I was wondering what was the proper way of testing and AC outlet, I know in a earlier video you had a B I G multichannel scope for AC, I thought you were going to pull it out for this test. FYI, your Amazon link for me came up null. Also, your lighting on this video was spot on! ~Jack, VEG
It depends what you mean by testing jack. Its unlikely I would use a scope to test a socket outlet but I have used then just to have a look at the mains input for noise and harmonic distortion. The problem with my old analog differential scope is that it is not digital and has no memory so not good for catching transient response like the transformer current inrush measurements. For electrical testing I highly recomend that you check out John Wards channel. He will explain everthing you would ever want to know about electrical installation testing in his series of videos here: th-cam.com/video/Sc0tJGl4Oas/w-d-xo.html
Nice theory video, I’ve done some study of 3 phase and power factor a few years ago, you certainly made the power factor aspect easy to understand, could have maybe expanded upon it further when it comes to the use of caps to alter the phase angle, and how that works on an industrial scale I’m not exactly an expert though.
Defpom's Electronics & Repair Thanks Scott. I didn’t set out to make a video on PF etc just ended up going down the rabbit hole. One of my degree’s was in power engineering but it’s nearly 30 years ago and it’s frightening how much I have forgotten in those years must be 90% of it. I’m struggling a bit with making videos at the moment it feels like hard work. Must say I impressed with you body of work I really enjoyed your slug video it was quite lovely although the snail did somewhat steal the show. Perhaps you could make him a regular like your Chris Gammell. I think you should do some more funnies you did it great. Thanks Regards Chris
Fabulous Video Chris !! And What Test Gear You Have, You Know Your Just As Smart As Dear John But Funnier !! Thought At The Start There That John Was Gonn'a Arrange A Nasty For For You !! he,he Looking Forward To Your Next Exploits ...Regards mike
I had to laugh at the use of john wards video clip, if i didn't know him better i would think he was saying something naughty :-D. But his face never changed, he wasn't angry, funny joke though :-D. There are too many variables in a transformer for my squishy brain to cope with lol, i know they have losses, they are not an exact device, but dam handy. In the distant past i've rewound them and estimated the volts per turn so i could taylor the secondary to match a psu i was making, sorry throwing together :-D. Most variables in electronics are not easy for me to calculate or get a good understanding of. When i try to get an understading of one of them every book goes way over my head with jibberish or how they discribe something in the most complex backwards way possible. I'ts likely i just have an iQ of a glass of water lol. Or im thick :-D. You confuzzled me at the end (Not difficult to do), the Power factor changed from 0.16 then 0.18 and the calculator said 79.63 degrees while you were saying 80.7 something. I wrote down the conversion jibberish, i may need it one day at the age of 97 ha ha :-D. I would say you have a reasonable transformer there, i've often chosen a slightly bigger wattage transformer than i need so it loses less and it will be cooler. Sorry for the long rattle :-(, Smashing video chris :-D thank you.
zx8401ztv Dont worry about the power factor stuff I just did a poor job of explaining it. But sometimes I don’t have enough time to get it all down right. The reason the numbers were different on the power factor calculation is because I inputted a different number into the calculator I looked at the power monitor plug and the digit was flicking between numbers. I entered what I saw rather than what I said. Unless your into power engineering PF is not really very interesting. Thanks for sticking with me. Regards Chris
I've heard of that extinction rebellion "movement", isn't that where spoiled brats, from upper middle class homes, toss red paint on both public and private property? I guess that random acts of vandalism, tossing toxic red paint, and just being jerks and A-holes, is supposed to save black rhinos or something, who knew?
USELESS ,why this have to be so complicated if this is simple as ohms law, useless in AMERICA
I assume that those watching my video have at least a basic knowledge of electronics and electrical engineering. But unfortunately not in your case, here is a link to a video nearer to your educational level th-cam.com/video/3aWwSwkJDew/w-d-xo.html. I do look forward to hearing from you again in perhaps 10 or 20 years. Thank you for watching and your amazing insightful comments. Don’t forget to like and subscribe! My best regards Chris
@@allthegearnoidea6752 best reply ever 😂
It's probably mere coincidence, but I have witnessed an overly compensated & college educated professional engineer perform the antic you describe in the first of your video with remarkable results. Connecting a neutral/ground connected O-scope to industrial processing gear that did not use transformer isolation. Scope survived, with only burned off shield side lead. Engineer, only slightly butt hurt upped the ante, and resorted to using rubber gloves and "ground buster" adapter to defeat the neutral/ground from the scope. True story, not kidding.
Danish Native I have doubts your story is true. I used to design large industrial switching mode power supplies for use in industrial processes. I have burned off the odd ground clip more than once. It’s obviously very dangerous and even worse than that you end up looking like a right twat!
@@allthegearnoidea6752 That's OK. It was in-house built vacuum tube processing equipment, used to process or "age" a batch of up to 100 planar triodes. I could give some details of how it was constructed, but yeah no big deal. 1940-50's In house constructed vacuum tube processing gear did not come with a CE or UL or ISO approval. Nor did the rotary pumps. Tubes like this Chris: th-cam.com/video/S1lFS_N0kaY/w-d-xo.html
Great video, Chris! A very good explanation of transformer losses and power factor. Not many understand PF - even high-paid "professionals". Another method for measuring "off-ground" is to use the math function of the oscilloscope set to A - B, channel A connects to the "high" side and B connects to the "low" side and the ground wires connect to the chassis (or not). The limitation is the scope's input to ground rating. I learned that trick eons ago working on balanced 600 ohm audio circuits, although then A + B with B set to inverted was the set-up for most scopes and you had to remember to keep the vertical gain set the same on both channels.
David V Hello David thanks for nice comments. I did power engineering as one of my engineering degrees but that was nearly 30 years ago. I don’t have a good understanding of true power and still struggle to find a tangible explanation for it. I remember the measurements technique you mentioned but have forgotten the details. We should talk about this sometime perhaps we could demonstrate this in a video. The poor mans differential probe! Always glad to take your advice David. Many thanks regards Chris.
@@allthegearnoidea6752 Chris, I think that if your watch your own video and do a bit of doodling you will understand true power. Instead of drawing voltage and current curves try instantaneous power curves. The amount of power "under the curve" will be the same for a resistive load of 100 watts as for an inductive or capacitive load of 100 WATTS but the number of volt-amps will be higher. This is why when you connect your electric heater to your power measuring meter the Watts value and the VA value are the same (almost) but with a reactive load they are different. The ratio of these values is the power factor.
Great video Chris loved the John Ward bit (Keep looking over your shoulder on a dark night)
Learned a lot even if I am useless at maths
David Roberts Hello David yes I will have to keep a look out for John he is scary. I’m useless at maths but can do it if I really have too but normally best avoided. Thanks for watching Regards Chris.
Nice simple clear explanations. You kept the maths easy too so won't have switched off the brains of people like me who know the maths but hate doing it. I was just thinking that you could have run your 500w heater on the 110 output to create a 1000w load until I turned on my brain again and remembered it is an autotransformer, not a true stepdown isolation unit.
George Christofi Thank George. Need to keep my eye out for some more electric radiator to use for Dummy loads
@@allthegearnoidea6752 plenty at the auctions.... they will be selling fast though this time of year!
Chris, I haven't even managed to view this whole video yet but had to stop and say, "You made me laugh my socks off over the John Ward insert". Can just imagine John, with that voice of his, saying something to the tune of, "I break yur' ....ing legs"
Theoobovril I am a massive fan of John Ward despite his deadpan style he is a really nice and very clever guy. He has helped me out with industrial electrical installations questions on more the one occasion. Glad you had a laugh not many jokes in this episode had to concentrate on what I was doing. Thanks for watching regards Chris .
@@allthegearnoidea6752 Yes, I follow John too, Chris, he definitely knows hit oats alright..I wonder if John will get to see this current video of your's, I hope he does, he's bound to have a laugh over it. I always find that those commentators/presenters with a narrow range of voice inflections tend to produce the most listenable programs such as yourself and John's too.
Theoobovril I would really hope he had a good laugh. I can be a little OTT sometime, but I don’t set out to upset anyone.
@@allthegearnoidea6752 OTT, never, you hit the button just right and we get a good laugh.
What a great educational video. Brilliant Chris!
Simon Spiers Thanks Simon very kind of you to say. Just ended up going down the rabbit hole a little bit. I did study power engineering but 30 years ago and much beer since then, I have forgotten most of it. You know I just shuffle paper for a living and I’m desperate to do some real electronics on a weekend. Thanks for watching regards Chris.
There's no messing with John Ward!
Quite So - He is BOSS
Generally the power factor is not targeting 1 due to the risk of resonance / oscillating, so a pf of 0.96-0.99 is usually what is aimed for.
In most industries anthing above 95 would be considered good. The issue you are reffering to is not directly related to PF being close 1 it is caused by harmonic distortion that may result in changes to the source impedance likely resulting from power factor correction methods i.e capacitor banks . A few people have asked about PF so I may end up doing a more in depth video but I would rather just play with a valve radio as it smell a bit to much like the day job or possibly educational LOL. Thanks for watch and great comments. Regards Chris
Hello Chris. Across the pond these days our mains voltage, depending on where you live, is between 120 and 125 volts. This can be a problem with old transformer type equipment that was designed for 110 to 117 volt mains input. ATB Doug.
Main problem we have is quite large deviations. Should be 230 but old standard was 240. I am over 250 most of the time
Superb Chris! That must have taken ages to do. I learnt quite a bit so thank you very much. Regards - Andrew
Andrewausfa Thanks Andrew thanks for the nice comments. Your right it was actually a week work and a lot of double checking myself. I never know what type of video people enjoy it’s all very random so thanks for the encouragement. Best regards Chris
I grew uo playing with Scalectric sets. The power supply (autotransformer) that came with those was bloody lethal. Kids today, bah ⚡🤪⚡
GNU_Ninja Really what voltage were they could you get a tickle ? Thanks for watching regards Chris
@@allthegearnoidea6752 UK mains to 12 volts (I think) with all the isolation an autotransformer provides. Those things were built down to a price. 😅
GNU_Ninja I had a cheap version. I think it was called TCR you could change lanes At any time but they kept loosing the track connections
The John Ward bit was funny.
Defpom's Electronics & Repair John Ward is the man and seriously clever an electrical expert. I am a massive fan.
Fantastic detailed explanation with pictorials...I'm surprised you're not at a million subs Chris...soon Im sure! :) I was wondering what was the proper way of testing and AC outlet, I know in a earlier video you had a B I G multichannel scope for AC, I thought you were going to pull it out for this test. FYI, your Amazon link for me came up null. Also, your lighting on this video was spot on! ~Jack, VEG
It depends what you mean by testing jack. Its unlikely I would use a scope to test a socket outlet but I have used then just to have a look at the mains input for noise and harmonic distortion. The problem with my old analog differential scope is that it is not digital and has no memory so not good for catching transient response like the transformer current inrush measurements. For electrical testing I highly recomend that you check out John Wards channel. He will explain everthing you would ever want to know about electrical installation testing in his series of videos here: th-cam.com/video/Sc0tJGl4Oas/w-d-xo.html
Nice theory video, I’ve done some study of 3 phase and power factor a few years ago, you certainly made the power factor aspect easy to understand, could have maybe expanded upon it further when it comes to the use of caps to alter the phase angle, and how that works on an industrial scale I’m not exactly an expert though.
Defpom's Electronics & Repair Thanks Scott. I didn’t set out to make a video on PF etc just ended up going down the rabbit hole. One of my degree’s was in power engineering but it’s nearly 30 years ago and it’s frightening how much I have forgotten in those years must be 90% of it. I’m struggling a bit with making videos at the moment it feels like hard work. Must say I impressed with you body of work I really enjoyed your slug video it was quite lovely although the snail did somewhat steal the show. Perhaps you could make him a regular like your Chris Gammell. I think you should do some more funnies you did it great. Thanks Regards Chris
Fabulous Video Chris !! And What Test Gear You Have, You Know Your Just As Smart As Dear John But Funnier !! Thought At The Start There That John Was Gonn'a Arrange A Nasty For For You !! he,he Looking Forward To Your Next Exploits ...Regards mike
raceingdemon6464 Thanks Mike I’m glad it raised a smile. I have know idea what I’m doing next so it will be a surprise for me. Thanks regards Chris
I had to laugh at the use of john wards video clip, if i didn't know him better i would think he was saying something naughty :-D.
But his face never changed, he wasn't angry, funny joke though :-D.
There are too many variables in a transformer for my squishy brain to cope with lol, i know they have losses, they are not an exact device, but dam handy.
In the distant past i've rewound them and estimated the volts per turn so i could taylor the secondary to match a psu i was making, sorry throwing together :-D.
Most variables in electronics are not easy for me to calculate or get a good understanding of.
When i try to get an understading of one of them every book goes way over my head with jibberish or how they discribe something in the most complex backwards way possible.
I'ts likely i just have an iQ of a glass of water lol.
Or im thick :-D.
You confuzzled me at the end (Not difficult to do), the Power factor changed from 0.16 then 0.18 and the calculator said 79.63 degrees while you were saying 80.7 something.
I wrote down the conversion jibberish, i may need it one day at the age of 97 ha ha :-D.
I would say you have a reasonable transformer there, i've often chosen a slightly bigger wattage transformer than i need so it loses less and it will be cooler.
Sorry for the long rattle :-(, Smashing video chris :-D thank you.
zx8401ztv Dont worry about the power factor stuff I just did a poor job of explaining it. But sometimes I don’t have enough time to get it all down right. The reason the numbers were different on the power factor calculation is because I inputted a different number into the calculator I looked at the power monitor plug and the digit was flicking between numbers. I entered what I saw rather than what I said. Unless your into power engineering PF is not really very interesting. Thanks for sticking with me. Regards Chris
Did you answer the door ????
Theoobovril No he scares me!
@@allthegearnoidea6752 He-he-he...
I've heard of that extinction rebellion "movement", isn't that where spoiled brats, from upper middle class homes, toss red paint on both public and private property? I guess that random acts of vandalism, tossing toxic red paint, and just being jerks and A-holes, is supposed to save black rhinos or something, who knew?
OlegKostoglatov you clearly know all about them as your 100 percent correct!
Really? I'm disappointed, I thought that I was just being sarcastic and that there may have been more to them then that?
OlegKostoglatov you were spot on with the observation couldn’t have put it any better
Shush...review the unit
Paul Witham Glad you enjoyed the video and for sharing your inspired comments don’t forget to like and subscribe.