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DIY: Step-Down Transformer

People often use a transformer to convert one AC voltage to another AC voltage. When you increase the voltage of an AC signal by passing the signal through the transformer, the output voltage of that signal is "stepped up." If the signal voltage is reduced, the output voltage is "stepped down." Since a transformer has two windings wrapped around a common core, the number of the windings at the input or primary side must be greater than the number of windings at the output or secondary side for it to work as a "step-down" transformer.

Things You'll Need

Insulated electrical wire
Electrical pliers
6-inch iron rod
Electronic solder
Soldering iron
4 solder-type ring terminals
Permanent marker

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a 20-inch length of wire using the pliers. Strip 1/2 inch of insulating material from the ends of this wire segment with the pliers' cutting edge.
- 2
  Cut a 14-inch length of wire. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from its ends.
- 3
  Place one of the ring terminals on one end of the 20-inch wire. Solder the wire to the terminal. Place the second ring terminal on the unoccupied end of the 20-inch wire. Solder the terminal to the wire. Mark each of these ring terminals with a "P" using the permanent marker.
- 4
  Place the third ring terminal on one end of the 14-inch wire. Solder the wire to the terminal. Place the fourth ring terminal on the unoccupied end of the 14-inch wire. Solder the terminal to the wire. Mark each of these ring terminals with an "S."
- 5
  Wrap the 20-inch wire around the top of the iron rod while leaving 4 inches of slack at the wire ends. Wrap the 14-inch wire around the bottom of the iron rod in the same manner. To use this device as a step-down transformer, connect an AC input signal across the two ring terminals labeled "P" and connect the AC output device across the two ring terminals labeled "S."

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