______ transformers are used to step voltage down to a safe value, typically 120 volts.

______ transformers are used to step voltage down to a safe value, typically 120 volts.

• A. Potential
• B. Instrument
• C. Current
• D. Distribution

Answer: (A)

Potential transformers are designed to reduce high line voltages to a safe, standard level for measurement and protection equipment. They deliver a secondary voltage that is proportional to the primary voltage, with a fixed turns ratio, and they preserve the phase relationship so meters and relays see an accurate representation of the system voltage. The isolation between primary and secondary protects people and equipment from the high voltage, while the common secondary voltage in many systems is around 120 volts, which is ideal for standard instrumentation and control circuits. Current transformers, by contrast, lower current for metering and protection but not the voltage itself. Distribution transformers provide service voltages to end users rather than feeding measurement devices. Instrument transformers is the broader category that includes both voltage and current transformers; the voltage-specific type is the potential transformer.

Potential transformers are designed to reduce high line voltages to a safe, standard level for measurement and protection equipment. They deliver a secondary voltage that is proportional to the primary voltage, with a fixed turns ratio, and they preserve the phase relationship so meters and relays see an accurate representation of the system voltage. The isolation between primary and secondary protects people and equipment from the high voltage, while the common secondary voltage in many systems is around 120 volts, which is ideal for standard instrumentation and control circuits.

Current transformers, by contrast, lower current for metering and protection but not the voltage itself. Distribution transformers provide service voltages to end users rather than feeding measurement devices. Instrument transformers is the broader category that includes both voltage and current transformers; the voltage-specific type is the potential transformer.