I love this video, and I recommend people watch the entire thing, the transformer theory part is very well explained. I have an A.W. Sperry voltmeter which I've been using for around 20 years and though it was all I could afford in college I've used it hundreds of times. As mostly a car guy I rarely deal with AC voltage, but I just spoke with a customer earlier about how things need to be tested under load in order to get a true reading. Thanks for doing the video, it reminded me of things I had forgotten. I would add one thing about warning anyone doing testing that they should not put their hand on the primary voltage wiring contact points (which should always be covered anyway), or for that matter on any household voltage wiring contact points. I learned the hard way about touching 240V when I was the ground.
Hi Joshua: Thanks for the kind comment - It is very true that caution must be taken when working with voltages about 70 volts +/- . I have a few set of wire cutter which have a nice bite out-of-the-blade from a 240 volt "incident" - This always seems to happen when the cutter are almost brand new - Chris
Hi Raynier: Your Transformer could be anywhere - Most common places are: Garage, Circuit Breaker Panel, Furnace Closet, Water Heater Closet, Attic, Basement, Ceiling of a closet inside the house. Usually it will be fairly close to the Intercom (ie. They wouldn't have put it 100' away and run the low-voltage wires that far) When trying to figure out what was done by someone before you - the Rule is "Installer are Lazy" whatever was the easiest way to do it - it probably how it was done - Chris
If you wan to skip over the transformer theory and just see how to test your Transformer - Watch the first 1:09 - then skip a ahead to 16:32 - Chris
I love this video, and I recommend people watch the entire thing, the transformer theory part is very well explained. I have an A.W. Sperry voltmeter which I've been using for around 20 years and though it was all I could afford in college I've used it hundreds of times. As mostly a car guy I rarely deal with AC voltage, but I just spoke with a customer earlier about how things need to be tested under load in order to get a true reading. Thanks for doing the video, it reminded me of things I had forgotten. I would add one thing about warning anyone doing testing that they should not put their hand on the primary voltage wiring contact points (which should always be covered anyway), or for that matter on any household voltage wiring contact points. I learned the hard way about touching 240V when I was the ground.
Hi Joshua: Thanks for the kind comment - It is very true that caution must be taken when working with voltages about 70 volts +/- . I have a few set of wire cutter which have a nice bite out-of-the-blade from a 240 volt "incident" - This always seems to happen when the cutter are almost brand new - Chris
Thank you for taking the time to explain things in your videos
Hi Carlos: You're welcome - Chris
I can't find the transformer in my house, where is it usually located?
Hi Raynier: Your Transformer could be anywhere - Most common places are: Garage, Circuit Breaker Panel, Furnace Closet, Water Heater Closet, Attic, Basement, Ceiling of a closet inside the house. Usually it will be fairly close to the Intercom (ie. They wouldn't have put it 100' away and run the low-voltage wires that far) When trying to figure out what was done by someone before you - the Rule is "Installer are Lazy" whatever was the easiest way to do it - it probably how it was done - Chris
Great information
Hi dolaya2003: Thanks - Chris