How to check if transformer is good quality – as shared by leading transformer manufacturer in the Philippines

What sets apart a good quality transformer from a bad one? For a person with zero technical background, transformers may all look the same to you. But that’s not necessarily the case.

Here at Panther, when we say Panther transformers are of good quality, we mean they are safe, reliable, and guaranteed to be long lasting. Who doesn’t want the best quality products that will provide best value for money? We all do!

To help you, we’re listing down the features that will distinguish a good quality transformer from a dangerous, poorly manufactured transformer, in order to better guide your decision making process.

 

A good quality transformer must have 99.9% Copper Wiring

Panther only uses 99.9% copper for its transformer’s primary and secondary coils. In contrast, cheap transformer brands typically use cheaper materials, particularly aluminum.

But what’s the big deal between copper vs aluminum? For transformers, this is the difference between a safe and high performing transformer vs a cheaply made transformer that won’t last and could actually cause more damage. When it comes to electrical conductivity, copper is ranked #2 behind just sterling silver with an efficiency rating of 100%. Contrast that to aluminum with just a 60% efficiency rate – which is almost half of copper’s efficiency rating – and you can clearly see the difference..

Does conductivity really matter? Of course! Transformers function by transferring power from the primary coil to the secondary coil. Higher conductivity means less resistance and less heat buildup – both of which is important if you want your transformer to perform its function safely.

Conversely, high heat buildup could result in safety hazards (potential fires!) and a significantly shorter transformer lifespan, even when the load is significantly below the wattage rating.

Long story short – when purchasing transformers, make sure the material used in the coils is 99.9% copper. While it may be slightly more expensive, it is definitely worth the trade-off in safety and performance in the long run.

 

A good quality transformer uses Silicon Steel Plates

Aside from copper wiring, another critical component to consider would be the steel plates used to create the transformer core. Panther’s transformer EI cores are constructed using laminated silicon steel plates, which provides the dual function of reducing heat while increasing resistivity

By using a laminated silicon steel plated core vs a cold rolled steel plated core, Panther transformers are able to keep its transformers running efficiently resulting in minimal energy loss. In contrast, a low quality transformer that has an inferior core would run excessively hot, and may generate an audible hum which is the result of a transformer working VERY hard under inefficient conditions due to poor quality materials used

 

A good quality transformer is built according to its True Rated Capacity

No skimping on materials, no false advertising. Panther transformers are built to match and even exceed the stated wattage capacity on the unit label. This gives you the assurance your transformer will function as stated, and will power your appliance with no fuss.

Having said that, it is important that you purchase the appropriate transformer based on your equipment’s requirement. Otherwise, you may end up buying a transformer that’s too big or too small for their needs. If you purchase a too big transformer, you end up wasting money (since bigger transformers are more expensive). If you purchase a too small transformer however, you also end up wasting money as the transformer will overload when you plug in the appliance, making it still impossible for you to use your appliance.

You can check out our capacity calculator article to determine the transformer wattage you require, so you can be 100% sure.

 

A good quality transformer uses Right-sized cords

Beyond the core and the coil, other things to consider would be the cord materials used. After all, if your cord is unable to deliver sufficient power to your transformer, then your transformer will not be able to perform at its rated capacity.

For this, we encourage you to check the wire gauge used by the transformer cord. The wire gauge is also termed the American Wire Gauge (AWG), which refers to the size of the copper wire inside the cord. A higher gauge number indicates a thinner wire and lower capacity for power delivery, while a lower gauge number indicates a thicker wire and greater capacity for power delivery. Keep in mind: There is no one-size-fits-all wire gauge for all transformers, as this will depend on your transformer capacity.

For example: If you’re looking at a 500W transformer, then at least an AWG #18 wire should be used.

 

A good quality transformer should have Sturdy Construction and Build

When you look at Panther transformer models, you’ll notice that our transformers are visibly made of sturdier construction and heavier. This is because our transformers are built with high quality components, as discussed above, which visibly shows!

Panther transformers are “industrial” in design as they’re meant to be solid, no frills, no BS products that will function as advertised, using the best materials and workmanship available. What you see is what you get, and that’s perhaps the best guarantee available.

 

Panther best quality transformers for sale are made from Philippine-built quality and expertise

Panther is proud to be a trusted local manufacturer of transformers since the 1970s. Our transformers are designed by Filipino engineers, and updated based on the feedback provided by the local market. This means our transformers are built specific to the Philippine market and needs, making it easy to use for everyday people like you and me, but also targeting the specific pain points your transformer is meant to solve!

 

Panther transformers come with Lifetime Service Warranty

Because we believe in the quality of Panther transformers, we provide Lifetime Service Warranty on ALL Panther transformers. Under normal circumstances and treated properly, Panther transformers are meant to last you a lifetime, and that’s why our warranty also has a lifetime guarantee.

This means regardless of when or where you purchased it, we are happy to provide servicing of your transformers free of charge. Replacement parts will be charged at cost, however.

We hope this article gives you a better idea of what to look for when differentiating between a good quality transformer that will provide the best return on investment for you, versus a cheap but not necessarily long-lasting transformer that could bring more trouble than it’s worth.

Aside from having an idea on what sets apart quality, you may want to gain a better understanding of the exact purpose of a transformer and the different types of transformers available in the Philippine market today. To help you, we’ve summarized the following articles:

• Basic facts about transformers, which shares in greater detail the purpose of a transformer, the difference between stepup vs stepdown transformer, as well as the difference between an isolation type vs auto-type transformer
• Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing a Transformer, which provides an in-depth breakdown on what to consider tactically when purchasing a transformer: input voltage, output voltage, single vs three phase, required wattage rating, and frequency

In case you already know what type of transformer you need, you can check out our expanded range of Panther transformer products, meant to cater to the needs of the Philippine market:

• Step-down transformers
• Step-down transformers w/ dual voltage
• Step-down transformers w/ switch and fuse
• Step-up transformers
• Variable transformers
• Adapter transformers

If our readily available transformers do not match your requirements, we can also manufacture made-to-order transformers for you. Simply message us your transformer requirements through our Contact Us form.