[Sneap] Reason for 400 Hz transformer need

[Jones, Paul]

Mr. Harper,
The problem is that our Van De Graaf accelerator is (and has been forever) equipped with a 70VAC, 400 Hz generator on the HV head that is driven by the charging belt.
If it becomes absolutely necessary, we may end up characterizing some 60 Hz transformer units for 400 Hz operation. Since they would be operating at approximately 7 times their rated frequency, we would have to be careful about additional hysteresis losses in the core, not to mention the drastically different impedance characteristics and possible resonances that may occur at the higher frequency. It will no doubt be an interesting problem to work on.
If you have previous experience performing these kinds of tests then I would be very interested in hearing about it.
Thanks,
Paul Jones
Engineer
University of North Texas Physics Dept.