Coast Guard Exams

Question 22

CEL02

Propulsion AC generators creating 4160 VAC use transformers to provide nominally 120 VAC to the automatic voltage regulator. What is the turns ratio of this step-down transformer?

AI Explanation
The Correct Answer is C ### Explanation for Option C (35 to 1) The turns ratio of a transformer is mathematically equivalent to the voltage ratio: $$\text{Turns Ratio} (a) = \frac{\text{Primary Voltage} (V_p)}{\text{Secondary Voltage} (V_s)}$$ In this scenario: * Primary Voltage ($V_p$): 4160 VAC (Generator Output) * Secondary Voltage ($V_s$): 120 VAC (Nominal AVR Input) Calculating the required ratio: $$a = \frac{4160 \text{ V}}{120 \text{ V}} \approx 34.666...$$ The calculated ratio (34.67) is rounded up to the standard integer ratio of **35 to 1**. Using a 35:1 transformer would provide an output voltage of $4160 / 35 \approx 118.86$ VAC, which perfectly fits the definition of a "nominally 120 VAC" system voltage. ### Explanation of Why Other Options Are Incorrect **A) 1 to 4 and B) 4 to 1** These ratios are far too small. Since this is a step-down transformer reducing 4160V to 120V, the primary side must have significantly more turns than the secondary side. A 4 to 1 ratio would only reduce the voltage to $4160 \text{ V} / 4 = 1040 \text{ VAC}$. **D) 40 to 1** While closer in magnitude than A or B, this ratio is too high. A 40 to 1 ratio would reduce the voltage to $4160 \text{ V} / 40 = 104 \text{ VAC}$. Although 104V is a usable voltage, 118.86V (from the 35:1 ratio) is a much more accurate match for a system specified as nominally 120 VAC.