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Student Class
2028
Student Affiliation
Thayer School First Year Research in Engineering
Author ORCID Identifier
First Advisor
Charles Sullivan
First Advisor Department
Department of Engineering Sciences—Thayer School of Engineering
Description
This poster presents research from the First-Year Research in Engineering Experience (FYREE) at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, focused on benchmarking low-power line-frequency transformers (LFTs). The study examined 19 commercial transformers used in HVAC units, doorbells, and similar systems, assessing performance in terms of power loss, efficiency, and power factor under varying input conditions.
To streamline testing, the team developed a semi-automated system integrating a programmable resistor array, Arduino-controlled switching, and MATLAB-compatible data acquisition using a Voltech PM6000 analyzer. These hardware and software improvements reduced transformer testing time from over an hour to just 15 minutes per unit. The resulting data—over 4000 points—revealed trends across transformer models and identified trade-offs between price, size, and efficiency.
The benchmarking process was also applied to test a small solid-state transformer designed by co-author Allen T. Nguyen, which aims to improve standby power efficiency through high-frequency switching.
This work lays the foundation for future research into more efficient, compact transformer technologies and supports broader energy-saving applications in residential and industrial electronics.
Publication Date
2025
Keywords
low-power transformers, transformer benchmarking, transformer efficiency, power loss, power factor, automated testing, solid-state transformer, programmable resistor array, data acquisition, Dartmouth Engineering
Disciplines
Electrical and Electronics | Power and Energy
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Goldstein, Alec S.; Nguyen, Allen T.; and Sullivan, Charles R., "Benchmarking Low-Power Line-Frequency Transformers" (2025). Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters 2025. 6.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/wetterhahn_2025/6
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