Dictionary of Electrical Engineering

Commonly used terms in the Electrical industry.

autotransformer
a power transformer that has a single continuous winding per phase, part of this winding being common to both the primary and the secondary sides. As a result, these voltages are not isolated but the transformer is reduced in weight and size. Autotransformers are most suited for relatively small changes in voltage. Three phase autotransformers are by necessity connected in a wye configuration.
autotransformer starter
a single three-phase autotransformer or three single phase transformer used to start induction motors at a reduced voltage.