When would a multi-tap Industrial Control Transformer (CPT) be recommended instead of a standard unit which has fewer voltages or even just one input and ouput voltage?

Issue:
Selection of voltages for the primary and secondary of  Industrial Control Transformers

Product Line:
LV Transformers

Environment:
Applies to Industrial Control Transformers by SquareD/Schneider Electric

Cause:
There are a wide variety of voltage combinations available

Resolution:
Multi-tap Industrial Control Transformers are designed to provide stock flexibility for users whose equipment may see many different supply voltages throughout it`s life.  Some purchasing agents like to use the multi-tap Transformer so they would only need to stock and purchase one Transformer, rather than two or more.  However, that is not usually beneficial for the customer as multi-taps are more expensive, heavier, and larger than standard single or dual input/output CPTs.  More often than not, 95% of their business is the standard voltage combination of 480 to 120, the D1 voltage code.  As such, the D1 also happens to be the highest volume mover for Square D/Schneider Electric, and is priced to reflect this economy of scale.  Thus if a purchaser chooses to only use the multi-tap, they are basing a decision to raise their cost on 95% of their product for only 5% of their business.

Released for: Schneider Electric USA