Use
Distribution transformers are normally located at a service drop, where wires run from a utility pole or underground power lines to a customer's premises. They are often used for the power supply of facilities outside settlements, such as isolated houses, farmyards or pumping stations at voltages below 30kV. Another application is the power supply of the overhead wire of railways electrified with AC. In this case single phase distribution transformers are used.
In North American utility practice, single-phase transformers are widely used to power individual homes, while in Europe three-phase transformers are more common, which can supply several buildings. Pad-mount transformers are used in urban areas and neighborhoods where the primary distribution lines run underground. Many large buildings have electric service provided at primary distribution voltage. These buildings have customer-owned transformers in the basement for step-down purposes.
High voltage hobbyists often use these transformers in reverse (step-up) by feeding 120 or 240 volts into the secondary and drawing the resulting high voltage off the primary bushings, using it to power devices like Jacob's Ladders and Tesla coils, and many other high voltage experiments.
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