This invention relates in general to a low voltage power transformer, for inducing low voltage and for providing alternating current, that is uniquely constructed to enable it to be inexpensively manufactured while at the same time meeting stringent requirements of various regulatory agencies for reinforced insulation which is permissible construction for double insulated, safety extra low voltage.
Increasingly, modern day appliances are constructed using low voltage transformers for many purposes including as lighting transformers or to supply power to electronic components. Thus there are available low voltage power transformers which use a plastic bobbin for the primary winding and a separate plastic bobbin for the secondary winding, and those which include insulating frames which assemble over the wound primary bobbin to increase "creepage" distance. However the previous designs of which we are aware require either the use of additional insulation for the core, or of an adequate air space and/or insulation between the transformer core laminations and the metal frame of the appliance. Some of these prior art constructions therefore, have the disadvantage of limited heat dissipation from the transformer. What is required is a transformer design capable of improved heat dissipation which would enable a savings in magnetic core and in conductive material to be realized; as well as a design which would lend itself to economical manufacture by multiplying the function of the various parts thereby to reduce the manufacturing cost of the transformer.