Can anyone explain what each wire does in this spicific microwave transformer
The bottom coil with the 2 tabs is the primary. The 2 red wires leading off to the right is a low voltage secondary with high voltage insulation so that they remain isolated from the other windings. It powers the filament of the microwave tube. The other red wire leading off to the left is one end of the high voltage secondary. It normally connects to a high voltage rectifier and capacitor and then to the cathode of the tube via one of the filament connections. You can expect to see negative pulses in the 2000-3000 volt range at that connection with an available current that is several times the lethal level. The other end of the high voltage secondary is grounded to the frame of the transformer at the rivet at the top center. The anode (plate) of the tube is also grounded through its mounting hardware. Most microwave transformers run hot even when lightly loaded since they are run fairly close to saturation on the B-H magnetization curve. You'll need a fan if you are using it for extended periods. If you carefully remove both secondaries and the steel magnetic shunts wedged in between the primary and secondary windings, you'll have the foundation for winding your own transformer good for about 400-600 watts. First add about 10 more turns to the primary which will cut the core losses significantly by running it lower on the curve. Expect to see about 1 volt per turn on any new secondaries you wind. Don
transformers is a movie, silly. your microwave is not an autobot, dont worry
I believe the two tabs on the lower part of the transformer on your first photo, is where the mains voltage is applied ( 120 or 240 volts AC depending on country used ). If you use an ohmmeter and measure for resistance, there should be a low resistance between the two tabs, and infinite resistance to the other wires and infinite resistance to the frame of the transformer. On the second photo: The two wires will have a high voltage AC output on them when measured from either wire to the frame of the transformer. One end of the high voltage winding is attached to the frame of the transformer as a ground return. You can see the attachment near the top of the transformer. There is also a voltage superimposed between the two wires on the second photo. This is used to heat the filament of the magnetron tube. If you measure the resistance between the two wires you should get a very low resistance. If you measure from one wire and the frame of the transformer, you should get a higher (but not infinite) resistance.
