How to Test an American Flyer Transformer

The transformer for your model train set serves a very important role in the system. It takes the household electrical voltage of 110 volts and transforms it down to a voltage for which your train was designed. For your safety and to prevent damage to your train, you should make it a habit to test your transformer, especially if you have noticed the train running faster or the lights on it burning brighter.

Things You'll Need

• Voltmeter or multimeter

Instructions

1. Unplug the transformer. Connect one of the leads of the voltmeter to both prongs on the plug of the transformer.

2. Take the other lead of the voltmeter and touch it to the each of the terminal posts, one at a time. There should be no reading on the voltmeter, or your train's transformer is faulty.

3. Check the voltage at each side of the transformer. One voltage reading should be 110 volts, and the other should be the rated output of volts for your transformer. If you have a reading other than the rated output of your transformer, then it is not functioning properly.

References

• TRANSFORMER SAFETY TEST

Resources

• S SCALE MODEL RAILROADING