Red Seal Electrician Practice
TransformersQuestion 1089 of 1506

Inside a step-down transformer, the secondary winding uses thicker wire than the primary. What is the reason?

  1. The secondary carries a higher voltage than the primary.
  2. The secondary needs more turns than the primary.
  3. The secondary must be isolated from the core.
  4. The secondary carries more current than the primary.
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Correct answer: The secondary carries more current than the primary.

A step-down unit turns high voltage and low current into low voltage and high current. The heavier current needs a larger conductor.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits II: AC (Kuphaldt), 10.2: Step-up and Step-down Transformers

Practice transformers

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026