Transformer humming

[gainphile]

I realised that my active crossover transformer is humming physically. I can feel the minute vibration on the chassis and is faintly audible.

Done few reads including the one here: http://www.psaudio.com/articles/hum.asp, but would be keen to know if anyone has had similiar experience and what can be done to rectify this.

It is a simple E Transformer 15-0-15 150mA with a rectifier and 1000uF capacitors and is used to suppy 6 TL072 op-amps. It's running rather warm so I'm also wondering whether it's under rated for the load.
http://jaycar.com.au/productResults....Min=&priceMax=

[Nuuk]

Yes, I would guess that it is under-rated. Measure the current draw of the crossover to be sure but it sounds like you could do with a more powerful transformer.

[Dr.EM]

It should have enough current capacity to run those op-amps no problem but it might be worth checking with an ammeter exactly how much is being used in case there is a fault somewhere or the op-amps are being excessively loaded.

Smaller transformers are often poorly made and loose windings may be the culprit here. With the higher magnetic flux of E-core transformers is it possible the radiation is making panels vibrate, amplifying the buzz? Check all panels are highly secure.

[AndrewT]

These tiny (4.5VA) EI transformers are very inefficient.
The cheap ones always run hot due to the wasted power they consume.
The max continuous DC current from this transformer is 75mA and it will run very hot at that.
It will run cooler at 30 to 40mAdc but due to the poor efficiency it will never run cool nor warm.

[Nico Ras]

Some Chinese transformers use a very very poor grade iron and more energy is consumed heating the core that transferring current.

[gmilitano]

Another possibility is that you have DC offset in your house power. Do you have an isolation transformer you can try?

[dr f]

Those little transformers from jaycar are acutally fairly good quality. I am using the 12-0-12 3.6VA to power 5 TL084's in an active crossover with no issues at all. What is the xo you are powering?

[ianpengelly]

If the transformer is working within its limits then try physically isolating it from the case with some rubber pads/washers to stop the hum from being amplified by chassis resonance.

[dr f]

Just had a silly thought, Are you using 7815 regulators?
Not too sure exactely how the 7815's work internaly but:

The 7815 has a maximum input of 23V, if you are using a 15V transformer then the regulator is getting 21.2V (getting close to limits), so it is dropping 6.2V. Is it possible that this voltage drop is causing the 7815 to draw more current? thus putting your transformer under unexpected load?

The reason I wondered this was because I read your other thread about the active XO's and realised you are running an almost identical XO to myself (only without the hum). From what I can tell the only difference is that I am running the 12-0-12 transformer which supplies the regulator with 17V (16.9V). Even though the regulator requires 17.7V to regulate properly, the load is not demanding enough that it is quite happy at 17V.

Hope this helps.

[AndrewT]

Gainphile has gone quiet.

I don't recommend 12-0-12Vac for a regulated +-15Vdc.
Very high likelihood of regulator drop out when mains voltage goes to low level.