Extra leads from transformer, et al.

[revel8or]

Hey all. I'm a noob, and been quite the lurker at diy forums. So, pardon my lack of knowledge - and, yes, I've searched for answers to these q's, so please be gentle if I missed the threads.

If I'm recycling a transformer for a new project and have extra leads, can I tape them off - do I have to use *all* the leads that a transformer has?

When I tape them off, I assume that they should be individually taped...

[nigelwright7557]

You dont have to use the whole transformer.
Tape off individually the unused wires.

[AndrewT]

Check which ends connect to which others. This identifies individual windings which can have intermediate tappings (i.e. more than 2 ends).
Each winding must be completely isolated from any other winding.

Ensure you have correctly identified the Primary Winding. The insulation/isolation standard for this winding is quite different from the others and is very important to the safety of the user.

Using less copper than is on the transformer core, reduces the VA rating of the transformer.

[revel8or]

Just to make sure that I understand: there is one primary winding, which is the side that essentially "goes into the wall." The secondary windings are (at least in the transformers that I would be using at the moment) are electrically isolated and deliver a stepped down voltage than the primary windings.

There are four secondary outputs coming from the transformer, all of them center tapped. I plan on using three of them and the unloaded leads carry the lowest voltage, like 3.5v.

I plan on trying not to start fires...and using a leftover transformer from an RCA receiver to power a 6n11/LM3886 kit. I have questions about how to wire the transformer to it, but that's probably for a different thread.

Thanks for the advice on unused taps!