The flux in a switched off transformer is very small, eitherwise something is wrong with the iron.
If you switch on at top voltage you will saturate the iron, even if nothing is connected. This can easily be measured with a current probe. Of the same reason it's important for the inrush current limiter to have short reset time because a short "blip" can create a big spike, even though if the smoothing caps are charged.
If you switch on at top voltage you will saturate the iron, even if nothing is connected. This can easily be measured with a current probe. Of the same reason it's important for the inrush current limiter to have short reset time because a short "blip" can create a big spike, even though if the smoothing caps are charged.