How do you determine the load a transformer can handle?

Determining the load a transformer can handle primarily involves checking the transformer's KVA (kilovolt-amperes) rating. The KVA rating indicates the maximum amount of electrical power that the transformer can manage safely without overheating or causing damage. This rating is critical as it reflects the transformer's capacity in relation to the voltage and current it can supply to the connected load effectively.

The KVA rating is derived from the voltage and current levels that the transformer can handle, which ensures it operates within its designed specifications. If the load exceeds this KVA rating, it can lead to excessive heating, performance issues, and even transformer failure.

Other factors like physical size, temperature evaluations, and wiring inspections may provide contextual information about the transformer's condition and operational environment but do not directly provide the definitive measurement of load capacity as the KVA rating does. Therefore, relying on the KVA rating is essential for understanding the operational limits of a transformer accurately.