Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am making an electrical transformer with my daughter (5th grade). We are using a steel bracket as a core. We have wrapped 100 and 50 turns on the input and output side. We are using a 28 AWG magnet wire.

We are supplying the input with a 24V ac , 350mA supply. But we are seeing no voltage on the output side.

Picture attached. Any idea what might be going on?
https://photos.app.goo.gl/vfR5eZ74iY8W6SJD9

Hi - a couple thoughts:

- How are you measuring the output voltage? You will need a multimeter set to AC voltage. If you have it set to DC you probably won't get a reading.
- Have you checked the voltage on the input side (using the AC setting) to make sure your power supply is working?
- Did you sand or burn off the insulation at the ends of the wires for both coils? If you just have the wires twisted together as shown in the picture, and/or didn't fully remove the insulation, you probably will not have good electrical contact.

Hope that helps,

Ben