If a transformer has a primary voltage of 12000 volts and a secondary voltage of 7200 volts, what type of transformer is it?

A transformer with a primary voltage of 12,000 volts and a secondary voltage of 7,200 volts is classified as a step-down transformer. This type of transformer is specifically designed to convert a higher primary voltage to a lower secondary voltage, which is what is occurring in this scenario.

The function of a step-down transformer is critical in electrical systems where voltage needs to be reduced for safe usage in residential or commercial applications. In this case, the transformer takes the high voltage from the primary winding and reduces it to a lower voltage at the secondary winding, making it suitable for distribution to consumers.

In contrast, a step-up transformer would increase the voltage from the primary to the secondary side. An isolation transformer is used to isolate sections of a system for safety purposes without stepping the voltage up or down, while a buck-boost transformer serves to adjust voltage levels up or down by a smaller amount and is not suited for such large voltage differences as shown in this question.