In a microwave transformer, the side with the thicker wire is typically the low voltage side, also known as the primary winding. This primary winding is responsible for receiving the standard household voltage (e.g., 120V in the United States) from the power source and stepping it up to a much higher voltage.
The other side, with the thinner wire, is the high voltage side, also known as the secondary winding. This winding is responsible for converting the stepped-up voltage from the primary winding into the high voltage required to power the magnetron—the component that generates the microwaves used for cooking.
To summarize:
- Thicker wire side: Low voltage side (Primary winding) - receives standard household voltage and steps it up.
- Thinner wire side: High voltage side (Secondary winding) - converts the stepped-up voltage into the high voltage required for the magnetron.
It's important to note that microwave transformers deal with very high voltages, even after stepping up the voltage. Therefore, they should be handled with extreme caution, and any repair or maintenance work involving the transformer should be left to trained professionals due to the potential danger associated with high voltages.