Our Logo and HomePage Link Our Name and Address area Outside picture of our facility
 


The success of the transformer is reflected in how ubiquitous and transparent this technology has become in many modern electrical devices.  This was not always the case as the transformer was first developed in the late 1800’s and revolutionized the electrical distribution industry.  The first practical transformer was unveiled to the public in 1883 at the Royal Aquarium of London by a Frenchman, Lucian Gaulard, and an Englishman, John Dixon Gibbs.  While neither man was an electrical engineer, they discovered that electricity can be transferred over long distances to light incandescent lamps.  This theory was demonstrated in 1884 where lamps were powered in Rome, Italy via a power plant located in Tivoli.

George Westinghouse heard of this invention, bought the rights and instructed one of his engineers, William Stanley, to study its commercial viability.  The Gaulard-Gibbs transformer system, while successful, was not commercially profitable as the specified series connections resulted in unacceptable voltage drops and instability due to changing loads.  William Stanley recognized this limitation and modified the systems such that transformers were connected in parallel.  He also recognized that the core was an enclosed magnetic circuit where voltage regulation was produced in the secondary winding.

On March 20, 1886 William Stanley successfully demonstrated his modification of the Gaulard-Gibbs transformer in Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  This demonstration proved the superiority of alternating current power systems over the competing direct current distribution system of its chief inventor and proponent, Thomas Edison.  Today’s power distribution system is essentially identical to Stanley’s almost 120 years ago with the primary difference being power and voltage levels and the use of improved materials.

Transformers are an integral part of virtually all electronic circuits and systems and vary in size from small planar transformers found in circuit boards to 1500 MVA units used in power distribution systems.  In today’s modern society it would be hard to imagine the world without the ready access to electricity, of which transformers play a critical role.

References:   IEEE History Center   and   George Westinghouse Wikipedia


Written by:   Sergio Kraljic Jr., Chief Engineer GTI

 



A Brief History . . .

The Company was established by K.C. Retzlaff in 1948.  It was operated as a proprietorship under the name of Precision Transformer, located in Muskegon, Michigan.  In 1951, the Company was moved to Grand Haven and Incorporated under the name Grand Transformers, Inc.  As a result of his love for amateur radio and his interest in electrical "tinkering," GTI has grown to be a World Class Manufacturer of Inductive Components.

In 1956, construction was started at our present Marion Street site.  Over the succeeding years, there were building additions to support the Company's growth.

1973 saw a change in management as two of K.C.'s sons (Gerald & Gregory) purchased the Company prior to the founder's retirement.

In 1978, a subsidiary company that operated in the Benton Harbor, Michigan area was consolidated into the Grand Haven site.  Again in 1987, the Power Magnetics three-phase operations were consolidated here.  In 1992, the "Acme Line" was phased into this site; relocating from Utah.

By this time, the Marion Street facilities were overloaded and part of the operations were transferred to another location in the city.  February of 1995 marked the completion of a major addition and renovation to the current site allowing reconsolidation of all facets of production at the Marion Street facility.

In 2003, the Texas operations were moved to Michigan; thus closing down the United Magnetics (UMP) and Texas Transformer divisions.


The Firm Today . . .

Today, Grand Transformers is a major international manufacturer of custom/specialty inductive components.  Our products are used by electrical equipment, communications, computer, medical instrumentation, and industrial drives and control manufacturers.

We are ISO 9001 compliant and an important supplier to the fast-paced electronics industry.  Our history shows a pattern of growth and progress which could not have been accomplished without the effort, ideas, planning and hard work of our associates, suppliers, and loyal customers.



Please report problems with this site to   GTI Webmaster