An Austin transformer is a special type of an Isolation transformer

Isolation transformer

An isolation transformer is a transformer used to transfer electrical power from a source of alternating current power to some equipment or device while isolating the powered device from the power source, usually for safety...

 used for feeding the air-traffic obstacle lamps and other devices on a mast radiator

Mast radiator

A mast radiator is a radio mast or tower in which the whole structure itself functions as an antenna. This design is commonly used for transmitting antennas operating at low frequencies, in the VLF, LF and MF ranges, in particular those used for AM broadcasting. The metal mast is electrically...

 antenna insulated from ground. As the electrical potential difference between the antenna and ground is high (up to 300 kV), feeding the lamps directly is impossible. The transformer consists of two ring-like windings with a large air space between the winding and the magnetic core. The large spacing provides both isolation from high voltage and low inter-winding coupling capacitance

Capacitance

In electromagnetism and electronics, capacitance is the ability of a capacitor to store energy in an electric field. Capacitance is also a measure of the amount of electric potential energy stored for a given electric potential. A common form of energy storage device is a parallel-plate capacitor...

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The Austin transformer is named after its inventor, Arthur O. Austin , who graduated from Stanford University

Stanford University

The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...

in 1903 and who obtained 225 patents in his career.