Control Transformer VA Rating Definition, Sizing, and Buying

January 8, 2026 9 minutes

When you’re building or buying an industrial control panel, a “control transformer VA rating” looks like a small line item—until it becomes the root cause of nuisance trips, chattering contactors, dim pilot lights, or PLC inputs that behave “haunted.” If you’ve ever heard an engineer say, “The control circuit is fine… it just drops out when the coil pulls in,” you already know why VA rating matters.

This article explains what Control Transformer VA Rating means in practical terms, how it relates to sealed (holding) VA and inrush VA, and how to size it in a way that procurement teams can quote confidently and engineers can sign off quickly. I’ll also cover what to ask suppliers, wholesalers, and manufacturers, where prices typically move, and which customization options actually reduce risk instead of just increasing lead time.

What is a Control Transformer VA Rating?

A BK Series Control Transformer control transformer’s VA rating tells you how much apparent power the transformer can deliver to the control circuit without overheating under its intended operating conditions. For a single-phase secondary, the basic relationship is:

VA = Volts × Amps

It’s called VA (volt-ampere), not watts, because many control loads—especially coils and solenoids—are not purely resistive. Their current and voltage are not perfectly in phase, so “watts” alone doesn’t capture how hard the transformer is actually working.

For control circuits, you’ll see two closely related ideas:

Nominal (continuous) VA: what the transformer can supply continuously.
Inrush VA capability: what it can support briefly when coils energize, while keeping the secondary voltage from sagging too far.

Many selection guides size control power transformers by ensuring the transformer can handle inrush VA while maintaining a minimum secondary voltage percentage such as 85%, 90%, or 95% under inrush conditions. Rockwell’s control circuit transformer literature describes this approach and uses the 85% / 90% / 95% secondary-voltage columns to select a nominal VA rating based on inrush demand.

Quick reference table: VA rating in control-panel language

Term you’ll see on datasheets	What it really means in a panel	Why buyers should care
VA (nominal/continuous)	Continuous capacity for steady loads (lights, PLC power draw, coil holding)	Underbuying risks heat, short life
Inrush VA	Short-duration “pull-in” demand for coils/solenoids	Underbuying risks dropouts/chatter
Regulation (85/90/95%)	How much the secondary may dip during inrush	Better regulation = more stable control
Primary/Secondary voltage	Example: 480V → 120V, 240V → 24V	Must match site standard and devices

BK-9 Control Transformer Windings — BK Series Control Transformer

Why VA Rating is a High-Impact Spec in Real Control Circuits

In B2B projects, most VA-rating mistakes happen because the control circuit looks “small” compared to the motor power circuit. But the control side has two unique stressors:

Multiple loads switching at once (start command energizes coils + pilot lights + timers).
High inrush from electromagnetic coils (contactor pull-in can briefly demand far more VA than it needs to hold).

If the transformer can’t supply the inrush without a major voltage dip, downstream devices may not pull in cleanly. Some guides explicitly warn that secondary voltage must not fall too low during inrush; for example, one industry reference citing NEMA ST-1 notes the output should not fall below 85% of nominal during inrush.

Symptoms table: what “undersized VA” looks like

Symptom in the field	Common electrical cause	Typical fix
Contactor chatters or drops out on start	Secondary voltage dips during coil inrush	Increase VA rating or improve regulation
Pilot lights dim when a relay energizes	Transformer near limit; voltage sag	Separate loads or upsize transformer
PLC input glitches at coil pull-in	Transient drop/noise coupling	Up-size, add suppression, improve wiring
Transformer runs hot	Continuous VA exceeds nominal	Recalculate sealed VA; upsize

One practical detail procurement teams appreciate: a small VA increase can prevent expensive commissioning delays. The delta between a 50 VA and 75 VA transformer is often minor compared to a site visit or a production stoppage.

Sealed VA vs Inrush VA: The Part People Miss

For many BK Series Control Transformer selections, the “VA rating” printed on the nameplate is a continuous nominal VA. However, coils behave differently at energization versus steady-state:

Inrush (pull-in): brief, higher VA requirement when the magnetic circuit closes.
Sealed/holding: lower VA once the device is pulled in and held.

Eaton’s control power transformer application paper explains that some loads (relay coils, contactor coils) require a temporary spike in power at energization and then much less to hold. It also describes an approach where inrush VA is the critical rating used to size CPTs, and provides a sizing formula for inrush VA calculation in their method.

Meanwhile, EEPower provides a clear example showing why a transformer that meets continuous VA might still fail the inrush requirement; in their example, the correct selection is driven by the inrush VA capacity, not just the sealed VA.

Comparison table: sealed vs inrush in purchasing terms

Load type	Sealed VA behavior	Inrush VA behavior	Buying implication
Contactor / relay coil	Low after pull-in	High for a short time	Must size for inrush stability
Solenoid valve	Moderate holding	Often high pull-in	Consider simultaneous operations
Pilot lights	Constant	Same at start and run	Adds to both totals if switched together
PLC / control electronics	Constant	Usually constant	Drives continuous VA more than inrush

How to Size a Control Transformer VA Rating (Engineer-Approved, Buyer-Friendly)

A sizing workflow that works well for OEMs and panel shops is:

List all secondary loads (coils, relays, solenoids, indicators, electronics).
Identify which loads energize simultaneously at the worst case.
Calculate:
- Total sealed VA for the steady-state simultaneous loads.
- Total inrush VA for the simultaneous event (often dominated by the largest or combined coil pull-in).
Use the manufacturer’s selection chart (85/90/95% regulation columns) to ensure the transformer can supply the inrush VA while maintaining acceptable secondary voltage.
- Rockwell’s method explicitly uses inrush VA columns and then confirms sealed VA does not exceed the nominal VA rating selected.
Add a practical margin for future devices and tolerances.

Table: the information your supplier will ask for (prepare it once, quote faster)

Data point	Example	Why it matters for VA selection
Primary voltage	480Vac / 60Hz	Correct primary winding
Secondary voltage	120Vac or 24Vac	Matches control devices
Load list (devices + qty)	3 contactors, 6 pilot lights	Sealed + inrush totals
Simultaneity	“All energize on start”	Worst-case inrush
Environment	High ambient, enclosure	Temperature derating
Standards	UL/CSA marking needs	Compliance + acceptance

If you can provide a simple load list, most manufacturers can recommend a transformer family and VA rating quickly. If you’re sourcing through wholesalers or multi-brand suppliers, bringing this table to the RFQ reduces back-and-forth.

Worked Example: Picking VA Rating for a Typical Motor Starter Control Circuit

Let’s use a simplified example similar to the industry examples that show why inrush matters. Suppose you have:

One motor starter coil (high inrush, lower holding)
One indicating light turned on at the same time

EEPower illustrates a case where the inrush VA requirement is the sum of the starter inrush VA plus the indicating light VA, and then checks operating VA versus sealed rating; the outcome is that a higher nominal VA transformer is selected because the smaller one cannot support the inrush.

Example load table (illustrative structure you can copy into an RFQ)

Device	Qty	Inrush VA (each)	Sealed VA (each)	Notes
Contactor / starter coil	1	(from device datasheet)	(from datasheet)	Dominates inrush
Pilot light	1	same as sealed	same as sealed	Adds to both totals
Timer relay	1	(if applicable)	(if applicable)	Often modest
PLC input / power module	1	typically constant	typically constant	Continuous load

How to use it: Ask your device vendors (or your panel engineer) for coil inrush and sealed VA values, then compute totals for the worst simultaneous event. Next, select a transformer whose inrush VA capacity meets the requirement at your desired regulation column (85/90/95%), and confirm sealed VA is below nominal continuous VA. Rockwell’s guide describes this “choose inrush, then verify sealed” sequence explicitly.

If you want a fast procurement-friendly shortcut: oversizing modestly is usually cheaper than troubleshooting—but it should still be anchored to a real load list, not guesswork.

Procurement Guidance: Comparing Suppliers, Manufacturers, and Customization Options

Once you know your target secondary voltage and VA rating, sourcing becomes a commercial decision: lead time, certifications, mounting format, and whether you need customization.

For certain starter families, OEM documentation may even suggest typical transformer capacities. Schneider Electric publishes a reference table for NEMA Type S starters showing standard transformer capacities like 50 VA, 100 VA, and 200 VA options depending on starter size/type.
This kind of table is useful when procurement needs a “sanity check” before sending an RFQ.

Table: what to specify in your RFQ to reduce supplier ambiguity

Spec line	Recommended detail	Why it reduces risk
VA rating target	“Nominal VA ___; sized for inrush event ___”	Prevents undersized substitution
Primary/secondary	e.g., 480→120, 400→24	Avoids wrong winding
Frequency	50/60 Hz or 60 Hz	Core design / temperature rise
Mounting	Foot / panel / DIN bracket	Fit in enclosure
Approvals	UL/CSA/CE as required	Site acceptance
Terminations	Screw terminals / leads	Assembly time
Accessories	Fusing, covers, finger-safe	Safety + maintenance

Customization that actually helps (not just “nice to have”)

Customization request	When it’s worth it	Typical business benefit
Dual primary (e.g., 240/480)	Multi-market machines	Reduces SKU complexity
Multiple secondary taps	Voltage trim needs	Better commissioning flexibility
Specified regulation class	Sensitive coils/PLC	Fewer dropouts
Factory-fitted fusing	Standard panel build	Faster assembly, fewer errors

If you’re ready to quote, one efficient approach is: send your load table plus the RFQ spec table to your suppliers or manufacturers. A competent vendor can respond with compliant alternatives, options, and pricing tiers. If you want, you can also include your annual volume so wholesalers can quote better breakpoints.

A simple nudge that often speeds up sourcing: Send your control load list and primary/secondary voltages, and ask the supplier to recommend both the nominal VA and the inrush-supported selection basis. That signals you care about real performance, not just nameplate VA.

Cost and Pricing Drivers: Why VA Rating Changes the Quote

VA rating influences cost primarily through copper, core material, thermal design, and mechanical format. But VA is not the only price driver; certifications, enclosure accessories, and lead-time commitments often move the total more than the VA step itself.

Table: what tends to move prices up (and how to manage it)

Cost driver	Why it increases price	How buyers can optimize
Higher VA	More copper/iron, bigger frame	Standardize on a few VA sizes
Better regulation	Design for lower sag	Use where stability is critical
Approvals (UL/CSA)	Testing + traceability	Specify only what your project needs
Custom taps / special terminals	More engineering + setup	Bundle needs into one custom run
Short lead time	Expediting + capacity	Forecast demand; frame agreements

For B2B procurement, a strong strategy is to keep two qualified sources: a primary manufacturer and a secondary wholesaler channel for spot buys. That balance protects both price and schedule.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Control transformers are simple devices, but the failure modes are repetitive. Here are the ones that cost the most time during commissioning.

Table: mistakes that cause field rework

Mistake	Why it happens	Prevent it by…
Using nominal VA only	Inrush not accounted for	Always check inrush capability
Ignoring simultaneous energization	Loads assumed sequential	Model “worst event” explicitly
Forgetting constant loads	PLC/pilot lights add up	Include in sealed VA totals
Choosing too strict/too loose regulation	No voltage-sag target	Align with sensitivity requirements
No margin for expansion	“Just enough” design	Add practical growth headroom

If you’ve inherited an existing panel design and you’re troubleshooting dropouts, one quick diagnostic is to measure secondary voltage at the exact moment coils energize. If it sags heavily, you’re looking at a VA/inrush/regulation issue, not “random noise.”

A control transformer VA rating is not just a catalog checkbox. It’s a reliability lever that determines whether coils pull in cleanly, whether voltage stays stable under inrush, and whether your control panel behaves predictably across real-world tolerances.

If you take only one idea from this guide, make it this: size for the event, not just the steady state. Build a simple load table, identify the worst simultaneous energization moment, and select a transformer that meets both inrush capability and continuous VA—using the manufacturer’s regulation-based charts where available.

FAQ

Is VA the same as watts?

Not exactly. VA is apparent power; watts are real power. In coil-heavy circuits, VA is the safer sizing metric.

Why do coils need high inrush VA?

Pull-in requires a temporary power spike; after sealing, holding power is lower.

What does “85% / 90% / 95% regulation” mean?

It’s a way to express how much the secondary voltage may dip during inrush; selection charts use these columns.

Can I just oversize the transformer?

Moderate oversizing is common, but it should still be based on a load list so you don’t create unnecessary cost or space issues.

Any quick reference for starter transformer sizing?

Some OEM tables provide typical capacities by starter size/type (e.g., Schneider’s reference table for certain NEMA starters).