About Dongan Electric Manufacturing
About Dongan Electric Manufacturing
Dongan Electric Manufacturing traces its roots to 1909, when it was founded in Albany, New York as the Dongan Electric Instrument Company, named for Thomas Dongan, the first colonial governor of the Territory of New York. The company originally produced ammeters and voltmeters for the growing automotive industry before electrical engineer Lyle J. Hicks acquired it and relocated the business to Detroit, Michigan in 1911, where it was renamed Dongan Electric Manufacturing Company.
Early Dongan products included low-voltage doorbell transformers, among the first to receive Underwriters Laboratories approval in February 1911, along with neon sign transformers and the toy train transformers that powered sets from Lionel, American Flyer, and Ives through the 1920s. That early diversification across signal, lighting, and consumer transformer applications laid the groundwork for the broader industrial transformer and power quality catalog the company builds today.
Dongan has operated continuously from Metropolitan Detroit since 1909, manufacturing control transformers, inductors, and power quality equipment used across industrial, commercial, and OEM applications. On ChatMRO, buyers can search by Dongan part number or describe the voltage and application and get matched to the right transformer without digging through a legacy catalog.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Dongan Electric Manufacturing make?
Dongan manufactures control transformers, inductors, and other power quality equipment used in industrial, commercial, and OEM electrical systems. Its catalog has grown from its original focus on low-voltage and signal transformers into a broad industrial transformer line.
How long has Dongan been in business?
Dongan was founded in 1909 in Albany, New York as the Dongan Electric Instrument Company and relocated to Detroit, Michigan in 1911, where it has operated continuously ever since. The company has been manufacturing transformers for well over a century.
Why is the company named Dongan?
The company takes its name from Thomas Dongan, the first colonial governor of the Territory of New York, a naming choice made when the business was founded in Albany in 1909. The name stayed with the company through its relocation to Detroit and rebranding as Dongan Electric Manufacturing.
What were some of Dongan's earliest products?
Dongan's earliest products included low-voltage doorbell transformers, one of the first to receive Underwriters Laboratories approval in 1911, along with neon sign transformers and toy train transformers for brands like Lionel and American Flyer. That early product range reflected the rapid growth of electrical consumer goods in the early 20th century.
How do I find the right Dongan transformer through ChatMRO?
Search by the Dongan part number or describe the voltage, application, and mounting style you need, and ChatMRO will match it to the correct transformer or inductor. Our RFQ form is available if you'd like our team to confirm the right spec before ordering.