Surge currents can develop in multiplier circuits, due to capacitive loading effects. The large stepup turns ratio between primary and secondary of most high voltage transformers causes the first multiplier capacitor (C1, secondary side) to be
reflected as a much larger capacitance into the primary. For example, a transformer with a turns ratio of 25 will cause a 1.0µF capacitance to be reflected into the primary circuitry as a capacitance of (1.0)(25)µF, or 625µF. At circuit turn-on,
large currents will be developed in the primary side as this effective capacitance begins charging.