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.