[lightedman]

It's not the transformer that's dangerous, it's the capacitor usually attached to it that's the problem. As transformers are passive components and do not store energy, they will not work without any power attached. The capacitor - if charged - will discharge through that transformer. NOW the transformer becomes dangerous, as usually the capacitor is at the low side for input, and your output voltage is multiplied a hell of a lot.

We do have the mantra in the styropyro discord "Do not the MOT" (Microwave Oven Transformer) but we all know it's harmless without power on it.