It is a device that transfers electric energy from one alternating current circuit to one or more circuits, either increasing or reducing the voltage. Transformer are used to reduce the voltage of conventional power circuit to operate low voltage devices.

What is a transformers used for?

A transformer is an electrical device that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to transfer energy from one electric circuit to another. It is designed to either increase or decrease AC voltage between the circuits while maintaining the frequency of the current.

What are the basics of transformers?

A transformer consists of two electrically isolated coils and operates on Faraday's principal of “mutual induction”, in which an EMF is induced in the transformers secondary coil by the magnetic flux generated by the voltages and currents flowing in the primary coil winding.

basics of transformers

How Transformers Work ?

Transformers work by using the principles of Faraday’s Law of Induction. When an alternating current (AC) passes through the primary coil, it creates a varying magnetic field around the coil. This varying magnetic field induces a voltage in the secondary coil, which is then transferred to the output circuit.

how transformers work

What are the primary components to a basic transformer?

Input Connections:

Also referred to as the primary side, the input connection is where power enters into the transformer.

Output Connections:

The output connection—or secondary side—of the transformer transmits converted power (either increased or decreased) outside of the transformer to the load.

Transformer Windings:

In most cases, the primary and secondary windings are not single coils, but multiple coils linked to their main input or output source to decrease flux (a measure of the strength of an electric field through a given surface). The amount of voltage increase or decrease relates to the turns ratio of the primary and secondary windings or the number of turns of each coil around the core.

Transformer Cores:

The transformer core enhances the magnetic coupling between the primary and secondary circuits. It provides a controlled pathway for magnetic flux through the transformer from the primary windings to the secondary windings. Cores are not a solid bar of steel. Instead, they are constructed of many thin laminated sheets of steel. This construction helps to limit or eliminate the buildup of heat inside the transformer.

Why transformer Components are important?

Transformers are an essential component in the power distribution system. They help to step up or step down the voltage to the level required for the operation of the electrical equipment. They also help to isolate the electrical equipment from the power system, providing protection against voltage spikes and surges. The efficient and reliable operation of the power system depends on the quality and performance of the transformer components.

What are the types of transformer base on voltage level?

Step up transformer

It increases the A.C voltage and decreases the current.The wire of primary coil is thicker than that in the secondary coil.

Step down transformer

It decreases the A.C voltage and increases the current.The wire in the secondary coil is thicker than that in the primary coil.

types of transformer

What is the difference between Step-Up & Down transformer?

The main difference between the step-up and step-down transformer is that the step-up transformer increases the output voltage, while the step-down transformer reduces the output voltage.

Transformer Types based on Core material

Iron Core Transformer

Iron core transformer uses multiple soft iron plates as the core material. Due to the excellent magnetic properties of iron, the flux linkage of the iron core transformer is very high. Thus, the efficiency of the iron core transformer is also high.

iron core transformer

Ferrite Core Transformer

A ferrite core transformer uses a ferrite core due to high magnetic permeability. This type of transformer offers very low losses in the high-frequency application. Due to this, ferrite core transformers are used in high-frequency application such as in switch mode power supply (SMPS), RF related applications, etc.

ferrite core transformer

Toroidal Core Transformer

Toroidal core transformer uses toroid shaped core material, such as iron core or ferrite core. Toroids are ring or donut shaped core material and widely used for superior electrical performance. Due to the ring shape, the leakage inductance is very low and offers very high inductance and Q factors. The windings are relatively short and weight is much less than traditional, same rating transformers.

Air Core transformer

Air Core transformer does not use any physical magnetic core as the core material. The flux linkage of the air-core transformer is made entirely using the air.

air core transformer

What are the 3 main parts of a transformer?

There are three basic parts of a transformer:

An iron core which serves as a magnetic conductor.
A primary winding or coil of wire and.
A secondary winding or coil of wire.

Types of transformers based on usage

There are several types of transformers also available which works in a specific domain. Both electronics and electrical sectors, several dedicated transformers are used as a step-down or step-up transformer based on the application of application. So, the transformers can be classified as below based on usage:

Power Domain:

Power Transformer

Power transformers are electrical instruments used in transmitting electrical power from one circuit to another without changing the frequency. They operate by the principle of electromagnetic induction. They are used in transmitting electrical power between generators and distribution primary circuits.

Measurement Transformer

Transformers that convert, proportionally, the voltage or current intensity supplied to measuring instruments such as meters, network analyzers, voltmeters, relays and similar devices.

Distribution Transformer

A distribution transformer is the type of transformer that performs the last voltage transformation in a distribution grid. It converts the voltage used in the transmission lines to one suitable for household and commercial use, typically down to 240 volts.

Electronics Domain:

Pulse Transformer

Pulse Transformers are designed to transfer pulses (signals/voltage with a rapid rise time, a duration of constant signal/voltage, and then a rapid fall time) from one side of a circuit to another.

Audio Output Transformer

An audio transformer is an electromagnetic device that is intended to isolate an input circuit from an output circuit and provide filtering to a signal that passes through it. It is an audio device because it is designed to operate on signals with a frequency spectrum in the audible band.

Why step-down transformer is used in substation?

A step-down transformer is located in a distribution substation, and reduces the voltage in order for it to be carried on smaller cables or distribution lines. Smaller transformers on poles, pads or underground further reduce the voltage to 120 or 240 volts for residential use.

Transformers

Accessories

Audio Transformers

Current Sense Transformers

Isolation Transformers and Autotransformers, Step Up, Step Down

Power Transformers

Pulse Transformers

Specialty Transformers

Switching Converter, SMPS Transformers