Transformers are devices that transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer’s coils. Transformers are used to increase or decrease the alternating voltages in electric power applications. Transformers are used in electronic devices such as radios and televisions to step up the voltage from a battery so that it can operate the device, and then step it down again when the device is operating to conserve power.
The first transformer was built in 1831 by English physicist Michael Faraday, who discovered the principles of electromagnetic induction. German engineer Werner von Siemens built the first practical transformer in 1885.
Today, transformers are used in a wide variety of applications, from small signal types used in electronic devices to large power types used in electric power grids. Transformers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be classified by their function, application, or construction.
There are two types of transformer: those that increase voltage (step-up transformers) and those that decrease voltage (step-down transformers). The voltages can be either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC).
Transformers are used in electronic devices to step up voltage from a battery so that it can operate the device, and then step it down again when the device is operating to conserve power. They are also used in electric power grids to step up the voltage from the power generation plant so that it can be transmitted over long distances to the consumer, and then step it down again for safe use in the home or office.
Large power transformers are also used in industrial applications, such as in chemical plants and oil refineries, to step up or step down the voltage as needed for the particular process.
The most common type of transformer is the air-core transformer. Air-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will not be subject to high temperatures, such as in radios and television sets.
Iron-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will be subject to high temperatures, such as in power plants and industrial applications.
The construction of a transformer is relatively simple. It consists of two coils of wire, called the primary and secondary coils, that are wound around a central core. The primary coil is connected to the power source, and the secondary coil is connected to the load. The number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than the number of turns in the primary coil, which induces a voltage in the secondary coil that is greater than the voltage in the primary coil.
The primary coil is wound around a central core of ferromagnetic material, such as iron. The secondary coil is wound around the primary coil. The number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than the number of turns in the primary coil, which induces a voltage in the secondary coil that is greater than the voltage in the primary coil.
The primary coil is connected to the power source, and the secondary coil is connected to the load. The transformer transfers energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil through inductive coupling.
The efficiency of a transformer is the ratio of the power output of the secondary coil to the power input of the primary coil. The efficiency of a transformer is typically about 98%, which means that about 2% of the power is lost in the form of heat.
Transformers are classified by their function, application, or construction. The most common types of transformer are the air-core transformer, the iron-core transformer, and the toroidal transformer.
Air-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will not be subject to high temperatures, such as in radios and television sets.
Iron-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will be subject to high temperatures, such as in power plants and industrial applications.
Toroidal transformers are used in applications where space is limited, such as in audio equipment and computer power supplies.
Transformers are also classified by their voltage rating, which is the maximum voltage that the transformer can safely handle. The voltage rating is usually expressed in volts.
The power rating of a transformer is the maximum power that the transformer can safely handle. The power rating is usually expressed in watts.
The frequency rating of a transformer is the maximum frequency that the transformer can safely handle. The frequency rating is usually expressed in hertz.
The size of a transformer is usually expressed in terms of the width and height of the transformer in inches.
The weight of a transformer is usually expressed in pounds.
The primary coil is wound around a central core of ferromagnetic material, such as iron. The secondary coil is wound around the primary coil. The number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than the number of turns in the primary coil, which induces a voltage in the secondary coil that is greater than the voltage in the primary coil.
The primary coil is connected to the power source, and the secondary coil is connected to the load. The transformer transfers energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil through inductive coupling.
The efficiency of a transformer is the ratio of the power output of the secondary coil to the power input of the primary coil. The efficiency of a transformer is typically about 98%, which means that about 2% of the power is lost in the form of heat.
Transformers are classified by their function, application, or construction. The most common types of transformer are the air-core transformer, the iron-core transformer, and the toroidal transformer.
Air-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will not be subject to high temperatures, such as in radios and television sets.
Iron-core transformers are used in applications where the transformer will be subject to high temperatures, such as in power plants and industrial applications.
Tor
