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AC-AC TRANSFORMER

What It Does?

A transformer requires an input of alternating current


(AC). It transforms the input voltage to one or more output
voltages that can be higher or lower.
Transformers range in size from tiny impedance
matching units in audio equipment such as microphones, to
multi-ton behemoths that supply high voltage through the
national power grids. Almost all electronic equipment that is
designed to be powered by municipal AC in homes or
businesses requires the inclusion of a transformer.

The different coil styles at left and Right of the schematic


symbols are functionally identical.
Top: A transformer with a magnetic corea core that can be
magnetized.
Bottom: A transformer with an air core. (This type of
transformer is rare, as it tends to be less efficient.)
The input for the transformer is almost always assumed to
be on the left, through the primary coil, while the output is on the
right, through the secondary coil. Often the two coils will show
differing numbers of turns to indicate whether the transformer is
delivering a reduced voltage (in which case there will be fewer turns
in the secondary coil) or an increased voltage (in which case there
will be fewer turns in the primary coil).

How It Works?

Alternating current flowing through the primary winding


induces magnetic flux in a laminated core formed from multiple steel
plates. The changing flux induces current in the secondary winding,
which provides the output from the transformer. (In reality, the
windings usually consist of thousands of turns of thin magnet wire, also
known as enameled wire; and various different core configurations are
used.)
The process is known as mutual induction. If a load is applied
across the secondary winding, it will draw current from the primary
winding, even though there is no electrical connection between them.

In an ideal, lossless transformer, the ratio of turns between the two windings determines whether the output
voltage is higher, lower, or the same as the input voltage. If Vp and Vs are the voltages across the primary and secondary
windings respectively, and Np and Ns are the number of turns of wire in the primary and secondary windings, their
relationship is given by the formula:
A simple rule to remember: fewer turns = lower voltage more turns = higher voltage

In an ideal, lossless transformer, the power input would be equal to the power output. If Vin and Vout are the
input and output voltages, and Iin and Iout are the input and output currents, their relationship is given by the formula:

Therefore, if the transformer doubles the voltage, it allows only half as much current to be drawn from the
secondary winding; and if the voltage is cut in half, the available current will double.
Transformers are not 100% efficient, but they can be more than 98% efficient, and relationships between
voltage, current, and the number of turns in the windings are reasonably realistic.
When the transformer is not loaded, the primary winding behaves like a simple inductor with reactance that
inhibits the flow of current. Therefore a power transformer will consume relatively little electricity if it is left plugged in
to an electrical outlet without any load connected to its output side. The power that it does consume will be wasted as
heat.

The Core
The ferromagnetic core is often described as being made of iron, but in reality is more often fabricated from
high permeability silicon steel. To reduce losses caused by eddy currents, the core is usually laminatedassembled from
a stack of plates separated from each other by thin layers of varnish or a similar insulator. Eddy currents tend to be
constrained within the thickness of each plate.
Because a DC voltage would cause magnetic saturation of the core, all transformers must operate with
alternating current or pulses of current. The windings and geometry of a transformer are optimized for the frequency
range, voltage, and current at which it is designed to operate. Deviating significantly from these values can damage the
transformer.

Taps
A tap on a transformer is a connection part-way through the primary or (more often) the secondary coil. On the
primary side, applying an input between the start of a coil and a tap part-way through the coil will reduce the number of
turns to which the voltage is applied, therefore increasing the ratio of output turns to input turns, and increasing the
output voltage. On the secondary side, taking an output between the start of a coil and a tap part-way through the coil
will reduce the number of turns from which the voltage is taken, therefore decreasing the ratio of output turns to input
turns, and decreasing the output voltage.
This can be summarized:
A tap on the primary side can increase output voltage.
A tap on the secondary side can provide a decreased output voltage.
In international power adapters, a choice of input voltages may be
allowed by using a double-throw switch to select either the whole primary
winding, or a tapped subsection of the winding. Modern electronics
equipment often does not require a voltage adapter, because a voltage
regulator or DC-DC converter inside the equipment will tolerate a wide range of input voltages while providing a
relatively constant output voltage.
A transformers secondary winding is often tapped to provide a choice of
output voltages. In fact, most power transformers have at least two outputs, since
the cost of adding taps to the secondary winding is relatively small. As an alternative
to tapped outputs, two or more separate secondary windings may be used, allowing
the outputs to be electrically isolated from each other.

If there is a center tap on the secondary winding, and it will be


referenced as ground, the voltages relative to it, at opposite ends of the
secondary winding, will be out of phase.

Core Shapes

The shell core is a closed rectangle. This is the most efficient but
most costly to manufacture.
A C-shaped core is another option (three sides of the rectangle)
and an EI core is popular, consisting of a stack of E-shaped plates with
two coils wound around the top and bottom legs of the E, or wound
concentrically around the center leg of the E. An additional stack of
straight plates is added to close the gaps in the E and form a magnetic
circuit.

Power Transformer
Typically designed to be bolted onto a chassis or secured inside the case or cabinet housing a piece of electrical
equipment with solder tabs or connectors allowing wires to connect the transformer to the power cord, on one side,
and a circuit board, on the other side. Smaller power transformers have through-hole design with pins allowing them
to be inserted directly onto circuit boards.

Plug-In Transformer
Usually sealed in a plastic housing that can be plugged directly into a wall
power outlet. They are visually identical to AC adapters but have an AC output
instead of a DC output.

Isolation Transformer
Also known as a 1:1 transformer because it has a 1:1 ratio between primary and secondary windings, so that the
output voltage will be the same as the input voltage. When electrical equipment is plugged into the isolation
transformer, it is separated from the electrical ground of AC power wiring. This reduces risk when working on live
equipment, as there will be negligible electrical potential between itself and ground.
Autotransformer
This variant uses only one coil that is tapped to provide output voltage. Mutual
induction occurs between the sections of the coil. An autotransformer entails a common
connection between its input and output, unlike a two-coil transformer, which allows the
output to be electrically isolated from the input.

Variable Transformer
A variable transformer, also known as a variac, resembles a wire-wound potentiometer. Only one winding is
used. A wiper can be turned to contact the winding at any point, and serves as a movable tap. Like an autotransformer, a
variable transformer entails a common connection between input and output.

Audio Transformer
When a signal is transmitted between two stages of a circuit that have different impedance, the signal may be
partially reflected or attenuated. (Impedance is measured in ohms but is different from DC electrical resistance because
it takes into account reactance and capacitance. It therefore varies with frequency.)
If Np and Ns are the number of turns of wire in the transformer primary and secondary windings, and Zp is the
impedance of a device (such as an audio amplifier) driving the transformer on its primary side, and Zs is the impedance
of a device (such as a loudspeaker) receiving power from the secondary side:

Suppose that an audio amplifier with rated output impedance of 640 is driving a loudspeaker with 8
impedance. A matching transformer would be chosen with a ratio of primary turns to secondary turns given by:

Surface-Mount Transformer
May be less than 0.2 square and is used for impedance matching,
line coupling, and filtering.

How To Use It
For most electronic circuits, a power transformer will be followed by a rectifier to convert AC to DC, and
capacitors to smooth fluctuations in the supply. Using a prepackaged power supply or AC adapter that already contains
all the necessary components will be more time-effective and probably more cost-effective than building a power
supply.

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