How does a transformer work?
Time：2024-11-7 Auther：ZTelec-www.ztelectransformer.com
For more than a century, the transformer has been working as an essential element in electrical power distribution systems, both for industries and businesses, as well as for homes.
Today, you will learn a little more about what a transformer is, the working principle and so on. Let get started.
Transformer structure
A transformer is mainly composed of an iron core (or magnetic core) and two or more mutually insulated windings (i.e. coils). These windings are wound on the iron core to realize the transmission of electrical energy and the transformation of voltage.
1.Iron core: It is made of materials with high magnetic permeability, such as silicon steel sheets. It is used to concentrate and direct magnetic flux, enhance magnetic fields and improve energy transfer efficiency.
2.Winding: It is divided into primary coil and secondary coil. The primary coil is connected to the power supply and the secondary coil is connected to the load.
The basic working principle of transformer is electromagnetic induction (or mutual induction). When two different electrical isolation coils are near and when alternating current is applied to the primary coil, one magnetic field can be linked to the other coil, and the fluctuating magnetic field generated by the magnetic field creates an electromotive force in the secondary coil.
Working principle
1.Generation of magnetic flux: When an alternating current passes through the primary coil, an alternating magnetic flux is created in the core according to the Ampere-loop law. This flux varies with time, and its frequency is the same as that of the primary side current.
2.Transfer of magnetic flux: The alternating magnetic flux passes through the core and is transmitted to the secondary coil. In this process, the magnitude and direction of the magnetic flux are constantly changing.
3.Generation of induced electromotive force: According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, when the magnetic flux changes through a coil, an induced electromotive force (voltage) is generated in that coil. Therefore, the induced electromotive force is generated in the secondary coil, and its magnitude is proportional to the primary side voltage, the number of turns in the secondary side winding and the rate of change of the magnetic flux.
4.Voltage transformation: Because the number of turns of the secondary coil can be different from the number of turns of the primary coil, the induced electromotive force (that is, the secondary side voltage) can be higher or lower than the primary side voltage, so as to achieve the voltage boost or buck transformation. The ratio of the voltage conversion is determined by the ratio of turns of the primary coil to the secondary coil and the formula is V1/V2 = N1/N2.
5.Energy transfer: The transformer can effectively transfer energy during the voltage conversion process. When the secondary winding is connected to the load, the secondary current begins to flow and this current will also generate its own magnetic flux. But because the applied voltage is constant, the main magnetic flux tends to be constant. In order to maintain the flux balance, the primary side current is increased accordingly to generate enough magnetomotive force to offset the flux effect generated by the secondary side current. In this way, energy is transferred between the primary and secondary sides through electromagnetic induction.
The working principle of the transformer is based on the law of electromagnetic induction and the mutual induction phenomenon of power transmission and voltage transformation process. Through reasonable design and application, transformers can realize efficient, flexible and safe transmission and distribution of electric energy.
