The transformer is an electrical device that converts direct current magnetic coupling with no moving parts. It consists of a magnetic core, with two or more coupled windings, which increases or levels of input voltage. This is achieved through the transfer of energy from one circuit to another made by the magnetic core. These windings are generally referred to as primary and secondary windings. The electromagnetic field is created so a process of expansion andcollapsing around the conductor and the induced current changes, with the formation of a series by the secondary coil, is armed or resignation of the input voltage.
To understand the function of a transformer, two sets of windings are considered. If the AC mains voltage is applied to the input of such an electrical device that generates alternating current in the primary winding, a time-varying magnetic flux in the core. This is an alternating voltage induced inSecondary coil, which can be up or step down voltage of the device. The terms, step up and step down the voltage of the input device. You therefore, if the device has an input voltage of 110 volts AC was, and if you're one of those countries in which power is 220 volts AC, you need a transformer to run on devices.
In the high-voltage transmission, in which huge towers of the cables, which brings the powerbe used for cities and towns, increase the power transformers as power plants and leaves as they approach the objectives, the voltage is amplified by the power needed before it is distributed to consumers. The reason for the intensification of power, as she leaves the power plant, the fact that, while traveling along the cord, there are power losses in the path, and the supply can reach the right targets in a given power byperformed as required by consumers. Be made in this application, there are a lot of use of transformers.
The transformer is the simplest of electrical devices and their underlying rationale has changed over the past 100 years, even though the material used in transformers and improve the design. It 'a very important application in the conversion of electrical energy, both for consumers and power transmission. Similarly, an audio frequency transformershas been used in previous experiments in the development of phones. These are still present in many electronic devices. The transformers are available in several formats, depending on the application, it is necessary. It comes in the size of a thumbnail to large drives for power transmission of the national electricity grids. They are all managed with the same basic principles.
The core of the transformer, as we saw above, can be made of different materials. These include:
Air - This isideal for high-frequency transformer, with applications to radio-frequencies and offers at least friction.
Iron - All the so-called iron-core transformers are made of steel. Various additives are formed around the magnetic properties, such as improving the magnetic permeability. The degree of magnetization of a material for a linear response to an applied magnetic field is known as permeability.
Beads - This will achieve a high degree of permeability and excellent high frequencyperformance.
Etc.
The converter and the transformer are both electric conversion products, that enables you to run electric devices in foreign lands. As discussed earlier, if your electric device requires 110 Volts AC to run, you will need a transformer to step up the 220 volts AC supply voltage to 110 Volts AC before you can switch on that device that you have.
What is the difference between a converter and a transformer? If the device you are going to operate is a high power heating element or mechanical motor such as a hair dryer or iron, you will need a converter to run those appliances. But if your device is a computer, a printer or a VCR, you will need a transformer. Both of these category of appliances and devices can be run by a transformer, but only the electric appliance can be run with a converter. A word of caution in here is that, while transformers are designed for long term continuous operation, converters on the other hand can operate for an hour or two at a time.
In order to understand this better, we must understand the formation of a AC voltage. The alternating current voltage appears as a sine-wave, and depending upon the country you are in, the frequency of this sine-wave is either 50Hz or 60Hz. Now, if you look at a converter output, you would see that the upper half of the sine-wave has been chopped off, where-as, in a transformer the sine-wave remains in-tact. The electrical devices, like, iron, heater, a hair dryer, etc, would run with such a converter, but a computer, a printer or a VCR can be damaged if you attempt to operate those with a converter.
The frequency is the number of times the alternating voltage alternates each second. One such alternating cycle is termed as Hertz, having Hz as the short form. This cycling wave is termed as a Sinusoidal Wave. In the U.S. and the rest of North and Central America, with some parts of South America, the alternating current suppy is 60Hz. In Europe and rest of the world it is 50Hz.
There is a similar electrical device called Inverter. The purpose of this equipment is to convert Direct Current (DC) voltage to Alternating Current voltage. This device has many applications, for example, to provide appropriate limited AC power supply to devices like, electric fans, lights, etc. This inverter takes the DC voltage from a battery, like a heavy duty car battery and converts that into an appropriate AC voltage. Such supplies are limited because of the capacity of the battery capability and depending upon the battery the ampere-hour of the output can be increased, resulting in longer period of operation. The battery will need charging once it discharges.
There are variable transformers, which are known as Variacs. The principle is that the output voltage of this transformer can be manually varied with a fixed voltage as its input. For example, with a 110 Volt AC supply at the input, you can vary the output voltage from 0 to 110 Volts AC. The typical applications of these transformers are in testing devices for its lower and higher input voltage operation levels, quality control in testing equipment in burn-in condition, temperature and lighting control, etc.
Transformers are essential devices to operate any electrical or electronic equipment. As far as main supply voltage is concerned, if you are visiting Europe or any other country in Asia, the devices that you are taking with you will not operate in the mains supply voltage available in those countries. It is therefore necessary that you take with you the right device which can provide you with the right operating voltage for your equipment.
