6.2 Transformers

  1. A transformer is a device that changes the voltage of an alternating current.

  2. It is made up of a soft iron core with a coil of insulated wire on both sides of the core.

  3. When alternating current is flowing through the primary coil, a changing magnetic field is created continuously.

  4. This changing magnetic field induces an alternating voltage in the secondary coil.

    • Primary coil – receives input voltage,

    • Secondary coil – produces output voltage.

The voltage produced (output voltage) can either increases or decreases, depends on:

i. The input voltage

ii. The number of turns of the primary and secondary coil.

In a transformer, the voltage is larger on the side with more turns (wire coil).

Types of transformers:

i. Step -up transformer

ii. Step- down transformer

Differences between step-up and step- down transformer

FORMULA

Where;

Vp = input voltage of primary coil or primary voltage

Vs = output voltage of secondary coil or secondary voltage

Np = number of turns of primary coil

Ns = number of turns of secondary coil

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