Types of DC Transformers

Transformers are devices used to transfer electric energy from an AC-(Alternating current) circuit to other AC circuits, and there are DC transformers also. They may either supply increased voltage with the help of step-up transformers or supply decreased voltage with the help of step-down transformers. They are widely used all over the world to supply power. They act as an intermediate between the input and output power supply.

A DC transformer is an electromagnetic gadget that works on Michael Faraday’s fundamental concept of electromagnetism. Though all DC transformers operate on some basic principles, there are different types of transformers that have various applications.

Types of Transformer

There are different types of transformers used in Different fields of electronics:-

Voltage Based Transformer Types

It can be built in a variety of ways. Despite the fact that the transformer has no connection of electrical from one side to the other, both the electrically separate coils can conduct electricity via electromagnetic flux. Many coils or windings can be found on both the main and secondary sides of a transformer.

(i) Step Down Transformer

Step-down transformers are used in the electronic and electrical domains. The primary voltage level is reduced to a lower level through secondary output using a step-down transformer. The main and secondary winding ratio is used to achieve this. The main side has more windings than the secondary side in step-down transformers.

In the electrical industry, step-down transformers are used in high-voltage electrical distribution systems to assure low loss. It is a cost-effective alternative for long-distance power supply. A step-down transformer is used to convert a high voltage supply line to a low volt line.

(ii) Step up Transformer

The opposite of a step-down transformer is a step-up transformer. The secondary voltage of a step-up transformer is increased from the low primary voltage. In this transformer, the secondary winding has more turns than the primary winding.

These transformers are commonly used in stabilisers, inverters, and other electrical devices where a low voltage is changed to a much greater voltage.

(iii) Isolation Transformer

No voltage levels are converted by the isolation DC transformers. An isolation transformer’s primary voltage and secondary voltage are always the same. This is because the first and second winding ratios are equal, i.e., the primary and secondary windings have the same number of turns. The transformer has no electrical connections between the primary and secondary, and it also serves as an isolation barrier where only magnetic flux is employed for conduction.

Types of Core-Material Based Transformers

The energy is transferred through a transformer that conducts electromagnetic flux from the core material. Various types of DC transformers are employed in the electronics domains, depending on the core materials.

(i) Iron core transformer:- It is made of several soft iron plates. The iron core transformer has high efficiency. The soft iron core plates come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The primary and secondary coils are wound or wrapped on a coil former. The coil former is then installed in the soft iron core plate.

(ii) Transformer transformer with ferrite core:- A ferrite core converter is used because of its high magnetic permeability. At a high voltage level, this type of converter has low losses. As a result, ferrite core transformers are used in elevated applications such as switch-mode power supplies (SMPS). Depending on the application, ferrite core transformers come in various shapes and sizes. It is primarily used in electronic rather than electrical applications.

(iii) Toroidal core transformer:- Toroid-shaped core materials, like iron or ferrite, are used in toroid-shaped core transformers. Toroids are a type of doughnut-shaped core material that is extensively used for better electrical performance. The winds are comparatively short, and the weight is significantly less than standard transformers of the same rating.

The Transformer Used in Electronics Domain

Various small miniature transformers are used in electronics and can be PCB(printed circuit board) mounted or installed inside a small product enclosure.

(i) Pulse transformer :- These are a type of PCB-mounted transformer that generate electrical pulses with a non-changing amplitude. It’s employed in a variety of digital circuits when pulse creation in an environment with isolation is required. As a result, pulse transformers separate the primary and secondary circuits and distribute primary pulses to the secondary circuit, which is often made up of digital logic gates.

(ii) Transformer for audio output:- Another frequent transformer in the electronics field is the audio transformer. It’s used mostly in audio applications where the necessity of matching impedance is high. The amplifier circuit and loads, usually loudspeakers, are balanced by an audio transformer. The primary and secondary coils of the audio transformer can be split or centre tapped.

Conclusion

The transformers are situated at a particular group of locations. They distribute power supply for different uses like household work, small factories and cottage industries and they are placed at the electric pole. These transformers are called pole distribution transformers that are positioned on a pole. Pulse transformers are like PCB-mounted transformers that create constant-amplitude electrical pulses. An audio transformer balances the amplifier circuit and loads, often used in loudspeakers. They are step down transformers which input high electricity from the power supply house and then give output after changing the high power voltage into low lower voltage. They are the best medium for supplying power from one place to another.