Advantages and Disadvantages of DC Transformers

Transformers are a type of electrical device used to convert electric current generated from a specific source to power the load in the form of voltage or current. Transformers, also called power supplies, allow every electric circuit or device to work properly. There are many sources of electrical power supplies, such as solar power, cells and batteries (storage devices), alternators and generators, and the main electric grid. Transformers are a type of static device that usually works on the principle of mutual induction. The two major types of transformers are direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) transformers. 

DC Transformers

A direct current (DC) transformer is a type of transformer that is always constant. Solar devices and batteries use this type of transformer. It helps balance solar cells and the working of an electrochemical cell. Here, direct transmission of electric power is supplied to the power transmission system. There are many characteristics of a DC transformer, such as: 

• In the case of a DC power supply, there is a constant polarity (positive and negative).
• In a DC transformer, the magnitude of the current is always constant and will not change with time.
• The capacitance and inductance effects do not occur when it comes to a DC transformer.
• A direct current supply can be stored in supercapacitors and batteries.

For a direct current supply, the magnitude is always constant, and there is no variation in the primary flux, which results in zero induction of EMF in the secondary.  

Advantages of DC transformers

There are several advantages to DC transformers:

• A DC transformer is considered to be far safer than an AC transformer as the threshold of a human body to DC is higher than to AC. A lesser threshold would mean the electric shock to be induced easily, which would result in heart failure or death. 
• DC transformers utilise the most electric power. DC electricity is consumed by electric engines, heating devices, electronics, electric vehicles, and almost every other electrical machine. In terms of effectiveness and ease, even certain high-efficiency three-phase AC electric motors cannot match with (brushed or even brushless) DC motors.
• Input voltages in AC power can be altered, enabling electrical power to be produced at low voltage, then increased for long-distance transmission to minimise I2R losses, and then stepped down at the distribution end. There is an easy implementation of a digital control system in a DC transformer, which results in accurate and quick control of the current power flow.
• A DC transformer is less expensive than an AC transformer. 
• Machines that use DC transformers work very efficiently. 
• DC Transformers cause less inductance, phase displacement, or current surge problems.

Disadvantages of DC Transformers

There are various disadvantages to using DC transformers, such as: 

• DC generators are very complex and also result in commutation problems. 
• Due to the absence of inductance and capacitance effects in these transformers, many practical applications and theories cannot be used, such as shunt reactance and electromagnetic induction.
• A DC transformer cannot be used for transmission over long distances as it cannot be stepped up or down. In the case of a DC transformer, the whole process is very complex, where it needs to be converted from DC to AC to step up a step down the voltage, which also results in high power loss.
• Devices or machines such as DC motors or DC circuit breakers where DC transformers are used are highly expensive since they come in a very complex design. 
• A major disadvantage of DC transformers is that they require extra equipment, such as rectifiers, inverters, etc., which adds to the transmission cost.

Conclusion

There is a direct transmission of power supply in a DC transformer. The other type of transformer is the AC transformer which uses alternating current. The alternating current or AC power is produced by generators and mains, while solar devices and batteries produce the direct current or DC power. These power supplies can be in the form of AC-AC, AC-DC, DC-DC, and DC-AC. A DC transformer uses direct current for a unit directional flow of current. DC transformers are being used extensively due to their efficient quality but are also very complex.