1 Answer
The principle of a transformer is based on **electromagnetic induction**. Essentially, a transformer works by transferring electrical energy between two circuits through a magnetic field, with the help of two coils of wire (called the primary and secondary coils) wound around a magnetic core.
Here's how it works:
1. **Alternating Current (AC)**: The transformer relies on alternating current (AC), because AC creates a changing magnetic field that is essential for inducing voltage in the secondary coil.
2. **Magnetic Field**: When an AC passes through the primary coil (input side), it generates a changing magnetic field around it. This magnetic field flows through the core of the transformer.
3. **Induced Voltage**: According to **Faraday’s Law of Induction**, a changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the secondary coil. This induced voltage in the secondary coil is what powers the load on the output side of the transformer.
4. **Turns Ratio**: The voltage induced in the secondary coil depends on the number of turns (loops) in the primary and secondary coils. This is called the **turns ratio**. If the number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than in the primary, the transformer increases (steps up) the voltage; if it's fewer, it decreases (steps down) the voltage.
Mathematically, the relationship between the primary voltage (V₁) and the secondary voltage (V₂) is:
$$
\frac{V_1}{V_2} = \frac{N_1}{N_2}
$$
Where:
* $V_1$ = Primary Voltage
* $V_2$ = Secondary Voltage
* $N_1$ = Number of turns in the primary coil
* $N_2$ = Number of turns in the secondary coil
Thus, the transformer can either increase or decrease the voltage depending on the turns ratio.
**Key Points:**
* Transformers only work with AC because DC does not create a changing magnetic field.
* The core of the transformer helps concentrate the magnetic flux.
* Power remains constant (neglecting losses) between primary and secondary sides, so:
$$
V_1 \times I_1 = V_2 \times I_2
$$
Where:
* $V_1, V_2$ are the voltages.
* $I_1, I_2$ are the currents.
In short, a transformer works by using electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between two coils, either stepping up or stepping down the voltage based on the turns ratio.
Here's how it works:
1. **Alternating Current (AC)**: The transformer relies on alternating current (AC), because AC creates a changing magnetic field that is essential for inducing voltage in the secondary coil.
2. **Magnetic Field**: When an AC passes through the primary coil (input side), it generates a changing magnetic field around it. This magnetic field flows through the core of the transformer.
3. **Induced Voltage**: According to **Faraday’s Law of Induction**, a changing magnetic field induces a voltage in the secondary coil. This induced voltage in the secondary coil is what powers the load on the output side of the transformer.
4. **Turns Ratio**: The voltage induced in the secondary coil depends on the number of turns (loops) in the primary and secondary coils. This is called the **turns ratio**. If the number of turns in the secondary coil is greater than in the primary, the transformer increases (steps up) the voltage; if it's fewer, it decreases (steps down) the voltage.
Mathematically, the relationship between the primary voltage (V₁) and the secondary voltage (V₂) is:
$$
\frac{V_1}{V_2} = \frac{N_1}{N_2}
$$
Where:
* $V_1$ = Primary Voltage
* $V_2$ = Secondary Voltage
* $N_1$ = Number of turns in the primary coil
* $N_2$ = Number of turns in the secondary coil
Thus, the transformer can either increase or decrease the voltage depending on the turns ratio.
**Key Points:**
* Transformers only work with AC because DC does not create a changing magnetic field.
* The core of the transformer helps concentrate the magnetic flux.
* Power remains constant (neglecting losses) between primary and secondary sides, so:
$$
V_1 \times I_1 = V_2 \times I_2
$$
Where:
* $V_1, V_2$ are the voltages.
* $I_1, I_2$ are the currents.
In short, a transformer works by using electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between two coils, either stepping up or stepping down the voltage based on the turns ratio.