The name "transformers" comes from their ability to *transform* the voltage level of electrical power. In simple terms, a transformer is a device that can change (or transform) the voltage in an electrical circuit.
Here's how it works:
1. **Changing Voltage**: A transformer can step up (increase) or step down (decrease) the voltage of an electrical signal. This is essential for efficient power transmission, as high voltage is ideal for long-distance transmission, and lower voltage is safer and more useful for household devices.
2. **Magnetic Transformation**: The core principle behind how a transformer works involves magnetic fields. When an electric current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around it. The transformer uses two coils (primary and secondary) and a magnetic core to transfer energy from one coil to another. This transfer *transforms* the voltage.
So, the name "transformer" reflects its primary function of transforming (changing) the voltage in an electrical system.