1 Answer
Transformers increase (or decrease) voltage using a principle called **electromagnetic induction**. Here’s a simple explanation:
1. **Basic Structure**: A transformer has two main parts:
- **Primary coil** (input side)
- **Secondary coil** (output side)
Both coils are wrapped around a core, usually made of iron, which helps direct the magnetic field.
2. **AC Voltage in Primary Coil**: When an **alternating current (AC)** flows through the primary coil, it creates a changing magnetic field around it.
3. **Inducing Voltage**: This changing magnetic field then passes through the core and induces a voltage in the secondary coil due to **electromagnetic induction**. The amount of voltage induced depends on the ratio of turns (loops of wire) between the primary and secondary coils.
4. **Turn Ratio**: The transformer works based on the **turns ratio**:
- If the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil, the voltage in the secondary will be higher (i.e., a step-up transformer).
- If the secondary coil has fewer turns than the primary, the voltage in the secondary will be lower (i.e., a step-down transformer).
The formula for the relationship between voltage and the number of turns is:
\[
\frac{V_{\text{secondary}}}{V_{\text{primary}}} = \frac{N_{\text{secondary}}}{N_{\text{primary}}}
\]
Where:
- \(V_{\text{secondary}}\) and \(V_{\text{primary}}\) are the voltages in the secondary and primary coils, respectively.
- \(N_{\text{secondary}}\) and \(N_{\text{primary}}\) are the number of turns in the secondary and primary coils.
### How does this increase voltage?
If the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil, the transformer will "step up" the voltage. Essentially, because there are more turns in the secondary coil, the transformer increases the voltage. But the current will decrease in proportion to the voltage increase (keeping power constant, assuming no losses).
In simple terms:
- **More turns in the secondary coil = higher voltage output**.
1. **Basic Structure**: A transformer has two main parts:
- **Primary coil** (input side)
- **Secondary coil** (output side)
Both coils are wrapped around a core, usually made of iron, which helps direct the magnetic field.
2. **AC Voltage in Primary Coil**: When an **alternating current (AC)** flows through the primary coil, it creates a changing magnetic field around it.
3. **Inducing Voltage**: This changing magnetic field then passes through the core and induces a voltage in the secondary coil due to **electromagnetic induction**. The amount of voltage induced depends on the ratio of turns (loops of wire) between the primary and secondary coils.
4. **Turn Ratio**: The transformer works based on the **turns ratio**:
- If the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil, the voltage in the secondary will be higher (i.e., a step-up transformer).
- If the secondary coil has fewer turns than the primary, the voltage in the secondary will be lower (i.e., a step-down transformer).
The formula for the relationship between voltage and the number of turns is:
\[
\frac{V_{\text{secondary}}}{V_{\text{primary}}} = \frac{N_{\text{secondary}}}{N_{\text{primary}}}
\]
Where:
- \(V_{\text{secondary}}\) and \(V_{\text{primary}}\) are the voltages in the secondary and primary coils, respectively.
- \(N_{\text{secondary}}\) and \(N_{\text{primary}}\) are the number of turns in the secondary and primary coils.
### How does this increase voltage?
If the secondary coil has more turns than the primary coil, the transformer will "step up" the voltage. Essentially, because there are more turns in the secondary coil, the transformer increases the voltage. But the current will decrease in proportion to the voltage increase (keeping power constant, assuming no losses).
In simple terms:
- **More turns in the secondary coil = higher voltage output**.