Question

How does a step-up transformer differ from a step-down transformer?

Answer 1

A step-up transformer and a step-down transformer are both types of transformers that change the voltage of electricity, but they do so in opposite ways:

1. Step-up Transformer:
   

   - Function: It increases the voltage.
   - How it works: A step-up transformer has more turns of wire on the secondary coil than on the primary coil. As a result, the voltage on the secondary coil is higher than the voltage on the primary coil.
   - Example: If you have 100 volts on the primary coil and the transformer has a turns ratio of 1:10, the voltage on the secondary coil will be 1000 volts.
   - Use: These are commonly used in power transmission to send electricity over long distances. High voltage helps reduce energy loss during transmission.

1. Step-down Transformer:
   

   - Function: It decreases the voltage.
   - How it works: A step-down transformer has fewer turns of wire on the secondary coil than on the primary coil. This causes the voltage on the secondary coil to be lower than the voltage on the primary coil.
   - Example: If you have 1000 volts on the primary coil and the transformer has a turns ratio of 10:1, the voltage on the secondary coil will be 100 volts.
   - Use: These are used to reduce the voltage for safe usage in homes or small devices (like chargers, home appliances, etc.).

Key Difference:

1. Step-up transformer increases voltage, while step-down transformer reduces it.
   

Both transformers work on the principle of electromagnetic induction, but their purpose is different depending on whether you need to increase or decrease the voltage.