Transformer types
 | Transformer with two windings and iron core. |
 | Transformer with three windings. The dots show the relative configuration of the windings. |
 | Transformer with electrostatic screen preventing capacitive coupling between the windings. |
A variety of types of electrical transformer are made for different purposes. Despite their design differences, the various types employ the same basic principle as discovered in 1831 by Michael Faraday, and share several key functional parts.
Contents
[hide]- 1 Power transformers
- 1.1 Laminated core
- 1.2 Toroidal
- 1.3 Autotransformer
- 1.4 Variable autotransformer
- 1.5 Induction regulator
- 1.6 Stray field transformer
- 1.7 Polyphase transformer
- 1.8 Grounding transformer
- 1.9 Leakage transformers
- 1.10 Resonant transformer
- 1.11 Ferrite core
- 1.12 Oil cooled transformer
- 1.13 Cast resin transformer
- 1.14 Isolating transformer
- 2 Instrument transformer
- 3 Pulse transformer
- 4 RF transformer
- 5 Audio transformer
- 6 Other types
- 7 Homemade transformers
- 8 See also
- 9 References
Power transformers
Laminated core
This is the most common type of transformer, widely used in appliances to convert mains voltage to low voltage to power electronics
- Widely available in power ratings ranging from mW to MW
- Insulated lamination minimizes eddy current losses
- Small appliance and electronic transformers may use a split bobbin, giving a high level of insulation between the windings
- Rectangular core
- Core laminate stampings are usually in EI shape pairs. Other shape pairs are sometimes used
- Mu-metal shields can be fitted to reduce EMI (electromagnetic interference)
- A screen winding is occasionally used between the 2 power windings
- Small appliance and electronics transformers may have a thermal cut out built in
Toroidal
Doughnut shaped toroidal transformers are used to save space compared to EI cores, and sometimes to reduce external magnetic field. These use a ring shaped core, copper windings wrapped round this ring (and thus threaded through the ring during winding), and tape for insulation.
Toroidal transformers compared to EI core transformers:
- Lower external magnetic field
- Smaller for a given power rating
- Higher cost in most cases, as winding requires more complex and slower equipment
- Less robust
- Central fixing is either
- bolt, large metal washers and rubber pads
- bolt and potting resin
- Overtightening the central fixing bolt may short the windings
- Greater inrush current at switch-on
Autotransformer
Main article: Autotransformer
An autotransformer has one winding which is tapped at some point along the winding. Voltage is applied across a portion of the winding, and a higher (or lower) voltage is produced across another portion of the same winding. The power rating of the autotransfomer is lower than the load power rating. It is calculated by: (|Vin-Vout|)/Vin x load VA.[1] For example, an auto transformer used to adapt a 1000 VA load to a 240 volt supply is rated at: (240V-120V)/240V x 1,000VA = 500VA.
For voltage ratios not exceeding about 3:1,an autotransformer is cheaper, lighter, smaller and more efficient than an isolating (two-winding) transformer of the same rating.[2] Large three-phase autotransformers are used in electric power distribution systems, for example, to interconnect 33 kV and 66 kV sub-transmission networks.[citation needed]
Variable autotransformer
Main article: Autotransformer#Variable autotransformers
By exposing part of the winding coils of an autotransformer, and making the secondary connection through a sliding carbon brush, an autotransformer with a near-continuously variable turns ratio can be obtained, allowing for wide voltage adjustment in very small increments.
Induction regulator
Main article: Induction regulator
The induction regulator is similar in design to a wound-rotor induction motor but it is essentially a transformer whose output voltage is varied by rotating its secondary relative to the primary i.e. rotating the angular position of the rotor. It can be seen as a power transformer exploiting rotating magnetic fields. The major advantage of the induction regulator is that unlike variacs, they are practical for transformers over 5 kVA. Hence, such regulators find windspread use in high-voltage laboratories. [3]
Stray field transformer
A stray field transformer has a significant stray field or a (sometimes adjustable) magnetic bypass in its core. It can act as a transformer with inherent current limitation due to its lower coupling between the primary and the secondary winding, which is unwanted in most other cases. The output and input currents are low enough to prevent thermal overload under each load condition - even if the secondary is shorted.
Stray field transformers are used for arc welding and high voltage discharge lamps (cold cathode fluorescent lamps, series connected up to 7.5 kV AC working voltage). It acts both as voltage transformer and magnetic ballast.
Polyphase transformer
For polyphase systems, multiple single-phase transformers can be used, or all phases can be connected to a single polyphase transformer. For a three phase transformer, the three primary windings are connected together and the three secondary windings are connected together. Examples of connections are wye-delta, delta-wye, delta-delta and wye-wye. A vector group indicates the configuration of the windings and the phase angledifference between them. If a winding is connected to earth (grounded), the earth connection point is usually the center point of a wye winding. If the secondary is a delta winding, the ground may be connected to a center tap on one winding (high leg delta) or one phase may be grounded (corner grounded delta). A special purpose polyphase transformer is the zigzag transformer. There are many possible configurations that may involve more or fewer than six windings and various tap connections.
Grounding transformer
Main article: Zigzag transformer
Grounding transformers are used to allow three wire (delta) polyphase system supplies to accommodate phase to neutral loads by providing a return path for current to a neutral. Grounding transformers most commonly incorporate a single winding transformer with a zigzag winding configuration but may also be created with a wye-delta isolated winding transformer connection.
Leakage transformers
A leakage transformer, also called a stray-field transformer, has a significantly higher leakage inductancethan other transformers, sometimes increased by a magnetic bypass or shunt in its core between primary and secondary, which is sometimes adjustable with a set screw. This provides a transformer with an inherent current limitation due to the loose coupling between its primary and the secondary windings. The output and input currents are low enough to prevent thermal overload under all load conditions—even if the secondary is shorted.
Uses
Leakage transformers are used for arc welding and high voltage discharge lamps (neon lights and cold cathode fluorescent lamps, which are series connected up to 7.5 kV AC). It acts then both as a voltage transformer and as a magnetic ballast.
Other applications are short-circuit-proof extra-low voltage transformers for toys or doorbell installations.
Resonant transformer
A resonant transformer operates at the resonant frequency of one or more of its coils and (usually) an external capacitor. The resonant coil, usually the secondary, acts as aninductor, and is connected in series with a capacitor. When the primary coil is driven by a periodic source of alternating current, such as a square or sawtooth wave at the resonant frequency, each pulse of current helps to build up an oscillation in the secondary coil. Due to resonance, a very high voltage can develop across the secondary, until it is limited by some process such as electrical breakdown. These devices are used to generate high alternating voltages, and the current available can be much larger than that from electrostatic machines such as the Van de Graaff generator or Wimshurst machine.
Examples:
- Tesla coil
- Oudin coil (or Oudin resonator; named after its inventor Paul Oudin)
- D'Arsonval apparatus
- Ignition coil or induction coil used in the ignition system of a petrol engine
- Flyback transformer of a CRT television set or video monitor.
- Electrical breakdown and insulation testing of high voltage equipment and cables. In the latter case, the transformer's secondary is resonated with the cable's capacitance.
Other applications of resonant transformers are as coupling between stages of a superheterodyne receiver, where the selectivity of the receiver is provided by the tuned transformers of the intermediate-frequency amplifiers.
Constant voltage transformer
By arranging particular magnetic properties of a transformer core, and installing a ferro-resonant tank circuit (a capacitor and an additional winding), a transformer can be arranged to automatically keep the secondary winding voltage relatively constant for varying primary supply without additional circuitry or manual adjustment. Ferro-resonant transformers run hotter than standard power transformers, because regulating action depends on core saturation, which reduces efficiency. The output waveform is heavily distorted unless careful measures are taken to prevent this. Saturating transformers provide a simple rugged method to stabilize an AC power supply.
Ferrite core
Ferrite core power transformers are widely used in switched-mode power supplies (SMPSs). The powder core enables high-frequency operation, and hence much smaller size-to-power ratio than laminated-iron transformers.
Ferrite transformers are not used as power transformers at mains frequency since laminated iron cores cost less than an equivalent ferrite core.
Planar transformer
Manufacturers etch spiral patterns on a printed circuit board to form the "windings" of a planar transformer, replacing the turns of wire used to make other types. Some planar transformers are commercially sold as discrete components. Other planar transformers are one of many components on a printed circuit board. A planar transformer can be thinner than other transformers, which is useful for low-profile applications or when several printed circuit boards are stacked.[4] Almost all planar transformers use a ferrite planar core.
Oil cooled transformer
For large transformers used in power distribution or electrical substations, the core and coils of the transformer are immersed in oilwhich cools and insulates. Oil circulates through ducts in the coil and around the coil and core assembly, moved by convection. The oil is cooled by the outside of the tank in small ratings, and in larger ratings an air-cooled radiator is used. Where a higher rating is required, or where the transformer is used in a building or underground, oil pumps are used to circulate the oil and an oil-to-water heat exchanger may also be used.[5] Some transformers may contain PCBs where or when its use was permitted. For example, until 1979 in South Africa.[6][7] substitute fire-resistant liquids such as silicone oils are now used instead.
Cast resin transformer
Cast-resin power transformers encase the windings in epoxy resin. These transformers simplify installation since they are dry, without cooling oil, and so require no fire-proof vault for indoor installations. The epoxy protects the windings from dust and corrosive atmospheres. However, because the molds for casting the coils are only available in fixed sizes, the design of the transformers is less flexible, which may make them more costly if customized features (voltage, turns ratio, taps) are required.[8][9]
Isolating transformer
Main article: Isolation transformer
Most transformers isolate, meaning the secondary winding is not connected to the primary. But this isn't true of all transformers.
However the term 'isolating transformer' is normally applied to mains transformers providing isolation rather than voltage transformation. They are simply 1:1 laminated core transformers. Extra voltage tappings are sometimes included, but to earn the name 'isolating transformer' it is expected that they will usually be used at 1:1 ratio.
Instrument transformer
Instrument transformers are typically used to operate instruments from high voltage lines or high current circuits, safely isolating measurement and control circuitry from the high voltages or currents. The primary winding of the transformer is connected to the high voltage or high current circuit, and the meter or relay is connected to the secondary circuit. Instrument transformers may also be used as anisolation transformer so that secondary quantities may be used without affecting the primary circuitry.[10]
Terminal identifications (either alphanumeric such as H1, X1, Y1, etc. or a colored spot or dot impressed in the case ) indicate one end of each winding, indicating the same instantaneous polarity and phase between windings. This applies to both types of instrument transformers. Correct identification of terminals and wiring is essential for proper operation of metering and protective relay instrumentation.
Current transformer
Main article: Current transformer
A current transformer (CT) is a series connected measurement device designed to provide a current in its secondary coil proportional to the current flowing in its primary. Current transformers are commonly used in metering and protective relays in the electrical power industry.
Current transformers are often constructed by passing a single primary turn (either an insulated cable or an uninsulated bus bar) through a well-insulated toroidal core wrapped with many turns of wire. The CT is typically described by its current ratio from primary to secondary. For example, a 1000:1 CT would provide an output current of 1 amperes when 1000 amperes were passing through the primary winding. Standard secondary current ratings are 5 amperes or 1 ampere, compatible with standard measuring instruments. The secondary winding can be single ratio or have several tap points to provide a range of ratios. Care must be taken that the secondary winding is not disconnected from its low-impedance load while current flows in the primary, as this may produce a dangerously high voltage across the open secondary and may permanently affect the accuracy of the transformer.
Specially constructed wideband CTs are also used, usually with an oscilloscope, to measure high frequency waveforms or pulsed currents within pulsed power systems. One type provides a voltage output that is proportional to the measured current; another, called a Rogowski coil, requires an external integrator in order to provide a proportional output.
A current clamp uses a current transformer with a split core that can be easily wrapped around a conductor in a circuit. This is a common method used in portable current measuring instruments but permanent installations use more economical types of current transformer.
Potential transformer (Voltage transformer)
Voltage transformers (VT) (also called potential transformers (PT)) are a parallel connected type of instrument transformer, used for metering and protection in high-voltage circuits or phasor phase shift isolation. They are designed to present negligible load to the supply being measured and to have an accurate voltage ratio to enable accurate metering.
Some transformer winding primary (usually high-voltage) connection points may be labelled as H1, H2 (sometimes H0 if it is internally designed to be grounded) and X1, X2 and sometimes an X3 tap may be present. Sometimes a second isolated winding (Y1, Y2, Y3) may also be available on the same voltage transformer. The primary may be connected phase to ground or phase to phase. The secondary is usually grounded on one terminal.
There are three primary types of voltage transformers(VT): electromagnetic, capacitor, and optical. The electromagnetic voltage transformer is a wire-wound transformer. The capacitor voltage transformer uses a capacitance potential divider and is used at higher voltages due to a lower cost than an electromagnetic VT. An optical voltage transformer exploits the electrical properties of optical materials.[11]
Combined instrument transformer
A combined instrument transformer encloses a current transformer and a voltage transformer in the same transformer. There are two main combined current and voltage transformer designs: oil-paper insulated and SF6 insulated.[12] One advantage of applying this solution is reduced substation footprint, due to reduced number of transformers in a bay, supporting structures and connections as well as lower costs for civil works, transportation and installation.[13]
Pulse transformer
A pulse transformer is a transformer that is optimised for transmitting rectangular electrical pulses (that is, pulses with fast rise and fall times and a relatively constant amplitude). Small versions called signal types are used in digital logic and telecommunications circuits, often for matching logic drivers totransmission lines. Medium-sized power versions are used in power-control circuits such as camera flash controllers. Larger power versions are used in theelectrical power distribution industry to interface low-voltage control circuitry to the high-voltage gates of power semiconductors. Special high voltage pulse transformers are also used to generate high power pulses for radar, particle accelerators, or other high energy pulsed power applications.
To minimise distortion of the pulse shape, a pulse transformer needs to have low values of leakage inductance and distributed capacitance, and a high open-circuit inductance. In power-type pulse transformers, a low coupling capacitance (between the primary and secondary) is important to protect the circuitry on the primary side from high-powered transients created by the load. For the same reason, high insulation resistance and high breakdown voltage are required. A good transient response is necessary to maintain the rectangular pulse shape at the secondary, because a pulse with slow edges would create switching losses in the power semiconductors.
The product of the peak pulse voltage and the duration of the pulse (or more accurately, the voltage-time integral) is often used to characterise pulse transformers. Generally speaking, the larger this product, the larger and more expensive the transformer.
Pulse transformers by definition have a duty cycle of less than 0.5; whatever energy stored in the coil during the pulse must be "dumped" out before the pulse is fired again.
RF transformer
There are several types of transformer used in radio frequency (RF) work. Steel laminations are not suitable for RF.
Air-core transformer
These are used for high frequency work. The lack of a core means very low inductance. Such transformers may be nothing more than a few turns of wire soldered onto a printed circuit board.
Ferrite-core transformer
Widely used in intermediate frequency (IF) stages in superheterodyne radio receivers. are mostly tuned transformers, containing a threaded ferrite slug that is screwed in or out to adjust IF tuning. The transformers are usually canned for stability and to reduce interference.
Transmission-line transformer
For radio frequency use, transformers are sometimes made from configurations of transmission line, sometimes bifilar or coaxial cable, wound around ferrite or other types of core. This style of transformer gives an extremely wide bandwidth but only a limited number of ratios (such as 1:9, 1:4 or 1:2) can be achieved with this technique.
The core material increases the inductance dramatically, thereby raising its Q factor. The cores of such transformers help improve performance at the lower frequency end of the band. RF transformers sometimes used a third coil (called a tickler winding) to inject feedback into an earlier (detector) stage in antique regenerative radio receivers.
In RF and microwave systems, a quarter-wave impedance transformer provides a way of matching impedances between circuits over a limited range of frequencies, using only a length of transmission line. The line may be coaxial cable, waveguide, stripline or microstripline.
Balun
Main article: Balun
Baluns are transformers designed specifically to connect between balanced and unbalanced circuits. These are sometimes made from configurations of transmission line and sometimes bifilar or coaxial cable and are similar to transmission line transformers in construction and operation.
Audio transformer
Audio transformers are those specifically designed for use in audio circuits. They can be used to block radio frequency interference or the DC component of an audio signal, to split or combine audio signals, or to provide impedance matching between high and low impedance circuits, such as between a high impedance tube (valve) amplifier output and a low impedance loudspeaker, or between a high impedance instrument output and the low impedance input of a mixing console.
Such transformers were originally designed to connect different telephone systems to one another while keeping their respective power supplies isolated, and are still commonly used to interconnect professional audio systems or system components.
Being magnetic devices, audio transformers are susceptible to external magnetic fields such as those generated by AC current-carrying conductors. "Hum" is a term commonly used to describe unwanted signals originating from the "mains" power supply (typically 50 or 60 Hz). Audio transformers used for low-level signals, such as those from microphones, often include magnetic shielding to protect against extraneous magnetically coupled signals.
Transformers are also used in DI boxes to convert high-impedance instrument signals (e.g. bass guitar) to low impedance signals to enable them to be connected to a microphone input on the mixing console.
A particularly critical component is the output transformer of an audio power amplifier. Valve circuits for quality reproduction have long been produced with no other (inter-stage) audio transformers, but an output transformer is needed to couple the relatively high impedance (up to a few hundred ohms depending upon configuration) of the output valve(s) to the low impedance of a loudspeaker. (The valves can deliver a low current at a high voltage; the speakers require high current at low voltage.) Most solid-state power amplifiers need no output transformer at all.
Audio transformers are usually the factor which limit sound quality when used. For good low-frequency response a relatively large iron core is required; high power handling increases the required core size. Good high-frequency response requires carefully designed and implemented windings without excessive leakage inductance or stray capacitance. All this makes for an expensive component.
Early transistor audio power amplifiers often had output transformers, but they were eliminated as advances in semiconductors allowed the design of amplifiers with sufficiently low output impedance to drive a loudspeaker directly.
Loudspeaker transformer
In the same way that transformers are used to create high voltage power transmission circuits that minimize transmission losses,loudspeaker transformers can be used to allow many individual loudspeakers to be powered from a single audio circuit operated at higher-than normal loudspeaker voltages. This application is common in public address applications. Such circuits are commonly referred to as constant voltage speaker systems. Such systems are also known by the nominal voltage of the loudspeaker line, such as 25-, 70-and 100-volt speaker systems ( the voltage corresponding to the power rating of a speaker or amplifier). A transformer steps up the output of the system's amplifer to the distribution voltage. At the distant loudspeaker locations, a step-down transformer matches the speaker to the rated voltage of the line, so the speaker produces rated nominal output when the line is at nominal voltage. The loudspeaker transformers commonly have multiple primary taps, allowing the volume at each speaker to be adjusted in steps.
Output transformer
Valve (tube) amplifiers almost always use an output transformer to match the high load impedance requirement of the valves (several kilohms) to a low impedance speaker.
Small signal transformer
Moving coil phonograph cartridges produce a very small voltage. In order for this to be amplified with a reasonable signal-noise ratio, a transformer is usually used to convert the voltage to the range of the more common moving-magnet cartridges.
Microphones may also be matched to their load with a small transformer, which is mumetal shielded to minimise noise pickup. These transformers are less widely used today, as transistorized buffers are now cheaper.
Interstage and coupling transformers
In a push-pull amplifier, an inverted signal is required and is obtained from a transformer with a center-tapped winding, used to drive two active devices in opposite phase. These phase splitting transformers are not much used today.
Other types
 | This section does not cite any references or sources. (January 2013) |
Hedgehog
Hedgehog transformers are occasionally encountered in homemade 1920s radios. They are homemade audio interstage coupling transformers.
Enamelled copper wire is wound round the central half of the length of a bundle of insulated iron wire (e.g. florists' wire), to make the windings. The ends of the iron wires are then bent around the electrical winding to complete the magnetic circuit, and the whole is wrapped with tape or string to hold it together.
Variometer
Variometers (sometimes called variocouplers) are RF transformers with two windings and variable coupling between the windings. They were standard equipment in 1920s radio sets.
Pancake coil variometers were common in 1920s radios for variable RF coupling. The two planar coils were arranged to swing away from each other and for the angle between them to increase to 90 degrees, thus giving wide variation in coupling. No core was used. These were mostly used to control reaction. The pancake structure was a means to minimize stray capacitance.
In another design of variometer, two coils were wound on two circular bands, and housed one inside the other, with provision for rotating the inner coil, similar to coil-rotation AC voltage regulators. Coupling varies as one coil is rotated between 0 and 90 degrees from the other. These had higher stray capacitance than the pancake type.
Rotary transformer
Main article: Rotary transformer
A rotary (rotatory) transformer is a specialized transformer used to couple electrical signals between two parts that rotate in relation to each other, as an alternative to slip ringswhich are prone to contact noise.
Homemade transformers
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. (January 2013) |
| This section does not cite any references or sources. (January 2013) |
Transformers may be wound at home using commercial transformer kits, which contain laminations & bobbin. Firm clamping of laminations and varnish help to avoid buzz.
It is possible to make the transformer laminations by hand too. Such transformers are encountered at times in 3rd world countries, using laminations cut from scrap sheet steel, paper slips between the laminations, and string to tie the assembly together[disputed ]. The result works, but is usually noisy due to poor clamping of laminations.[original research?]
1 comment:
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