Relation of voltages, electric currents and power between the input and output terminals on the transformer
The transformer is a device that "transforms" a changing voltage in its input to another changing voltage in its output.
Power relationship between primary and secondary windings
As a consecuence of the voltage transformation, there is a transformation in the electric current (alternating current) between the input and the ouput of the transformer, in a way that the power delivered by the transformer is the same power it receives.
In an Ideal Transformer:
Output Power = Input Power
PS = PP
So, if a voltage increases, the electric current decreases in the same factor, maintaining the equality. Look at the formula.
Power is: P = VxI, then: VP x IP = VS x IS
The transformer consists of an iron core on which several sets of turns of a conductor wire have been wrapped. This set of turns are the primary (P) and the secondary (S)
How the electric transformer works
- The Primary receives on its inputs, a changing voltage causing a changing electric current that flows through it.
- The changing current will induce a magnetic flux on the iron core.
- As the secondary winding is rolled up on the same iron core of the primary winding, the magnetic flux flows through it.
- The magnetic flux through the coils of the "secondary" will generate a changing voltage on its outputs.
If there is a load connected to the outputs of the secondary, a changing electric current will circulate through it (For example: the secondary winding is connected to a resistor)
Transformer voltage ratio
The voltage in the output (secondary) Vs is scaled from the input (primary) Vp, by a factor equal to the ratio of the number of turns of wire in their respective windings.
Vs / Vp = Ns / Np
Then the voltage in the secondary is: Vs = (Ns/Np) x Vp
Notice that the output voltage Vs, depends on the ratio of Ns (number of turns of the secondary) and Np (number of turns of the primary)
Vs can be bigger or smaller than Vp.
Transformer electric current ratio
Like in the voltage, the input current (Ip) is scaled from the output current (Is), by a factor equal to the radio of the numbers of turns of the wire in their respectives windings.
Ip / Is = Ns / Np
If we know the electric current in the secundary winding (Is), we can find the current on the primary winding (Ip) using the following formula: Ip = (Ns/Np) x Is.
|
