Transformers

Transformers are devices that are used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another using magnetic coupling with no relative motion between its parts. A transformer basically consists of two or more coupled windings and a core with a concentrated magnetic flux.

Alternating voltage is applied to one winding of the electrical transformers to create a magnetic flux in the core. This will in turn result in an induction of voltage in the other windings of the transformer. It is possible to determine the ratio of input and output voltages of transformers by varying the number of turns between the primary and secondary windings. With this, it is possible to transform the voltage by stepping it up or down between circuits, as per required.

Faraday was the person responsible for the earliest concept of an electrical transformer that was introduced in the year 1831. However, it was in the 1880s that the first practical designs appeared and within ten years, transformers were responsible for the triumph of alternating current over direct current counterparts. It was because of this concept that the transmission of electricity over long distances was made possible.

There are different types of power transformers that range from thumbnail sized transformers to transformers with huge giga VA rated units of power grids, which are the current transformers used to interconnect portions of national power grids. It is with the use of a power transformer that electric power is transmitted over long distances. Transformers that increase voltage from a primary to secondary source are called step up transformers while the transformers that do the opposite are called step down transformers.

The isolation transformer is another form of transformer that is used to decouple two circuits. It is found with symmetrical windings, and it permits an AC signal from one device to be fed into another without any electrical connections between the two circuits. They are used in sensitive equipment like computers and lab equipment. There are numerous brands of transformers for you to choose from, depending on the type and size of transformers you need.

There are different types of transformer connections used for different purposes. Usually, three-phase transformer connections are used, and they come in the forms of transformer combinations such as delta to delta, delta to wye, wye to delta and wye to wye. The more famous brands available today are Signal transformer, Hammond transformers, Low Voltage transformers and Acme transformers. The Acme transformer has been around for a very long time, and it is considered one of the better transformers available.