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When stepping up/down voltage in a transformer, what limits the current flow through the secondary? Is it the impedance of the windings/circuit?
Crazymechanic said:quite honestly drakkith I think you kinda know this already:D
Drakkith said:I just suck at asking questions. I was trying to figure out why pumping the voltage up to like 1,000 volts doesn't cause a huge current flow in the secondary. I assume it's because of impedance and back EMF generated from the secondary coils?
Drakkith, what is your load?Drakkith said:I just suck at asking questions. I was trying to figure out why pumping the voltage up to like 1,000 volts doesn't cause a huge current flow in the secondary. I assume it's because of impedance and back EMF generated from the secondary coils?
hisham.i said:Drakkith, what is your load?
If you have an idea on your load power and the voltage applied we can calculate the current that will be drawn from secondary.
Drakkith said:I don't. I was just trying to understand how the step up/step down thing works in a transformer. If you step voltage up you reduce the current, keeping the power the same, right?
A transformer is a device that is used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through the process of electromagnetic induction. It can either increase or decrease the voltage of an alternating current (AC) depending on the number of windings in its primary and secondary coils.
A transformer works by using two coils of wire, a primary and a secondary, that are wrapped around a shared iron core. When an alternating current is passed through the primary coil, it creates a constantly changing magnetic field. This magnetic field then induces a voltage in the secondary coil, which can be either higher or lower than the voltage in the primary coil depending on the number of windings in each coil.
The current flow in a transformer is limited by the resistance of the wire in the coils and the magnetic properties of the iron core. As the current flows through the wire, it encounters resistance which causes it to lose energy in the form of heat. Additionally, the magnetic properties of the iron core can limit the amount of current that can flow through the transformer.
A step-up transformer increases the voltage of an alternating current, while a step-down transformer decreases the voltage. This is achieved by varying the number of windings in the primary and secondary coils. A step-up transformer has more windings in the secondary coil, while a step-down transformer has more windings in the primary coil.
Transformers have a wide range of applications, including power distribution, voltage regulation, and electrical isolation. They are commonly used in power grids to step up the voltage for long-distance transmission, and then step it back down for use in homes and businesses. They are also used in electronic devices, such as laptops and cell phones, to convert the high voltage from wall outlets to a lower voltage that is safe for use.