Where Can I Find a Simple Guide to Transformer Design?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding accessible resources for basic transformer design. Participants express difficulty in understanding standard equations and seek simpler guides that assume ideal conditions without losses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests links to basic transformer design guides, noting that standard equations are not very helpful.
  • Another participant suggests a PDF that covers transformer design concepts but questions its complexity for beginners.
  • A participant shares an analogy from fluid mechanics to illustrate the need for starting with simplified assumptions in transformer design.
  • There is mention of a Wikipedia page as a reasonable introductory resource for transformers.
  • One participant emphasizes that transformer design involves balancing various factors such as materials, processes, and costs, suggesting that finding an experienced designer may be beneficial.
  • A suggestion is made to refer to a specific book on transformer design by M.G. Say, described as a good resource.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for simpler resources for transformer design, but there is no consensus on which specific resource is the best or most appropriate for beginners. Multiple views on the complexity of available materials remain.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the implications of the number of turns in transformer design, particularly regarding the balance between magnetizing inductance and other factors like wire resistance and leakage inductance.

mfc5200
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
Does anyone know of a good link to basic transformer design? I keep seeing the standard equations but they don't seem like much help. I can't seem to find any good guides for designing the most basic transformer

For example, I will see equations relating the ratio of turns to the ratio of voltages, but does that mean I can go from 1 turn to 2 turns instead of 100 turns to 200 turns? I don't think that is the case.

Again, a most basic guide would be good, one that assumes no losses, etc is fine.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Well, there's still going to be maths but the PDF (Part 3, chapter 14) gives you some good transformer design concepts.
http://ecee.colorado.edu/~pwrelect/book/slides/slidedir.html"

Edit: After rereading your post, maybe this chapter is a bit complicated?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
haha, yea I actually find those slides when google searching, but they seem a little too complicated for me (I'm a M.E.). I was hoping for some really basic design slides.

An analogy in fluid mechanics would be to assume no losses with the fluid being isentropic, you can start with that, and then later fine tune your solution to take into account viscous drag, etc etc.

So far the best I've found is this, with regard to basic design.

http://ludens.cl/Electron/Magnet.html

I think I might have figured out my problem is though. Perhaps I will post later as to what the problem is, and what I think the solution is and why.

Thanks for your help.
 
mfc5200 said:
haha, yea I actually find those slides when google searching, but they seem a little too complicated for me (I'm a M.E.). I was hoping for some really basic design slides.

An analogy in fluid mechanics would be to assume no losses with the fluid being isentropic, you can start with that, and then later fine tune your solution to take into account viscous drag, etc etc.

So far the best I've found is this, with regard to basic design.

http://ludens.cl/Electron/Magnet.html

I think I might have figured out my problem is though. Perhaps I will post later as to what the problem is, and what I think the solution is and why.

Thanks for your help.

The wikipedia page on transformers is a reasonable intro:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer

As for the number of turns, you need enough turns for the magnetizing inductance to present a reasonable impedance to the driving voltage source, and you don't want so many turns that the wire resistance or the leakage inductance or the winding capacitance become large and obnoxious.
 
Transformer design is an art as much as a science. Between keeping up with materials, processes, cost, and the fundamentals, you're better off finding a designer. I live in the Dallas area, and there's a thriving community of these guys. I suspect any land of invention will have some transformer houses.
 
You can refer "transformer design.." book.
By M.G.Say.its very nice book.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
13K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K