Why is the Norelco 1.1kW step-down device so compact?

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SUMMARY

The Norelco 1.1kW step-down device is designed to convert 240V AC to 120V AC while maintaining a compact size of approximately 12cm x 6cm x 3cm. It operates as a dimmer circuit utilizing an inductor as a voltage divider, similar to an auto-transformer. The device prioritizes compactness and cost over efficiency, suggesting that larger voltage converters may perform better in minimizing energy loss. The internal components likely include a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and an inductor.

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Bararontok
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This device was recently purchased at a hardware store, and it has a wattage of 1.1kW but can fit inside a pocket with dimensions of approximately 12cm x 6cm x 3cm.

Does it use a neodymium-iron-boron alloy with 44 times the magnetic energy density of iron as the core of a transformer, an auto-transformer, a switched-mode power supply, or a voltage divider?
 
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Bararontok said:
This device was recently purchased at a hardware store, and it has a wattage of 1.1kW but can fit inside a pocket with dimensions of approximately 12cm x 6cm x 3cm.

Does it use a neodymium-iron-boron alloy with 44 times the magnetic energy density of iron as the core of a transformer, an auto-transformer, a switched-mode power supply, or a voltage divider?

What does it do? Is it stepping down 240v AC to 120v AC ? Is it outputting DC?

I've opened some step down device of the former kind, it just had an SCR, a small-ish inductor, and a few other parts - basically, pre-set dimmer circuit. Really nasty.
 
Dmytry said:
What does it do? Is it stepping down 240v AC to 120v AC ? Is it outputting DC?

It steps the voltage down from 240V AC to 120V AC.
 
The thread originator is waiting for a response.
 
Looks like Dmytry has already answered your question, thread originator: it is a "nasty dimmer".
 
it 1.1kw the maximum power it is rated to handle? in that case, it is almost certainly trading efficiency for compactness and perhaps cost... without knowing the inner workings of the device, i can only suppose that a larger voltage converter would beat it in terms of minimizing energy loss
 
Bobbywhy said:
Looks like Dmytry has already answered your question, thread originator: it is a "nasty dimmer".

So this is basically a dimmer circuit that uses an inductor as the voltage divider, just like an auto-transformer.
 

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