A transformer is an electrical device used to change the voltage of an alternating current. Common in our daily life, it plays an important role in the power system.

But how to tell if this is a booster transformer or a step-down transformer ?

Here are the detailed answers.

We need to understand how transformers work. In the AC circuit, the transformer is composed of two coils, one is the input current through the coil, also known as the primary coil or the original coil; The other is the coil through which the output current passes, also known as the secondary coil or secondary coil. According to the connection mode of the circuit, the transformer can be divided into step-up transformers and step-down transformers.

The step-up transformer means that the number of winding turns of the secondary coil is more than the number of winding turns of the original coil, and the voltage rises. On the contrary, the number of winding turns of the secondary coil is less than the number of winding turns of the original coil, and the voltage is reduced. Based on this principle, we can determine whether a transformer is boosting or reducing voltage by checking the number of turns of the two coils.

We can tell by looking at the identification of the transformer. Transformers usually have their rated power and voltage marked on the housing or label. If the identification of the transformer shows that the input voltage is greater than the output voltage, then the transformer is a step-down transformer; If the input voltage is less than the output voltage, it is a booster transformer.

We can also determine by measuring the input voltage and output voltage of the transformer. First, turn off the power and make sure the transformer is in a safe state. Then, using a suitable voltmeter or multimeter, the voltage at the input and output are measured. If the output voltage is greater than the input voltage, then the transformer is a booster transformer; If the output voltage is less than the input voltage, it is a step-down transformer.

We can confirm this by referring to the documents or information provided by the manufacturer of the transformer. The manufacturer of the transformer will usually provide the relevant technical specifications and performance parameters, including the type and functional characteristics of the transformer. By referring to this information, we can clearly judge how a transformer works.

There are several ways to determine whether a transformer is boosted or reduced: check the number of coil turns of the transformer, observe the identification of the transformer, measure the input voltage and output voltage, and consult the manufacturer’s documentation or information. Being familiar with these methods can help us better understand how transformers work and use them correctly.

First, the composition of the transformer

The most basic parts of a transformer are the coil and the iron core.

The coil can be divided into primary coil and secondary coil, the difference between the two is whether the coil is connected to the power supply, the coil connected to the power supply is called the primary coil, and the rest of the coil is the secondary coil.

The role of the transformer coil is to change the AC voltage, current and impedance. The role of the core is to strengthen the connection between the two coils. In most cases, in order to reduce eddy current and hysteresis losses in the iron, the core is often made of painted silicon steel sheets laminated.

Second, the classification of transformers

1, classification by use: can be divided into three categories, that is, power transformers, power transformers and special transformers.

Power transformer, often used in television, radio, etc., belongs to the category of low-voltage electricity.

In the power transformer is generally more than 10kv lines, its main role is voltage reduction, that is, the voltage is reduced to all levels of use voltage to meet the demand for electricity everywhere.

Special transformers are less common in daily life, and its main application site is the factory, which is used for dustproof, heat resistance, moisture resistance and other places with special requirements.

2, according to the cooling medium classification: common dry transformer, liquid (oil) immersed transformer and inflatable transformer.

In daily life, dry transformers and oil-immersed transformers are often confused, in fact, the two can simply be distinguished from the appearance and site.

From the appearance point of view, the dry transformer can directly see the iron core and coil, while the oil transformer can only see the shell of the transformer.

From the use of the site, dry transformers are mostly used in the need for “fire” and “explosion-proof” places, generally large buildings, high-rise buildings will be used, and oil-type transformers due to failure, a high probability of oil ejection or leakage, easy to cause fire, so most of the application of outdoor, and dug “accident oil pool” places.

In addition, the capacity of the oil-immersed transformer is greater than that of the dry-type transformer, but in the case of the same capacity, the price of the dry-type transformer is higher than that of the oil-immersed transformer.

Dry transformer models generally start with SC (epoxy cast encapsulation), SCR (non-epoxy cast solid insulation encapsulation) or SG (open type).

There are many classification methods and types of transformers, for example, according to the cooling method classification can be divided into natural cooling, air-cooled, water-cooled; According to the number of coils can be divided into autotransformer, double-winding and three-winding transformer; If there are core transformers and shell transformers classified according to the core type and so on.

First, electric energy transmission

One of the main uses of transformers is the transmission of electrical energy. In the power system, the electric energy needs to be transported by the power plant to different load points, and the voltage needs to be transformed in this process to adapt to the transmission distance and the power demand of the load electrical appliances. The transformer can step-down the high-voltage electrical energy to the appropriate voltage level according to the need, and then transmitted to the load end, so as to meet the power needs of users.

Second, power distribution

In addition to conveying electrical energy, transformers can also realize the distribution of electrical energy. In the power system, the electric energy after transformer step-down needs to be distributed to different users, which needs to use the transformer between the low-voltage distribution network and the substation to distribute low-voltage electric energy to different users, so as to meet the needs of users.

Third, electric energy conversion

A transformer can convert electrical energy. In industrial production and scientific research, it is sometimes necessary to convert the type of electrical energy (such as alternating current to direct current) or the type of voltage and current (such as three-phase alternating current to transformer current). At this time, it is necessary to use the corresponding frequency conversion transformer to achieve the conversion and adaptation of electric energy, so as to meet the requirements of specific applications.

Fourth, adjust the voltage

Transformers can be used to regulate voltage. In some special applications, it is necessary to control and protect the load appliances by adjusting the voltage. At this time, a specific voltage regulator or autotransformer can be used to achieve voltage regulation.

In short, as one of the important electrical equipment in the power system, the transformer has a variety of uses. In addition to the transmission and distribution of electric energy, it can also realize the conversion of electric energy and the regulation of voltage, thus playing an important role in the power system.

A transformer is an electrical device used to transform AC voltage and transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through the principle of electromagnetic induction. Transformers are widely used in power systems, industrial production and household electricity, and are an indispensable part of modern electrical equipment.