Definition Of Transformer and Its Working Principle – Almost every house in the city and village is electrified with 220V in Indonesia. With this 220V current, we can enjoy the thrill of Television drama, the bright lights of incandescent lights and neon lights, recharge mobile phones and also use other kitchen utensils such as refrigerators, rice cookers, washing machines and microwave ovens. This 220V electric current is a type of alternating current (AC or Alternating Current) that comes from the Electricity Company, PLN. The electrical voltage generated by PLN in general can reach tens to hundreds of kilo Volts and then lowered to 220V as we use now by using a device called Transformer.
Definition Of Transformer
Transformer or often abbreviated as Transformer is a power tool that can change the level of an AC voltage to another. The purpose of the change of level is such as lowering the AC Voltage from 220VAC to 12 VAC or raising the Voltage from 110VAC to 220 VAC. This transformer works based on the principle of Electromagnet Induction and can only work at alternating voltages (AC). Transformers play a very important role in the distribution of electric power. Transformers increase the electricity coming from PLN power plants up to hundreds of kilo Volts to be distributed, and then other Transformers lower the electricity voltage to the voltage required by every household or office that generally uses AC Voltage 220Volt.
Transformer Shapes and Symbols
The following is an image of the shape and symbol of the Transformer:
Transformer Working Principles
A simple transformer basically consists of 2 coils or insulated wire coils i.e. primary coils and secondary coils. In most transformers, this insulated wire coil is wrapped in an iron called the Iron Core. When the primary coil is fed by AC current (back and forth) it will cause a magnetic field or magnetic flux around it. The strength of the magnetic field (density of the magnetic flux) is influenced by the amount of electric current it flows. The larger the electric current, the greater the magnetic field. Magnetic field fluctuations that occur around the first coil (primary) will induce GGL (Electric Force) in the second coil (secondary) and there will be a power transfer from the primary coil to the secondary coil. Thus, there is a change in the level of electrical voltage both from low voltage to higher voltage or from high voltage to low voltage.
While the iron core in transformers or transformers in general is a collection of thin iron plates that are isolated and coated in layers with their usefulness to facilitate the course of the Magnetic Flux caused by the coil’s electric current and to reduce the heat temperature caused.
Read also Definition and Function of inductor and Its Types
Some of the forms of iron slabs that make up the Transformer’s Core include:
- E – I Lamination
- E – E Lamination
- L – L Lamination
- U – I Lamination
Below is flux in transformers:
The winding ratio on the secondary coil to the primary coil determines the voltage ratio on both coils. For example, 1 winding on the primary coil and 10 coils on the secondary coil will produce a voltage 10 times that of the input voltage on the primary coil. This type of transformer is usually called a Step Up Transformer. Conversely, if there are 10 coils on the primary coil and 1 winding on the secondary coil, then the voltage produced by the Secondary Coil is 1/10 of the input voltage on the Primary Coil. This type of transformer is called a Step Down Transformer.
