Transformers
Transformers are devices used to convert one form of energy into another. They are used in a variety of applications, including electrical power transmission and distribution, sound systems and industrial control systems. Transformers are most commonly used to change the power supply from one level to another. They are used to step down or step up a voltage (transformer step up or step down), as well as to isolate two or more circuits.
The first transformer was invented in 1836 by British physicist Michael Faraday. This invention revolutionized the field of electric power transmission. Before this time, the direct current had to be conducted from one place to another using copper wires of varying thicknesses, requiring the use of different levels of power in order to ensure proper functioning. However, with the advent of the transformer, this was no longer necessary.
Transformers can be found in almost every electric circuit. They come in several varieties, each designed for a specific use. Common types of transformers are step up, step down, voltage ratio, auto and isolation transformers. A step up transformer is used to increase the voltage of a current while a step down transformer is used to reduce voltage. A voltage ratio transformer is used to convert one voltage to another while an auto transformer is used to reduce or increase voltages in a specific proportion. Lastly, an isolation transformer is used to isolate a circuit or two.
Transformers normally consist of two induction coils which are wound around either an iron or ferrite core. When a voltage is applied to one of the inductors, a magnetic field develops around the core. This field will induce an electrical current to flow in the other inductor, transferring the energy from one coil to the other. The transformers ability to convert electrical energy from one form to another is what makes them so useful in many applications.
Transformers are often used in circuits that require the signal to be stepped up or down, such as in sound systems, electrical networks, power plants and even home stereo systems. While these devices are not always visible, they are essential components in many electric circuits. Their effectiveness in energy transfer and conversion makes them invaluable components of modern electronic devices and circuits.