Transformers play an important role in our daily production and life, and their wide range of applications is amazing. Transformers play an indispensable role in power transmission, industrial production or household electricity. In the field of power transmission, transformers are the core equipment in the power transmission and transformation system, which can convert the high-voltage electricity emitted by the power plant into a low voltage suitable for long-distance transmission, so as to ensure that the power can be safely and stably transmitted to the destination. In industrial production, transformers are one of the indispensable equipment. All kinds of equipment and machines on the production line need stable power** to work properly, and transformers are the key to ensuring this stability**. And when it comes to household electricity, we may not pay much attention to transformers, but they are still quietly working. When we turn on appliances such as lights, TVs, or air conditioners, there are transformers behind us silently providing us with stable power. In addition to the power sector, transformers are also widely used in electronic devices. For example, transformers in audio equipment can amplify or reduce the voltage of an audio signal to ensure that the sound produced by the speaker is clear and accurate. In addition, transformers in the field of communication also play an important role, enabling them to transmit, convert and amplify signals. In short, transformers are ubiquitous in daily production and life, which silently provides us with stable and reliable power services, and brings great convenience to our production and life. With the continuous progress of science and technology, it is believed that the application field of transformers will be more extensive, bringing more innovation and convenience to human production and life.
1.Power transformers
A power transformer is an important device used in the power system to transfer and convert electrical energy between different voltage levels. It is one of the core components in the power system and is used to transfer electrical energy from power plants to substations and then distribute it to industrial, commercial, and domestic users.
How power transformers work:
The working principle of power transformers is based on the laws of electromagnetic induction and the principle of conservation of energy. When an alternating current passes through a coil (winding), an alternating magnetic field is created around the winding. This alternating magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the other winding, which causes the current to flow in the second winding.
Power transformers usually have two windings, one is the input winding (primary winding) and the other is the output winding (secondary winding). These two windings are wound around a common iron core in order to enhance the magnetic field transfer and energy conversion efficiency.
Depending on the ratio of the number of turns in the winding, the power transformer can achieve the function of stepping up or stepping down. When the number of turns of the input winding is less and the number of turns of the output winding is more, the transformer is called a step-up transformer; Conversely, when the number of turns in the input winding is more and the number of turns in the output winding is less, the transformer is called a step-down transformer. By adjusting the turns ratio, different voltage and current relationships can be achieved between the input and output.
2.Distribution transformers
A distribution transformer is an important device in the power system that converts the electrical energy of a high-voltage transmission line into low-voltage electrical energy suitable for domestic, commercial and industrial users. It is commonly used in the power distribution networks of substations, cities, and communities to deliver high voltages to the voltage levels required by users. Here's how a distribution transformer works:
How distribution transformers work:
Step-down function: The main job of a distribution transformer is to reduce the high voltage from the transmission line to the low voltage that is suitable for consumer use. In the power system, electrical energy is usually delivered at high voltages to reduce energy loss during transmission. However, high voltages are not suitable for domestic and industrial users, so distribution transformers are needed to reduce the voltage to an appropriate level.
Windings and cores: Distribution transformers typically have two windings, one called the primary winding (input winding) and the other called the secondary winding (output winding). These two windings are wound around an iron core that helps to enhance magnetic field transfer and improve energy conversion efficiency.
Turns Ratio: The ratio of turns in a distribution transformer determines the relationship between the input voltage and the output voltage. By adjusting the ratio of turns, different voltage transformations can be realized. In general, the number of turns in the input winding is more and the number of turns in the output winding is less to achieve the step-down function.
Magnetic induction and electromagnetic coupling: When the delivered alternating current passes through the primary winding, the resulting alternating magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the secondary winding. This electromotive force will cause the current to flow in the secondary windings, which will transfer the electrical energy to the user's load.
Insulation and protection: Distribution transformers are usually equipped with insulation materials and protective devices to ensure the proper operation and protection of the transformer. These measures help prevent overloads, short circuits, and other failures.
Distribution networks: Distribution transformers are connected to the distribution networks of cities and communities to deliver power to a variety of users, including homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities.
3.Dry-type transformers
A dry-type transformer is a type of transformer that does not use a liquid cooling medium, such as oil, between the windings and the core. They use solid insulating materials, such as insulating paper and insulating plywood, to form an insulating layer around the insulating windings. Dry-type transformers are widely used in indoor environments such as commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and underground distribution stations, as well as in places where liquid leakage needs to be prevented. Here's how a dry-type transformer works:
Working principle of dry-type transformer:
Insulation and windings: The windings of dry-type transformers are wrapped with insulating paper and insulating plywood to prevent electrical short circuits between the windings and between the windings and the core. Insulating materials provide the necessary electrical isolation and insulation.
Windings and cores: The windings of dry-type transformers are wound around an iron core, which helps to enhance magnetic field transfer and improve energy conversion efficiency. Compared to liquid-cooled transformers, the windings of dry-type transformers require better heat dissipation design to ensure that the temperature does not rise too high.
Air cooling: Since there is no liquid cooling medium, dry-type transformers use air for free cooling. This means that the transformer must have an adequate surface for heat dissipation to transfer the generated heat into the surrounding air. Some dry-type transformers may also be equipped with fans or air ducts to enhance cooling.
Turns Ratio and Voltage Transformation: Dry-type transformers work similarly to other transformer types. When an alternating current passes through the input winding, the resulting magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the output winding, resulting in a voltage conversion.
Insulation Requirements: Since there is no liquid cooling medium to provide isolation, dry-type transformers require the use of insulating materials and insulation structures to ensure electrical isolation between the windings and between the windings and the core. This helps prevent electrical failures and fires.
Environmentally friendly: Dry-type transformers are more environmentally friendly than liquid-cooled transformers because they do not pose the risk of liquid leakage and environmental contamination.
4.Oil-immersed transformers
An oil-immersed transformer, also known as an oil-immersed transformer, is a type of transformer that uses oil as a cooling and insulating medium between the windings and the core. Oil-immersed transformers are typically used in large power systems such as power plants, substations, and power transmission grids, as well as in applications that require high power conversion. Here's how an oil-immersed transformer works:
Working principle of oil-immersed transformer:
Cooling and insulating media: Oil-immersed transformers use insulating oils with good insulating properties, such as mineral oil or silicone oil, to act as both cooling and insulating media. This oil has good insulating properties, protects against electrical short circuits, and is able to help transfer the heat generated from the transformer to the outside environment.
Windings and cores: The windings and cores of oil-immersed transformers are both soaked in oil to provide cooling and insulation. Oil efficiently transfers heat from the windings and cores to the outside environment, thus maintaining the normal operating temperature of the transformer.
Oil circulation and cooling: Oil-immersed transformers typically have a cooling system in which oil circulates and flows to transfer heat through a heat exchanger into the cooling medium. This helps maintain the transformer's operating temperature and ensure its proper operation.
Galvanic isolation: The oil of an oil-immersed transformer is used not only as a cooling medium, but also as an electrical isolation medium. The windings and core are soaked in oil, which provides electrical isolation against electrical short circuits between the windings and between the windings and the core.
Turns Ratio and Voltage Transformation: Oil-immersed transformers work similarly to other transformer types. When an alternating current passes through the input winding, the resulting magnetic field induces an electromotive force in the output winding, resulting in a voltage conversion.
Protection and monitoring: Oil-immersed transformers are usually equipped with a variety of protection devices and monitoring systems to ensure their proper operation and prevent faults such as overload, short circuit, etc.
5.Isolation transformers
An isolation transformer is a special type of transformer whose main function is to provide galvanic isolation, isolating the circuits between the inputs and outputs from each other, thus preventing current from flowing through the circuits to which they are connected. Isolation transformers are commonly used in the following areas:
Galvanic isolation: The primary role of an isolation transformer is to create galvanic isolation between the input and output, preventing current, noise, and interference from propagating from one circuit to another. This is essential to protect the safety of equipment and personnel.
Ground Isolation: Isolation transformers can be used to isolate ground wires and prevent ground interference between different devices, thereby reducing the propagation of noise and interference.
Voltage Conversion: While the primary purpose of an isolation transformer is to provide isolation, it can also be used to convert the input voltage to a different output voltage, although this is not usually its primary purpose.
Isolation transformers work on a similar principle to regular transformers, but their design is more focused on electrical isolation. It consists of two main coils: the main coil (input coil) and the secondary coil (output coil). There is no direct electrical connection between the two coils, they are coupled to each other by a magnetic field.
Here's how it works:
Electromagnetic induction: When an alternating current is introduced into the main coil, it creates an alternating magnetic field. This magnetic field penetrates into the secondary coil, inducing an alternating voltage in the secondary coil.
Transformer principle: According to the basic principle of a transformer, the ratio between the output voltage and the input voltage depends on the turns ratio of the main coil and the secondary coil. In an isolation transformer, it is usually designed to have an equal ratio of turns, so the output voltage is the same as the input voltage.
Galvanic isolation: Since there is no electrical connection between the main coil and the secondary coil, the input and output circuits are isolated from each other, resulting in galvanic isolation.
Power transformers