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    • Custom Transformer Math Proof/JACKSON ENGINEERING

       

       

      A step-up transformer has its secondary voltage  greater than its primary voltage ,
      and a step-down transformer has its secondary voltage  less than its primary voltage .

      This article demonstrates (using Algebra) that given a fixed primary voltage , the secondary (step-up or step-down) voltage  produced by a transformer is mathematically determined by the number of its primary and secondary windings  and  respectively.

      Let's first review some fundamental transformer concepts.  Transformers transfer electrical power (energy) from one electrical circuit to another, through its coils.  Each primary and secondary coil has a set number of windings (wound about two opposite sides of a magnetic core)  and  respectively. 

      Through the study of Physics - Electricity & Magnetism, given a fixed primary voltage , a changing current passing through a magnetic cores primary coil winding creates a magnetic field through the cores secondary coil winding.  The magnetic field "induces” an electro-magnetic force (emf) or voltage in the secondary winding.  This new voltage is called the "induced voltage", and is used to produce the electrical power (current) used in our everyday life. See (fig 1).

      When a load is connected to the “secondary”, electric current flows through the secondary winding.  Therefore electrical energy is transferred (transformed using a transformer) from the primary circuit through the transformer to the load.


      stepupdowntransformers


      In an optimal transformer, the induced secondary voltage  is proportional
      to the fixed primary voltage. 
      Mathematically this means  (where k is the constant of proportionality).
        (Equation 1) 

      It is also true that k equals the ratio of the number of winding turns in the
      secondary coil , to the number of winding turns in the primary coil  
      .
      Mathematically this means.

         (Equation 2) 

      Next substituting  for k in (Equation 1) makes  = [][].
       = [] []   (Equation 3) 
      Next notice that using (Equation 3), since the primary voltage  is a fixed voltage, the secondary voltage  depends on the number of windings  and  of the transformer.

      CASE 1)
      Using (Equation 1) and making  < , < 1.  Therefore the secondary voltage  is a proper fraction of .  This means  is stepped-down from .  Therefore the secondary step-down voltage  produced by the transformer is mathematically determined by the number of its primary and secondary windings  and  respectively. 

      CASE 2)

      Again using (Equation 1) and this time by making   > ,   > 1.  Therefore the secondary voltage  is the product of
       and a number greater than one.  This means  is stepped-up from . 
      Therefore the secondary step-up voltage  produced by the transformer is again mathematically determined by the number of its primary and secondary windings and  respectively. 

      In conclusion, by changing  and  with a fixed primary voltage , the secondary
      voltage  can be changed to a greater or lesser amount than the primary voltage ,
      hence the terms step-up or step-down transformers.