How does a transformer work?

Here's a great in-depth article on transformer theory of operation

Everyone,

I’ve had a lot of questions about using transformers to step up a 120-volt 30-amp pedestal to 240-volts. Read my previous article on why that won’t work HERE.

So, I looked around for a tutorial on transformer operation. This is a great article by N. Mughees at GlobalSpec that explains transformer theory of operation. Now, this is pretty deep, so I only recommend it for advanced readers. However, even if you’re a beginner, there’s lots of great information here.

How does a transformer work?

N. Mughees| December 10, 2024

Electric motors, streetlamps, data centers, stadiums and other similar structures dependent on electricity need immediate access to substantial electricity. However, obtaining electricity for a specific application is not as straightforward as merely connecting to the power lines. High voltage electricity in power lines is exclusively appropriate for long-distance power transmission. For practical applications, electricity must travel through a transformer that adjusts its power to the required voltage.

Similarly, industries have large production machines that rely on electricity for operation. The voltage an appliance requires is proportional to the amount of energy it consumes. Therefore, equipment that consumes a lot of power may utilize 1,000 V to 10,000 V rather than 110 V to 250 V. Mostly, 400 V are sufficient for smaller manufacturing facilities and machine shops. Therefore, it is imperative to note that various electrical consumers necessitate the usage of different voltages as per their needs.

Practically, shipping high-voltage power from the power station and later converting it to lower voltages at each destination makes sense. This is because stepping up the voltage reduces current, which in turn minimizes I²R losses (resistive losses) in transmission lines. All of this is possible because of transformers that will be discussed in this article.

Read the full article HERE

And post any of your questions below… Mike