Using Transformers in Electrical Engineering
Transformers are among the
most common of electrical devices found in power plants, substations,
electrical, and electronic equipment. Just about every electrical device makes
use of transformers in one way or another. This guide will help you understand
how they work and are used.
From hulking substations near
a city's edge to the familar electrical connects near our houses, electrical
engineers and designers (and electronics designers, too) make use of
transformers in a variety of ways. Here you値l find a number of common
applications where you can find transformers in use with some examples of easy
circuits that you can make.
Some Examples of Transformer Types
Design and Principle of Operation
Transformers work on the
principle of induction. You値l read about this principle of induction, how it
works, and how it is taken advantage of in transformer design. You値l read
about the different types of transformers, step-up, step-down, isolation, and
others. You値l discover the various materials that are used in the construction
of the different types of transformers. You'll discover how transformers can
take household current and turn it into a much lower voltage, such as a cell
phone charger. You'll also discover how a transformer can take electrical power
input at one level and output that power in two, three, or more voltage levels
for a variety of uses, be they commercial or consumer-oriented.
Typical Uses for Transformers in Electrical Engineering
There are many reasons that an
electrical engineer will may put a transformer into an electrical device or
circuit. The device being powered may require higher quality power than what is
available from the local utility. Maybe the device being powered needs
frequency matching. Some of the uses for transformers in commercial and
consumer applications will be described for your edification. Generated power
transmitted over long distances can't always be counted on to maintain a
constant voltage. You'll discover how utilities correct for power loss over
long haul transmission lines so that end users don't experience power dips and
surges.
Uses for Transformers in Power Utilities and Generation
Drive through a rural area and
you can稚 miss the power poles and overhead power lines. Equally as
recognizable and visible are the transformers that power utilities place on
power poles. Utility substations also make heavy use of transformers to deliver
power of usable levels and quality to businesses and consumers alike. Some of
the uses that power generators and utilities make of transformers will be
explained. Electrical power is generated at a generating station. The generated
power is then transmitted to consumer over high tension power lines. Between
the end user of the generated power and the generating station, electrical
engineers working for the utility will place a number of substations, for power
conditioning, creating different voltage levels, and other uses. Discover some
of the uses that power generators and utilities have for transformers.
Various Commercial and Consumer Uses of Transformers
Just about any electrical
device you pick up uses a transformer in one way or another. Every commercial
building you may find yourself in has at least three or four large high-power
transformers to provide the different voltages required to power overhead
lighting systems, telephone systems, and other types of electrical devices. A
number of these different implementations of transformers will be discussed in
detail. Additionally, a number of easy to make circuits will be discussed. Some
of these circuits are great teaching tools for students just beginning to learn
about electrical and electronic design. Whether you need more or less voltage
than your building is supplied with, or if you need Direct Current instead of
Alternating Current, you値l find examples of circuits and devices that make use
of transformers. How do you take the alternating current from the electrical
outlet on your wall and turn into a usable direct current voltage? The process
of converting AC power into DC power is called rectification. You'll learn a
few different ways to make a rectifier to power just about any DC device you
may own.