– The electric voltage generated by the State Electricity Company (PLN) can generally reach tens to hundreds of kilo Volts, and then lowered to 220V as it is used today by using a device called a transformer.

With this 220V current, then you can enjoy watching television dramas, lighting neon lights, recharging cellphones and also using other electronic equipment. This 220V electric current is a type of alternating current (AC or Alternating Current ). The transformer is also called a transformer or transformer. For this reason, the function of the transformer is as an electrical device that can change the level of an AC voltage to another level.

This transformer or transformer works on the principle of Electromagnetic Induction and can only work on alternating current (AC) voltages. The transformer (transformer) plays a very important role in the distribution of electric power.

The transformer increases electricity from the PLN power plant up to hundreds of kilo Volts for distribution, and then other transformers lower the voltage to the voltage required by every household or office, which generally uses 220 Volt AC voltage.

  • What is a Transformer?
  • Transformer Characteristics
  • Transformer Functions Based on Type
  • Transformer Components
  • How the Transformer Works

What is a Transformer?

A transformer is an electrical device that converts one form of electrical energy into another form of electrical energy. The electric voltage generated by the transformer is determined by the need for electrical energy.

How does the transformer work? Simple, the transformer function consists of 2 insulated coils or wire coils, namely the primary coil and the secondary coil. In most transformers, this insulated wire coil is wound on an iron called the Iron Core ( Core ).

When the primary coil is energized by AC current (alternating) it will generate a magnetic field or magnetic flux around it. The strength of the magnetic field (magnetic flux density) is affected by the amount of electric current it flows. The greater the electric current, the greater the magnetic field.

The magnetic field fluctuations that occur around the first (primary) coil will induce an emf (electromotive force) in the second (secondary) coil and there will be an overflow of power from the primary coil to the secondary coil.

Thus, there is a change in the level of electric voltage either from low voltage to higher voltage or from high voltage to low voltage.

Characteristic Trafo

In general, all transformers have characteristics such as input and output power frequencies are the same. All transformers use the law of electromagnetic induction. The primary and secondary coils have no electrical connections (except for automatic transformers). Power transfer occurs through magnetic flux.

No moving parts are needed to transfer energy, so there's no friction or losses like other electrical devices.

One of the functions of transformers such as distribution transformers is to distribute electrical energy from power plants such as to residential areas and industrial areas. Want to have a house in a residential area with easy access? Check out his selection of houses in Depok for under IDR 700 million here!

Transformer Functions Based on Type

The function of the transformer is to change the electrical quantity of a circuit. The main quantity that is changed by a transformer is voltage.

The transformer is used to lower or increase the voltage. The transformer or step-up transformer functions to increase the voltage. The transformer or step down transformer which functions to lower the electric voltage.

After discussing the characteristics of the transformer, the next discussion is the use of transformers. The main uses in electrical transformers, among others:

  • Step down transformers are used in rectifier circuits, battery charger circuits, TV sets, amplifiers, and so on.
  • Step up transformers are used in stabilizers, industrial controls, heavy machinery, etc.
  • Isolation transformers are used in power electronics circuits, industrial control systems, and more.
  • Current and voltage transformers are used in measuring instruments, electrical control panels, automation systems, and so on.
  • Audio transformers are used in amplifier circuits, balancing circuits, and so on.

Transformer Components

The transformer has a number of main components. The first is the primary coil, which is a transformer coil or winding that is connected to the power supply input.

In a step down transformer, the primary coil has more turns than the secondary coil, but the thickness is smaller than the secondary coil. In a step up transformer, the primary coil has fewer turns than the secondary coil but is thicker than the secondary coil.

The secondary coil is the coil that will be connected to the load. In a step down transformer, the secondary coil has fewer turns than the primary coil but has more thickness. In a step up transformer, the secondary winding has more turns than the primary winding but has less thickness.

The iron core is where the primary and secondary coils of the transformer are injured . The function of the transformer is to deliver the magnetic flux from the primary coil to the secondary coil.

The characteristics of the core of the transformer are low reluctance and high resistance. Generally, all transformer cores are laminated to eliminate current loss.

The iron core in a transformer or transformer in general is a collection of thin iron plates that are isolated and attached in layers with their function to facilitate the passage of the magnetic flux generated by the electric current in the coil and to reduce the heat generated.

How the Transformer Works

The way the transformer works is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. The transformer uses a coil of wire which, when alternating current flows, creates electromagnetic induction. That is, the electric current in the coiled wire produces a magnetic field. The iron core or the place where the wire coil is wrapped will increase the magnetic field resulting from induction. Alternating AC electric current produces a constantly changing flux.

This alternating flux can affect the secondary coil and produce an electromotive force as well as an electric current. The transformer can increase or decrease the voltage depending on the number of turns of the wire. To increase the voltage, the number of primary or transformer windings must be less than the number of secondary windings. Meanwhile, if you want to lower the voltage, the number of primary windings of the transformer must be more than the number of secondary windings.