Advantages and disadvantages of transformer
A transformer is a passive component that is used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another or change the quantities like voltage and current using the principles of electromagnetic induction and mutual induction.
The transformer devices are only used to deal with AC electrical power exclusively, and it is a voltage controlling device this is why they are been used for the distribution and transmission of AC electric current.
The figure shows the moderation of the transformer, as we can see it is a device with having simple arrangement. Two of the coil turns are been winded into the core for mutual connection.
Advantages of transformer
- Simple working
- Simple construction
- Step-up/step-down of voltage and current
- Isolation
- High efficiency
- It is mainly used for the transmission and distribution of power.
- Cost-efficient
- Various types of transistor devices are available
- No moving parts are available
- They don’t require a starting time.
- We can make multiple taps at the transformer
- They offer good mechanical strength
- It can be connected in reverse directions
- We can use them in multiple applications
- It is easy to add and reverse them at circuits
- It is easy to increase and decrease voltages
- They required less monitoring
- Much easier installation
- They had excellent impedance matching
Explanation for advantages of transformer
Simple working & construction
The working principle of a transformer is very simple, windings coils and the core of the transformer are the main parts of the device.
The stepping up/down of power is done at the transformer by simply connecting to its input, the making of the transformer is based on the output we needed.
High efficiency
The transformer is a device having high efficiency, they don’t have any moving parts so the efficiency value will be between 97 to 99%.
Multiple taps
The transformer produces different voltage variations, so wiretapping is made for taking the multiple numbers of outputs with different voltage values.
Good mechanical strength
The metal housing of the transformer offers good mechanical strength, the outer covering is actually for protecting the winding and they had a major role in its overall efficiency.
Impedance matching
The transformer is good at impedance matching, this is due to the power given to the transformer being equal to the power taken out from a transformer.
Disadvantages of transformer
- They need cooling
- Works only in AC power
- They had losses
- Big in size
- They had low power quality
- Harmonics
- Noisy operation
- Less maintenance
- They take up a lot of space
- Heat losses
- Fault correction
- Poor frequency response
- They had frequency distortion at radio frequencies
Explanation for disadvantages of transformer
Transformer cooling
The transformers are available in different sizes and voltage variations most of the transformers are dealing with high power variations, so transformer cooling is a common thing to implement.
Transformer losses
The transformer is actually dealing with four kinds of losses such as resistive losses, eddy current losses, flux losses, and hysteresis losses.
