The Components of a Transformer

Two coils of wire are wound on some type of core material. In some cases, the coils of wire are wound on a cylindrical or rectangular cardboard form. In effect, the core material is air and the transformer is called an air-core transformer. Transformers used at low frequencies, such as 60 hertz and 400 hertz, require a core of low-reluctance magnetic material (usually iron). This type of transformer is called an iron core transformer. Most power transformers are of the iron-core type. The principle parts of a transformer and their functions are:

• The core: Provides a path for the magnetic lines of flux.
• The primary winding: Receives energy from the AC source.
• The secondary winding: Receives energy from the primary winding and delivers it to the load.
• The enclosure: Protects the above components from dirt, moisture and mechanical damage.