Features and Considerations for Electronic Transformers

Inverter transformers are voltage fed power transformers. They are often referred to as electronic transformers because of their use in small-scale power conversion. These inverter transformers are used where DC power is available but AC input is required for electric drive equipment. Inverters perform DC to AC conversion and in addition, transformers can be used as power transformers for step-up or step-down applications, which is why they are considered as special types of actuators. Due to the power conversion and step-up and step-down possibilities, these voltage feed transformers have become popular in a variety of industrial applications.

Electronic transformers are designed for low power applications. They are used in computers, radio frequency (RF) equipment and lighting. Electronic transformers are used to insulate circuits and provide high to AC but low impedance. They are also used to modify or maintain the frequency response and waveform at different potentials. Because electronic devices use tubes, electronic transformers must provide the proper bias voltage values to function properly. Since weight and space are important considerations when designing electronic devices such as handhelds, electronic transformers are smaller and lighter than older power transformers.  

There are many different types of electronic transformers. Flyback transformers (FBTs) or line output transformers (LOPTs) are designed to produce very high output voltages from relatively low input voltages. Pulse transformers connect a pulse forming network (PFN) to a load. By matching the impedance of the load to the PFN, they maximize power transfer efficiency. Rectifier transformers generate DC voltage or current to drive diodes or thyristors, and RF transformers are used for impedance matching across the RF spectrum. Switching mode transformers or switching transformers provide energy storage elements for transferring energy from input to output in discrete packages. These electronic transformers are used in switching power supplies, voltage regulators and converters. 

EE5 Electronic Transformer

Electronic transformer types include LAN transformers, gate drive transformers, and toroidal cores. Local area network (LAN) or telecom transformers are used in applications that require high bandwidth and fast switching speeds. The signal is isolated between primary and secondary ground. Gate drive or trigger transformers are used to drive high-speed switching devices such as field effect transistors (FETs) or insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). Toroidal core transformers consist of copper wires wrapped around a cylindrical wire. Electronic transformers designed in this way prevent the flux overruns that occur in the coils. 

Selecting an electronic transformer requires an analysis of the number of winding turns and performance specifications. There are four choices of winding turns: step-up, step-down, variable and one-to-one. Performance specifications for electronic transformers include operating temperature, power rating, operating frequency range, maximum primary voltage rating, and maximum secondary voltage rating. Since electronic transformers using multiple nominal voltages require more than one primary winding, the maximum voltage for the application is required. 

RM10 Electronic Transformer

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