Small, compact and efficient, single phase transformers are used in a wide variety of applications and systems. The role of any transformer in an electrical system is to convert the voltage into the system to something different going out of the transformer. At the same time, there is no change in frequency, so it acts as a way to protect sensitive electrical components from sudden changes in voltage.
The role of single phase transformers is typically to lower the signal in most common appliances and electronic equipment that is used in business as well as home applications. However, they can also be used as a step-up transformer; it simply depends on the specific system. They are designed to work on AC current and, in most cases, they continue to function throughout the life of the equipment and rarely fail if selected and installed correctly for the system.
The Design and Function
These transformers are relatively simple in design. They have a core, around which are two windings. One is called the primary winding, which is the winding on the AC current comes into the transformer. This creates an alternating electromagnetic field around the transformer core. The secondary winding carries the changed current, which is determined by the primary and secondary winding ratio, to the component.
This electromagnetic field builds and then collapses, which allows the power to induce through the secondary winding. The primary and secondary windings do not physically come into contact, which means this also creates an isolation circuit with a standard two winding transformer.
There is also the option of an autotransformer. These types of single phase transformers use only one winding, and therefore cannot perform the function of an isolation transformer in the system.
Due to their design, effectiveness, and durability, both single phase and autotransformers are used in most types of appliances and small equipment systems. They are also used in computers as well as in utilities, mostly in rural areas where power demand is limited.
