Sähkömuuntaja

Sähkömuuntaja, commonly known as a transformer in English, is a passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to another, or multiple circuits, through electromagnetic induction. It is a stationary electrical device that is used to increase or decrease alternating current (AC) voltage. Transformers do not change the frequency of the AC power.

The fundamental principle behind a transformer's operation is Faraday's law of induction. It consists of two or more coils of wire, known as windings, which are typically wound around a common ferromagnetic core. The winding connected to the AC power source is called the primary winding, and the winding connected to the load is called the secondary winding. When an alternating current flows through the primary winding, it creates a fluctuating magnetic field in the core. This changing magnetic field then induces a voltage in the secondary winding.

The ratio of the number of turns in the primary winding to the number of turns in the secondary winding determines whether the transformer is a step-up transformer (increasing voltage) or a step-down transformer (decreasing voltage). In a step-up transformer, the secondary winding has more turns than the primary, while in a step-down transformer, the secondary winding has fewer turns. Transformers are essential components in power transmission and distribution systems, as well as in numerous electronic devices.