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Mutual Inductance
If two coils of wire are brought into close proximity with
each other so the magnetic field from one links with the other, a voltage will
be generated in the second coil as a result. This is called mutual
inductance: when voltage impressed upon one coil induces a voltage in
another.
A device specifically designed to produce the effect of
mutual inductance between two or more coils is called a transformer.
The device shown in the above photograph is a kind of
transformer, with two concentric wire coils. It is actually intended as a
precision standard unit for mutual inductance, but for the purposes of
illustrating what the essence of a transformer is, it will suffice. The two wire
coils can be distinguished from each other by color: the bulk of the tube's
length is wrapped in green-insulated wire (the first coil) while the second coil
(wire with bronze-colored insulation) stands in the middle of the tube's length.
The wire ends run down to connection terminals at the bottom of the unit. Most
transformer units are not built with their wire coils exposed like this.
Because magnetically-induced voltage only happens when the
magnetic field flux is changing in strength relative to the wire, mutual
inductance between two coils can only happen with alternating (changing -- AC)
voltage, and not with direct (steady -- DC) voltage. The only applications for
mutual inductance in a DC system is where some means is available to switch
power on and off to the coil (thus creating a pulsing DC voltage), the
induced voltage peaking at every pulse.
A very useful property of transformers is the ability to
transform voltage and current levels according to a simple ratio, determined by
the ratio of input and output coil turns. If the energized coil of a transformer
is energized by an AC voltage, the amount of AC voltage induced in the unpowered
coil will be equal to the input voltage multiplied by the ratio of output to
input wire turns in the coils. Conversely, the current through the windings of
the output coil compared to the input coil will follow the opposite ratio: if
the voltage is increased from input coil to output coil, the current will be
decreased by the same proportion. This action of the transformer is analogous to
that of mechanical gear, belt sheave, or chain sprocket ratios:
A transformer designed to output more voltage than it
takes in across the input coil is called a "step-up" transformer,
while one designed to do the opposite is called a "step-down," in
reference to the transformation of voltage that takes place. The current through
each respective coil, of course, follows the exact opposite proportion.
REVIEW:
- Mutual inductance is where the magnetic field generated
by a coil of wire induces voltage in an adjacent coil of wire.
- A transformer is a device constructed of two or
more coils in close proximity to each other, with the express purpose of
creating a condition of mutual inductance between the coils.
- Transformers only work with changing voltages,
not steady voltages. Thus, they may be classified as an AC device and not a
DC device.
Lessons In Electric Circuits copyright (C)
2000-2002 Tony R. Kuphaldt, under the terms and conditions of the Design
Science License.
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