Transformers that reduce, or step-down, higher voltage to voltages less than 30 volts (V) are called low-voltage transformers. They are commonly used to reduce the standard home 120 volt to 12 volts or 24 volts. A wide variety of everyday appliances use these transformers including low voltage external path lighting, under-counter lighting, door bells and thermostats. Both magnetic and electronic low-voltage transformers are in common use, and each has its advantages.
- In a magnetic low-voltage transformer, two coils of wire, the primary and secondary coil, are used. The primary coil carries the input or high voltage and creates a magnetic flow, which induces a current in the secondary coil. Since there are more windings in the primary coil than in the secondary, the secondary coil has a lower voltage. The exact output voltage depends on the number of windings in the two coils.
Function of the Magnetic Low-Voltage Transformer
Function of the Electronic Low-Voltage Transformer
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