Transformer Design Pitfalls (Part 2): Demonstrating Stepup Difficulties

Focus:

In part 1 of this article an analysis of the transformer turns ratio on input impedance and the associated input time constant revealed that the turns ratio in stepup transformers has a significant impact on these two transformer input parameters. In this follow-up article, we’ll show another effect of the turns ratio in loading a transformer’s driver circuitry. In this case, we’ll examine the impact in a popular emerging application —battery chargers in electric vehicles. An LTspice simulation of a stepup transformer similar to one that might be used in this application (for stepup from 12 V to 400 V or higher) demonstrates the difficulty.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand how a stepup transformer could multiply the load capacitance seen on the input of a transformer, causing excessive loading of driver circuitry
• How to understand why a stepup transformer would cause excessive loading of driver circuitry in EV battery charger applications requiring stepup from 12 V to 400 V or higher

View the Source

Author & Publication:

Gregory Mirsky, Design Engineer, Deer Park, Ill., How2Power Today, Aug 15 2022

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