How Do Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers Help In the National Grid?

Step-up and step-down transformers are two useful types of transformers that are used for altering the AC voltage supply to provide power to various types of residential, commercial and industrial electrical applications. This alteration in voltage from one value to another – may it be decrease or increase – requires the transformer to use the principle of electromagnetic induction.

How do step-up and step-down transformers function?

Step-up transformers have more secondary windings than primary windings, meaning that the voltage supplied in secondary is greater than that supplied across the primary. These transformers are mainly used in commercial and industrial usage, where they convert low voltage high current to high voltage low current; thus voltage getting stepped up. Conversely, step-down transformers have more primary windings than secondary windings, meaning that the secondary voltage is lesser than primary voltage. These transformers are designed to convert high voltage low current power to low voltage high current, which is used mainly in residential usage. Some applications that use step-up transformers include CRT flybacks and fluorescent light starter coils, while those that use step-down transformers include CD players, mobile phone adapters and stereos.

How do these transformers help in the working of National Grid?

Power stations burn fuels to create electricity. When current flows through a wire, the primary source of energy loss is heat. The high current results in high consumption of energy. Therefore, to reduce this energy loss, the National Grid transmits electricity at low current and high voltage. The vast difference between the electricity produced by power stations and the amount that is required to be sent across reduces energy loss during the transmission of power. This is where step-up and step-down transformers are used to produce voltage and reduce energy loss during power transmission.

Step-up transformers are used in central power stations to increase the voltage that is required to produce electricity, which is then transmitted further through power lines. This high voltage is dangerous for residential and commercial usage. Thus, when the electrical power reaches local power stations, the voltage is reduced to safe levels by step-down transformers. Only after being converted to a safe level, electricity is provided to residential, commercial and industrial areas. Therefore, step-up and step-down transformers play a huge role in the production and maintenance of electrical voltage, and they also ensure that electricity is conveniently and safely provided to people for usage in all kinds of residential, commercial and industrial segments.

Apart from these two transformers, there is a list of other types of transformers available for varied purposes and applications. Some of the most popular ones include toroidal, medical isolation, power, audio output, three phase, EI, audio line matching, SMPS and UI. All these transformers are available in the finest quality, made with best-in-class materials and high-quality workmanship at Miracle Electronics, the leading transformer manufacturer in India since the past 20 years.

SUMMARY

Step-up transformers are used in central power stations to increase voltage of electricity to be produced, which is then reduced by step-down transformers in local power stations before being provided to the masses as the high voltage otherwise is dangerous.