Can someone explain this? (1 Viewer)

[Average Boreduser]

I get how AC transformers work, but how does energy get dissipated?

 

[MJRey]

Well, there's heat energy that's wasted with eddy currents that form around the iron core because of electromagnetic induction. Because it's alternating current, you've got changing voltage and hence a changing magnetic field created in the primary coil. There is then an induced emf in the secondary coil, which gives rise to a current. Although the emf (voltage) is induced to oppose the original change in flux (if this didn't happen, current would be generated indefinitely and this violates LCE), so this creates another magnetic field. So electrical energy in the primary coil is converted into magnetic energy and then transformed into electrical energy in the secondary coil. Others can add to my explanation if they wish.

Hopefully that helps!

 

[wizzkids]

A very-well designed AC transformer can be 98 percent efficient.
There are three main ways that energy is wasted in AC transformers.
(1) electrical resistance in the conductors.
(2) magnetic hysteresis in the core material.
(3) eddy currents in the magnetic core material.
This wasted energy is ultimately converted to heat.
Interested students can do their own research on how selection of materials and methods of construction can reduce these energy losses.