Advantages of High Frequency Transformers

In accordance with the continuous development of power supply technology, the miniaturization, high frequency, and high power ratio of power supply systems have become an eternal research direction and development trend. Compared with the traditional low-frequency transformer, high-frequency transformer has higher conversion efficiency and smaller size, and produces more power per cross-sectional area. This leads to a larger transformer volume, and smaller PCBs are not feasible.

What is High frequency transformer?

Transformers with high frequency exceeding the intermediate frequency (10 kHz) can be used in high-frequency switching power supplies as high-frequency switching power supply transformers. They can also be used in high-frequency inverter power supplies and high-frequency inverter welding machines. It is divided into several grades based on working frequency: 10kHz-50kHz, 50kHz-100kHz, 100kHz500kHz, 500kHz1MHz, and above 10 MHz.

11 Advantages of High Frequency Transformers

1. Small size: A ferrite material high-frequency transformer has the advantages of high conversion efficiency and small size.
2. Low cost: Since the amount of silicon steel sheet and copper wire used in the transformer is related to the rated induced potential and current of the winding, the winding capacity is lower, and materials are also used less and the cost is lower.
3. More efficient：Due to the reduced copper and silicon steel wires and sheets, at the same magnetic flux density and current density, the copper and iron losses are reduced compared with the double-winding transformer, so the efficiency is higher.
4. High current density：With its excellent temperature rise characteristics, the high frequency transformer can achieve a high current density in a small sealed space. The current density can reach 30A per module.
5. High power density：The size and conductivity of the high-frequency transformer element are small, and it has excellent temperature dissipation characteristics, which enables it to be well integrated with other semiconductors and inductors to provide high power density.
6. Excellent heat dissipation: With a high surface area to volume ratio and a short thermal path, the high-frequency transformer can operate at ambient temperatures between -40°C and 130°C. The turns ratio loss between the primary and secondary is small, making it a great heat dissipator.
7. Low inductance leakage：The inductance between winding turns can be kept to a minimum by a good coupling between the winding and the winding. The wiring from the output terminal to the auxiliary components is short and tightly connected, so that the leakage inductance on the wiring between the windings is also the smallest.
8. Simple structure and wide applications：Since high-frequency transformers are composed of a small number of parts and a few windings, they are convenient for automated assembly, and are widely used in many industries.
9. High insulation ：Transformers can be insulated according to the required number and thickness of insulation layers。It is possible to conduct dielectric insulation according to customer specifications regarding leakage distance and the withstand voltage between the primary and secondary windings is greater than 4000V.
10. Easy transportation and low transportation costs：It is a small and light transformer, which makes transportation cheaper.
11. It’s easy to install on the PCB：Small size and light weight facilitate the automated production of EMS

Why High-frequency transformers need to be customized

High-frequency transformers are widely used in many industries, and are generally non-standard components and are therefore not selectable, but must be customized.
Select the appropriate core type and core size for the high-frequency transformer based on factors such as the output voltage, the output frequency, the output power etc. It is also necessary to design the heat dissipation method according to the actual working ambient temperature, and to design a high-frequency transformer that fits the customer’s requirements based on a variety of considerations.