I was wonder if there is a way to identify the turns ratio, etc..
I'm tryin to build another inverter based on the one I have ... the rest of the components are all just basic, caps, resistors, a trans and a diode... the transformer is the only unknown
but now that I think about it, just about any step-up transformer (or a step down wired backward?) should work, it'll just change the output voltage right?
I'm tryin to build another inverter based on the one I have ... the rest of the components are all just basic, caps, resistors, a trans and a diode... the transformer is the only unknown
but now that I think about it, just about any step-up transformer (or a step down wired backward?) should work, it'll just change the output voltage right?
When I mess with reverse engineering mystery inductors/transformers I us an LCR bridge to glean info on the device. I measure the DC resistance of the winding/s then measure same on inductance setting. This gives enough useful info for duplicating the device.
When I have to identify transformer, I simply use another transformer.
To identify coils first use conductivity check (ohmmeter), label the
ends than take any coil and connect it to low AC voltage source (3-6VAC)
which is normally supplied by other transformer. Use AC voltmeter
to get the voltages on any coil/tap you want then do the math...
Don't forget to check the power rating. For low frequency (50/60Hz)
transformers this can be done based on type/shape of core and size of
cross section. For switching PSU things could get a bit trickier but if you
are salvaging components from some old PSU, you should have good
idea of it's power.
One simple reason is the inductive reactance of the winding, a transformer with very few windings will have a low inductance - so if you stick it across 50Hz mains it will act like a short circuit, drawing excessive current and blowing things!. The same inductance at a much higher frequency, 100KHz is common, will have a much higher reactance and not draw excessive current.
Try working out the reactance values for various values of inductance at both 50Hz and 100KHz - you will soon see what I mean!.