I came across this switching power supply circuit and I noticed the transformer is connected in a way I had never seen before. What is the benefit of connecting it like that? And why does the circuit use a capacitor voltage divider?
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asked Sep 25, 2017 at 23:00
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\$\begingroup\$ You might want to google "line filter" \$\endgroup\$– PlasmaHHSep 26, 2017 at 8:45
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2 Answers
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In order to understand the circuit, you need to understand what it is trying to accomplish. Primarily, it is a high frequency (low pass) line filter. This is accomplished with a capacitor and an inductor, for each line (4 components).
Some smart person figured out that the windings of a 1:1 transformer could be used as the inductor with the advantage of reducing the component count (3 now) and the additional benefit of cancelling out any common mode "noise" on the lines. It is this last benefit, that requires the use of a "transformer," to keep each "inductor's" characteristics, as equal as possible (same core, materials,number of turns, etc.).
In conclusion, the answer is, that each transformer winding is being used as an inductor, that's why they are connected as shown.
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2\$\begingroup\$ This answer misses the key factor that the two inductors are coupled. \$\endgroup\$ Sep 29, 2017 at 3:02
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That's not used as a transformer, it is referred to as a "common-mode choke".
It and the capacitors connected to it are there to minimize the amount of interference that conducts from the device into the power line from which it can radiate and interfere with other equipment. It also reduces the chance of any interference on the power line getting into the device. Apart from being an inconvenience to users this is required by the regulatory organizations such as the FCC.
By connecting the windings as shown the magnetic flux created by the current flowing in one winding is cancelled by the other so there is normally no flux caused by the current feeding the device - this allows the core to be smaller than otherwise.
This way of connecting the windings does not however prevent it offering a high inductance for common mode signals that can either cause interference or be caused by interference.
These common mode chokes are common in electronic devices, especially those with switching power supplies that tend to create a lot of interference.
answered Sep 25, 2017 at 23:07
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3\$\begingroup\$ Well, from a strict perspective it is a transformer all the same - just not in the colloquial "make something have the right number of teh voltz" sense :) \$\endgroup\$ Sep 26, 2017 at 10:27
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2\$\begingroup\$ Perfectly correct. Some people have even used them as transformers for 'off-label' applications. \$\endgroup\$ Sep 26, 2017 at 12:30
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\$\begingroup\$ Isn't it a literal transformer, where an opposing voltage is induced into the respective secondary, when used as a common mode choke and there is common mode current to choke? \$\endgroup\$ Sep 26, 2017 at 21:14