The Difference Between Step-up Transformer and Step-down Transformer

1. Introduction of step-up transformer and step-down transformer

The transformer is a common electrical device that can be used to  transform a certain value of alternating voltage into another value with the same frequency. The step-up transformer is used to convert the alternating voltage with a low value into another one with a higher value of the same frequency. While the step-down transformer plays the role of converting the high voltage in the input side into the relatively low ideal voltage in the output side, so as to achieve the purpose of voltage reduction.

2. Differences between step-up transformer and step-down transformer

The basic step up transformer working principle is the same as step-down transformer. The main difference is the number of turns of the primary and secondary winding: the number of turns of the primary winding of the step-up transformer is small, while that of the step-down transformer is big. There is no difference between the step-up transformer and step-down transformer in theory, but in practical use, there are some differences. Generally, the step-up transformer can be used to play the role of the step-down transformer, but step-down transformer is basically unworkable in step-up.

The difference between step-up or step-down lies in the ratio of the number of turns in the primary coil to the number of the secondary coil. If the ratio is 1:1,then the voltage will not rise or fall, and the transformer only plays the role of isolation. In theory, the step-down transformer upside down can be used as a step-up transformer,but in practice it may not be feasible.

As its name implies, the step-up transformer is used to increasing the instantaneous value of the supply voltage, while the step-down transformer is to convert the higher voltage in the power input side into the lower ideal voltage for the normal use of our home appliances to achieve the purpose of step-down.