Electronics > Beginners
a question for transformer buffs
glinjik:
i have basically little knowledge of smps transformers but i see on the little smps module i have the ac comes in to i guess a big filter type thing looks bit like a transformer then into a small 4 pin bridge rectifier that goes to a big cap after that through a fuse a diode then to a small transformer my question is if a replicated that bit could i use the outputs of that transformer for something else im thinking of the big computer atx transformers ? and how useful would that transformer be?
bob91343:
The first 'transformer' isn't a transformer at all. It's a common mode choke. From there you go to a rectifier that provides dc that is filtered by an electrolytic capacitor to provide potential to run the unit. At that point, there is a transistor that is switched into a transformer at a high frequency, and subsequently rectified and filtered.
So the short answer to your question is no. You need to get deeper into it to understand what's going on. The engineers didn't go through years of education to do a trivial job and if you want to do what they do you probably ought to hit the books. There are cosiderations of switching speed, frequency, duty cycle, and more that need to be addressed.
ArthurDent:
The actual transformer in a SMPS is designed for the specific IC that drives it at the specific frequency and has the specific size and number of turns of wire on the secondary for the specific output. In order to reuse the transformer you would need to know a lot of the design information that went into the original design. As to how useful it would be would depends on your needs.
It would be a lot easier and safer to try to reuse a line frequency transformer and make a linear supply.
glinjik:
yep your right out of my depth but i am curious of course that's why im here :) ive a lot of these old atx power supplies lying around so just thought maybe but no going to leave alone..... for now >:D
CatalinaWOW:
All of the prior answers are correct, but perhaps a little negative.
The transformer and associated circuitry have had a lot of thought to optimize efficiency, cost and to some extent size and you would need a big percentage of the designers training and expertise to duplicate their results. But if you are willing to accept lower levels of performance these transformers can be used to make home brew switch mode power supplies. You will still need to learn more than you apparently do now, but far short of a full engineering degree and specific experience with SMPS design.
Don't be afraid to learn a little and try something.
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