A portable CD player requires 12 volts to operate. A transformer allows the device to be powered from a 120-volt outlet. If the primary has 500 turns, how many turns should the secondary have?
U1/U2 =N1/N2
N2 =N1•U2/U1 =500•12/120 = 50
To determine the number of turns the secondary should have, we need to understand the relationship between voltage and turns in a transformer.
In a transformer, the ratio of turns on the primary side to turns on the secondary side is directly proportional to the ratio of voltage on each side. This relationship is governed by the formula:
(Voltage ratio) = (Turns ratio)
Given that the primary voltage is 120 volts and the secondary voltage is 12 volts, we can set up the equation as follows:
(120 volts) / (12 volts) = (500 primary turns) / (secondary turns)
Simplifying the equation:
10 = 500 / (secondary turns)
To solve for the unknown, which is the number of turns on the secondary side, we rearrange the equation:
(secondary turns) = 500 / 10
(secondary turns) = 50
Therefore, the number of turns on the secondary side of the transformer should be 50.