Why can't DC voltage be transformed?
There are two types of electricity, namely direct voltage and alternating voltage. However, only alternating voltage can be transformed. The reason is the principle by which a transformer works, namely electromagnetic induction, which does not work for DC voltage.
The transformer - simplified functional principle
- A transformer is used to convert the value of an alternating voltage into another value, which can be higher or lower.
- In principle, you need two coils (with a continuous iron core) for the transformation, these are the two basic elements of a transformer. Both coils have - depending on the conversion requirement - a different number of windings.
- The original voltage (primary voltage) is applied to the primary coil, the transformed voltage (secondary voltage) can be tapped at the secondary coil. The two voltages behave like the number of turns of the two coils.
- The basis for converting the primary voltage is electromagnetic induction or the law of induction. Roughly speaking, it says that a changing voltage in a conductor (here the primary coil) produces a changing magnetic field. If this magnetic field (here via the iron core) acts on another conductor (the secondary coil), this induces a voltage there. In other words: If the voltage in the primary coil changes over time (!), This change in the secondary coil also generates a voltage that changes over time. The induction voltage follows the rhythm of the secondary voltage, so in the case of the transformer it is also an alternating voltage with the same frequency.
DC voltage cannot be transformed
- In contrast to alternating voltage, which has both polarity and magnitude in time with a certain frequency (50 Hertz for example in the known alternating current network), direct voltage is always (almost) constant over time Value. You know DC voltage from batteries or accumulators, for example.
- The basic condition for the transformation, however, was the law of induction, which only works with a voltage in the transformer that changes over time.
Electromagnetic induction explained in an easy-to-understand way
Electromagnetic induction describes the generation of electricity through a ...
Conclusion: DC voltage cannot therefore be transformed because the required change over time is not given. The voltage induction in the second, secondary coil simply does not take place. So you won't find a transformer for a battery like this.
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