If a DC voltage is applied to the primary winding of a transformer, it will cause a steady magnetic field to build up in the transformer core. However, transformers operate on the principle of electromagnetic induction, which requires a changing magnetic field to induce voltage in the secondary winding. Since DC voltage does not change polarity or magnitude over time, it cannot induce voltage in the secondary winding. Therefore, if DC voltage is applied to the transformer primary, the transformer will not function to step up or step down voltage as intended in AC operation.
When DC voltage is applied to a transformer, it results in the generation of a steady magnetic field within the transformer core. This magnetic field does not alternate or change polarity, unlike in AC operation where the magnetic field continually fluctuates with the alternating current. As a result, there is no alternating magnetic flux to induce voltage in the secondary winding. Therefore, a transformer fed with DC voltage will not produce any output voltage in the secondary winding.
Applying DC voltage to the primary winding of a transformer results in the establishment of a magnetic field that remains constant over time. This differs from AC operation, where the magnetic field continuously alternates due to the alternating current flowing through the primary winding. Without a changing magnetic field, there is no induction of voltage in the secondary winding. Thus, feeding the primary of a transformer with DC effectively renders it non-functional in terms of stepping up or stepping down voltage.
Transformers are designed specifically to work with alternating current (AC) because they rely on the changing magnetic field induced by AC to induce voltage in the secondary winding. DC voltage, which does not produce a changing magnetic field, cannot be stepped down or stepped up by a traditional transformer. Specialized DC-DC converters or transformers with additional circuitry are used to step down or step up DC voltage to desired levels.
The primary voltage of a transformer refers to the voltage applied to the primary winding of the transformer. This voltage determines the magnetic flux in the transformer core, which in turn influences the voltage induced in the secondary winding according to the turns ratio of the transformer. The primary voltage is typically specified according to the voltage level of the AC power supply or the voltage rating of the equipment the transformer is designed to interface with. For instance, a transformer designed for 120V AC mains will have a primary winding rated for 120V AC.