View Single Post
  #9   Report Post  
Old July 15th 04, 03:56 AM
Roy Lewallen
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Welcome to the world of transformer design.

What you need to do is make the impedance of the winding considerably
higher than the impedance of the load. For example, the winding
connected to the 32 ohm load should have an impedance that's several
times 32 ohms. A factor of 5 or 10 is generally adequate to keep the
disturbance of the winding to a tolerable level, so shoot for about 160
- 320 ohms of impedance. You'll need to consult the data for the core
you're using to determine how many turns that will require. Do this
calculation for either winding -- the other will come out the same if
the impedances are matched.

When you're dealing with audio and ordinary cores, the winding impedance
will primarily be reactive, and the winding inductance will be fairly
constant with frequency for a given number of turns. Consequently, the
winding impedance (reatance) will be directly proportional to frequency.
That means you need to do the calculation at the lowest audio frequency
you intend to pass through the transformer. Capacitive coupling between
the windings and other effects tend to interfere with proper transformer
action at high frequencies, so high frequency performance degrades if
you use way more turns than needed. Truly high fidelity audio
transformer design is something of an art -- the audio output
transformer was often a major limiting factor in tube-type audio
amplifier performance.

Roy Lewallen, W7EL

Paul Burridge wrote:

On Wed, 14 Jul 2004 19:01:34 -0230, "Terry"
wrote:

[explanation snipped]

Many thanks indeed, Terry. Set out that way, I'll have no trouble
remembering which way around it works in future,which will certainlybe
a first!
The only other question which arises is: having got the correct turns
ratio established; how does one determine the minimum number of total
turns needed to make a transformer that will actually give a
reasonable performance? For example, why pick say T50:T150 if you can
get away with T10:T30? The ratio in each case is the same, but I'll
wager there's a performace price to be paid by going for the
fewer-turns option! Anyone know?