Power transformer as audio transformer
 

Antonio Vernucci wrote:

Thanks, reading those discussions and other references, it was possible to
determine that single-ended audio transformers must have a gap in the magnetic
path, this fact making power transformers generally unsuitable for that
application.

Yes, but it IS possible to to cut a gap into an existing EI core
transformer.

The problem is that when you do it, ALL of the transformer parameters
will change.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Power transformer as audio transformer
 

Tio Pedro wrote:
The same problem with the DC flow in the
transformer exists when a power transformer
is used with a halfwave rectifier.
Typically the transformer rating is degraded by
60% when be using with halfwave rectication
due to the DC current flowing in the secondary.

No, the DC currents sum to zero. That derating is only required when
the transformer secondary is poorly balanced.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Power transformer as audio transformer
 

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...
Tio Pedro wrote:
The same problem with the DC flow in the
transformer exists when a power transformer
is used with a halfwave rectifier.
Typically the transformer rating is degraded by
60% when be using with halfwave rectication
due to the DC current flowing in the secondary.

No, the DC currents sum to zero. That derating is only required when
the transformer secondary is poorly balanced.
--scott


How does that occur in a half-wave circuit?
It is a series circuit. The half-wave
rectifier produces a voltage across the load that is
a complex waveform with both a DC and an AC component.
Since it is a series circuit, the same situation exists in the
transformer secondary. DC sums would be zero with a full
wave rectifier or a full-wave voltage doubler.

Pete

Power transformer as audio transformer
 

On Aug 9, 3:04*pm, "Antonio Vernucci" wrote:
I'd like to hear someone having tried to use a power transformer as output
transformer for the single-ended final stage of a tube communications receiver
(power 5W, maximum, frequency not higher than 4,500 Hz).

As a matter of fact a plain power transformer with a 220V primary winding and 6V
secondary winding would well match a 4-ohm speaker to a 5400-ohm plate load.

Basic questions:

1) does the DC current flowing through the transformer create problems? (do
proper audio tranformers have a gap in the magnetic path to avoid saturation?)

2) would a typical transformer work up to 4500 Hz, while maintaining the
expected impedance ratio?

3) would modern tranformers wound on a toroidal core offer better performances?

Unfortunately, proper audio transformers are getting scarce these days.

Thanks and 73.

Tony I0JX

Was looking at a smallish ex-microwave oven transformer other day and
wondering same. using one at much lower current as single ended OP
transformer?

Typical small scrapped m.wave transformer. Thousand watts at 115 volts
means primary handles around 8 to 9 amps.
Secondary at say 2000 volts handles 0.5 amps (500 ma.) Suppose we were
to use it at say less than 100 ma. plate current; to avoid saturation?
Note:

If the output of the transformer is around 2000 volts RMS (before DC
voltage doubling etc.) and has a 115 volt primary it has a voltage
ratio of around 17 to one. So a (single ended) tube impedance match
from an 8 ohm speaker of about 2400 is possible?

That could be suitable for a triode connected (non P-P) output tube?

Also wondered if other power transformers could be used at low DC
currents to avoid saturation etc. and perhaps cathode connected?

For example a centre tapped 700 volt power transformer (350-0-350)
would have a voltage ratio to its 6.3 volt winding of 111, hmmm!
That's a very high impedance ratio!

And it's 6.3 plus 5.0 volt winding (11.3) it would have a voltage
ratio of about 62, also very high!

But to its 115 volt winding the voltage ratio is 700/115 = 6.1 for an
impedance transform of 37.

Thence 37 times 8 = 296; adequate to match the cathode follower
impedance of P-P 'grounded' plate OP tubes?
With DC currents in the cathode circuits tending to cancel each other?

Just playing with thoughts at this stage!

Note: Seen use of those ex. m.wave transformers for battery chargers,
their primaries are pretty rugged and a 12 volt secondary can be not
too many turns of something capable of quite a few amps!