transformer observation

Transformers

Hi there. Ive always found transformers facsinating, and induction circuits motors etc alike. Ive always understood the relationship between iron and copper in inductive components big and small, but an iron alloy wire, dont get that, copper offers the best performance and reliability, if its transformers motors induction coils etc etc, why an iron alloy. Dave.

 

Can you explain what you mean by this? I don't see how the material of which the primary is made can affect the current in the secondary.
How does the primary DC resistance of your iron coil compare with that of the copper coil?
Does the secondary open circuit Voltage change? If not, do you get this extra current even with no load?

 

Interesting; it's possible the iron wire is now part of the transformer's magnetic circuit. But other than an interesting experiment, I'd ask why bother? Iron has a resistivity nearly 6 times that of copper, meaning the dissipated power will be nearly 36 times higher.

Iron is a lot cheaper than copper. The only reason you find it more expensive is that virtually no one uses it for electrical circuits. Plus, it rusts...

 

All I can think of is that the extra iron offers more "meat" for the secondary (I'm guessing that he was driving his transformer into saturation with the copper wire).

I guess that it's one way of doing it. And besides, it's nice to have a few mad scientists around. You never know when you will want them to try something that would be too crazy for yourself to try.

Where I live we already have a bad reputation for "Hey Bubba, watch this!" (a rednecks famous last words).

 

Transformers

Hi again BC 109.
Why is the iron alloy not in total production of transformers, motors, induction equipment, etc, why is the industry standard not iron alloy ? oh whats the other component in this alloy, an alloy is a mixture of two or more metals ?.

Copper is more expensive than iron alloy, rarer than iron alloy, no matter how pure the iron alloy will not out perform copper in the same circumstances, and copper is less resistive and electrically superior to iron alloy, oh i might try silver, or platinum or even gold, wow a gold transformer, thats got to let me produce better psu projects, i will start with silver, best conductor i believe. Dave. PS hope it pays for its self, silver wire, iam in electronic heaven.

 

I don't think anyone here is doubting what you say. I think what really everyone is asking is where would you use such a transformer and why in this case is it superior?

You are trying to pull people into an argument, just get on with your proof!

 

What is the magnetic coupling between the spools? Is this an air-core transformer? If this is an iron-core transformer, then your stated results make no sense. For an air-core, the iron wire may be partially substituting for an iron core, whereas with copper wire it would remain as true air-core coupling.

 

The source of the magnetic field is ampere-turns. Using iron wire certainly does not increase the number of turns. Also, there is no reason that using iron wire will increase the current flowing through the iron vs copper wire.

So you really don't have a "theory" - what you have is an observed effect along with a paucity of experimental detail that might explain the source of the effect.