What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of High Frequency Transformer

Shore power converters have built in isolation transformers that protect yachts from galvanic corrosion, and reverse polarity, in addition to providing complete electrical isolation of shore power from yacht’s electrical system. Two primary types of transformers are widely used: traditional low-frequency (LF) transformers and high-frequency (HF) transformers. Understanding the differences between these technologies and their impact on power systems can help make informed decisions when selecting the best converter system for your yacht.

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Traditional (Low-Frequency) Transformers

Traditional transformers, also known as low-frequency or iron-core transformers, operate at the line frequency of the power source, typically 50 or 60 Hz. They have a primary and secondary winding wrapped around the core, insulated from each other. They provide electrical isolation, protecting the yacht’s electrical system from faults and noise from the shore power supply. These transformers are known for their robust construction, using iron or steel cores and thicker copper windings. This design allows them to withstand mechanical stresses, heat, and electrical noise, making them highly durable and reliable.

These transformers excel in marine applications where long-term reliability and resilience is important. Their ability to manage heat effectively and tolerate short-term overloads without damage makes them a preferred choice in demanding environments. Furthermore, their resistance to electrical noise ensures consistent performance, even in electrically noisy settings.

HF (High-Frequency) Transformers

High-frequency transformers, on the other hand, operate at much higher frequencies (often in the kHz range), allowing them to be smaller and lighter than their traditional counterparts. These transformers rectify incoming AC power to DC, then use a high-frequency DC-DC converter with switching devices. This rapidly turns the DC power on and off, creating high-frequency AC. This high-frequency AC is then passed through a smaller, high-frequency isolation transformer, which utilizes ferrite cores and fine gauge wire to minimize losses. The result is a compact, lightweight transformer that provides complete isolation from shore power.

ASEA’s converter system employs a traditional isolation transformer that operates at line frequency. This setup offers better protection against high transient voltages, such as those caused by lightning strikes or fluctuations in shore power. In contrast, the high-frequency system’s smaller isolation transformer may not provide the same level of protection, potentially exposing your equipment to damage. The robust nature of the line-frequency isolation transformer ensures that your system remains insulated from sudden surges, providing an extra layer of security. This is particularly crucial in marine environments where power stability can be unpredictable.

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With Power Factor Correction (PFC) integrated with a bridge rectifier, our system ensures efficient power conversion with minimal harmonic distortion. This results in better overall power quality, which is essential for sensitive equipment. High-frequency systems, while compact, may introduce noise and require complex control mechanisms that can compromise power quality.

Traditional transformer-based systems are more resilient to environmental factors like moisture, dust, and temperature extremes. This makes it ideal for marine applications where long-term reliability is crucial. High-frequency systems, although efficient, may be more susceptible to environmental stresses due to their complex design and reliance on smaller components thereby having a shorter lifespan.

While high-frequency transformers offer benefits in terms of size, efficiency and cost, a traditional transformer-based converter system stands out due to better reliability, protection, and power quality. In marine environments where power stability and protection of expensive equipment are important, choosing the right converter system ensures that your power needs are met with system that is robust and reliable.

In accordance with the continuous development of power supply technology, the miniaturization, high frequency, and high power ratio of power supply systems have become an eternal research direction and development trend. Compared with the traditional low-frequency transformer, high-frequency transformer has higher conversion efficiency and smaller size, and produces more power per cross-sectional area. This leads to a larger transformer volume, and smaller PCBs are not feasible.

What is High frequency transformer?

Transformers with high frequency exceeding the intermediate frequency (10 kHz) can be used in high-frequency switching power supplies as high-frequency switching power supply transformers. They can also be used in high-frequency inverter power supplies and high-frequency inverter welding machines. It is divided into several grades based on working frequency: 10kHz-50kHz, 50kHz-100kHz, 100kHz500kHz, 500kHz1MHz, and above 10 MHz.

11 Advantages of High Frequency Transformers

1. Small size: A ferrite material high-frequency transformer has the advantages of high conversion efficiency and small size.
2. Low cost: Since the amount of silicon steel sheet and copper wire used in the transformer is related to the rated induced potential and current of the winding, the winding capacity is lower, and materials are also used less and the cost is lower.
3. More efficient：Due to the reduced copper and silicon steel wires and sheets, at the same magnetic flux density and current density, the copper and iron losses are reduced compared with the double-winding transformer, so the efficiency is higher.
4. High current density：With its excellent temperature rise characteristics, the high frequency transformer can achieve a high current density in a small sealed space. The current density can reach 30A per module.
5. High power density：The size and conductivity of the high-frequency transformer element are small, and it has excellent temperature dissipation characteristics, which enables it to be well integrated with other semiconductors and inductors to provide high power density.
6. Excellent heat dissipation: With a high surface area to volume ratio and a short thermal path, the high-frequency transformer can operate at ambient temperatures between -40°C and 130°C. The turns ratio loss between the primary and secondary is small, making it a great heat dissipator.
7. Low inductance leakage：The inductance between winding turns can be kept to a minimum by a good coupling between the winding and the winding. The wiring from the output terminal to the auxiliary components is short and tightly connected, so that the leakage inductance on the wiring between the windings is also the smallest.
8. Simple structure and wide applications：Since high-frequency transformers are composed of a small number of parts and a few windings, they are convenient for automated assembly, and are widely used in many industries.
9. High insulation ：Transformers can be insulated according to the required number and thickness of insulation layers。It is possible to conduct dielectric insulation according to customer specifications regarding leakage distance and the withstand voltage between the primary and secondary windings is greater than V.
10. Easy transportation and low transportation costs：It is a small and light transformer, which makes transportation cheaper.
11. It’s easy to install on the PCB：Small size and light weight facilitate the automated production of EMS

Why High-frequency transformers need to be customized