6.3.

Transformer isolation

Objectives:
• Isolation of input and output ground connections, to meet
safety requirements
• Reduction of transformer size by incorporating high
frequency isolation transformer inside converter
• Minimization of current and voltage stresses when a
large step-up or step-down conversion ratio is needed —
use transformer turns ratio
• Obtain multiple output voltages via multiple transformer
secondary windings and multiple converter secondary
circuits

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 31 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 A simple transformer model

Multiple winding transformer Equivalent circuit model

i1(t) n1 : n 2 i2(t) i1(t) i1'(t) n1 : n2 i2(t)

+ + + iM(t) +

v1(t) v2(t) v1(t) LM v2(t)

– – – –
i3(t) i3(t)
+ +

v3(t) v1(t) v2(t) v3(t) v3(t)

n 1 = n 2 = n 3 = ...
– –
0 = n 1i1'(t) + n2i2(t) + n 3i3(t) + ... : n3
: n3
ideal
transformer

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 32 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 The magnetizing inductance LM

• Models magnetization of Transformer core B-H characteristic

transformer core material
B(t) ∝ v1(t) dt
saturation
• Appears effectively in parallel with
windings
• If all secondary windings are
slope ∝ LM
disconnected, then primary winding
behaves as an inductor, equal to the
magnetizing inductance H(t) ∝ i M (t)

• At dc: magnetizing inductance tends

to short-circuit. Transformers cannot
pass dc voltages
• Transformer saturates when
magnetizing current iM is too large

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 33 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 6.3.4. Flyback converter

Q1 D1
buck-boost converter:
–

Vg + L V
–

Q1 D1
construct inductor
winding using two –
1:1
parallel wires:
Vg + V
– L

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 57 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 Derivation of flyback converter, cont.

Q1 D1
Isolate inductor
windings: the flyback –
1:1
converter
Vg + LM V
–

Flyback converter
having a 1:n turns +
1:n D1
ratio and positive
output: LM C V
Vg +
–
Q1 –

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 58 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 The “flyback transformer”

transformer model
● A two-winding inductor
ig +
i + 1:n D1 iC ● Symbol is same as
transformer, but function
LM vL C R v
differs significantly from
Vg + – ideal transformer
– –
● Energy is stored in
magnetizing inductance
Q1
● Magnetizing inductance is
relatively small

● Current does not simultaneously flow in primary and secondary windings

● Instantaneous winding voltages follow turns ratio
● Instantaneous (and rms) winding currents do not follow turns ratio
● Model as (small) magnetizing inductance in parallel with ideal transformer

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 59 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 Subinterval 1

transformer model

ig +
i + 1:n iC

LM vL C R v
vL = Vg
+
Vg
– iC = – v
– R
– ig = i

CCM: small ripple

approximation leads to
vL = Vg
iC = – V
R
ig = I

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 60 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 Subinterval 2

transformer model i/n

ig +
i 1:n iC
=0 +
– vL = – nv
+ vL v/n C R v
Vg
– iC = ni – v
+ R
– ig = 0
–

CCM: small ripple

approximation leads to

vL = – Vn
iC = nI – V
R
ig = 0

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 61 Chapter 6: Converter circuits

 CCM Flyback waveforms and solution

vL
Vg
Volt-second balance:
vL = D (Vg) + D' (– V
n) = 0
–V/n
Conversion ratio is
I/n – V/R
iC
M(D) = V = n D
Vg D'
Charge balance:
iC = D (– V ) + D' ( nI – V ) = 0
–V/R R R
ig
Dc component of magnetizing
I
current is
I = nV
D'R
0 Dc component of source current is
DTs D'Ts t
Ts
I g = ig = D (I) + D' (0)
conducting
devices: Q1 D1

Fundamentals of Power Electronics 62 Chapter 6: Converter circuits