Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Step-up Transformer

Electricity has to travel a long way from where it is being generated to reach you. To keep transmission losses at a minimum, the voltage needs to be stepped up. A step-up transformer is used to do this as it converts low voltage to high voltage.

Advantages of Step-Up Transformers

Step-up transformers are the need of the hour for every residential and commercial building. Following are the different advantages it provides:

1. Transmits Power
Step-up transformers are what allow electricity to be transmitted over long distances at low prices. By increasing the voltage of the current that has to be transmitted, the resistance on the line is reduced. This ensures that there are fewer losses along the way. If this were not the case, the power loss on the transmission lines would be so large that it would almost make it impossible for electricity to reach all the places that it does so efficiently today.

2. Works Non-Stop
Many electrical machines cannot work continuously. They need to be switched off for at least a few hours a day, otherwise, their performance gets impacted seriously, but that is not the case with the step-up transformer. This is another reason that ensures that they can be used in power distribution systems.

3. Low Maintenance
Not only can step-up transformers function continuously, but they also don’t need much maintenance. The only maintenance required includes checking the oil, cleaning the contacts, repairing any parts that have been damaged or corroded etc. All of these don’t require much time or money.

4. No Starting Time
A step-up transformer can start operations immediately without any delays. The only time-consuming aspect is the transportation of the device from the manufacturer to the actual location and installing it. Once installed, it starts operating immediately.

5. Efficient:
Due to significant improvements in the technology used for manufacturing transformers, step-up transformers have become highly efficient and suffer from very little losses. Although 100% efficiency is not achievable, it still comes close by being above 95%.

Disadvantages of Step-Up Transformers

Nothing is perfect, and this applies to these transformers as well. Mentioned below are a few disadvantages of these step-up transformers:

1. Requires a Cooling System
For all its advantages, this is a major disadvantage of this type of transformer. Since it is something that is operational all the time, it heats up a lot, and it is not possible to shut it down and wait for it to cool. The only solution is a round-the-clock cooling system.

2. Bulky
The size of the transformer increases as the voltage increases. So, the higher the output voltage, the bigger the transformer. And it is not just the transformer but the cooling system too that contributes to the weight of the transformer. Both of these put together make the whole system very bulky, and it takes up a lot of space.

3. Works only for AC
The transformer can only be used for stepping up alternating current or AC voltages. It does not work for direct current or DC voltages. So the applications are still limited only to AC operations.

Get your Step-up Transformer
A step-up transformer is really vital for the functioning of many factories and even for the power distribution system. It is therefore important that you get it from a reputed manufacturer. ElectPower is one of the most trusted step-up transformer manufacturers in Mississauga. They offer different types of transformers and also provide customized transformers to meet your requirements.

Also Read: Fundamentals of a Step-Up Transformers Manufacturer in Canada