I have a general idea about how transformers work but I'm a little puzzled about one thing. So what I've read so far, in looking at diagrams, etc., it appears as though the primary coil is hooked up to the voltage source with each end of the coil being connected to the + and - of the source respectively. My question is, since the coil in a transformer is essentially a continuous conductor, how is that this connection to the VS is not a direct short to the VS? From all appearances it just looks like the positive coming from the source connects to one end of the coil, and the other end of the coil connects directly to the negative, creating a continuous direct loop from and to the source - a short. I know there's a simple, logical explanation here, but it doesn't appear in any text I've read so far. Thanks.

 

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/video-lectures/transformers-part-1/

 

I have a general idea about how transformers work but I'm a little puzzled about one thing. So what I've read so far, in looking at diagrams, etc., it appears as though the primary coil is hooked up to the voltage source with each end of the coil being connected to the + and - of the source respectively. My question is, since the coil in a transformer is essentially a continuous conductor, how is that this connection to the VS is not a direct short to the VS? From all appearances it just looks like the positive coming from the source connects to one end of the coil, and the other end of the coil connects directly to the negative, creating a continuous direct loop from and to the source - a short. I know there's a simple, logical explanation here, but it doesn't appear in any text I've read so far. Thanks.

You use the terms positive and negative, which implies that you are using DC.
Transformer don't work on DC. The windings are continuous conductors, and indeed would be a direct short from a DC voltage source.

However, if you connect your transformer to AC, it has a large amount of inductance, and every Henry of primary inductance gives an impedance of 314Ω on a 50Hz supply.

 

As noted, all transformers operate on AC only.
If they have a + and - on the winding leads, that's just to indicate AC polarity of the output versus the input, which is important in some applications.
All transformers are designed with sufficient primary inductance to keep the AC current low (called the magnetizing current) at the transformer's lowest rated frequency and highest rated voltage, with no output load.
If you go above that V/F ratio, then the transformer core may saturate, with
the current increasing greatly, limited mainly by the winding resistance.

 

Thanks everyone... I knew I missing something simple.

 

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/video-lectures/transformers-part-1/

I didn't see anything resembling the answer I was looking for, but thanks for trying.

 

I didn't see anything resembling the answer I was looking for, but thanks for trying.

Read it in detail anyway, you might learn something valuable for later.

 

Read it in detail anyway, you might learn something valuable for later.

I did read it... and like I said, I saw nothing relating to the answer I was looking for... nothing that says anything of the sorts of "a transformer isn't shorted across the coil because of the impedance..." or such. Anyhow, thanks anyway.

 

I did read it... and like I said, I saw nothing relating to the answer I was looking for... nothing that says anything of the sorts of "a transformer isn't shorted across the coil because of the impedance..." or such. Anyhow, thanks anyway.

If it was too advanced (the linked text implies you're already familiar with AC inductance) for you, I'm sorry. Glad you got the answer you were looking for.

 

If it was too advanced (the linked text implies you're already familiar with AC inductance) for you, I'm sorry. Glad you got the answer you were looking for.

Well, that material wasn't too advanced - I never implied that - it simply didn't provide the answer to my question. But again, thanks again for the effort. And yes, I did get the answer which was simple enough... and thank you again. Take care.

 

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/video-lectures/transformers-part-1/

The bloke needs to get a better microphone. He's supposed to be an electronics engineer - he has no excuse.
And his transformer has a strange flux shunt.