What are the pros and cons of using ferromagnetic material in transformers?

Advantages

• High magnetic permeability: Ferromagnetic materials have high magnetic permeability, which means they can generate a large magnetic induction intensity under a relatively small magnetic field strength. In a transformer, using ferromagnetic materials for the core allows most of the magnetic field generated by the windings to be concentrated inside the core, enhancing the magnetic field coupling effect. This, in turn, improves the electromagnetic conversion efficiency of the transformer, enabling it to transfer and transform electrical energy more effectively.

• Low hysteresis loss: Hysteresis refers to the phenomenon where the change in magnetic induction intensity lags behind the change in magnetic field strength in a magnetic material under an alternating magnetic field, resulting in energy loss. Ferromagnetic materials like silicon steel sheets have a relatively small hysteresis loop area. This indicates that in an alternating magnetic field, the energy loss caused by the hysteresis phenomenon is relatively low, which helps improve the efficiency of the transformer and reduces energy waste.

• Low eddy - current loss: When a transformer is in operation, the alternating magnetic field induces an electric current, known as an eddy current, in the core. Eddy currents cause the core to heat up and result in energy loss. By using ferromagnetic materials with high resistivity and making the core into thin sheets (such as silicon steel sheets) that are insulated from each other, the path for the eddy current can be effectively reduced, thereby lowering the eddy - current loss and improving the performance and reliability of the transformer.

• Good saturation characteristics: Ferromagnetic materials can maintain good linear magnetic properties within a certain range of magnetic field strength and only enter the saturation state when the magnetic field strength reaches a certain value. This characteristic enables the transformer to stably transfer electrical energy during normal operation. Moreover, in abnormal situations such as overloading, the saturation characteristic of the core can limit the further increase of the transformer current, providing a certain degree of protection.

Disadvantages

• Hysteresis and eddy - current losses: Although the hysteresis and eddy - current losses of ferromagnetic materials are relatively low, during the long - term operation of the transformer, these losses still generate heat, causing the transformer temperature to rise. To ensure the normal operation of the transformer, effective heat - dissipation measures need to be taken, which increases the design and manufacturing costs of the transformer.

• Heavy weight: Ferromagnetic materials have a relatively high density. Using ferromagnetic materials to manufacture the transformer core increases the overall weight of the transformer. This not only poses difficulties in the transportation and installation of the transformer but also may require a more robust support structure, further increasing the cost.

• Significant temperature influence: The magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials are affected by temperature. When the operating temperature of the transformer rises, the magnetic permeability of the ferromagnetic material decreases, and the hysteresis and eddy - current losses increase, which affects the performance and efficiency of the transformer. Therefore, when designing a transformer, the influence of temperature on the properties of ferromagnetic materials needs to be considered, and corresponding temperature compensation measures should be taken.

• Possible noise generation: During the operation of the transformer, due to the magnetostriction effect of the core, the ferromagnetic material vibrates mechanically, generating noise. This noise not only affects the surrounding environment but may also impact the service life and reliability of the transformer. To reduce noise, special design and manufacturing processes, such as using low - noise core materials and optimizing the core structure, need to be adopted.