High School

A buck-boost transformer is typically used to change voltage by between ______ and ______?

Answer :

Final answer:

A buck-boost transformer is used to adjust voltage levels up or down from the input voltage, typically involving small changes around the lower end-user voltages such as 120, 240, or 480 V, rather than the high transmission voltages.

Explanation:

A buck-boost transformer is a type of transformer designed to adjust the voltage level up or down from the original input voltage. The specifics of the voltage change will vary based on the use case and design of the transformer. While there isn’t a universally fixed range provided for buck-boost transformers within the provided text, they are generally used when the desired voltage adjustment is relatively small and not suitable for standard transformers. In a power distribution system, electric power is generated at greater than 10 kV and transmitted at voltages over 200 kV to reduce energy losses, which is indicative of the voltage levels that transformers may handle. Local power distribution subsequently drops to ranges from 5 to 13 kV to 120, 240, or 480 V for end-user safety. Buck-boost transformers specifically may adjust voltages within a percentage range around the typically used lower voltages, rather than the high voltage levels used for power transmission.

The output voltage of a buck-boost transformer can be less than, greater than, or equal to the input voltage based on the configuration of the coils inside the transformer. Equating power input and output (Pp = IpVp = IsVs = Ps) and assuming negligible resistance, a transformer's output power should ideally match its input, minus very minimal losses (efficiency often exceeds 99%). This principle allows buck-boost transformers to effectively adjust voltage within a specific range around standard usage voltages.