ABSTRACT
Operation of transformers at high frequencies presents unique design problems due to the increased importance of core loss, leakage inductance, and winding capacitance. The design of high frequency power converters is far less stringent than designing high frequency, wide-band audio transformers. Transformers designed for switching applications are normally designed to have minimum leakage inductance, in order to minimize the voltage spikes. Transformers designed for power conversion are normally being driven with a square wave, characterized by fast rise and fall times. This fast transition will generate high current spikes in the primary winding, due to the parasitic capacitance in the transformer. Leakage inductance is actually distributed throughout the windings of a transformer because of the flux set-up by the primary winding, thus giving rise to leakage inductance in each winding without contributing to the mutual flux. Operating at high frequency presents unique problems in the design of transformers to minimize the effect of winding capacitance.
