60Hz toroids used in SMPS design

Status
Not open for further replies.
In the specifications for transformers used in switch-mode power supplies, the higher the switching frequency, the more VA you can get out of the transformer (of course, there's an upper limit to this).

Does this hold true for a standard toroid core transformer? I have a couple of large toroids rated at ~1800VA; they are supposed to be for a basic unregulated supply (60Hz operation). Can they be used in an SMPS design? Will the VA rating be higher if I use them at higher frequencies?
 
how do you know these are for 60hz?

are they tape wound?

if they are for 60 hz they will not work for much above 400hz, unless you are making a 60 hz switching supply.

i found out from experience on some large lighting insulators for radio towers. they work good for chokes at low freq.
 
NO, 50-60Hz transformers are unsiutable for SMPS work, the losses are to high, many things are different.
P.S. Laminations for SMPS work with permalloy (high mu metals) must be VERY thin to work at anything higher than 20kHz, those are used where very rugged (mechanically) supplies are required.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.