Electronic – Transformer Output Ratio not Exact

transformer

I bought a 115 to 15V toroidal transformer.The turns ratio of this should be (115/15)=7.66 ideally.

Now the problem I'm facing is that upon wiring it I'm getting a calculated turns ratio of 6.97, which doesn't match the datasheet.

I plugged it into my wall outlet and measured 122 V with my voltmeter coming into the primary side. On the secondary of the transformer I am getting an output voltage of 17.5 V.

This give me:
(122/17.5)=6.97 turns ratio.

Why is this? The toroidal transformer also had this wound plastic which encircled the coils and I cut that off. Could that be the reason why this is happening or is it just how things in the real world work?

Best Answer

Transformers are usually rated (volts in / volts out) based upon full load current. You are measuring during no load.

So you measured the no load (unloaded) voltage is 17.5 v = 122/6.97 v.

The Un-loaded voltage is a more accurate measurement of the turns ratio.

Fully loaded, you will get lower voltage than 17.5 volts, which results in your transformer's rating of 15 volts output.

Fully loaded means that there will be a voltage drop on the internal resistance of the transformer,