How does transformer leakage inductance affect a power supply?
Transformer leakage inductance is an undesirable property that can affect the performance of a power supply in various ways.
Leakage inductance refers to the magnetic flux that does not link the primary and secondary windings of a transformer. This is due to imperfect coupling between the windings and can cause several problems.
One major issue caused by transformer leakage inductance is the generation of voltage spikes and ringing in the power supply output.
This is because the leakage inductance acts as a resonant circuit with the parasitic capacitances present in the system, leading to voltage overshoots and oscillations. These spikes can be harmful to sensitive electronic components and cause reliability problems.
Another problem caused by leakage inductance is reduced efficiency, as some of the energy stored in the magnetic field is lost due to the leakage. This can lead to higher power dissipation and increased operating temperatures.
