The Impact of Lamination Thickness on the Electromagnetic Performance of Transformer Cores

First, the thickness of the core laminations directly affects the magnetic field conduction capability of the transformer. The core is a crucial component of the transformer, primarily responsible for supporting and conducting the magnetic field. Increasing the lamination thickness enhances the core's magnetic field conduction ability, leading to a more uniform distribution of the magnetic field within the core. This, in turn, reduces magnetic reluctance and increases magnetic flux density. As a result, when the same amount of electrical energy is input, a stronger magnetic field can be generated, inducing higher voltage and larger current on the secondary side, ultimately improving the transformer’s output power and efficiency.

Secondly, the thickness of the laminations significantly influences the magnetic hysteresis losses of the transformer. Hysteresis loss is a type of energy loss that occurs in the power transformer core due to the repeated application of the magnetic field. When the thickness of the laminations decreases, the phenomenon of remanence weakens, leading to a reduction in hysteresis losses. However, if the lamination thickness becomes too small, it may decrease hysteresis losses but could also result in excessive stress at the lamination joints, making them prone to breakage, which negatively impacts the reliability and lifespan of the transformer. Therefore, it is essential to select the lamination thickness judiciously to maintain low hysteresis losses while ensuring the overall performance of the transformer.

Additionally, the thickness of the core laminations also affects the transformer’s inductance, mutual inductance, and other electromagnetic parameters. Inductance is the measure of the magnetic field energy stored in the transformer, which is influenced by factors such as the core's permeability, cross-sectional area, and the number of turns in the coils. Changes in lamination thickness can affect the magnetic permeability of the core, thereby impacting the size of the inductance. Similarly, mutual inductance, which generates electromotive force between two coils through magnetic field interaction, also depends on the core's permeability, cross-sectional area, and coil turns. Thus, variations in lamination thickness can also influence mutual inductance, further affecting the electrical performance of the transformer.

When designing and manufacturing transformers, it is vital to choose the lamination thickness based on specific application scenarios and requirements. This ensures that the transformer possesses good magnetic field conduction capability, low hysteresis losses, and appropriate inductance and mutual inductance, thereby enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the transformer.