Contribution of leakage flux to the total losses in transformers with magnetic shunt

• Published in: International journal of electronics 2021-04, Vol.108 (4), p.558-573
• Main Authors: Bakar, M. Abu, Haller, Stefan, Bertilsson, Kent
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Inductance; Integrated Leakage inductance; Integrated transformer; Leakage; leakage flux; leakage inductance loss; leakage loss; Power converters; power density; resonant converters; transformer losses; Transformers
• ISSN: 0020-7217; 1362-3060; 1362-3060
• DOI: 10.1080/00207217.2020.1793404

To execute soft switching methods in resonant power converters, transformers with larger leakage inductance are getting more attention. Many papers have constructed various concepts in this regard. However, a discussion about, how the transformer efficiency is affected is lacking in the literature. This paper analyses the effects of the increased leakage inductance on the performance of the transformer. A transformer for increased leakage inductance is modelled and constructed to investigate the losses. The model discusses the effects of increased leakage inductance either by increasing the inter-winding spacing or by integrating the magnetic shunt within the transformer. The investigations show that increasing the leakage inductance by inserting a magnetic shunt can have severe degrading effects on the performance of the transformer, if not designed adequately. Additional losses are also calculated and the effects are verified by the experiments.