What is "transformer"

Transformer \Trans*form"er\, n.

1. One who, or that which, transforms. Specif. (Elec.), an apparatus for producing from a given electrical current another current of different voltage.

2. (1990's) a toy consisting of a figure or representation of an object, constructed of interlocking parts in such a way that a series of turning or twisting motions of the parts can transform the object from one type of object to a different type of object, such as from an animal to an automobile. Multiple transformer. (Elec.)

   1. A transformer connected in multiple or in parallel with the primary circuit.

   2. A transformer with more than one primary or more than one secondary coil.

      Parallel transformer (Elec.), a transformer connected in parallel.

c.1600, "one who or that which transforms," agent noun from transform (v.). Meaning "device to reduce electrical currents" is from 1882.

n. 1 Something that transforms, changing its own or another thing's shape. 2 (context electrical engineering English) A static device that transfers electric energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling. Their main use is to transfer energy between different voltage levels, which allows choosing most appropriate voltage for power generation, transmission and distribution separately.

n. an electrical device by which alternating current of one voltage is changed to another voltage

A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction produces an electromotive force within a conductor which is exposed to time varying magnetic fields. Transformers are used to increase or decrease the alternating voltages in electric power applications.

A varying current in the transformer's primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer core and a varying field impinging on the transformer's secondary winding. This varying magnetic field at the secondary winding induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) or voltage in the secondary winding due to electromagnetic induction. Making use of Faraday's Law (discovered in 1831) in conjunction with high magnetic permeability core properties, transformers can be designed to efficiently change AC voltages from one voltage level to another within power networks.

Since the invention of the first constant potential transformer in 1885, transformers have become essential for the transmission, distribution, and utilization of alternating current electrical energy. A wide range of transformer designs is encountered in electronic and electric power applications. Transformers range in size from RF transformers less than a cubic centimeter in volume to units interconnecting the power grid weighing hundreds of tons.

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.

Transformer may also refer to:

• Transformer (album), a 1972 album by Lou Reed
• Transformer (Bruce Kulick album), 2003
• Transformer (flying car), a DARPA military project
• Asus Transformer, a series of hybrid tablet computers
• Prada Transformer, building in Seoul
• "Transformer", a song by Gnarls Barkley from St. Elsewhere
• Transformer, a 1986 Sega arcade game
• TrikeBuggy Transformer, US powered hang glider
• Transformer (spirit-being), indigenous tradition of the Pacific Northwest of North America
• Transformers, a toy-based media franchise

Transformer is the second studio album by American rock musician Lou Reed. Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the album was released in November 1972 through RCA Records.

The Transformer was a pre-eminent spirit-being in many traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America and among some Interior peoples in the same part of the continent. Often appearing as more than one being, and seen in the plural as Transformers, the name of this/these being(s) varies from people to people, though all Coast Salish names are similar:

• In Skwxwu7mesh, the name is Xáays and in their tradition there were not one Transformer, but more than one, referred to as the Transformer Brothers.
• In Halkomelem , the name is Xa:ls; see Xa:ytem.
• in Lummi, the name of the Transformer is Xelas, sometimes Xe'las

The name of one of the Transformers in Kwak'wala is Q!a'neqe lak, who married the daughter of a chief of the 'Namgis at the village of Whulk at the mouth of the Nimpkish River; the chief, Gwa' nalalis, was later transformed by Q!a'neqe lak into the Nimpkish River.