Frequency Characteristics of Power Transformer for Isolated DC-DC Converter

The operational frequency of a transformer is an important factor in the configuration of an isolated DC-DC converter. However, discussions of this frequency are inadequate. This study focuses on the frequency characteristics of the transformers. The frequency characteristics of the impedance and loss of the transformer were obtained to explain their fundamental attributes. When a transformer is employed in a power electronic transformer (PET), the waveform of the voltage is rectangular. The loss under this waveform was obtained in order to observe its characteristics. Furthermore, the problems with the isolated DC-DC converter are explained. The natural frequency, composed of leakage inductance and equivalent-parallel capacitance, determines the performance of the isolated DC-DC converter. When the operational frequency of the isolated DC-DC converter is below its natural frequency, the loss increases under the no-load or light-load conditions. This increase in the loss is caused by the current, which contains the natural frequency of the transformer owing to the ringing.