Torroid vs. regular transformer

U4EA · « **on:** 1 Mar 2003, 05:20 pm »

What is/are the diiference(s) between a torroid and a regular (square type) transformer?

JohnR · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Mar 2003, 06:45 pm »

Toroids have less leakage flux so are less likely to induce magnetic hum into nearby circuitry. They are also lighter for the same power capability. I'm not sure if they are more difficult/expensive to wind, I do know that transformers for tube amps (lots of windings) still tend to use EI cores (rectangle).

HTH

markC · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Mar 2003, 07:56 pm »

According to some article that I read, torroids are much more difficult to wind and thats why they are generally more expensive than Hammond or similar types.

U4EA · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Mar 2003, 12:32 am »

Thanks for the info gentlemen. I would assume there is no difference as far as tolerance and such? I am just looking for theory. Was a toroid just developed to reduce hum?

markC · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Mar 2003, 03:43 pm »

For more info. check out www.plitron.com . There is a fair amount of tech stuff on their site.

peranders · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Mar 2003, 06:20 pm »

Hi, all!

New here.

Advantages, see Plitron's home page, covers the most.

Disadvantage:

Huge start current (can be fixed easliy with a soft start circuit)

Sensitive against DC in the mains which can accur when folks have hairdryers and similar stuff with half wave rectification. This creates excessive mechanical hum. Can be fixed with a DC trap. I hade DC where I lived before, very irritating with hum! At that time I didn't know about the DC trap.