What occurs to the voltage when transformers are used to step up the voltage in an AC circuit?

When transformers are used to step up the voltage in an AC circuit, the primary purpose is to increase the voltage level from a lower value on the primary side to a higher value on the secondary side. This process relies on the principles of electromagnetic induction.

In a step-up transformer, the number of turns of wire on the secondary coil is greater than the number of turns on the primary coil. According to the transformer equation, which relates the primary voltage (V1) to the secondary voltage (V2) through the turns ratio (N1/N2), an increase in the turns ratio leads to an increase in voltage. Thus, as the electrical energy is transferred from the primary to the secondary coil, the voltage simultaneously rises, making it possible to transmit electrical energy over longer distances with reduced losses.

This transformation from lower to higher voltage is crucial in power distribution systems, where high voltages are necessary to reduce current and minimize energy losses during transmission. The efficiency and effectiveness of the transformer operation directly correlate with this increase in voltage, confirming why this occurrence is expected when a step-up transformer is utilized.