When comparing toroidal transformers and traditional transformers, toroids are typically known to have more benefits than their counterparts. Toroids have doughnut-shaped cores that are constructed from ferromagnetic materials (ferrite, laminated iron, and iron powder). The core is completely wrapped with a wire. More and more, these transformers are becoming a staple in electronic devices like power supplies, amplifiers, and inverters. What are the main differences between toroid and conventional transformers?

Toroids are typically known to be lighter in weight and smaller in size when compared to conventional transformers. In fact, in most cases, a toroidal transformer is up to half the size and weight of standard transformers. The shape of a toroid is ideal for utilizing the least amount of material. Winding is done symmetrically over the entirety of the core, which significantly reduces the length of wire. Toroids are commonly used in small, compact electrical products.

Toroids are also known to have flexible dimensions because the cross-section of the transformer is held constant. Both height and diameter are alterable as a means of accommodating desired applications. Standard transformers cannot be used in many applications that commonly use toroid.

Toroid make less noise than other similarly powered transformers. Windings and cores are known to vibrate because of the forces between core laminations and coil that turn and create audible hums in transformers. Humming noises tend to increase over time as a result of loosening laminations. Toroids are constructed in ways that dampen acoustic noise. A toroid has a wound core that is uniform, which leaves no air gaps. As a result, there are no loose sheets that vibrate. Humming heard from a toroid when powering on can sometimes create noise, but that will lower within several sections. Custom toroid coil winding reduces this noise.

Related Reading about Custom Coil Winding

• What Makes Toroids Great
  A toroid operates at a much lower temperature, when compared to other similar transformers. This helps to reduce heat production in electronics.
• Reasons to Choose a Toroid Over E-I Cores
• Choosing Toroid Transformers Over Other Transformer Types