peterthegrate
Newbie level 2
Enlightenment requestedI've designed many switch-mode power supply transformers in the past and have not questioned the presumption that the ferrite core air gap is best located on the core centre limb, because that's how they are supplied. But I'm working on a new project where extreme high efficiency is a principle objective. On taking measurements on prototype transformers, I've found that the transformer loss is lower when the gap is distributed across all three E-core limbs - ie using a spacer instead of a centre limb only gap. This has been a consistent finding on a number of samples (gapped for same inductance in all cases). Google hasn't found much in the way of confirmation of this, although there are a few hints that this could be the case. The primary winding is full bobbin width foil with secondaries either side of standard magnet wire (high turns ratio). So I'm wondering if anyone has experienced the same or has any observations or comments that may shed light?
Thanks in anticipation . . .