Flyback Transformer Modelling
Farzin Asadi*,1, Nurettin Abut2
1
: Mechatronics engineering department, Kocaeli university, Kocaeli, Turkey.
2
: Electrical engineering department, Kocaeli university, Kocaeli, Turkey.
{[email protected]}
Abstract:
Providing the required load power using Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS),
leads to smaller and more efficient converters. Flyback converter is one of the most
famous topologies in use. Flyback converter is equivalent to buck-boost converter
with the inductor split to form a transformer. The operating principle of two
converter is very similar. Both transfer energy to the load when switch is in off
state. Also, both suffer from Right Half Plane (RHP) zero when operating in
Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM). Flyback transformer is the most important
part of flyback converter. This paper develops a software package to model the
flyback transformer based on simple measurements. Developed software solves a
set of nonlinear equations to obtain the model parameters. Designing of snubber
circuit can be done based on the obtained model. Developed software is free of
charge. Contact authors to receive the software.
Keywords: Flyback converter, flyback transformer, leakage inductances,
modeling.
Introduction:
Flyback converter (Fig. 1) is one of the most useful converters. It can be used for
both AC/DC and DC/DC conversion. Flyback topology can provide galvanic
isolation between the inputs and outputs. Like other converters Flyback converter
can work in Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) or Discontinuous conduction
modes (DCM).Table 1, list the disadvantages of these two modes:
Table1: Disadvantages of CCM and DCM Flyback converter.
CCM Flyback DCM Flayback
Precense of a right half plane zero in the
response of converter decreases voltage feedback
loop bandwidth.
RMS and peak currents are high
Current mode control needs slope compensation
when duty cycle is greater than 50%. High flux excursion in the inductor
Turning on the power switch take place with
positive current flow. So, in addition to turn off
speed, turn on speed is important.
Schematic of a Flyback converter is shown in Fig. 1:
Figure 1: Schematic of a flyback converter.
While it is common to show a transformer in circuit diagram, generally a coupled
inductor is used instead of a transformer. Coupled inductor stores the income
energy in the air gap. When switch is turned off the stored energy is transferred to
the load. Transformer is a device which transfers energy instantaneously, i.e.
without delay, from input to output ends. Transformers are not designed for storing
energy. Although, using “Flyback transformer” term is common in literature, a
coupled inductor is intended. Modeling a flyback transformer is an important issue.
Flyback transformer’s leakage inductances cause voltage overshoot. Effect of these
leakage inductances on circuit performance can be studied with a circuit simulator
program. This paper introduces a method for modeling flyback transformer. This
paper introduces a software package for modeling flyback transformers. This paper
is organized as follows: Method is introduced in the second section. A toolbox is
developed to automate the calculations in the third section. Finally, laboratory test
results are given and suitable conclusions are drawn.
Method:
Assume a flyback transformer that has one primary winding and two secondary
windings. Generally one of the outputs is the main output, i.e. providing load power
and one is used for cooling purposes, i.e. rotating a fan which cools heat sinks, or
control purposes.
Using elementary circuit analysis, the model shown in Fig. 2, is suggested for three
winding flyback transformer.
Figure 2: Model of 3 winding flyback transformer.
As shown in Fig. 2, there are four inductances available in this model. So, four
independent equations are required to calculate these inductances. Assume that,
frequency is high enough so wire resistance is negligible with respect to inductor
reactance. Injecting a sinusoidal voltage to primary and measuring the open
circuit output voltages on secondary’s ( and ) one can find the
turn ratio as:
and (5)
Where is turn ratio of main output and is the turn ratio of auxiliary output.
Four equations are required for inductance calculations. Assume that L1 is the
inductance seen from primary side when two secondaries are open. L2 is the
inductance seen from primary with power winding open, auxiliary shorted. L 3 is the
inductance seen from primary with power winding shorted and auxiliary winding
open. L4 is the inductance seen from power winding with auxiliary shorted and
open primary.
Relation between L1,L2,L3,L4 and leakage inductances are given below:
These nonlinear equations must be solved to obtain theLl1,Ll2,Ll3, Mo. Developed
software do this job.
Model of a transformer with one primary and one secondary is shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 3: Model of 2 winding transformer.
Parameters of this model can be calculated using three measurements: L p(open),
which is the primary winding inductance with open secondary, Lp(short), that is
primary winding inductance with shorted secondary and , which
is turn ratio. Using these measurements, one can find L1, L2 and Lm as follows:
Where:
Applying the aforementioned procedure to a flyback transformer with and
, Lp(open)= 352.8 µH, Lp(short)= 24.45 µH, leads to ,
H and H.
Developed software:
Fig. 4, shows the developed software, user only enter L1,L2,L3 and L4. Software
solves the nonlinear equations and gives Ll1,Ll2 and Mo.
Figure 4: Developed software.
Laboratory tests:
L1,L2,L3 and L4 are measured with the aid of a precious RLC meter (Fig. 5).
Measurements are done at 100 KHz.
Figure 5: Precious RLM meter used for measurements.
Figure 6: Undertest flyback transformer.
Using aforementioned procedure, following numbers are obtained:
A = 0.99, (11-1)
B =0.484, (11-2)
L1= 1541.8µH, (11-3)
L2= 72.070µH, (11-4)
L3= 57.430µH, (11-5)
L4= 82.804µH. (11-6)
After entering these numbers to the developed software,
Ll1= 22.91µH, (12-1)
Ll2= 34.62µH, (12-2)
Ll3= 11.90µH, (12-3)
Mo= 1500µH, (12-4)
Conclusion:
Flyback converter is one of the most important topologies in use. Flyback
transformer is the heart of flyback topology. This paper introduced a software
package for modeling problem of flyback transformer. Obtained model can be used
for simulation purposes and designing the snubber circuits.
References:
[1] Huang Kewei, Li Jie, Fan Ningjun, Li Yuebin, Hu Xiaolin and Wu Luo,
"Modeling analysis and simulation of high-voltage flyback DC-DC converter,"
2009 IEEE International Symposium on Industrial Electronics, Seoul, 2009, pp.
813-818.
[2] Z. Lu and W. Chen, "Novel winding loss analytical model of flyback
transformer," 2006 37th IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference, Jeju,
2006, pp. 1-6.
[3] T. T. Vu, S. O'Driscoll and J. V. Ringwood, "3-winding flyback transformer
model extraction using time domain system identification," International
Symposium on Power Electronics Power Electronics, Electrical Drives,
Automation and Motion, Sorrento, 2012, pp. 458-463.
[4] W. Yuan, X. Huang, P. Meng, G. Zhang and J. Zhang, "An improved winding
loss analytical model of Flyback transformer," 2010 Twenty-Fifth Annual IEEE
Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC), Palm Springs, CA,
2010, pp. 433-438.
[5] A. Bakkali, P. Alou, J. A. Oliver and J. A. Cobos, "Average modeling and
analysis of a Flyback with Active Clamp topology based on a very simple
transformer," APEC 07 - Twenty-Second Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics
Conference and Exposition, Anaheim, CA, USA, 2007, pp. 500-506.
[6] Erickson R and Maksimovic D (2001). Fundamental of power electronics. 2nd
Edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers, New Jersey, USA.
[7] Mohan N, Undeland T, and Robbins W (2007). Power electronics devices,
converters applications and design. John Wiley and Sons, New York, USA
