Global energy demand is increasing; factors such as economic growth and changing consumer behavior are leading to an estimated 77% increase in energy demand by 2040. Unfortunately, this increase in energy consumption goes hand in hand with an increase in carbon emissions.
Organizations such as the Carbon Trust and its Footprint Label program help provide consumers at all levels with information to make informed specification and purchasing decisions, and it should come as no surprise that energy efficiency has become a significant focus in today’s markets, especially given the UK government’s aspirations to achieve net-zero consumption by 2050. The efficiency of electrical equipment can play a crucial role in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact. However, not all electronic products are created equal in terms of their energy consumption.
The devices typically use transformers to reduce the applied mains voltage to a level more suitable for the application. Although they have been replaced by switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) for many applications, such as PC power supplies and cell phone chargers, they still offer the best way to both reduce voltage and ensure safety by providing electrical isolation for the connected devices, which is often critical in technologically advanced applications such as medical devices.
However, outdated machine concepts and mindsets can be a major obstacle to achieving energy efficiency goals. For example, conventional laminated core EI transformers often lag behind in terms of efficiency, resulting in unnecessary energy waste, especially compared to more modern toroidal core transformers.
For example, a typical 1000 VA laminated core EI transformer has operating losses at full load of approximately 66 W per hour in each year of its service life. In contrast, a similar REO toroidal core transformer has losses of only about 40 W. That’s a reduction of almost 40%! Over a five-year period, this equates to a CO2 saving of approximately 21 kg, or the equivalent of a 128 km journey in a gasoline car, apart from the cost of generating that wasted energy!
Toroidal core transformers have even more advantages. They can be encapsulated to achieve a degree of protection (IP) of up to IP54. Thanks to the center point mounting, they can be quickly installed in devices or control cabinets, saving time and money. They have been specifically designed to outperform standard EI transformers. They offer better load regulation, lower leakage currents, which are essential in medical applications and comply with IEC/EN 60601, as well as lower losses.
REO toroidal core transformers are developed and manufactured in accordance with EN ISO 9001 and can be supplied as UL-recognized devices with or without NRTL marking for the medical market. Each product is individually tested to ensure compliance and quality. Please visit https://reo.de/produkte/auswahl-transformatoren/ for more information.
