What type of transformer produces a secondary voltage lower than the primary voltage?

A step down transformer is designed specifically to reduce the voltage from the primary side to the secondary side. In this type of transformer, the number of turns in the primary winding is greater than the number of turns in the secondary winding. This relationship dictates that when an alternating current flows through the primary winding, it induces a magnetic field that generates a lower voltage in the secondary winding.

This functionality is essential in various applications where devices require a reduced voltage to operate safely and effectively, such as in household electrical systems or in powering low-voltage appliances. Step down transformers can handle a range of power requirements and are commonly used in electrical distribution networks.

In contrast, other transformer types like step up transformers increase the voltage, isolation transformers maintain the same voltage level while providing electrical isolation between circuits, and auto transformers can both step up and step down voltage depending on their configuration, but they do not produce a secondary voltage that is consistently lower than the primary. Therefore, knowing the specific purpose and design of a step down transformer solidifies its role in voltage regulation and control.