How does increasing the turns ratio of a transformer affect the voltage?

Increasing the turns ratio of a transformer directly impacts the secondary voltage, leading to an increase in the output voltage. The turns ratio, defined as the ratio of the number of turns in the primary coil to the number of turns in the secondary coil, is crucial for understanding how voltage transformation occurs in a transformer. According to the transformer equation, which states that the voltages are proportional to the number of turns, if the number of turns on the secondary coil increases relative to the primary coil, the secondary voltage will rise.

For instance, if a transformer has a turns ratio of 1:2, this means that for every turn in the primary coil, there are two turns in the secondary coil. Consequently, if 10 volts is applied to the primary, the secondary voltage will be 20 volts. Thus, an increase in the turns ratio facilitates a greater increase in the secondary voltage, demonstrating how transformers can step up voltage levels effectively when the secondary has more turns than the primary. This principle is fundamental in the design and application of transformers in various electrical systems.