[sdiy] Gapped vs. Ungapped Transformers?

[jhaible at debitel.net]

> > an ungapped transformer has a complete magnetic flux
> > path through the
> > core...
> > very efficient but saturates easily.
> > 
> > Gapping the core (a small gap) allows flux to 'leak'
> > out.. allowing the
> > tranformer
> > to work almost as well at low currents, and able to
> > survive higher
> > currents as well.
> > The transformer coils work like an iron core at low
> > levels and (sort of)
> > more like
> > an air core at high levels...


I thought by using a gap you're getting a combination of both
materials, air and your core material, thus creating a core
that has lower Mu than an ungaped core would have, but also
increasing the maximum allowed H field before the the core
(of combined materials) saturates.

But I've never heard this to be dependent on the signal level.
Why should it (as long as nothing saturates) ?

JH.

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