What ratio compares the number of turns in the primary winding to those in the secondary winding?

The turns ratio is a key concept in transformers and electrical engineering that directly compares the number of turns in the primary winding to the number of turns in the secondary winding. This ratio is fundamental because it determines several electrical characteristics of the transformer, including the voltage and current transformation.

In a transformer, the variety of turns in the primary coil (input side) relative to the secondary coil (output side) establishes how much the voltage is stepped up or stepped down. For example, if the primary winding has more turns than the secondary, the transformer is designed to step down voltage, which results in a higher current output. Conversely, if the secondary has more turns, the transformer steps up the voltage and decreases the current.

Understanding this ratio is crucial for calculating the expected output voltage and current based on the input values. The turns ratio is expressed in a simple numerical form, which allows for straightforward calculations and is essential for designing and troubleshooting electrical systems.