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Chapter 10
10.1.10 Selecting the Wire Gauge and Foil Thickness
In an inductor, the current undulates relatively smoothly. However, in a transformer, the
current in one winding stops completely, to let the other winding take over. Yes, the core
doesn ’ t care (and doesn ’ t even know) which of its windings is passing current at a given
moment, as long as the ampere-turns is maintained—because only the net ampere-turns
determine the fi eld (and energy) inside the core. But as far as the windings themselves are
concerned, the current is now pulsed—with sharp edges, and therefore with signifi cant
high-frequency content. ...