Saturable Reactor

A saturable reactor is a type of transformer that is designed to control the flow of current in a circuit by utilizing the principle of magnetic saturation. It consists of a core made of a ferromagnetic material, such as iron, and two windings - a primary winding and a secondary winding.

The primary winding is connected to the input voltage source, while the secondary winding is connected to the load. The core of the saturable reactor is designed to be able to saturate, meaning it can reach a point where it can no longer increase its magnetic flux density even if the current through the windings is increased.

By controlling the amount of current flowing through the primary winding, the magnetic flux density in the core can be controlled. This, in turn, affects the amount of current flowing through the secondary winding and thus the output voltage.

Saturable reactors are commonly used in applications where precise control of current or voltage is required, such as in power supplies, motor drives, and voltage regulators. They can be used to regulate voltage, limit current, or provide voltage regulation in power systems.

In summary, saturable reactors are a type of transformer that utilize magnetic saturation to control the flow of current in a circuit, providing precise control of voltage or current in various electrical and electronic applications.