Types and Construction of Transformer Cores

types and construction of transformer cores

The magnetic circuit is a fundamental component of a transformer core. Whether laminated or wound, the core provides a low-reluctance path for the main magnetic flux generated by the excitation windings. The portion of the core surrounded by the windings is known as the core limb, while the part not enclosed is referred to as the yoke.

Iron coreiron core

In small transformers, the cross-section of the core limb is typically rectangular or square. For large transformers, stepped polygonal cross-sections are preferred to approximate a circular shape and better accommodate the windings.

Cross-Section of Core Columns in Large Transformers

MOOPEC offers precision longitudinal and transverse cutting services for grain-oriented silicon steel, tailored to the structural requirements of both core-type and shell-type transformers. This ensures high assembly accuracy and material optimization for transformer manufacturers.

Core-Type vs. Shell-Type Transformer Structures

  • Core-type transformers have yokes positioned at the top and bottom of the windings but do not enclose the sides.

Core-type Transformer

  • Shell-type transformers, by contrast, feature yokes that surround the top, bottom, and partially the sides of the windings.

Shell-type Transformer

MOOPEC supports custom cutting of silicon steel laminations for both transformer types, including staggered overlaps and mitred joints, helping clients refine magnetic circuit performance.

Laminated Core Structures and Joint Techniques

Laminated cores are assembled using silicon steel sheets cut to specific profiles and stacked in layers. Most transformers use cold-rolled grain-oriented (CRGO) silicon steel, which exhibits lower losses and higher permeability along the rolling direction. Three-phase mitred core stacks are commonly adopted to reduce core loss at magnetic flux corners.

MOOPEC supplies premium CRGO materials in compliance with both domestic and international standards. Backed by high-precision cutting equipment, we support complex lamination geometries that guarantee superior magnetic performance and low core losses.

International CRGO Grades
MOOPEC GradePOSCOJFETKSNSC
M20MQ65    
M20MQ70  H070-20 
M20MQ75  H075-25 
M20MQ80   20ZH80
M23MQ75  H075-23 
M23MQ8023PHD08023JGHE080H080-23 
M23MQ8523PHD08523JGHE085H085-2323ZH85
M23MQ9023PHD09023JGH090H090-2323ZH90
M23MQ95 23JGH095 23ZH95
M23MQ100 23JGH100 23ZH100
M27MQ9027PHD09027JGSD090H090-2727ZH90
M27MQ9527PHD09527JGSD095H095-2727ZH95
M27MQ10027PH10027JGH100H100-2727ZH100
M27MQ105    
M27MQ110 27JGH110H110-2727ZH110
M30MQ10030PHD100 H100-3030ZH100
M30MQ10530PH10530JGH105H105-30 
M30MQ110  H110-3030ZH110
M30MQ12030PG10530JGH120 30ZH120
Product Specifications

Nominal Thickness(mm)

MOOPEC
Grade

Theoretical density (KG/dm³)

Min. Induction(T)

Min.Lamination factor(%)

0.20

M20G65

7.65

1.8995.0
0.20

M20G70

7.651.8995.0
0.20

M20G75

7.651.9095.0
0.20

M20G80

7.651.9095.0
0.23

M23G75

7.651.8995.5
0.23

M23G80

7.651.8895.5
0.23

M23G85

7.651.8695.5
0.23

M23G90

7.651.9095.5
0.23

M23G95

7.651.8995.5
0.23

M23G100

7.651.8995.5
0.27

M27G90

7.651.9096.0
0.27

M27G95

7.651.9096.0
0.27

M27G100

7.651.9096.0
0.27

M27G105

7.651.8996.0
0.27

M27G110

7.651.8996.0
0.27

M27G115

7.651.8996.0
0.27

M27G120

7.651.8896.0
0.30

M30G100

7.651.9096.5
0.30

M30G105

7.651.9096.5
0.30

M30G110

7.651.8996.5
0.30

M30G120

7.651.8996.5

Performance Comparison of Butt Joints, Miter Joints, and Step-Lap Joints

Double-layer Staggered Stacking of Rectangular Silicon Steel Laminations:

Double-layer Staggered Stacking
Miter-jointed Staggered Stacking of Silicon Steel Laminations:

Staggered Stacking
In this configuration, the air gaps between laminated sheets at the joint between the core column and the yoke are bridged by the overlapping laminations in the subsequent layer. As a result, when one layer is stacked over another, the joint area avoids continuous air gaps.

Laminated Overlap

In a butt joint, the overlap angle is 90°, which is simpler to manufacture. However, since the magnetic flux at the joint does not follow the grain-oriented direction, it results in higher losses. Therefore, this type of joint is typically used in small transformers.

A miter joint usually features an overlap angle between 30° and 60°, allowing magnetic flux to pass along the grain-oriented direction, thereby minimizing losses.

The step-lap joint method provides superior performance compared to staggered joints.
In the diagram below, the operating magnetic flux density of the core is designed at 1.7 T. For the staggered lap core, the flux density at the joint rises to 2.7 T (deep magnetic saturation), while the flux density in the air gap is about 0.7 T. In contrast, for the step-lap core, the flux density in the air gap is approximately 0.04 T, and the flux density at the joint is close to 2.0 T.

Step-lap Joint Method Step-lap and Staggered-lap Joints

MOOPEC provides silicon steel cutting services based on client drawings and can accurately process laminations for various joint styles, supporting quality optimization of transformer cores.

Optimizing Yoke Structures

In traditional core structures using yoke clamping rods, punched holes introduce magnetic distortion and elevate loss. Designs without tie rods perform better, utilizing special clamping methods (e.g., fiberglass or stainless-steel bands) and epoxy edge bonding to improve layer adhesion and reduce transformer noise.

Core Structure with Yoke Tie Rods

MOOPEC collaborates closely with clients to align lamination punching schemes with transformer design requirements, ensuring accuracy in cutting and improved core assembly.

Amorphous Alloy Transformers: Material Characteristics

Amorphous alloy transformers offer high permeability, low coercivity, and high saturation induction, with extremely low core losses. During processing, it’s essential to minimize mechanical stress to preserve magnetic stability.

MOOPEC operates dedicated cutting and stacking lines for amorphous alloy materials, ensuring consistent performance during processing and supporting the development of energy-efficient transformer designs.

Continuous Wound Core Technology

In planar wound core transformers, silicon steel is wound continuously without joints, significantly reducing magnetic reluctance. This structure reduces no-load current by 60–80% and no-load losses by 20–35% due to optimal grain orientation.

Post-annealing restores the magnetic properties lost during mechanical processing.

Planar Wound Core Transformer

MOOPEC offers continuous core winding capabilities for multiple planar wound core specifications, maximizing the directional benefits of silicon steel to enhance core performance.

Advantages of Three-Dimensional Wound Core Technology

Three-dimensional wound core transformers feature a symmetrical magnetic circuit across all three phases, balancing no-load current. With magnetization aligned along the rolling direction and no overlaps between layers, magnetic flux is evenly distributed, avoiding localized saturation and flux distortion.

Three-dimensional Wound Core Transformer

MOOPEC: Your End-to-End Expert in Electrical Steel and Precision Processing

As global energy efficiency standards continue to rise, so do expectations for transformer core materials and processing technology. MOOPEC is committed to providing high-performance electrical steels—both CRGO and amorphous alloys—along with comprehensive processing services, including:

✅ Grain-oriented silicon steel (CRGO) material supply
✅ High-precision slitting and shearing
✅ Custom lamination cutting
✅ Automated core winding (planar)
✅ Amorphous alloy cutting and stacking
✅ Flexible batch production support

Whether you’re developing high-efficiency power transformers or require reliable material processing services, MOOPEC delivers premium materials and precision-engineered solutions to help enhance your product competitiveness.

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