Are the primary and secondary windings of a transformer connected?

In a transformer, the primary and secondary windings are not electrically connected to each other. Instead, they are magnetically coupled through the core of the transformer. This design is crucial because it allows the transformer to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another while stepping up or stepping down the voltage based on the number of turns in each winding. The primary winding receives voltage from the power source, creating a magnetic field that induces a voltage in the secondary winding without a direct electrical connection.

This principle of operation underlies the functionality of transformers in power distribution and other applications. Although there may be situations, such as during testing or specific applications, when connections between the windings could be temporarily made, this is not a standard operational procedure. The key factor is that in normal operation, the two windings remain separate to ensure the proper functioning of the transformer and maintain electrical insulation between the input and output circuits.