Broken transformer core

[smason]

I have yet another Vantec drive dock supply with bad caps.
This one was subjected to a bit too much percussive persuasion opening the case, and one of the transformer's cores is broken.

Any issue with just pushing it back together or even gluing it?
In case it's not pbvious, in the photo the broken piece is on the right above the ac connector.

[japlytic]

Re: Broken transformer core

This broken transformer is an EMI filtering choke, and should not be difficult to obtain.
Be sure to get one which is not too high and has the same pin spacing as the original.

[smason]

Re: Broken transformer core

This broken transformer is an EMI filtering choke, and should not be difficult to obtain.
.

Thanks for the reply. But if the repairer happened to be too lazy to look for a replacement, being that it's just a filter, would just putting it back together change the inductance enough to really matter?

[mariushm]

Re: Broken transformer core

It's for EMI filtering, it's a component that doesn't affect the functionality of the power supply, it just "cleans" the noise it sends back through the mains wire.

If you didn't cut the wire, then you could just leave it like that... the thing still works albeit maybe at less optimum level.

In theory, you could just desolder the inductor completely and replace it with two jumper wires - that's done in lots of cheapo power supplies. It just won't filter noise that well anymore.

[JayArr_BC]

Re: Broken transformer core

If you are going to try to "fix" a broken core then you have to mind the 'gap' The larger the gap at the break the more energy will be stored there and the less efficient the core will be. First thought is to glue it but if you put glue inside where it broke that actually puts a larger gap at the break. If you can clamp it somehow and then use thicker glue to just bridge over the crack along the outside that will be better.

If you look at the way E cores in SMPSs are assembled you'll see that they don't put glue on the ends that will touch each other, they clamp the E tightly together and glue accross the gap and then tape all around.

[budm]

Re: Broken transformer core

Is that broken core or broken bobbin? It is just a common mode choke, as mariushm explained, the power supply will still work without it.

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Broken transformer core

Eh, just superglue it and call it a day. Done this even to switching transformers and they worked fine.

[budm]

Re: Broken transformer core

I agree with TH3, no need to worry about that part at all.