 - A balun is a device that joins a balanced line (one that has two conductors, with equal currents in opposite directions, such as a twisted pair cable) to an unbalanced line (one that has just one conductor and a ground, such as a coaxial cable). A balun is a type of transformer: it's used to convert an unbalanced signal to a balanced one or vice versa. Baluns isolate a transmission line and provide a balanced output. A typical use for a balun is in a television antenna. The term is derived by combining balanced and unbalanced.
In a balun, one pair of terminals is
balanced, that is, the currents are equal in magnitude and opposite in phase. The other pair of terminals is unbalanced; one side is connected to electrical ground and the
other carries the signal.
Balun transformers can be used between various parts of a wireless or cable communications system.
The following table denotes some common applications.
| Balanced |
Unbalanced |
| Television receiver |
coaxial cable
network |
| Television receiver |
Coaxial antenna system |
| FM broadcast receiver |
Coaxial antenna system |
| Dipole
antenna |
Coaxial transmission line |
| Parallel-wire transmission line |
Coaxial transmitter output |
| Parallel-wire transmission line |
Coaxial receiver input |
| Parallel-wire transmission line |
Coaxial transmission line |
Some baluns provide impedance
transformation in addition to conversion between balanced and unbalanced signal modes;
others provide no impedance transformation. For 1:1 baluns (no impedance
transformation), the input and output are usually both 50 ohms or 75 ohms. The most common impedance-transformation ratio is 1:4 (alternatively 4:1). Some baluns provide other impedance-transformation ratios, such as 1:9 (and 9:1), 1:10 (and 10:1), or 1:16 (and 16:1). Impedance-transformer baluns having a 1:4 ratio are used between
systems with impedances of 50 or 75 ohms (unbalanced) and 200 or 300 ohms (balanced). Most television and FM broadcast receivers are designed for 300-ohm balanced systems, while coaxial cables have characteristic impedances of 50 or 75 ohms. Impedance-transformer baluns with larger ratios are used to match high-impedance balanced
antennas to low-impedance unbalanced wireless receivers, transmitters, or transceivers.
In order to function at optimum efficiency, a balun must be used with
loads whose impedances present little or no reactance. Such impedances are called "purely resistive." As a general rule,
well-designed communications antennas present purely resistive loads of 50, 75, or 300
ohms, although a few antennas have higher resistive impedances.
The "balanced" terminals of some baluns can be connected to an
unbalanced system. One terminal of the balanced pair (input or output) is connected
to ground, while the other is connected to the active system element. When this is
done, the device does not operate as a true balun, because both the input and the output
are unbalanced. A balun used in this way has been called an "un-un" (for
"unbalanced-to-unbalanced"). Some baluns can work as an impedance transformer between two unbalanced systems if there is little or no reactance. But
certain types of baluns do not work properly when connected in this manner. It is best to check the documentation provided with the device, or contact the manufacturer, if
"un-un" balun operation is contemplated.
| LAST UPDATED: |
27 Sep 2000
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