Which type of winding arrangement does NOT connect the primary and secondary circuits in a transformer?

In a transformer, the primary and secondary windings are essential components that facilitate the transfer of electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. The type of winding arrangement that does not connect the primary and secondary circuits is known as independent winding.

This arrangement allows the primary and secondary windings to operate without any electrical connection between them. Instead, they are magnetically coupled, meaning that the primary winding creates a magnetic field that induces a voltage in the secondary winding, but there is no direct electrical path between the two. This is significant in transformers because it enables the transformation of voltage and current from one level to another while maintaining electrical isolation between the input and output circuits.

In contrast, series and parallel windings involve direct electrical connections that impact how voltage and current flow through the windings. Coupled windings also imply some form of connection in terms of magnetic interaction but are not completely independent in functionality as independent windings are. Thus, independent windings are uniquely characterized by their lack of direct electrical connection while still functioning as part of the transformer's operation.