INTRODUCTION

The transformer is a device used for converting a

low alternating voltage to a high alternating voltage
or a high alternating voltage into a low alternating
voltage. It is a static electrical device that transfers
energy by inductive coupling between its winding
circuits. Transformers range in size from a
thumbnail-sized coupling transformer hidden inside
a stage microphone to huge units weighing
hundreds of tons used in power plant substations or
to interconnect portions of the power grid. All
operate on the same basic principles, although the
range of designs is wide. While new technologies
have eliminated the need for transformers in some
electronic circuits, transformers are still found in
many electronic devices. Transformers are essential
for high- voltage electric power transmission, which
makes long-distance transmission economically
practical. A transformer is most widely used device
in both low and high current circuit. In a
transformer, the electrical energy transfer from one
circuit to another circuit takes place without the use
of moving parts. A transformer which increases the
voltages is called a step-up transformer. A
transformer which decreases the A.C. voltages is
called a step-down transformer.
Transformer is, therefore, an essential
piece of apparatus both for high and low current
circuits.

Close-up of single-phase pole mount transformer.

 PRINCIPLE

It is based on the principle of mutual induction that

is if a varying current is set-up in a circuit then
induced e.m.f. is produced in the neighboring
circuit. The varying current in a circuit produce
varying magnetic flux which induces e.m.f. in the
neighboring circuit.
 CONSTRUCTION
A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron
core made of laminated sheets, well insulated from
one another. Two coils p1 & p2 and s1 & s2 are wound
on the same core, but are well insulated with each
other. Note that the both the coils are insulated
from the core, the source of alternating
e.m.f is connected to p1p2, the primary coil and a
load resistance R is connected to s1 s2, the
secondary coil through an open switch S. thus there
can be no current through the sec. coil so long as
the switch is open. For an ideal transformer, we
assume that the resistance of the primary &
secondary winding is negligible. Further, the energy
loses due to magnetic the iron core is also
negligible. For operation at low frequency, we may
have a soft iron. The soft iron core is insulating by
joining thin iron strips coated with varnish to
insulate them to reduce energy losses
by eddy currents. The input circuit is called
primary. And the output circuit is called secondary.

An ideal voltage step-down transformer. The secondary current arises from the
action of the secondary EMF on the (not shown) load impedance.

The ideal transformer as a circuit element

 THEORY AND WORKING

When an altering e.m.f. is supplied to the primary

coil p1p2, an alternating current start falling in it. The
altering current in the primary produces a changing
magnetic flux, which induces altering voltage in the
primary as well as in the secondary. In a good-
transformer, whole of the magnetic flux linked with
primary is also linked with the secondary, and then
the induced e.m.f. induced in each turn of the
secondary is equal to that induced in each turn of
the primary. Thus if Ep and Es be the instantaneous
values of the e.m.f.’s induced in the primary and the
secondary and Np and Ns are the no. of turns of the
primary secondary coils of the transformer and, Dфь
/ dt = rate of change of flux in each turn of the coil
at this instant, we have Ep = -Np Dфь/dt (1)
 Es = -Ns Dфь/dt (2)

Since the above relations are true at every instant,

so by dividing 2 by 1, we get

Es / Ep = - Ns / Np (3)

As Ep is the instantaneous value of back e.m.f

induced in the primary coil p1, so the instantaneous

current in primary coil is due to the difference (E –

Ep ) in the instantaneous values of the applied and

back e.m.f. further if Rp is the resistance o, p1p2 coil,

then the instantaneous current Ip in the primary coil

is given by

I =E – Ep / Rp

E – Ep = Ip Rp
When the resistance of the primary is small, Rp Ip

can be neglected so therefore

E – Ep = 0 or Ep = E

Thus back e.m.f = input e.m.f

Hence equation 3 can be written as Es / Ep = Es / E

= output e.m.f / input e.m.f = Ns / Np = K

Where K is constant, called turn or transformation

ratio.

In a step up transformer

Es > E so K > 1, hence Ns > Np

If Ip=value of primary current at the same instant t

And Is =value of sec. current at this instant, then

Input power at the instant t = Ep Ip and Output

power at the same instant = Es Is

If there are no losses of power in the transformer,

then Input power = output power or

Ep Ip = Es Is Or

Es / E p = Ip / Is = K

In a step up transformer

As k > 1, so Ip > Is or Is < Ip

I.e. current in sec. is weaker when secondary

voltage is higher. Hence, whatever we gain in
voltage, we lose in current in the same ratio. Thus
a step up transformer in reality steps down the
current & a step down transformer steps up the
current.
 EFFICIENCY
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of
output power to the input power i.e.

η = output power / input power = Es Is / Ep Ip

Thus in an ideal transformer, where there is no

power losses, η = 1. But in actual practice, there are
many power losses; therefore the efficiency of
transformer is less than one.
 ENERGY LOSSES
In practice, the output energy of a transformer is always
less than the input energy, because energy losses occur
due to a number of reasons as explained below.
1. Loss of Magnetic Flux: The coupling between the
coils is seldom perfect. So, whole of the magnetic flux
produced by the primary coil is not linked up with the
secondary coil.
2. Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of lamination,
Eddy currents are produced. The magnitude of eddy
current may, however be small. And a part of energy is
lost as the heat produced in the iron core.
3. Copper Loss: In practice, the coils of the transformer
possess resistance. So a part of the energy is lost due to
the heat produced in the resistance of the coil.
4. Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil
tapes the iron core through complete cycle of
magnetization. So Energy is lost due to hysteresis.
5. Magneto restriction: The alternating current in the
Transformer may be set its parts in to vibrations and
sound may be produced. It is called humming. Thus, a
part of energy may be lost due to humming.

USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all a.c. operations

In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator,

computer, air conditioner etc.
A step up transformer is used for the
production of X-Rays and NEON advertisement.
Transformers are used in voltage regulators
and stabilized power supplies.
Transformers are used in the transmissions of
a.c. over long distances.
Small transformers are used in Radio sets,
telephones, loud speakers and electric bells etc.