VELAMMAL VIDHYASHRAM

SURAPET

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

ON
CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING OF A
TRANSFORMER

NAME: HARISH.P
CLASS: 12a1
ROLL NUMBER:

SSCE -2022 -2023

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that, HARISH.P of class XII-A1 has successfully

completed the project on the topic CONSTRUCTION AND WORKING
OF A TRANSFORMER under the guidance of Mr.P.AROCKY in
partial fulfillment of physics practical examination conducted by SSCE,
CBSE, New Delhi for the academic year 2022 – 2023.

Signature of Teacher in charge Signature of Internal Examiner

Signature of Principal Signature of External Examiner

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the accomplishment of this project successfully, many people have

best owned upon me their blessings and the heart pledged support. So I
am utilizing this opportunity to thank all the people who have been
concerned with my project.
Primarily I would like to thank God almighty for giving me the strength,
knowledge and good health to complete this project with success.
Then I would like to thank our Principal Mrs. Chithra Madhavan for her
continuous support and our physics teacher Mr. P. Arocky whose whole
hearted guidance helped me to patch this project and make it full proof
success. The suggestions and instructions given by them served as the
major contribution to the completion of this project.
Then I would like to thank my parents and friends who have helped me
with their valuable suggestions and guidance, which has been helpful in
various phases of the completion of this project.
Last but not the least I would like to thank my classmates who have
helped me a lot.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

S NO. TOPICS PAGE NO.

1 Introduction 5-6
2 Aim 6
3 Materials required 7
4 Theory 7-11
5 Procedure 11-16
6 Observation 17
7 Precautions 17
8 Sources of error 17
9 Conclusion 18
10 Bibliography 18

INTRODUCTION
The transformer is a device used for converting a low alternating voltage
to a high alternating voltage or vice-versa. The idea of a transformer was

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first discussed by Michael Faraday in the year 1831 and was carried
forward by many other prominent scientific scholars. However, the
general purpose of using transformers was to maintain a balance
between the electricity that was generated at very high voltages and
consumption which was done at very low voltages. A Transformer based
on the Principle of mutual induction according to this principle, the
amount of magnetic flux linked with a coil changing, an E.M.F is
induced in the neighboring coil. A transformer is an electrical device
which is used for changing the A.C. voltages. A transformer is most
widely used device in both low and high current circuit. As such
transformers are built in an amazing strength of sizes. In electronic,
measurement and control circuits, transformer size may be so small that
it weight only a few tens of grams where as in high voltage power
circuits, it may weight hundred of tones. 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.

BASIC PRINCIPLE BEHIND A TRANSFORMER

The transformer works on basic principles of,

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  Electromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction is a
current produced because of voltage production due to a changing
magnetic field.

 Mutual induction: Suppose there are 2 inductors if some current

flows through coil (1) there will be change in the current as a result
there will be change in the magnetic flux, as a result there will be
change in the magnetic flux in the coil (2) Due to which emf is
induced in the coil (2)

Therefore, a transformer is most widely used device in both low and

high current circuit. As such transformers are built in an amazing
strength of sizes. In electronic, measurement and control circuits,
transformer size may be so small that it weight only a few tens of grams
where as in high voltage power circuits, it may weight hundred of tones.

AIM
To investigate the relation between the ratio of,
1. Input and output voltage.
2. Number of turnings in the secondary coil and primary coil of a self
made transformer.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
 Iron Rod
 Copper wire
 Battery
 Switch

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  Voltmeter
 Ammeter

THEORY
The transformer is basically a voltage control device that is used widely
in the distribution and transmission of alternating current power. The
transformer in the simplest way can be described as a thing that steps up
or steps down voltage. In a step-up transformer, the output voltage is
increased and in a step-down transformer, the output voltage is
decreased. The step-up transformer will decrease the output current and
the step-down transformer will increase the output current for keeping
the input and the output power of the system equal. A transformer is a
device used in the power transmission of electric energy. The
transmission current is AC. It is commonly used to increase or decrease
the supply voltage without a change in the frequency of AC between
circuits. The transformer works on basic principles of electromagnetic
induction and mutual induction when an altering E.M.F. is supplied to
the primary coil p1p2, an alternating current starts 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.

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dф / dt = rate of change of flux in each turnoff the coil at this instant
We have,
Ep = -Np dф/dt _______________ (1)
Es = -Ns dф/dt ________________ (2)
Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by dividing
equation 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,

Ip = E – Ep / Rp E – Ep = Ip Rp
Thus, e.m.f = input e.m.f

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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 DOWN TRANSFORMER,
Es < E so K < 1,
Hence, Ns < Np
If Ip = value of primary current at the same instant and Is equal to value
of secondary current at this instant, then Input power at the instant = 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
Ep Ip = Es Is or Es / Ep = Ip / Is = K
IN A STEP UP TRANSFORMER,
Es > E so K > 1,
Hence, Ns > Np As, k > 1,
So, Ip > Is or Is < Ip
I.e. current in secondary is weaker when secondary voltage is higher.
Hence, whatever we gain in voltage, we lose in current in the same ratio.
Similarly it can be shown, that in a step down transformer, whatever we
lose in voltage, we gain 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 OF A TRANSFORMER:
It is defined as the ratio of output power to the input power.
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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 LOSS:
Following are the major sources of energy loss in a transformer,
1. Copper loss is the energy loss in the form of heat in the copper coils
of a transformer. This is due to joule heating of conducting wires.
2. Iron loss is the energy loss in the form of heat in the iron core of the
transformer. This is due to formation of eddy currents in iron core. It is
minimized by taking laminated cores.
3. Leakage of magnetic flux occurs in spite of best insulations.
Therefore, rate of change of magnetic flux linked with each turn of S1S2
is less than the rate of change of magnetic flux linked with each turn of
P1P2.
4. Hysteresis loss is the loss of energy due to repeated magnetization
and demagnetization of the iron core when A.C. is fed to it.
5. Magnet of striation i.e. humming noise of a transformer.
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PROCEDURE
1. Take thick iron rod and cover it with a thick paper and wind a large
number of turns of thin Cu wire on thick paper. This constitutes primary
coil of the transformer.
2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and wound relatively
smaller number of turns of thick copper wire on it. This constitutes the
secondary coil. It is a step down transformer.
3. Connect p1, p2 to A.C main and measure the input voltage and
current using A.C voltmeter and ammeter respectively.
4. Similarly, measure the output voltage and current through s1and s2.
5. Now connect s1and s2to A.C main and again measure voltage and
current through primary and secondary coil of step up transformer.
6. Repeat all steps for other self made transformers by changing number
of turns in primary and secondary coil.

TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS
Transformers are used in various fields like power generation grid,
distribution sector, transmission and electric energy consumption. There

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are various types of transformers which are classified based on the
following factors;

 Working voltage range

 The medium used in the core
 Winding arrangement
 Installation location

I. Based on Voltage Levels

Commonly used transformer type, depending upon voltage they are
classified as:

 Step-up Transformer: They are used between the power

generator and the power grid. The secondary output voltage is
higher than the input voltage.
 Step down Transformer: These transformers are used to convert
high voltage primary supply to low voltage secondary output.

SR.NO. STEP-UP TRANSFORMER STEP-DOWN TRANSFORMER

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 The output voltage of the Step-up The output voltage of the Step-
1. transformer is more than that of the down transformer is less than that
source voltage. of the source voltage.

LV winding of the transformer is HV winding of the transformer is

2. the primary, and HV winding is the primary and LV winding is
secondary. secondary.

The secondary voltage of the Step- The secondary voltage of the

3. up Transformer is greater than its Step-down Transformer is less
primary voltage. than its primary voltage.

The number of turns in the primary The number of turns in the

4. winding is less than in the primary winding is more than the
secondary winding. secondary winding.

The primary current of the The secondary current is more

5. transformer is more than the than the primary current.
secondary current.

A Step-up transformer is generally A step-down transformer is used

used for power transmission. in power distribution. The
6. Generator Transformer in the transformer in a residential
power plant is one example of a colony is one example of a step-
Step-up Transformer. down transformer.

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II. Based on the Medium of Core Used
In a transformer, we will find different types of cores that are used.

 Air core Transformer: The flux linkage between primary and

secondary winding is through the air. The coil or windings wound
on the non-magnetic strip.
 Iron core Transformer: Windings are wound on multiple iron
plates stacked together, which provides a perfect linkage path to
generate flux.

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III. Based on the Winding Arrangement

 Autotransformer: It will have only one winding wound over a

laminated core. The primary and secondary share the same coil.
Auto also means “self” in language Greek.

IV. Based on Install Location

 Power Transformer: It is used at power generation stations as

they are suitable for high voltage application
 Distribution Transformer: Mostly used at distribution lanes for
domestic purposes. They are designed for carrying low voltages. It
is very easy to install and characterized by low magnetic losses.
 Measurement Transformers: These are further classified. They
are mainly used for measuring voltage, current, power.
 Protection Transformers: They are used for component
protection purposes. In circuits, some components must be
protected from voltage fluctuation etc. Protection transformers
ensure component protection.

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APPLICATIONS OF TRANSFORMERS
1. In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator, computer, air conditioner,
etc…
2. A step down transformer is used for welding purposes.
3. A step down transformer is used for obtaining large current.
4. A step up transformer is used for the production of X-Rays and
NEON advertisement.
5. Transformers are used in voltage regulators and stabilized power
supplies.
6. Transformers are used in the transmissions of a.c. over long distances.
7. Small transformers are used in Radio sets, telephones, loud speakers
and electric bells etc…

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OBSERVATION

 No. of turns in primary coil, NP = 2000

 No. of turns in secondary coil, NS = 100

S. NO. INPUT OUTPUT EP /ES

VOLTAGE VOLTAGE
EP [VOLT] ES [VOLT]
1. 12 V 240 V 1/20
2. 240 V 12 V 20

PRECAUTIONS
1. Keep safe yourself from high voltage.
2. While taking the readings of current and voltage the A.C should
remain constant.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Values of current can be changed due to heating effect.
2. Eddy current can change the readings.

CONCLUSION
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1. The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary coil
depends upon the ratio (Ns/Np) with respect to the input voltage.
2. The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary coil
depends upon the ratio (Ns/N p) with respect to the input voltage.
3. There is a loss of power between input and output coil of a
transformer.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 NCERT textbook class 12
 SL ARORA physics class 12
 NCERT physics lab Manuel
 www.byjus.com
 www.yahoo.com
 www.scribd.com
 www.google.com

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