CS ACADEMY

(COMBATORE)

PHYSICS
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
(Step-Down Transformer)

(SESSION: 2023-2024)

Under the Supervision of Submitted By:

Mr Boopathy Sir Regin Sam Robinson
(PGT Physics) Class:- XII - C
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that REGIN SAM ROBINSON, student of Class
XII - C, CS Academy, Coimbatore has completed the project
titled Transformer during the academic year 2023-2024
towards partial fulfillment of credit for the Physics project file
of CBSE 2024, and submitted satisfactory report, as compiled
in the following pages, under my supervision.

Principal Physics lecturer

Mr Neil Guha Boopathy Sir
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my physics mentor MR.

BOOPATHY SIR for his vital support, guidance and encouragement,
without which this project would not have come forth. I would also
like to express my gratitude to my friends for their support during the
making of this project.

(REGIN SAM ROBINSON)

 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVES
3. PRINCIPLE
4. CONSTRUCTION
5. THEORY
6. EFFICIENCY
7. CIRCUIT DAIGRAM
8. ENERGY LOSSES IN TRANSFORMER
9. USES
10. APPLICATIONS
11. PRECAUTIONS
12. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
TRANSFORMER
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.

A transformer which increases the A.C. voltage is called a “Step up

transformer.’

A transformer which decreases the A.C. voltage is called a “Step

down transformer”
A STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

A step-down transformer is one whose secondary voltage is less than

its primary voltage. It is designed to reduce the voltage from the
primary winding to the secondary winding. This kind of transformer
“step down” the voltage applied to it

As a step-down unit, the transformer convert high-voltage, low-

current power into low-voltage, high-current power.
 OBJECTIVE
Prepare a project on “STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER.”

PRINCIPLE

A Transformer is based on the principle of mutual induction.

According to this principle, ‘When the amount of magnetic flux linked
with a coil changing, an e.m.f. is induced in the neighboring coil.’
 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 S1S2, the secondary coil through

an open switch S. Thus there can be no current through the secondary

coil as 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 the magnetic iron core is also negligible.
 THEORY
When an alternating e.m.f. is supplied to the primary coil P1P2, an
alternating current starts flowing in it. The alternating current in the
primary coil produces a changing magnetic flux, which induces
alternating voltage in the primary as well as in the secondary coil. In a
good transformer, whole of the magnetic flux linked with primary coil
is also linked with the secondary coil, then the induced e.m.f. induced
in each turn of the secondary coil is equal to that induced in each turn
of the primary coil. Thus if Ep and Es be the instantaneous values of the
e.m.f.’s induced in the primary coil and the secondary coil and Np and
Ns are the number of turns of the primary and 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--------------------------------------------------------------------- (i)

Es = -Ns dфь/dt---------------------------------------------------------------------- (ii)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by dividing (ii)

by (i), we get

Es / Ep = - Ns / Np ------------------------------------------------------------ (iii)
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 of P1P2 coil, then the instantaneous

current Ip in the primary coil is given by

Ip = (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 (iii) 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 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

Ep Ip = Es Is
Es / Ep = Ip / Is = K
 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.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
 ENERGY LOSSES
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. Hysteretic loss is the loss of energy due to repeated

magnetization and demagnetization of the iron core when A.C. is
fed to it.

5. Magneto striation i.e. humming noise of a transformer.

 USES OF TRANSFORMER

A transformer is used in almost all A.C. operations:-

1· In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator, computer, air

conditioner etc.

2. In the induction furnaces.

3. A step down transformer is used for welding purposes.

4. A step down transformer is used for obtaining large current.

5. In transmission of A.C. over long distance.

 APPLICATIONS
A major application of transformer is to increases voltage before
transmitting electrical energy over long distance through wires. Wires
have resistance and so dissipate electrical energy at a rate
proportional to the square of the current through the wire. By
transforming electrical power to a high-voltage (and there for low-
current) form for transmission and back again afterward, transformers
enable economical transmission of power over long distance.
Consequently, transformers have shaped the electrical supply
industry, permitting generation to be located remotely from points of
demand. All but a tiny fraction of the world’s electrical power has
passed through a series of transforms by the time it reaches the
consumer.

Transformer are also used extensively in electronic products to step

down the supply voltage to a level suitable for the low voltage circuits
they contain.

The transformer also used electrically isolates the end user from
contact with the supply voltage.

Transformer range in size from a thumbnail-sized coupling

transformer hidden inside a stage microphone to huge unit weighing
hundreds of tons used in power stations, or to interconnect portions
of power grids. 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 nearly all electronic devices designed for household
(“mains”) voltage. Transformer are essential for high-voltage electrical
power transmission, which makes long-distance transmission
economically practical.

Single and audio transformer are used to couple stages of amplifier

and to match devices such as microphones and record players to the
input of the amplifiers. Audio transformer allowed telephone circuit
to carry on a two-way conservation over a single pair of wires. A balun
transformer converts a single that is referenced to ground to a signal
that has balanced voltage to ground, such as between external cables
and internal circuits.
 PRECAUTIONS

1. The loss of power in the transmission lines is I2 R, where I is

strength of current and R is the resistance of wires. To reduce the
power loss, a.c. is transmitted over long distance at extremely high
voltages. This reduces I in the same ratio. Therefore, I2R becomes
negligibly low.
2. Permeability of magnetic material of transformer core must be
high.

3. Oiling in transformer provides insulation as well as cooling.

4. The transformer core must be laminated to minimize loss of

energy due to eddy currents.

5. Safety from high voltage is maintained.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Physics textbook for class XII , 1st Edition NCERT (2007).

2. Concepts of Physics, H.C.VERMA, 1ST Edition, Bharti

Bhawan(1993).
3. Fundamentals of Physics , David Halliday, Robert Resnick and
Jearl walker, 7th Edition, Wiley-India(2004)
4. Practical physics for class XII, J.S.Jaiswaland Dr.Rajendra Singh ,3rd
Edition ,Laxmi Publications(2009).