ENG231, Assignment 1

Due: 12pm, Wednesday, 24 August 2022

Arlec 2166

Input: 240 V, 50 Hz, 1.14 A, 270W

Output: 115 V, 2.17 A, 250W

A transformer is a device that converts one form of an electric field to another. This conversion is
enabled by magnetic fields. An ideal transformer will transform one field to another without any
loss of energy. Real transformers however lose some energy in this process. For example an Arlec
Transformer 2166 (photo above) loses approximately 20 J per second i.e. input 270W but output
250W.
In this Assignment you are asked to look into physics behind an operation of a transformer and
critically apply these physical principles to see where a real transformer looses energy. In this
assignment you will be required (to some extent) to do some literature search on your own. In order
to answer Q4 and Q5 you will need to use Matlab (you can use other software/programming
languages, but Matlab is encouraged).

Tasks:
1. Describe physical processes that occur in an ideal transformer. Divide the full process into a few
steps and describe each step by referring to an appropriate physical phenomenon and physical laws.

2. Assume that Arlec 2166 is an ideal transformer: what is expected turn ratio in such a transformer.
If it were an ideal transformer, what would be the expected output in terms of voltage, current and
power.

3. Name two different processes that are responsible for energy losses and explain why they “drain”
energy from a transformer. Pick 1 of these phenomena, and explain how would you improve the
design to the transformer to reduce this loss. Provide a justification of this new design; why in your
opinion it should reduce the energy loss; your answer should be based on a physical principles.

4. Assume that the hysteresis is very narrow, i.e. the magnetisation does not feature any signs of
permanent magnetisation (ideal case) and can be modelled as
2
M = M sat⋅ π arctan
( 56[ Ai ] ) [ mA ] ,
where the saturation magnetisation is M sat =1.4 MA /m .
In addition, assume that the magnetic flux intensity generated by the input current is of the form

H =h 0⋅i [ ]
A
m
, where h0 =2230 [m ] .
−1

(a) make a plot of the current as a function of time. Adjust the scale so that only 5 individual
oscillations are shown. Label the axes accordingly.
Hint: the amplitude of the input current provided on the label of the Arlec Transformer is
the RMS value.

(b) Make a plot of the hysteresis, ie. the magnetic flux density B as a function of current i. On
the plot mark which region (approximately) is the “linear region” and which region
(approximately) exhibits features related to saturation. Label the axes accordingly.

5. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the core is A = 3cm x 3cm.

(a) Make a plot of the the output voltage (i.e. induced EMF in the secondary winding). Adjust
the scale so that only 5 individual oscillations are shown. Label the axes accordingly.
∂ϕ
Hint 1: the amplitude of the induced voltage is ε =−N .
∂t
Hint 2: If you don’t know what N is, assume some arbitrary value for example N = 100.
Then solve (b)-(d) below and then use the correct value for N.

(b) Compare the plot against the expected output voltage. What do you observe?
Hint 1: the amplitude of the output voltage provided on the label of the Arlec Transformer
is the RMS value.
Hint 2: if the input current is i in =i 01 sin(2 π f t) then the output voltage should be
v out =−v max,2 cos ( 2 π f t ) .

(c) if you were to adjust the input current so that the output voltage is (almost) exactly
v out =−v max,2 cos ( 2 π f t ) what should the input current be?
Hint: add the third harmonic to the input current (i.e. current with the frequency 3 times as
large as the original current):
i input=i 01 sin(2 π t )+i 03 sin (2 π t f⋅3)
and using a “trial and error” method find the amplitude of the third harmonic i 03 .

(d) What is the expected number of turns in the secondary winding?