INDEX

S.No Topic Page

1 Introduction 1

2 Principal and Construction 2

3 Theory and Working 4

4 Applications of Transformers 10

5 Conclusions 11

6 Bibiliography 12
 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.

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 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.

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 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. 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.

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 THEORY AND WORKING
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 and, Dф/ dt = rate of change of flux in each
turn of 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 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,

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I = E – Ep / Rp
E – Ep = Ip Rp

When the resistance of the primary coil is small, RpIp

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 transformer ratio

IN A STEP-DOWN TRANSFORMER:
Es < E so K < 1, hence Ns < Np

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

value of secondary current at this instant, Then Input
power at the instant Ep Ip and Output power at the same
instant = Es.

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If there are no losses of power in the transformer, then
Input power = output power
EpIp = EsIs (Or) Es/Ep = lp/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 & amp; a step-down transformer steps up the
current.

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 EFFICIENCY
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of
output power to the input power. i.e.

output power / input power = Es Is / Ep Ip

Thus in an ideal transformer, where there is no power

losses, n = 1

But in actual practice, there are many power losses;

therefore, the efficiency of transformer is less than one.

MATERIAL REQUIRED
• Iron Rod
• Copper wire
• Voltmeter
• Ammeter

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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 (say 60). This constitutes primary coil of
the transformer.

2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and

wound relatively smaller number of turns (say 20)
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 s1 and s2.

5. Now connect s land 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.

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 OBSERVATIONS
We will find the ratio of the voltages across the two coils
is equal to the ratio of number of turns in the coil P to
that in coil S
i.e. Vp/Vs = Np/Ns (1)

The coil P (to which AC voltage is applied) is called the

primary coil and coil S (in which AC is induced) is called
the secondary coil.

Since coil S is placed very to the coil P, the power in the

primary coil is transferred into the secondary coil
through mutual induction.

It is clear from equation (1) that by appropriate choice of

the turn ratio i.e., Np/Ns we can obtain a higher voltage
or lower voltage in S compared to that
in P.

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.

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2. Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of lamination,

3. 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.
4. 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.

5. Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil

tapes the iron core through complete cycle of
magnetization. So Energy is lost due to hysteresis.

6. 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.

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 to obtain large

current.
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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, electric bells etc.

CONCLUSION
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

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 PRECAUTION
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

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. NCERT textbook class 12

2. NCERT physics lab Manuel

3. https://www.slideshare.net/Ayashkant007/transf
ormerclass-12-investigatory-project

4. https://www.seminarsonly.com/Engineering-
Projects/Physics/self-designed-transformer.php

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