CONTENT

S.No. TITLE PAGE No.

1 Aim 05
2 Introduction 06
3 Principle 07
4 Theory 08
5 Types 10
6 Construction 12
7 Working 13
8 Efficiency 14
9 Energy losses 15
10 Power transfer 16
11 Uses 17
12 Conclusion 18
13 Bibliography 19
 AIM

To study the basic schematic

structure of a Transformer and the
principle under which it works and also
the advantages and disadvantages of
transformers.
 Introduction
A transformer is one of the most common devices found in
electrical system that links the circuits which are operating at
different voltages. These are commonly used in applications
where there is a need of AC voltage conversion from one
voltage level to another.

It is possible either to decrease or increase the voltage and

currents using transformer in AC circuits based on the
requirements of the electrical equipment or device or load.
Various applications use wide variety of transformers
including power, instrumentation, and pulse transformers.

In a broad, transformers are categorized into two types,

namely, electronic transformers and power transformers.
Electronic transformers operating voltages are very low power
levels. These are used in consumer electronic equipment like
televisions, personal computers, CD/DVD players, and other
devices.

The term power transformer is referred to the transformers

with high power and voltage ratings. These are extensively
used in power generation, transmission, distribution, and
utility systems to increase or decrease the voltage levels.
However, the operation involved in these two types of
transformers is same.
 PRINCIPLE
It works on the principle of mutual
induction, i.e., when a changing current
is passed through one of the two
inductively coupled coils, an induced
emf is set up in the other coil.
THEORY:
A transformer is used either to obtain a high AC voltage
from a low-voltage AC source or to obtain a low AC voltage
from a high-voltage AC source. The design of a simple
transformer is shown in the figure below. Two coils are
wound separately on a laminated soft-iron core. One of the
coils is called the primary and the other is called secondary.
The original source of alternating voltage is connected across
the primary. An induced emf appears across the ends of the
secondary which is used to drive current in the desired circuit.
Suppose there are N1 turns in the primary and N2 turns
in the secondary. An alternating emf ε1 is applied across the

primary which produces a current i1 in the primary circuit and

a current i2 in the secondary circuit. The currents in the coils
produce a magnetization in the soft-iron core and there is a
corresponding magnetic field B inside the core. The field due
to magnetization of the core is large as compared to the field
due to the currents in the coils. We assume that the field is
constant in magnitude everywhere in the core and hence its
flux (BA) through each turn is the same for the primary as
well as for the secondary coil. Let the flux through each turn
𝑑𝛷
be φ. The emf induced in the primary is -N1 and that
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝛷
induced in the secondary is -N2 = ε2. If we neglect the
𝑑𝑡
resistance in the primary circuit, Kirchhoff’s loop law applied
to the primary circuit gives

ε1 - N1𝑑𝛷
𝑑𝑡
=0

ε1 = N1𝑑𝛷
𝑑𝑡
… (i)

ε1 = -N2𝑑𝛷
𝑑𝑡
… (ii)

From (i) and (ii),

ε2 = - (N2/N1)ε1 …(iii)

The minus sign shows that ε2 is 1800 out of phase with

ε1. Equations (i),(ii) and (iii) are valid for all values of
currents in the primary and the secondary circuits.
 TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS
(1) Step-up Transformer:
A step-up transformer is a type of transformer that
converts the low voltage (LV) and high current from the primary side
of the transformer to the high voltage (HV) and low current value on
the secondary side of the transformer.

Advantages:
• Easy maintenance
• High efficiency
• Quick start
• Power transmitter

Disadvantages:
• Requires a cooling system
• Works only on alternating current (AC) signals
• Huge size
(2) Step-down Transformer:
A step-down transformer is a type of transformer that converts
the high voltage (HV) and low current from the primary side of the
transformer to the low voltage (LV) and high current value on the
secondary side of the transformer.

Advantages:
• High durability and reliability
• Less cost
• High efficiency
• Provides different voltage supplies for common household
applications

Disadvantages:
• Requires high maintenance
• Works only on AC
 CONSTRUCTION
A transformer essentially consists of two coils of insulated
copper wire having different number of turns and wound on the same
soft iron core. The coil P to which electric energy is supplied is called
the primary and the coil from which energy is drawn or output is
obtained is called the secondary. To prevent energy losses due to
eddy currents, a laminated core is used. Because of high permeability
of soft iron, the entire magnetic flux due to the current in the primary
coil practically remains in the iron core and hence passes fully
through the secondary. This also prevents the stray currents being
generated in the conductors lying around and the consequent power
loss.

Two types of arrangements are generally used for winding of

primary and secondary coils in a transformer:

1.CORE TYPE:
In the core type transformers, the primary and secondary coils
are wound on separate limbs of the core so that the core is largely
surrounded by the coils. Many of the modern transformers are of
closed core type.
2. SHELL TYPE:
In the shell type transformers, the primary and secondary coils
are wound one over another on the same limb of the iron core. The
coils are very largely surrounded by the iron core. Transformers used
in radio and TV transmitters and receivers are of shell type.

WORKING
As the alternating current flows through the
primary, it generates an alternating magnetic flux
in the core which also passes through the
secondary. This changing flux sets up an induced
emf in the secondary, also a self-induced emf in
the primary. If there is no leakage of magnetic
flux, then flux linked with each turn of the primary
will be equal to that linked with each turn of the
secondary.
 EFFICIENCY OF TRANSFORMER
The efficiency of the transformer is defined as the ratio of
useful output power to the input power. The input and output power
are measured in the same unit. Its unit is either in watts (W) or KW.
Transformer efficiency is denoted by η. The efficiency of real
transformers is fairly high (90-99%) though not 100%.

Where,
• V2- Secondary terminal voltage
• I2- Full load secondary current
• Cos φ2- Power factor of the load
• Pi– Iron losses=hysteresis losses + eddy current losses
• Pc- Full load copper losses = I22Res
 ENERGY LOSSES IN TRANSFORMER
1. Copper loss:
Some energy is lost due to heating of copper wires used
in the primary and secondary windings. This power loss (=
I2R) can be minimised by using thick copper wires of low
resistance.
2. Eddy current loss:
The alternating magnetic flux induces eddy currents in
the iron core which leads to some energy loss in the form of
heat. This loss can be reduced by using laminated iron core.
3. Hysteresis loss:
The alternating current carries the iron core through
cycles of magnetisation and demagnetisation. Work is done in
each of these cycles and is lost as heat. This is called
hysteresis loss and can be minimised by using core material
having narrow hysteresis loop.
4. Flux leakage:
The magnetic flux produced by the primary may not
fully pass through the secondary. Some of the flux may leak
into air. This loss can be minimised by winding the primary
and secondary coils over one another.
5. Humming loss:
As the transformer works, its core lengthens and
shortens during each cycle of the alternating voltage due to a
phenomenon called magnetostriction. This gives rise to a
humming sound. So, some of the electrical energy is lost in
the form of humming sound.
 POWER TRANSFER

The large scale transmission and distribution

of electrical energy over long distances is done
with the use of transformers. The voltage output
of the generator is stepped-up (so that current is
reduced and consequently, the I2R loss is cut
down). It is then transmitted over long distances
to an area sub-station near the consumers. There
the voltage is stepped down. It is further stepped
down at distributing sub-stations and utility poles
before a power supply of 240 V reaches our
homes.
 USES OF TRANSFORMER

(1) Small transformers are used in radio receivers,

telephones, loudspeakers, etc.

(2) In voltage regulators for TV, refrigerators, air-conditioners,

computers, etc.

(3) In stabilised power supplies.

(4) A step-down transformer is used for obtaining large

current for electric welding,

(5) A step-down transformer is used in induction furnace for

melting metals.

(6) A step-up transformer is used in the production of X-rays.

(7) In the transmission of electric energy from the generating

stations to the consumers.
 CONCLUSION

Transformer is an important device that is

used over the whole world for many applications.
The use of a transformer to transmit power over
large distances have benefitted the world by
supplying electricity over remote regions. The key
theory that gave way to this important technology
was Faraday’s law of induction. By applying the
law of induction, a transformer was designed to
transform electrical energy by changing the
number of turns around a core. Over the 100 years,
transformers are still evolving to fit many special
purposes such as the current transformer and
pulse transformer. Despite some of the energy
losses, transformers are still one of the highly
efficient instruments used for power distribution.
Therefore, ranging from small household
appliances to large industry a transformer is used
to obtain the desired voltage by changing the input
current.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

• NCERT Physics – XII

• New Simplified Physics – SL ARORA

• Concepts Of Physics – HC VERMA

• https://byjus.com

• https://www.toppr.com