Transformers

EE-151 Electrical Engineering

Noman Khan
(Senior Engineer/Lecturer)

Department of Electrical Engineering

Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
 Contents

Chapter No. 24 (Robin & Miller)

Transformer
Turn Ratio
 Types
 Applications
 Transformer (Introduction)
 The principal purpose of a transformer is to convert ac power at
one voltage level to ac power of the same frequency at another
voltage level.
 A transformer is a magnetically coupled circuit, i.e., a circuit in
which the magnetic field produced by time-varying current in one
circuit induces voltage in another.
 Power flows from one circuit to the other via the medium of the
magnetic field, with no electrical connection between the two sides.
 The winding to which we supply power
is called the primary, while the winding
from which we take power is called the
secondary.
 Power can flow in either direction.
 Transformer (Construction)
 Two main categories
iron-core types:Iron core transformers are generally
used for low frequency applications such as audio- and
power-frequency applications.

 air-core and ferrite-core types are used For high-

frequency applications (such as in radio circuits).
Ferrite (a magnetic material made from powdered iron
oxide) greatly increases coupling between coils
(compared with air) while maintaining low losses.
 Iron, however, has considerable power loss due to
hysteresis and eddy currents at high frequencies, and is
thus not useful as a core material above about 50 kHz.
 For high-frequency applications (such as in radio
circuits), air-core and ferrite-core types are used.
 Turn Ratio
The ratio of primary voltage to secondary voltage is
equal to the ratio of primary turns to secondary
turns. This ratio is called the transformation ratio (or
turns ratio) and is given the symbol a.

 For example, a transformer with 1000 turns on its

primary and 250 turns on its secondary has a turns ratio
of 1000/250 = 4. This is referred to as a 4:1 ratio.
 Step-Up and Step-Down Transformers
 Step-up transformer is one in which the secondary
voltage is higher than the primary voltage. Since , a
step-up transformer has
Step-down transformer is one in which the secondary
voltage is lower a step-down transformer has
 If , transformer turn ratio is unity and , Such
transformers are used for impedance matching and
Isolation purpose.
Analysis of Simple Transformer Circuits
 Transformer Ratings
 Transformers are rated in terms of voltage and
apparent power. Rated current can be determined from
these ratings.
 Thus a transformer rated 2400/120 volt, 48 kVA, has a
current rating of 48 000 VA/2400 V 20 A on its 2400-
V side and 48 000 VA/120 V 400 A on its 120-V side.
This transformer can handle a 48-kVA load, regardless
of power factor.
 Transformer Applications
 Power Supply Transformers
In electronic equipment, these are used to convert the
incoming 220 Vac to the voltage levels required for
internal circuit operation.
 Step down transformer

Transformers in Power Systems

 Transformers are one of the key elements that have made
commercial ac power systems possible. Transformers are used at
generating stations to raise voltage for long-distance
transmission. This lowers the transmitted current and hence the
power losses in the transmission line. At the user end,
transformers reduce the voltage to a safe level for everyday use.