TRANSFORMERS

Principle of operation
 Specific objectives:
At the end of the lesson students should be able to:
 Define correctly the term ’transformer’
 Define correctly the term ’Induced e.m.f.’

 Define correctly the term ’self induced e.m.f’

 Draw diagram of self induced emf

 Define correctly the term ’e.m.f due to mutual

inductance’
 Draw diagram of mutual inductance

 Explain accurately the principles of operation of a

transformer
 Appreciate the importance of transformers
What is a Transformer?
A Transformer is a device used for changing
voltage/current values in a circuit.
Transformer
An A.C. device used to change high voltage low
current A.C. into low voltage high current A.C. and
vice-versa without changing the frequency
In brief,
1. Transfers electric power from one circuit to another
2. It does so without a change of frequency
3. It accomplishes this by electromagnetic induction
4. Where the two electric circuits are in mutual
inductive influence of each other.
Before considering the principle of a
transformer it is necessary to understand
the meaning of the following terms.
1. Induced emf (electromotive force)

2. Self induced emf

3. Emf due to mutual inductance

 Induced emf

When a conductor cuts, or is cut by lines of force, an emf (voltage) is induced

into that conductor.
Self induced emf
 This is the emf which is induced in a coil due
to the changing flux in the coil cutting the
conductor. The self induced emf is in
opposition to the voltage producing it.
 Emf due to Mutual Inductance
 When a coil ‘1’ carrying an alternating, or
changing, current is placed beside another coil
‘2’, an emf will be induced in coil ‘2’. The emf
induced in coil ‘2’ , termed emf of mutual
inductance, is in opposition to the force
producing it
Principle of operation

It is based on
principle of MUTUAL
INDUCTION.
According to which
an e.m.f. is induced
in a coil when
current in the
neighboring coil
changes.
 Working of a transformer
1.When current in the primary coil
changes being alternating in
nature, a changing magnetic field
is produced
2. This changing magnetic field gets
associated with the secondary
through the soft iron core
3. Hence magnetic flux linked with
the secondary coil changes.
4. Which induces e.m.f. in the
secondary.
How Transformer
Works
`
Transformer Construction (single-phase)

 Where:
   VP  -  is the Primary Voltage
   VS  -  is the Secondary Voltage
   NP  -  is the Number of Primary Windings
   NS  -  is the Number of Secondary Windings
   Φ (phi)  -  is the Flux Linkage
When a transformer is used to “increase” the voltage
on its secondary winding with respect to the
primary, it is called a Step-up transformer. When
it is used to “decrease” the voltage on the
secondary winding with respect to the primary it is
called a Step-down transformer.
Turns Ratio
 It is necessary to know the ratio of the number of
turns of wire on the primary winding compared to
the secondary winding. The turns ratio, which has
no units, compares the two windings in order and is
written with a colon, such as 3:1 (3-to-1). This
means in this example, that if there are 3 volts on
the primary winding there will be 1 volt on the
secondary winding, 3 volts-to-1 volt. 
 A Transformers Turns Ratio

Transformer Basics Example No1

A voltage transformer has 1500 turns of wire on its primary coil and 500 turns
of wire for its secondary coil. What will be the turns ratio (TR) of the
transformer.
Calculate the following...
1. A transformer with 200 turns on its primary coil,
and 50 on its secondary coil.
2. A transformer with a primary coil of 100 turns
and a secondary coil of 300 turns.
3. A transformer has a primary coil of 600 turns and
a secondary coil of 300 turns. 
What will be the voltage out of the secondary coil
if we apply 20 V to the primary?
 A transformer has a primary coil of 600 turns and a
secondary coil of 300 turns. 
What will be the voltage out of the secondary coil
if we apply 20 V to the primary?
Reference
 Donnelly, L.E. (1980). Electrical Installation:
Theory and Practice. (3rd ed). KT125PL. UK