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PHYSICS
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT

“To investigate the relation

between the ratio of (i) output
and input voltage (ii) number of
turns in the secondary coil and
the primary coil of a self-
designed transformer”

Name : Samarth
Agrawal
Class : XII B
Roll.no : 10

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my special thanks

of gratitude to my physics teacher Mrs.
Rajendra Prasad Srivastava for the vital
support, guidance and encouragement,
without which this project “To
investigate the relation between the
ratio of (i) output and input voltage (ii)
number of turns in the secondary coil and
the primary coil of a self-designed
transformer” would not have come forth.
This project helped me to acquire
knowledge and brought up new
innovative ideas.
Secondly, I would like to thank my friend,
who supported me all throughout the
project. It benefited me to increase my
knowledge and fun learning.

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INTRODUCTION
A transformer is a device that changes
(transforms)and alternating potential
difference (voltage) from one value to
another value be it smaller or greater
using the principle of electromagnetic
induction. A transformer consists of a
soft iron coil with two coils wound
around it which are not connected to
one another.
These coils can be wound either on
separate limbs of the iron core or be
arranged on top of each other. The coil
to which the alternating voltage is
supplied is called the primary coil or
primary winding. When an alternating
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potential difference is supplied the

resulting alternating current in the
primary coil produces a changing
magnetic field around it. This changing
field induces an alternating current in
the secondary coil. The size of the
induced voltage resulting from the
induced current in the secondary coil
depends on the number of turns in the
secondary coil.

TRANSFORMERS
Transformers are an integral part of transmission of
electricity at a power plant. It is used to multiply or divide
voltage and current in AC circuits. Transformers are usually
made for long distance transmission. It increases or
decreases the voltage based on whether it is a “step up” or
a “step down” transformer.
In a transformer electrical energy transfer takes place
without the use of moving parts

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Transformers work on the principle of mutual induction.

According to this principle, the amount of magnetic flux
linked with a coil changes, an emf is induced in the
neighboring coil
if we vary the current on one of the coils there will a change
in magnetic flux(Φ)
then there will be an induced EMF in the secondary coil

A transformer which increases the voltage is called a step

up transformer and transformer which decreases the A.C
voltage is called step up transformer

Practical significance of step up and step down transformer

Any device that could output more power than it took
would violate the law of conservation of energy (i.e.) energy
can neither be created nor be destroyed only converted
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy
between two or more circuits through electromagnetic
induction. It typically consists of two coils of wire: the
primary coil (input side) and the secondary coil (output side),
wound around a magnetic core.

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The main function of a transformer is to change the voltage

level from the primary side to the secondary side. It either
steps up the voltage (increases voltage) or steps down the
voltage (decreases voltage) depending on the turns ratio of
the coils.

Basic Principles of Operation

 Electromagnetic Induction: When an alternating current
(AC) flows through the primary coil, it generates a
changing magnetic field. This changing magnetic field
induces a voltage in the secondary coil due to Faraday's
Law of Induction.
 The amount of voltage induced in the secondary coil is
related to the number of turns in the secondary coil
compared to the number of turns in the primary coil.

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THEORY:
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 100% efficient transformer, the whole
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 are 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,

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we have,

Ep = -Np dф/dt and

Ep = -Np dф/dt —> ( 1 )
and ,
Es = -Ns dф/dt —> (2)
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
Ip = E- Ep / Rp E- Ep = lp Rp
When the resistance of the primary is small, Rp lp can be
neglected so therefore
E- Ep = 0 or Ep = E
Thus back e.m.f = input e.m.f
Hence final equation can be written as

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Es / Ep = Es / E = output e.m.f / input e.m.f= Ns / Np = K

Where K is constant, called turn or transformation ratio

Step down transformer

Es < Ep so K < 1 , hence Ns < Np

If Ip =Current in primary coil.
, Is = Current in the secondary coil,
Then from the Transformer equation (Es / Ep = Ns / NP=K)
Is>IP
current in secondary coil is higher than primary coil
Es / Ep = lp / Is = K

In a step-down transformer the voltage (EMF) gets reduced.

The number of turns of the secondary coil is higher than the

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primary coil. Therefore there is a decrease in voltage and

increase in current
The working of a transformer is based on mutual induction
phenomenon. let an ideal transformer in which the primary
coils have negligible resistance and all the flux in the core
links both primary and secondary windings.
The induced emf in the primary coil.
The induced emf in the secondary coil.
Where the is the magnetic flux linked with each turn of
primary and secondary coil at a time .
Then,
For an ideal transformation ,there is no loss of energy.

Explanation:
In a transformer, the relationship between
the input and output voltage, as well as the
number of turns in the primary and
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secondary coils, is governed by Faraday's

Law of Induction and the principle of
electromagnetic induction. Here, we'll
explore the relation between these factors
for a self-designed transformer.
1. The Voltage Ratio:
The key principle governing the voltage
ratio in a transformer is the turns ratio.
According to the transformer’s fundamental
relationship:
VS/Vp = NS/Np
Where:
 Vs = Secondary voltage (output voltage)
 Vp = Primary voltage (input voltage)
 Ns = Number of turns in the secondary
coil
 Np = Number of turns in the primary coil
This equation shows that the ratio of the
secondary voltage to the primary voltage is
directly proportional to the ratio of the
number of turns in the secondary coil to the
number of turns in the primary coil.

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2. Transformer Principle (Ideal Transformer

Assumption):

An ideal transformer operates with the

assumption that there are no losses (no
resistance or other inefficiencies in the
coils, core, or other components). In this
case:
 The power input to the transformer is
equal to the power output (neglecting
losses).
 The voltage ratio is proportional to the
turns ratio, as shown above.
For an ideal transformer:

Pp=Ps(Power input equals power output)

Where:
 Pp=Vp×Ip (Primary power)
 Ps=Vs×Is (Secondary power)
Because of the relationship between
voltage and current in a transformer (i.e.,
the current is inversely proportional to the
voltage ratio), we can write:
VS/Vp = IS/Ip
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This shows that:

 If the secondary voltage Vs is higher
than the primary voltage Vp, the
current in the secondary Is will be lower
than in the primary Ip, and vice versa.

3. Relationship Between Turns Ratio and

Voltage Ratio:
 If you increase the number of turns in
the secondary coil Ns, the secondary
voltage Vs will increase, relative to the
primary voltage Vp, and vice versa.
 If the turns ratio Ns/Np>1, the
transformer is a step-up transformer,
meaning the secondary voltage is
higher than the primary voltage.
 If the turns ratio Ns/Np<1, the
transformer is a step-down transformer,
meaning the secondary voltage is lower
than the primary voltage.
4. Current Relationship:
The current ratio is inversely proportional
to the voltage ratio, so if the transformer
increases voltage, it will decrease current,
and if it decreases voltage, it will increase
current. This relationship can be written as:

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IS/Ip = NS/Np
Thus:
 A step-up transformer (higher Ns) will
result in a lower secondary current.
 A step-down transformer (lower Ns) will
result in a higher secondary current.

Summary:
 The voltage ratio in a transformer is
directly proportional to the ratio of the
number of turns in the secondary coil to
the number of turns in the primary coil.
 The current ratio is inversely
proportional to the turns ratio.
 The transformer operates based on the
principle of energy conservation, where
the power input is ideally equal to the
power output, and the voltage and
current changes are dictated by the
turns ratio.
This basic relationship allows you to design
transformers for specific applications where
you either need to step-up or step-down

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voltages for efficient power transmission or

device operation.

Step up transformer

K>1 Ns>Np so from the transformer formula

(Es / Ep = Ns / NP=K)
Ip>Is
that is a step-up transformer the Voltage (EMF) gets
increased up and the current gets decreased

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Step up and step-down transformers have wide practical

application in power stations i.e., to step up the voltage
from the power plant through transmission cables and step
up it down in the residential area.
Voltages are stepped up from power plants to reduce
power loss

EFFICIENCY
efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of output
power to input power
i.e., η=output power / input power =
Es*Is=Ep*Ip
Thus, in an ideal transformer there is no loss of power, η=1
but in actual practice there are many power losses,
therefore the efficiency of a transformer is less than One

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EXPERIMENT

AIM :
To investigate the relation between the ratio of (i) output
and input voltage (ii) number of turns in the secondary coil
and the primary coil of a self-designed transformer

APPARATUS REQUIRED :
An iron rod, copper wires of different gauge, two a.c
voltmeters, two a.c ammeters.

WORKING :
The working of a transformer is based on mutual induction
phenomenon, Let an ideal transformer in which the primary

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and secondary coil have negligible resistance and all the flux
in the core links both primary and secondary windings

The induced emf in the primary coil,

Ep = - Np dф/dt
The induced emf in the secondary coil
Es = - Ns dф/dt
Where the ф Is the magnetic flux linked with each turn of
primary and secondary coil at a time t .
Then,
Es/Ep = Ns/Np = k Transformation ratio
For an ideal transformation there is no loss of energy then
Input power=Output power
Ip*Ep=Is*Es
Ip/Is=Es/Ep=K

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CIRCUIT DIAGRAM :

PROCEDURE :

1.Take a 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 transformers
2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and wound a
relatively smaller number of turns (say 20) of thick copper
wire on it, this constitutes the secondary coil. It is a step
down transformer

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3. Connect P1P2 to a.c mains (say 220v) and measure the

input voltage and current, using a.c voltmeter and ammeter
respectively
4. Similarly measure the output voltage and current through
S1S2
5. Now connect the S1S2 to an A.C mains and again measure
voltage and current through primary and secondary coil of
step up transformer
6. Repeat all steps for other self-made transformer by
changing number of primary turns in secondary coils

OBSERVATIONS :
1. Least count of A.C voltmeters =
2. Zero error voltmeters =
3. Range of voltmeters =
4. L.C of A.C ammeter =
5. Zero error of ammeter =
6. Range error of ammeter =
7. Applied A.C voltage =

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S.N No. of No. of Voltage Current Voltage in Current in

turns in turns in in in secondary secondary
O primary secondary primary primary coil coil
coil coil coil coil

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CONCLUSIONS :

1. The output voltage of the transformers across the

secondary coil depends upon the turn ratio (Ns/Np)
with respect to input voltage
2. The output current of the transformer across the
secondary coil depends upon the turn ratio (Ns/Np)
with respect to input voltage
3. There is loss of power between input and output coil
transformer

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PRECAUTIONS :

1. Keep yourself safe from the high voltage.

2. While taking the readings of current and voltage, the
a.c main supply should remain constant.

SOURCES OF ERROR :

1. Values of currents can be changed due to heating effect

of current
2. The eddy current can change the readings

BIBLIOGRAPHY :
1. ncert.nic.in
2. cooljunk.in/physics-project-kit

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