TRANSFORMER
The transformer works on the principle of electromagnetic induction.
A Transformer is a static electric machine that transfer electric energy from one circuit to another
at the same frequency, usually with change in values of voltage and current.
It is commonly used to increase or decrease the supply voltage without a change in the frequency
of AC between circuits.
It consists of two windings insulated from each other and wound on a common core made of
magnetic material.
Primary
WINDINGS
Secondary
Alternating voltage is connected across one of the windings, called the Primary Winding.
Another one is Secondary winding. In both the windings, emf is induced by Electromagnetic
Induction. The below figure shows general arrangement in a transformer.
CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSFORMER
The main components of a transformer are
Magnetic core
Primary and secondary windings
Insulation of windings
Expansion tank or conservator
Lead and tappings for coils
Tank, oil, cooling arrangement, temperature gauge, oil gauge
Buchholz relay
Silica gel breather
1. MAGNETIC CORE
Magnetic circuit consists of an iron core. It is generally laminated and made of material like
silicon steel. The thickness varies from 0.35 mm to 0.5 mm. The joints are staggered to avoid
continuous gap which leads to increase in magnetizing current.
The two types of transformer cores are:
a) Core type
b) Shell type
Core type
Here the windings surround a considerable part of core as shown below and has only one
MAGNETIC PATH. It has two limbs for the two windings and is made up of two L-type
stampings as shown below.
The coils used are cylindrical type. For transformer of higher rating, stepped core with circular
cylindrical coils are used. For smaller ratings, rectangular coils with core of square or rectangular
cross section is used. Insulating cylinders are used to separate windings from core and each
other.
Shell type
The two windings are carried by the central limb. The core is made up of E and I
stampings and has three limbs. It has two parallel paths for magnetic flux.
2. WINDNGS
There are two windings. They are Primary and secondary windings. Generally, made of
copper.
3. INSULATION
Paper is still used as the basic conductor insulation. Enamel insulation is used as the
inter-turn insulation for low voltage transformers. For power transformers, enameled copper with
paper insulation is used.
4. INSULATING OIL
The oil used in transformer protects the paper from dirt and moisture and removes the
heat produced the heat produced in the core and coils. It also acts as insulating medium.
5. EXPANSION TANK or CONSERVATOR
It is mounted above the transformer and connected to main tank by a pipe. Its function is
to keep the transformer tank full of oil despite expansion or contraction of the coil with the
changes in temperature.
6. TEMPERATURE GAUGE
Every transformer is provided with a temperature gauge to indicate hot oil or hottest spot
temperature.
7. OIL GAUGE
Every transformer is fitted with an oil gauge to indicate the oil level present inside the
tank.
8. BUCHHOLZ RELAY
It is possible to mount gas operated relay in this pipe to give an alarm in case of minor
fault and to disconnect the transformer from the supply mains in case of severe faults.
9. BREATHER
The simplest method to prevent the entry of the moisture inside the transformer tank is to
provide chambers known as breather. It comes with drying agent, such as calcium chloride and
silica gel.
10. BUSHINGS
Connections from the transformer windings are brought out by means of bushing.
bushings are fixed on the transformer tank.
CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSFORMER
It consists of two coils of primary and secondary coils insulated from each other and
wound on a soft iron core as shown below. Input is applied across the primary coil, and output is
taken across the secondary coil.
Notation:
P1, P2: Primar coil
S1, S2: Secondary coil
There are two types of transformers
1. Step up transformer: In this, the no. of turns in the primary coil is lesser than the
secondary coil. The primary coil made up of thick wire, and the secondary coil is made
up of thin wire.
2. Step down Transformer: In this, the no. of turns in the primary coil is greater than the
secondary coil. The primary coil made up of thin wire, and the secondary coil is made up
of thick wire.
WORKING:
When an AC voltage is applied to the primary coil, the current through the coil goes on
changing. Hence the magnetic flux through the core also changes. As this changing magnetic
flux is linked with both coils, an emf is induced in each coil. The amount of magnetic flux linked
with the coil depends upon the number of turns of the coil.
APPLICATIONS OF TRANSFORMER
Transformers are used in
i. Electrical power engineering for transmission and distribution.
ii. As in instrument transformer for measuring current (C.T) and measuring
voltage (P.T)
iii. As a step-down and step-up transformer to get reduced or increased output
voltage
iv. Radio and TV circuits, Telephone circuits, control and instrumentation
circuits.
v. Furnaces and welding transformer.
