Transformer

The transformer, in a simple way, can be described as a device that steps up or steps down
voltage. In a step-up transformer, the output voltage is increased, and in a step-down transformer,
the output voltage is decreased. The step-up transformer will decrease the output current, and the
step-down transformer will increase the output current to keep the input and output power of the
system equal.

The transformer is basically a voltage control device that is used widely in the
distribution and transmission of alternating current power. The idea of a transformer was first
discussed by Michael Faraday in the year 1831 and was carried forward by many other
prominent science scholars. However, the general purpose of using transformers was to maintain
a balance between the electricity that was generated at very high voltages and consumption
which was done at very low voltages.

What Is a Transformer?
A transformer is a device used in the power transmission of electric energy. The transmission
current is AC. It is commonly used to increase or decrease the supply voltage without a change
in the frequency of AC between circuits. The transformer works on the basic principles
of electromagnetic induction and mutual induction.

Transformer Types
Transformers are used in various fields like power generation grid, distribution sector,
transmission and electric energy consumption. There are various types of transformers which are
classified based on the following factors:

 Working voltage range

 The medium used in the core
 Winding arrangement
 Installation location
Based on Voltage Levels
Commonly used transformer types, depending on the voltage, are classified as follows:

 Step-up Transformer: They are used between the power generator and the power grid.
The secondary output voltage is higher than the input voltage.
 Step-down Transformer: These transformers are used to convert high-voltage primary
supply to low-voltage secondary output.

Based on the Medium of Core Used

In a transformer, we will find different types of cores that are used.

 Air Core Transformer: The flux linkage between primary and secondary winding is
through the air. The coil or windings wound on the non-magnetic strip.
 Iron Core Transformer: Windings are wound on multiple iron plates stacked together,
which provides a perfect linkage path to generate flux.

Based on the Winding Arrangement

 Autotransformer: It will have only one winding wound over a laminated core. The
primary and secondary share the same coil. Auto means “self” in the Greek language.

Based on Install Location

 Power Transformer: It is used at power generation stations, as they are suitable for high
voltage application
 Distribution Transformer: It is mostly used at distribution lanes for domestic purposes.
They are designed for carrying low voltages. It is very easy to install and characterised by
low magnetic losses.
 Measurement Transformers: They are mainly used for measuring voltage, current and
power.
  Protection Transformers: They are used for component protection purposes. In circuits,
some components must be protected from voltage fluctuation, etc. Protection
transformers ensure component protection.

Working Principle of a Transformer

The transformer works on the principle of Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and
mutual induction.

There are usually two coils – primary coil and secondary coil – on the transformer core. The core
laminations are joined in the form of strips. The two coils have high mutual inductance. When an
alternating current passes through the primary coil, it creates a varying magnetic flux. As per
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, this change in magnetic flux induces an EMF
(electromotive force) in the secondary coil, which is linked to the core having a primary coil.
This is mutual induction.

Overall, a transformer carries out the following operations:

1. Transfer of electrical energy from one circuit to another

2. Transfer of electrical power through electromagnetic induction
3. Electric power transfer without any change in frequency
4. Two circuits are linked with mutual induction
The figure shows the formation of magnetic flux lines around a current-carrying wire. The
normal of the plane containing the flux lines is parallel to the normal of a cross-section of a wire.

The figure shows the formation of varying magnetic flux lines around a wire wound. The
interesting part is that the reverse is also true; when a magnetic flux line fluctuates around a
piece of wire, a current will be induced in it. This was what Michael Faraday found in 1831,
which is the fundamental working principle of electric generators, as well as transformers.

Parts of a Single-phase Transformer

The major parts of a single-phase transformer consist of

1. Core

The core acts as a support to the winding in the transformer. It also provides a low reluctance
path to the flow of magnetic flux. The winding is wound on the core, as shown in the picture. It
is made up of a laminated soft iron core in order to reduce the losses in a transformer. The
factors, such as operating voltage, current, power, etc., decide core composition. The core
diameter is directly proportional to copper losses and inversely proportional to iron losses.

2. Windings

Windings are the set of copper wires wound over the transformer core. Copper wires are used
due to the following:

 The high conductivity of copper minimises the loss in a transformer because when the
conductivity increases, resistance to current flow decreases.
 The high ductility of copper is the property of metals that allows it to be made into very
thin wires.
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There are mainly two types of windings: primary windings and secondary windings.

 Primary winding: The set of turns of windings to which the supply current is fed.
 Secondary winding: The set of turns of winding from which output is taken.
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The primary and secondary windings are insulated from each other using insulation coating
agents.

3. Insulation Agents

Insulation is necessary for transformers to separate windings from each other and to avoid short
circuits. This facilitates mutual induction. Insulation agents have an influence on the durability
and stability of a transformer.

The following are used as insulation mediums in a transformer:


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 Insulating oil
 Insulating tape
 Insulating paper
 Wood-based lamination

Ideal Transformer
The ideal transformer has no losses. There is no magnetic leakage flux, ohmic resistance in its
windings and no iron loss in the core.

EMF Equation of Transformer

N1 – Number of turns in the primary

N2 – Number of turns in the secondary

Φm – Maximum flux in the weber (Wb)

T – Time period. It is the time taken for 1 cycle.

The flux formed is a sinusoidal wave. It rises to a maximum value of Φm and decreases to a
negative maximum of Φm. So, flux reaches a maximum in one-quarter of a cycle. The time taken
is equal to T/4.

Average rate of change of flux = Φm/(T/4) = 4fΦm

Where, f = frequency

T = 1/f

Induced EMF per turn = Rate of change of flux per turn

Form factor = RMS value / average value

RMS value = 1.11 (4fΦm) = 4.44 fΦm [form factor of a sine wave is 1.11]

RMS value of EMF induced in winding = RMS value of EMF per turn x No. of turns
Primary Winding

RMS value of induced EMF = E1 = 4.44 fΦm * N1

Secondary Winding

RMS value of induced EMF = E2 = 4.44 fΦm * N2

This is the EMF equation of the transformer.

For an ideal transformer at no load condition,

E1 = Supply voltage on the primary winding

E2 = Terminal voltage (theoretical or calculated) on the secondary winding

Voltage Transformation Ratio

K is called the voltage transformation ratio, which is a constant.

Case 1:If N2 > N1, K>1, it is called a step-up transformer.

Case 2: If N2< N1, K<1, it is called a step-down transformer.

Transformer Efficiency
Applications of Transformer
 The transformer transmits electrical energy through wires over long distances.
 Transformers with multiple secondaries are used in radio and TV receivers, which require
several different voltages.
 Transformers are used as voltage regulators.