Transformers
Introduction- Transformer
• Static device
• Transforms energy from one electrical circuit to another electrical
circuit by electro magnetic Induction without changing frequency
• Used either to step up or step down voltages
• Works with the principle of Electro magnetic Induction
Construction
• Parts of Transformer
• Core
• Limb
• Yoke
• Winding
• Transformer tank with oil
• Conservator tank
• Breather
• Explosion Vent
• Buchholz relay
• Transformer core
• Core is made up of silicon steel laminations to reduce hysteresis and
eddy current loss
• Windings
• Windings- Copper or Aluminium
• Arranged in either core type or shell type
• Windings arrangement must be such as to reduce the leakage flux
• The essential components of the transformer are:
• Magnetic core
• Two windings, namely primary and secondary windings
• A time varying magnetic flux
• Magnetic Circuit
• Magnetic circuit - core, yoke and limb
• High-grade silicon steel or sheet steel lamination is used as core , as it has low
hysteresis loss and provides a continuous magnetic path.
• The vertical position of the core on which the coil is wound is called limb,
while the horizontal position of the core is known as yoke.
• The main functions of the magnetic circuit are:
• Provides low reluctance path for carrying the flux.
• Carries the windings required for electric power transfer.
• Electrical circuit
• Two windings: primary and secondary windings - forms the electrical circuit.
Primary winding – connected to the source
Secondary winding – connected to the load
• Made of copper and its cross-section can be either rectangular or circular,
depending on the voltage level.
• Rectangular cross-section – low and high voltage windings in large
transformers
• Circular cross-section - high-voltage windings in small transformers.
• Based on core construction:
core-type - windings surround a considerable part of the core
shell-type - the core surrounds a considerable portion of the windings
• Rectangular frame laminations are formed to build the core of the transformer.
• The laminations are pressed or punched out from larger steel sheets and
arranged into thin steel strips to assemble the letters “E”, “I”, “L” and “U”
• Dielectric circuit
• Insulations are used to insulate the conducting parts.
• These insulations comprise of the dielectric circuit and are used in various
places to reduce eddy current losses.
• A light coating of varnish or any oxide is used to insulate the lamination
whose thickness varies from 0.35 mm to 0.5 mm for a normal AC operation.
• Tanks and accessories
• The essential protective devices attached to the transformer that increases
the life span of transformer are:
• Conservator
• Cooling medium
• Breather
• Explosion vent
• Buchholtz relay
• Conservator
• A cylindrical tank that is placed at the top or roof of the transformer main
tank is called a conservator.
• In addition to acting as the transformer-cooling medium, it acts like a
reservoir.
• An adequate space is provided in the conservator since the volume of the
cooling medium might increase due to rise in transformer temperature, when
it is fully loaded.
• Cooling medium
• When the transformer is loaded, some losses occur within.
• These losses appear in the form of heat, which increases the transformer
temperature.
• Hence, a proper provision should be made in the transformer to dissipate this
heat and to maintain the transformer temperature within its limits.
• Therefore, a cooling medium in the form of air or oil is required to remove
the heat generated during loading.
• Breather
• The heart of the transformer is the breather, which is similar to the human
heart.
• The breather transports fresh air in and out of the transformer.
• This component is required to maintain the cooling-medium level in the
conservator.
• In addition, the breather is provided with silica gel to eliminate moisture
content in the cooling medium and to maintain the quality of cooling
medium.
• Explosion Vent
• A thin aluminum pipe that is placed at the ends of the transformer to prevent it
from damage is called an explosion vent.
• It helps in maintaining the pressure inside the transformer, which drastically
increases when there is an increase in temperature of the transformer.
• Buchholz Relay
• A gas-actuated relay placed in the large-size transformer to protect it from internal
fault
• It is used in the transformer with a rating greater than 500 kVA.
• Its working principle is that, when an internal fault takes place, evaporation of oil in
the form of gas occurs due to increase in temperature.
• The evaporated gas activates the Buchholz relay and alarms the personnel, which
help in disconnecting the transformer from the supply.
Working Principle of Transformer
• Basic Principle
EMF is induced in a coil due to the rate of change of flux linkage
Explanation:
Primary and Secondary windings are wound on the core made up of
magnetic material.
As Iron has low reluctance and high permeability , it
produces more flux even for small current.
Improves the magnetic coupling between the windings which is
essential for transfer of power from one circuit to other effectively.
Working of Transformer – No load
• No load is connected across secondary winding.
• Alternating voltage V1 is applied across primary winding (N1)
• No load Current I0 flows through primary winding
• This current produces alternating flux which will link both the
windings.
• EMF E1 and E2 will be produced in primary and secondary winding
respectively.
• EMF induced depends upon number of turns of the coils
Transformer on load
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Transformer on load (Contd..,)
• Sequence of events happening due to I2:
• The ampere turns in the secondary winding is N2I2
•
• This flux opposes and reduces the main flux which is produced due to the
magnetizing component of the primary current momentarily.
• Hence, the emf induced in the primary winding E1 gets reduced which
increases the difference between V1 and E1
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Transformer on load (Contd..,)
• Sequence of events happening due to reduction in E1
• As E1 is getting decreased, the difference between V1 and E1 increase.
• This increase in the difference causes the primary winding to draw extra
current from the supply, I2’
•
• Hence, the current I2’ is in anti-phase with I2
• Thus the ampere turns N1 I2’ neutralizes the ampere turns N2I2
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Applications
• Power transformer:
• Used to raise the voltage at sending end of transmission line and
lower the voltage at receiving end
• Distribution transformer
• Used to lower the voltage level for the purpose of distribution of
electricity to consumers.
• Very small transformers are used to deduce voltage fro 230 V to 3 V
or 6 V. e.g Design of battery eliminator in tape recorder, transistor
radio and Television
• Lighting: Transformers are used in lighting systems to decrease the
voltage of electricity before it is sent to light bulbs.
• Audio systems: Transformers are used in audio systems to increase or
decrease the voltage of electricity before it is sent to speakers.
• Electronic equipment: Transformers are used in a variety of electronic
devices, including computers, TVs, radios, and cell phones.
• Charging batteries
• Air conditioner
• stabilizers
