The Transformer

A transformer is a device used for

changing voltage values in a
circuit, but at the same frequency.
The change is brought about by
using the magnetic effects of a.c.
1. Induced e.m.f.
(a) When a wire passes through a
magnetic field, an e.m.f. is
induced (created) across the ends
of the wire.
(b) when a magnetic field passes
through or across a wire, it
produce a flow of electrons in the
wire.

These two phenomenon above

are known as electromagnetic
induction.

see jif in transformer folder

- A voltage that is produced in the

way described above is called an
induced voltage.

- A current produced by an
induced voltage is called an
induced current.
- When the magnet above moves
in the opposite direction, the
polarity of the induced voltage
changes and the direction of the
current in the circuit also changes.
- Motion is needed to produce a
voltage
by
electromagnetic
induction.
LENZS LAW

See moving magnet above.

1. Whenever there is an induced

(emf) in a conductor, it is always

in such a direction that the current

it would produce would oppose
the change which causes the
induced emf.
2. An induced current is always in
such a direction as to oppose the
motion or change causing it
3. The direction of the induced
current opposes the change
causing it.
See www.youtube.com videos Electromagnetism6 Induction or
Lenzs Law or Physics Demo -- Lenz's Law.
Or google search: demo of lenz law.

Self-induced e.m.f is the emf

which is induced in the coil due to
the changing flux in the coil
cutting the conductors of the coil.
This emf is opposite to the voltage
producing it.
See www.youtube.com video demonstrating self-inductance.

E.m.f due to Mutual Inductance

when a coil A carrying a.c current
is placed near another coil B, an
e.m.f will be induced into coil B.
See www.youtube.com video Working of a Transformer (Mutual Inductance)
by Khurram Tanvir

Mutual Induced e.m.f e.m.f

produced by mutual inductance.
Note: There is no direct electrical
connection between the two coils,
only a magnetic connection
(magnetic linkage)
* Step-down transformer
reduces voltage. E.g. 220V to
110V
Step-up transformer increases
voltage. E.g. 120V to 240V
Construction

Draw and explain transformer and symbol on pg 130 of understanding elec technology.

Polarity of Induced Voltage. The

voltage induced across the
secondary
winding
of
any
transformer is an alternating
voltage.
Transformer Cores. These cores
are usually made of thin steel
sheets called laminations. The
iron core allows stronger magnetic
field to exist in the transformer,
resulting in more energy being
transferred from the primary to the
secondary winding.
The core is laminated to;

1. lessen the amount of energy

wasted
2. to reduce eddy current
losses.
Draw and label fig 17.7 of understanding elec tech.

Transformer Cores
1. Shell type

2. Core Type

The cores are made of thin sheets

of
silicon
steel
(called
laminations), that are insulated
from each other with varnish,
paper or kaolin.
Permeability.
When iron is placed in an
alternating magnetic field, the
magnetic flux change of direction

lags behind the current change of

direction.
This lag is called hysteresis,
which results in an energy loss in
the iron in the form of heat.

The amount of heat loss can be

shown by a hysteresis loop
(above). The larger the area
inside the loop, the greater the
loss.
The auto-tranformer

The auto-transformer has some of

its windings common to both the
primary and secondary. It can

step-up or step-down the input

voltage.
Tranformer Power Losses.
1. Iron (Fe) loss (due to eddy
currents and hysteresis)
2. Copper (Cu) loss
Iron loss this occurs because of
the
alternating
magnetic
fields/fluxes in the core of the
transformer (see permeability
above).
- Eddy currents these are
small a.c. voltages set up in
the core which produce

circulating currents and cause

heat loss in the core. This
loss is reduced by using
laminations.
- Hysteresis is the lag of flux
behind the magnetizing force
which results in heat loss in
the core. This loss is also
reduced
by
using
laminations.
Copper loss this loss is a heat
loss due to the current flowing
through the copper of the
2
windings. It is termed an I R loss.

Transformer Equations (turns

ration, voltage ratio and current
ratio)
N P VP I S

N S VS
IP

Note:
NP
NS

- turns ratio

VP
VS

- voltage ratio

IP
IS

- current ratio

Exercises
1. A single-phase step-down
transformer has a voltage ratio of
240V : 9V. There are 200 turns of
wire on the primary winding and

the secondary current is 100A,

when connected to a resistive
load. Calculate:
a) The number of turns on the
secondary winding. (6 marks)
b) the current flowing through
the primary winding. (4 marks)
Efficiency transformers are
more
efficient
than
motors
because they have no moving
parts (less friction and heat loss)
(%)

Output _ power
100
Output _ power Cu _ losses Fe _ losses

Output power = output current X

output voltage
Output _ power _(kW ) kVA p. f .

[for large transformer ratingsNB:

losses must be in kiloWatts(kW)]
Or
Output _ power _(W ) VA p. f .

[for smaller transformer ratingsNB:

losses must be in Watts(W)]
Tranformer Cooling
1. Oil-filled transformers rely on a
strong dielectric oil to insulate

components and dissipate heat.

Some transformers may utilize
radiators, filters, fans, pumps, or
heat exchangers to manage
transformer oil, depending on
the application.
2. Polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCB)-filled transformers are
replaced by other cooling
methods when the fluid expires,
as PCB has been identified as a
carcinogen for more than 50
years.
3. Transformers that use water to
cool components are immersed
in oil, but cool water is fed

through copper pipes below the

oil surface to improve
circulation and heat exchange.
Another method is to pump
heated oil out of the transformer
through tubes that are doused in
water.
4. Dry/air-cooled transformers
contain two windings that face
each other but does not contain
a core. The windings are cooled
via convection, which might be
supplemented with a ventilated
enclosure and blowers or fans.
5. Encapsulated transformers
utilize a dielectric, thermal

management resin to seal the

transformer components from
contaminants.
Transformers are available as;
1.

LOW VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS

A low voltage transformer literally

transforms the line voltage in your
home or business (120 or 240
volts) to a lower 12 or 24 volts. This
lets you safely supply power to
popular low voltage lighting
systems and other devices.

2. Single-Phase Transformer.
A single-phase transformer is a
type of power transformer that
utilizes single-phase a.c. They
are often used to step-down long
distance and localized transmission
currents into power levels more
suitable for residential and lightcommercial applications. Singlephase transformers with a 1:1
ratio can be used to isolate circuits.

3. Three Phase Transformer

Three-phase (3-phase or 3)
supplies are used for electrical
power generation, transmission,
and distribution, as well as for all
industrial uses.

4. Current Transformer
A current transformer (CT) is an
electric device that produces A.C

in its secondary which is

proportional to the AC in its
primary.