2023-2024

Physics
Investigatory

Project
On
Transformers

Submitted By
:-
Himanshu

Class : XII
 Board Roll No : .

aggarwal public school

Certificate
This is to certify that Himanshu
student of Class XII,aggarwal public school, roll
no. 10 has completed the project titled ‘‘
Transformers’’during the academic year 2023-
2024 towards partial fulfilment physics
practical examination conducted by AISSCE,
NewDelhi and submitted satisfactory report, as
compiled in the following pages, under my
supervision.
________________ _________________
_________________

Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of
gratitude to my teacher Mr Sudheer Mishra
, PHYSICS who gave me the golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project on

the topic Transformers, which also helped

me in doing a lot of Research and I came to
know about so many new things I am really
thankful to them.
Secondly I would also like to thank my
parents and friends who helped me a lot in
finalizing this project within the limited time
frame.
 Himanshu

Index
01) Introduction
02) Objective
03) Principle
04) Construction
05) Theory and Working
06) Efficiency
07) Energy Losses
08) Apparatus
09) Circuit Diagram
10) Procedure
11) Uses of Transformer
12) Sources of Error
13) Conclusion
14) Precautions
15) Bibliography
 INTRODUCTION

The transformer is a device used for converting a low

alternating voltage to a high alternating voltage or a high
alternating voltage into a low alternating voltage. It is a
static electrical device that transfers energy by
inductive coupling between its winding circuits.
Transformers range in size from a thumbnail-sized
coupling transformer hidden inside a stage microphone
to huge units weighing hundreds of tons used in power
plant substations or to interconnect portions of the
power grid. All operate on the same basic principles,
although the range of designs is wide. While new
technologies have eliminated the need for transformers
in some electronic circuits, transformers are still found
in many electronic devices. Transformers are essential
for high-voltage electric power transmission, which
makes long-distance transmission economically practical.
A transformer is most widely used device in both low and
high current circuit. In a transformer, the electrical
energy transfer from one circuit to another circuit
takes place without the use of moving parts. A
transformer which increases the voltages is called a
step-up transformer.
A transformer which decreases the A.C. voltages is
called a step-down transformer.
 Transformer is, therefore, an essential

piece of apparatus both for high and low current

circuits.

Close-up of single-phase pole mount transformer.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between the ratio of –
1. Input and output voltage.

2. Number of turnings in the secondary coil and primary coil of a self

made transformer.

PRINCIPLE

It is based on the principle of mutual induction

that is if a varying current is set-up in a
circuit then induced e.m.f. is produced in the
neighbouring circuit. The varying current in a
circuit produce varying magnetic flux which
induces e.m.f. in the neighbouring circuit.
 CONSTRUCTION
A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core

made of laminated sheets, well insulated from one

another. Two coils p1 & p2 and s1 & s2 are wound on the

same core, but are well insulated with each other. Note

that the both the coils are insulated from the core, the

source of alternating e.m.f is connected to p1p2, the

primary coil and a load resistance R is connected to s1 s2,

the secondary coil through an open switch S. thus there

can be no current through the sec. coil so long as the

switch is open. For an ideal transformer, we assume that

the resistance of the primary & secondary winding is

negligible. Further, the energy loses due to magnetic the

iron core is also negligible. For operation at low

frequency, we may have a soft iron. The soft iron core

is insulating by joining thin iron strips coated with

varnish to insulate them to reduce energy losses by eddy

currents. The input circuit is called primary. And the

output circuit is called secondary.

An ideal voltage step-down transformer. The secondary current arises from the action of the
secondary EMF on the (not shown) load impedance.
 The ideal transformer as a circuit element

THEORY AND WORKING

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 good-

transformer, whole of the 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 be 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, Dфь / dt = rate of change

of flux in each turn of the coil at this instant, we have

Ep = -Np Dфь/dt (1)

Es = -Ns Dфь/dt (2)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, 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

I =E – Ep / Rp

E – Ep = Ip Rp

When the resistance of the primary is small, Rp Ip can

be neglected so therefore

E – Ep = 0 or Ep = E

Thus back e.m.f = input e.m.f

Hence equation 3 can be written as Es / Ep = Es / E =

output e.m.f / input e.m.f = Ns / Np = K
Where K is constant, called turn or transformation ratio.

In a step up transformer

Es > E so K > 1, hence Ns > Np

In a step down transformer

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

If Ip=value of primary current at the same instant t

And Is =value of sec. current at this instant, then Input

power at the instant t = Ep Ip and Output power at the
same instant = E s Is

If there are no losses of power in the transformer, then

Input power = output power or

E p Ip = Es Is Or

Es / Ep = Ip / Is = K

In a step up transformer

As k > 1, so Ip > Is or Is < Ip

I.e. current in sec. is weaker when secondary voltage is

higher. Hence, whatever we gain in voltage, we lose in

current in the same ratio. Similarly it can be shown, that

in a step down transformer, whatever we lose in voltage,

we gain in current in the same ratio.

Thus a step up transformer in reality steps down the

current & a step down transformer steps up the current.

BASIC IDEA OF STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

 BASIC IDEA OF STEP UP TRANSFORMER

EFFICIENCY
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of

output power to the input power i.e.

η = output power / input power = Es Is / Ep Ip

Thus in an ideal transformer, where there is no power

losses, η = 1. But in actual practice, there are many

power losses; therefore the efficiency of transformer

is less than one.

 ENERGY LOSSES
In practice, the output energy of a transformer is
always less than the input energy, because energy
losses occur due to a number of reasons as explained
below.
1. Loss of Magnetic Flux: The coupling between the
coils is seldom perfect. So, whole of the magnetic flux
produced by the primary coil is not linked up with the
secondary coil.
2. Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of
lamination,
Eddy currents are produced. The magnitude of eddy
current may, however be small. And a part of energy is
lost as the heat produced in the iron core.
3. Copper Loss: In practice, the coils of the
transformer possess resistance. So a part of the
energy is lost due to the heat produced in the
resistance of the coil.
4. Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil
tapes the iron core through complete cycle of
magnetization. So Energy is lost due to hysteresis.
5. Magneto restriction: The alternating current in the
Transformer may be set its parts in to vibrations and
sound may be produced. It is called humming. Thus, a
part of energy may be lost due to humming.

Apparatus
Iron Rod, Voltmeter, Ammeter, Copper Wire.

Circuit Diagram
 Procedure

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

3. Connect p1, p2 to A.C main and measure the input

voltage and current using A.C voltmeter and ammeter
respectively.
4. Similarly, measure the output voltage and current
through s1and s2.
5. Now connect s1and s2to A.C main and again
measure voltage and current through primary and
secondary coil of step up transformer.
6. Repeat all steps for other self made
transformers by changing number of turns in
primary and secondary coil.

USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all a.c. operations
 ● In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator,

computer, air conditioner etc.

● In the induction furnaces.

● A step down transformer is used for welding

purposes.

● A step down transformer is used for obtaining large

current.

● A step up transformer is used for the production of

X-Rays and NEON advertisement.

● Transformers are used in voltage regulators and

stabilized power supplies.

● Transformers are used in the transmissions of a.c.

over long distances.

● Small transformers are used in Radio sets,

telephones, loud speakers and electric bells etc.

Sources of Error

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

2. Eddy current can change the readings.
 Conclusion
1. The output voltage of the transformer across the
secondary coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/Np) with
respect to the input voltage
2. The output voltage of the transformer across the
secondary coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/N p) with
respect to the input voltage
3. There is a loss of power between input and
output coil of a transformer.

Precautions

1. Keep safe yourself from high voltage.

2. While taking the readings of current and voltage the A.C
should remain constant.

A big Transformers
 Bibliography
⮚NCERT Textbook Class 12
⮚NCERT Physics Lab Manual Class 12
⮚Google Website
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The End