Transformer

Transformer is the simplest device that is used to transfer electrical energy from one
alternating-current circuit to another circuit or multiple circuits, through the process of
electromagnetic induction. A transformer works on the principle of electromagnetic induction to
step up or step down voltage. Transformer either increases AC voltage (Step -up transformer)
or decreases AC voltage (Step-down transformer). Transformer which is normally utilized in
the transmission and distribution of alternating current power is fundamentally a voltage
control device. Transformer are used for a wide range of purposes, including increasing th e
voltage from electric generators to enable long-distance transmission of electricity and
decreasing the voltage of conventional power circuits to run low-voltage devices like doorbells
and toy electric trains.

Types of Transformer :-
Transformer types based on Voltage Level
There are primarily two types of Transformer based on the operating voltage. The
following are some of them:

Step-down Transformer:-
The primary voltage is converted to a lower voltage across the secondary
output using a step-down transformer. The number of windings on the primary side of a step-down
transformer is more than on the secondary side. As a result, the overall secondary-to-primary winding
ratio will always be less than one. Step-down transformer are used in electrical systems that distribute
electricity over long distances and operate at extremely high voltages to ensure minimum loss and
economical solutions. Step-down transformer are used to change high-voltage into low-voltage supply
lines.

Step-up Transformer:-

The secondary voltage of a step-up transformer is raised from the low

primary voltage. Because the primary winding has fewer turns than the secondary winding in this sort of
transformer, the ratio of the primary to secondary winding will be greater than one. Step-up
transformer are frequently used in electronics stabilizers, inverters, and other devices that convert low
voltage to a significantly higher voltage. A step-up transformer is also used in the distribution of
electrical power. For applications connected to power distribution, high voltage is necessary. In the grid,
a step-up transformer is used to raise the voltage level prior to distribution.

Transformer Types based on Core Material

Different types of Transformer are used in the power and electronics industries, depending on the core
materials, which are:
 Iron Core Transformer: Multiple soft iron plates are used as the core of an iron core transformer.
The iron’s strong magnetic properties of the iron core transformer have extremely high flux linkage.
As a result, the iron core transformer has high efficiency. The soft iron core plates come in a variety
of sizes and shapes. A few typical shapes include E, I, U, and L.
 Ferrite Core Transformer: Due to its high magnetic permeability, a ferrite core transformer uses
one. In the high-frequency application, this kind of transformer provides incredibly low losses. In
high-frequency applications like switch mode power supplies (SMPS), RF-related applications, etc.,
ferrite core transformer are used as a result.
 Toroidal Core Transformer: Iron core or ferrite core are two examples of toroid-shaped core
materials used in transformer. For their excellent electrical performance, toroids, which have a ring-
or donut-shaped core material, are frequently used. The ring form results in very low leakage
inductance and extremely high inductance and Q factors.
 Air Core transformer: The core material of an air core transformer is not a real magnetic core.
The air is used solely in the air-core transformer flux linkage. The primary coil of an air-core
transformer generates an alternating current, producing an electromagnetic field all around it.
Working Principle of a Transformer:-
The fundamental principle of how the transformer functions are mutual induction between the two coils
or Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. Below is a description of how the transformer operates.
The laminated silicon steel core of the transformer is covered by two distinct windings. According to the
diagram below, the primary winding is the one to which the AC supply is connected, and the secondary
winding is the one to which the load is connected. Only alternating current can be used because mutual
induction between the two windings requires an alternating flux.
The transformer primary winding produces an alternating flux, known as the mutual flux, when an
alternating voltage is applied, in accordance with the mutual inductance principle.

According to Faraday’s rule of electromagnetic induction, this alternating flux links the transformer
primary and secondary windings magnetically and generates EMFs E1 in the primary winding and E2 in
the secondary winding. The EMF (E1) is referred to as the primary EMF, while the EMF (E2) is the
secondary EMF.

From the expression above, it is clear that the size of EMFs E1 and E2 is dependent on the number of
turns in the transformer primary and secondary windings, respectively. If N2 > N1, then E2 > E1, and the
transformer will be a step-up transformer; if N2 < N1, then E2 < E1, and the transformer will be a step-
down transformer.
If a load is now connected across the secondary winding, the load current I2 will flow through the load
as a result of the EMF E2. As a result, a transformer makes it possible to transfer electricity with a
change in voltage level from one electric circuit to another.

Parts of a Transformer
A transformer majorly consists of three parts:

Core

The transformer core serves as a support for the winding. Additionally, it offers a magnetic flux flow
channel with minimal resistance. As seen in the image, the winding is looped around the core. To cut
down on losses in a transformer, it has a laminated soft iron core. Core composition is determined by
variables including operational voltage, current, and power, among others. The core diameter is
negatively correlated with iron losses and directly correlated with copper losses.

Windings

The copper wires that are wound over the transformer core are known as windings. Copper cables are
used because Copper’s high conductivity reduces transformer loss because resistance to current flow
lowers as conductivity rises. And copper’s high degree of ductility makes it possible to produce
incredibly thin wires out of it.
The two basic types of windings are. windings for the primary and secondary coils. The primary winding
is the group of winding turns that receive supply current. The number of winding turns from which
output is derived is known as secondary winding. Insulation coating agents are used to insulate the
primary and secondary windings from one another.

Insulation Agents

Transformer require insulation to keep the windings apart and prevent short circuits. This makes mutual
induction easier. Transformer stability and durability are influenced by insulation agents. In a
transformer, the following are employed as insulating mediums: Insulating fluid, tape, Paper, and
Lamination made of wood.

Tank
A transformer main tank serves two purposes:
 The core and the windings are protected from the elements, such as rain and dust.
 It functions as an oil container as well as a support for all other transformer attachments.
Transformer Oil
The majority of the huge transformer are submerged in oil. The transformer oil adds insulation between
the conductors, improves heat dissipation from the coils, and has fault-detecting capabilities.
Transformer oil is typically made of hydrocarbon mineral oil.
Oil Conservators
The oil conservator is situated above the transformer tank and bushings. Some transformer oil
conservators contain a rubber bladder. When a transformer is loaded, the ambient temperature rises,
causing the amount of oil inside the transformer to increase. The transformer conservator tank has
enough room for the increased transformer oil. It also serves as a reservoir for oil that is used to insulate
buildings.
Breather
All oil-immersed transformer with conservator tank includes it. It aids in the protection of the oil against
moisture.
Radiators and Fans
The majority of the power lost in the transformer is dissipated as heat. Radiators and fans aid in the
dissipation of heat generated by the transformer and provide protection against failure. The majority of
dry transformer are cooled by natural air.

Ideal Transformer
An ideal transformer is a purely theoretical transformer that has no losses at all, including no core
losses, copper losses, or other transformer losses. This transformer is thought to be 100% efficient.
The windings of the transformer are assumed to be entirely inductive, and the core of the transformer is
assumed to be loss-free when creating the ideal transformer model. Additionally, the transformer has
no leakage reactance (reactance is the opposition to the flow of current from the circuit element due to
its inductance and capacitance). This indicates that the transformer primary and secondary windings are
connected to the core of the transformer at 100% flux. However, every winding must have some
inductive resistance that results in voltage drop and I2R loss. In a model of an ideal transformer, the
windings are assumed to be perfect (totally inductive), which means that their resistance is zero.

EMF Equation of Ideal Transformer

Let Np is the main winding’s number of turns, whereas Ns is the secondary winding’s number of turns.
When an AC voltage is given to the transformer main coil, the current generated creates an alternating
magnetic flux that connects the secondary coil and generates an emf. The number of turns in the
secondary coil determines the value of this emf. Consider an ideal (lossless) transformer with zero
primary coil resistance (no voltage drop across coil) and all flux in the core connecting both primary and
secondary windings. When the voltage Vp is delivered to the primary coil, let be the flux linkage in each
turn in the core at time t owing to the current in the primary coil.
The following three assumptions are used to get the previous relationship:
The primary and secondary coils’ electrical resistances are insignificant.
The flux connectivity to both the primary and secondary coils is the same, or very few fluxes escape
from the core.
The secondary current is insignificant.

Turn Ratio
Turn Ratio is a measure to determine whether the secondary coil of a transformer has more or lesser
windings than the primary. The number of windings on a primary coil is equal to “Np,” while the number
of windings on a secondary coil is “Ns,” representing the number of turns.
The power input and output will be equal if the transformer is perfect or 100 percent efficient (no
energy losses)
ipVp = isVs ……(6)
Combining Equations (5) and (6), we have
ip/is = Vs/Vp= Ns/Np=K

The turn ratio, K, is defined in the preceding equation. If the secondary coil has more turns than the
primary coil, this is the case (Ns>Np), and the voltage is stepped up (Vs>Vp). A step-up transformer is a
name for this sort of setup. A step-down transformer is one in which the secondary coil has fewer turns
than the primary coil (Ns<Np).

Efficiency of Transformer
The efficiency of a transformer is also known as commercial efficiency. It is represented by the letter ‘η’.
The efficiency of a Transformer is described as the ratio of output (in W or kW) to input (in W or kW).
Hence, the efficiency of transformer may be expressed as follows:
Efficiency (η) = (Power Output / Power Input)
The above equation can be used for an ideal transformer in which there are no transformer losses and
all input energy is transferred to the output. As a result, the following equation is mostly used if
transformer wastes are taken into account and the efficiency of the transformer is evaluated across the
practical states.
Efficiency = ((Power O/P) / (Power O/P + Losses)) × 100%

Energy Losses in a Transformer

We used an ideal transformer in the previous equations (without any energy losses). However, some
energy losses do occur in actual transformer for the following reasons:
Flux Leakage: Because some flux leaks from the core, not all flux generated by the primary coil make it
to the secondary coil. This occurs as a result of the core’s inadequate design or the presence of air holes
in the core. It is possible to lower it by wrapping the primary and secondary coils over each other. It can
also be lowered if the core is well-designed.
Windings Resistance: Because the wire used for the windings has some electrical resistance, energy is
wasted as a result of the heat generated in the windings. These are mitigated in high current, low
voltage windings by utilizing thick wire with a high conductive substance.
Eddy Currents: The alternating magnetic flux creates eddy currents in the iron core, resulting in energy
losses through heating. By using a laminated core, the impact is decreased.
Hysteresis Loss: In each AC cycle, the alternating magnetic field reverses the magnetization of the core.
The loss of energy in the core occurs as heat owing to hysteresis loss, which is minimized by employing a
magnetic material with a low hysteresis loss.
Application of Transformer
The following are some of the most common uses for transformer:
Increasing or reducing the voltage level in an AC circuit to ensure the correct operation of the circuit’s
various electrical components.
It stops DC from flowing from one circuit to another.
It separates two separate electric circuits.
Before transmission and distribution can take place, the voltage level at the electric power plant must
be increased.