Transformers

What is an Electric Transformer?

The transformer is a static device (means that has no moving parts) that consists of
one, two or more windings which are magnetically coupled and electrically separated
with or without a magnetic core. It transfers the electrical energy from one circuit to the
other by electromagnetic induction principle. The winding connected to the AC main
supply is called primary winding and the winding connected to the load or from which
energy is drawn out is called as secondary winding. These two windings with proper
insulation are wound on a laminated core which provides a magnetic path between
windings.

When the primary winding is energized with alternating voltage source, an alternating
magnetic flux or field will be produced in the transformer core. This magnetic flux
amplitude depends on the applied voltage magnitude, frequency of the supply and the
number of turns on the primary side. This flux circulates through the core and hence
links with the secondary winding. Based on the principle of electromagnetic induction,
this magnetic linking induces a voltage in the secondary winding. This is called as
mutual induction between two circuits. The secondary voltage depends on the number
of turns on the secondary as well as magnetic flux and frequency.

Transformers are extensively used in electrical power systems to produce the variable
values of voltage and currents at the same frequency. Therefore , by an appropriate
primary and secondary turns proportion desired voltage ratio is obtained by the
transformer.
Transformer Construction
The main parts of a transformer are core, windings, container or tank, bushings and
conservator and radiators.

Core

For high power applications, transformer core is made with high permeability material
which provides the low reluctance path for the magnetic flux. The cross section of the
core would be square or rectangular.

Generally the iron core transformers provide better power transformation compared with
air core transformers. Air core transformers are used for high frequency application
(above 2 KHz) whereas , for low frequency applications (below 2 KHz) iron core
transformers are employed.

In all types of transformers, core is made up of silicon steel or sheet steel laminations
which are assembled to provide a continuous magnetic path for the flux. With this
laminated core eddy current losses are minimized.

The thickness of these laminated sheets of steel are 0.35 to 5 mm and are insulated
with a varnish, or oxide, or phosphate and then formed as a core.

Windings

Generally, the (two winding) transformer has two windings namely primary and
secondary windings which are made up of high grade copper.

The insulated stranded conductors are used as windings for carrying high currents. This
insulation avoids turns contacting with other turns.
The voltage connected to the primary winding is called primary voltage whereas the
induced voltage in the secondary is called as secondary voltage. If the secondary
voltage is more than the primary, it is called as step-up transformer and if less, it is
called as step-down transformer. Therefore, the windings are designated as HV and LV
windings based on the voltage level.

Compared to the LV winding, HV winding needs more insulation to withstand high

voltages, also needs more clearance to the core and the body.

The transformer coils can be concentric or sandwiched coils. Concentric coils are used
in core type transformers whereas sandwiched coils are used in shell type transformers.
In concentric arrangement, LV winding is placed near to the core and HV winding is
placed around the LV winding for low insulation and clearance requirements. The most
commonly used coils for the transformer include helical, sandwiched, disc and cross
over coils.

Other necessary parts of the transformer are conservator tank which is used to provide
the necessary oil storage such that the pressure of the oil under heavy loads settles
down. When the oil in the transformer subject to the heat, naturally, oil expand and
contract. Under this, oil is subjected to heavy pressure so without a conservator tank,
there will be a chance of bursting the transformer.

The bushings provide the insulation to the output terminals to be taken from the
windings of the transformer. These can be porcelain or condenser type bushing and
based on the level of operating voltage these are selected. Because of simple, durable
and rugged construction, transformers require a little maintenance. Because of no
moving parts, the efficiency of the transformer is very high which may vary from 95% to
98%.
Classification of Transformers
Transformers are classified into several types depends the various factors including
voltage ratings, construction, type of cooling, number of phases of the AC system, the
place where it is employed, etc. Let us discuss some of these types of transformers.

Based on Function

Transformers are classified into two types based on the conversion of voltage level.
These are step-up and step-down transformers.

Step-up Transformers

In step-up transformer, the secondary voltage is more than the primary voltage. This is
due to the lesser number of coils in the primary compared to the secondary. This type of
transformer is used to raise the voltage to a higher level. These are used in
transmission systems and are rated at higher power levels.

Step-down Transformers

In step-down transformer, secondary voltage is less than the primary voltage due to the
less number of turns in the secondary winding. Hence, this type of transformer is used
to reduce the voltage to specified levels of the circuit. Most of the power supplies use
the step-down transformer to keep the circuit operating range to a specified safer
voltage limit. These types of transformers are used in distribution systems (power
transformers) and in electronic circuits (electronic transformers).

It is to be noted that the transformer is a reversible device, so it can be used as both

step-up and step-down transformer. For example, if the circuit needs a high voltage we
will connect the HV terminals to the load whereas the load or circuit needs a low
voltage, we will connect the LV terminals to the load.
Losses in Transformer
The transformer has no moving parts and hence the mechanical losses are absent in it.
Hence, the losses in the transformer are considered as electrical energy losses. Two
types of electrical losses are exist in a transformer which are core losses and copper
losses.

Core or Iron Losses

These losses include both hysteresis and eddy current losses.

The magnetic flux set up in the transformer core is alternating type; thereby it
undergoes a cycle of magnetization and demagnetization. During this, an appropriate
power is required for continuous reversal of elementary magnets of the iron core. This is
called as hysteresis effect and due to this considerable loss of energy takes place.

Copper Losses

These losses occur in the winding resistances of the transformer when it carries load
current. The total copper loss in the transformer is obtained by adding both primary and
secondary copper losses. These are found by conducting short circuit rest on the
transformer.

Other losses in the transformer include dielectric losses and stray load losses. The stray
losses are results from the eddy currents in the tank and winding conductors. Dielectric
losses are occurs in the insulating materials like oil and solid insulations of the
transformer.

Applications of Transformers

 Step-up or step-down the level of the voltage in power transmission systems like
transmission and distribution systems.
 To isolate the low voltage circuits from high voltage circuits in case of substations,
control circuitry circuits in industries, etc.
  Instrument transformers like current and potential transformer are used in protection and
meter indication systems.
 These are also used for impedance matching.

Working Principle of Transformer

The operation of the transformer is based on the principle of mutual induction between
two coils or winding which are linked by a common magnetic flux. When the primary
winding is energized with AC source supply, a magnetic flux is established in the
primary winding. This flux is linked with both primary and secondary windings because
the core provides a low reluctance path for the magnetic flux. Hence, most of the flux
produced by the primary winding links with the secondary winding. This is called as
main flux or useful flux. And also, the flux which does not link with the secondary
winding is called as leakage flux. Most of the transformers are designed to have low
leakage flux to reduce the losses.

According to the Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction, this flux linkage with both
primary and secondary windings induces EMFs in them. This EMF induced in each
winding is proportional to the number of turns in it. The voltage or EMF induced in the
primary winding is called as back EMF which opposes the input supply voltage to the
extent that no primary current would flow. But small magnetizing current flows through
the primary of the transformer. The EMF induced in the secondary winding is the open
circuit voltage. If the secondary circuit is closed or the load is connected, secondary
current starts flowing through it which causes to create demagnetizing magnetic flux.
Due to this demagnetizing flux, the unbalance is created between the applied voltage
and back EMF. To restore the balance between these two, more current is drawn from
the supply source so that equivalent magnetic field is created to balance with secondary
field.

Since the same mutual flux cuts both windings, the EMF induced in the each turn of
both windings are same. Hence the total induced EMF in each winding must be
proportional to the number of turns in that winding. This turns out for the establishment
of well-known relationship between induced EMF and the number of turns. And is given
as

E1 /E2 = N1 / N2
Since the terminal voltages of the both windings are slightly different from their induced
EMFs, we can write as

V1/V2 = N1/N2

This is called as the transformation ratio of the transformer. This transformation value is
greater than unity in case of step-up transformer and less than unity in step-down
transformer.

In terms of ampere turns balance,

I1N1 = I2N2

I1/I2 = N2/N1

Transformer Testing