LESSON 3.

1: TRANSFORMER
LOSSES

ENGR. RONNIE A. CADALIN, REE, RME, MATVE

3.1 Losses in a Transformer
The losses which occur in an actual transformer are:
(i) Core or iron losses (ii) Copper losses

i) Core or iron losses: When AC supply is given to the primary winding of a

transformer an alternating flux is set up in the core, therefore, hysteresis and
eddy current losses occur in the magnetic core.
(a) Hysteresis loss: When the magnetic material is subjected to reversal of
magnetic flux, it causes a continuous reversal of molecular magnets. This
effect consumes some electric power which is further dissipated in the form
of heat as loss. This loss is known as hysteresis loss. (Ph = Kh V f Bm 1.6).
(b) Eddy current loss: Since flux in the core of a transformer is alternating, it
links with the magnetic material of the core itself also. This induces an emf in
the core and circulates eddy currents. Power is required to maintain these
eddy currents. This power is dissipated in the form of heat and is known as
eddy current loss (Pe = Ke V f2 t2 B2m)
(ii)Copper losses: Copper losses occur in both the primary and secondary
windings due to their ohmic resistance. If I1, I2 are the primary and secondary
currents and R1, R2 are the primary and secondary resistances, respectively.
Then, total copper losses = I12R1 + I22R2 = I12Rep = I22Res.
The currents in the primary and secondary winding vary according to the load,
therefore, these losses vary according to the load and are known as variable loss.
3.2 Effects of Voltage and Frequency Variations on Iron Losses
Power transformers are not ordinarily subjected to frequency variations and
usually are subject to only modest voltage variations, but it will be interesting to
note their effects. Variation in voltage and/or frequency affects the iron losses
(hysteresis and eddy current loss) in a transformer. As long as the flux variations
are sinusoidal, hysteresis loss (Ph), and eddy current loss (Pe) vary according to the
following relations
Ph  f (max)1.6
and
Pe  f 2 (max)2
If the transformer is operated with the frequency and voltage changing in the
same proportion, the flux density will remain unchanged as obvious from equation
E 𝑉
(E = 4.44 fN Bm Ai or Bm = 4.44 fNAi or Bm  𝑓 ) and apparently the no-load
current will also remain unaffected.
EXAMPLES:

1. A 1 kVA, 220/110 V, 400 Hz transformer is desired to be used at a

frequency of 60 Hz. What will be the kVA rating of the transformer at
reduced frequency?

2. A 40 Hz transformer is to be used on a 50 Hz system. Assuming Steinmetz’s

coeff. as 2.6 and the losses at 40 Hz, 1.2%, 0.7% and 0.5% for copper,
hysteresis and eddy currents, respectively, find
(i) the losses on 50 Hz for the same supply voltage and current.
(ii) the output at 50 Hz for the same total losses as on 40 Hz.
SEATWORK:

1. A 230 V, 2.5 kVA single-phase transformer has an iron loss of 100 W at 40

Hz and 70 W at 30 Hz. Find the hysteresis and eddy current losses at 50 Hz.
(Ans. Ph = 91.67 W; Pe = 41.67 W)

2. When a transformer is supplied at 400 V, 50 Hz the hysteresis loss is found to

be 310 W and eddy current loss is found to be 260 W. Determine the
hysteresis loss and eddy current loss when the transformer is supplied at 800 V,
100 Hz. (Ans. Ph = 620 W; Pe = 1040 W)
3.3 Efficiency of a Transformer
The efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of output to the input power,
the two being measured in same units (either in watts or in kW).
𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
Transformer efficiency,  = 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟+𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠

𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
= 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟+𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠+𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠

𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2
=𝑉𝐼
2 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 + 𝑃𝑖 + 𝑃𝑐

Where: V2 = Secondary terminal voltage

I2 = Full load secondary current
cos2 = p.f. of the load
Pi = Iron losses = Hysteresis losses + eddy current losses (constant losses)
Pc = Full load copper losses = I22 Res
If x is the fraction of the full load, the efficiency of the transformer at this fraction
is given by the relation;
𝑥 (𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑)
x = 𝑥 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 + 𝑃𝑖 + 𝑥2𝑃𝑐

𝑋 (𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 )
x = 𝑥 𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 + 𝑃𝑖 + 𝑥2𝐼22𝑅𝑒𝑠

The copper losses vary as the square of the fraction of the load.
3.4 Condition for Maximum Efficiency
The efficiency of a transformer will be maximum when copper (or variable) losses
are equal to iron (or constant) losses.
Copper losses = Iron losses

𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2
max = 𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2 + 2𝑃𝑖
…… [since Pc = Pi]

The value of output current I2 at which the efficiency of the transformer will be
maximum is given by;

𝑃𝑖
𝐼2 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠
If x is the fraction of full load kVA at which the efficiency of the transformer is
maximum. Then, copper losses = x2 Pc (where Pc is the full load Cu losses)
Iron losses = Pi
For maximum efficiency, x2 Pc = Pi
𝑃𝑖
x= 𝑃𝑐

Output kVA corresponding to maximum efficiency

𝑃𝑖
= x (full load kVA) = (full load kVA )
𝑃𝑐
𝑖𝑟𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠
= (full load kVA )
𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
EXAMPLES:
1. A 500 kVA, 6600/400V, one-phase transformer has primary and secondary
winding resistance of 0.42 ohm and 0.0011 ohm, respectively. The primary and
secondary voltages are 6600 V and 400 V, respectively. The iron loss is 2·9 kW.
Calculate the efficiency at half full load at a power factor of 0·8 lagging

2. A single-phase 440/110 V transformer has primary and secondary winding

resistance of 0·3 ohm and 0·02 ohm, respectively. If iron loss on normal input
voltage is 150 W, calculate the secondary current at which maximum efficiency
will occur. What is the value of this maximum efficiency for unity power factor
load?

3. The iron and full-load copper losses of a 100 kVA single-phase transformer are 1
kW and 1.5 kW, respectively. Calculate the kVA loading at which the efficiency is
maximum and its efficiency at this loading: (i) at unit p.f. (ii) at 8 p.f. lagging.
SEATWORK:
1. A 50 kVA transformer on full load has a copper loss of 600 watt and iron loss
of 500 watt, calculate the maximum efficiency and the load at which it occurs.
(Ans. 97.85%)

2. In a 25 kVA. 1100/400 V, single phase transformer, the iron and copper

losses at full load are 350 and 400 watts, respectively. Calculate the
efficiency on unity power at half load. Determine the load at which maximum
efficiency occurs. (Ans. 23.385 KW)

3. A single-phase 440/110 V transformer has primary and secondary winding

resistance of 0·3 ohm and 0·02 ohm, respectively. If iron loss on normal input
voltage is 150 W, calculate the secondary current at which maximum
efficiency will occur. What is the value of this maximum efficiency for unity
power factor load? (Ans. 95.8%)
3.5 All-day Efficiency
The load on certain transformers fluctuates throughout the day. The distribution
transformers are energized for 24 hours, but they deliver very light loads for
major portion of the day. Thus iron losses occur for whole day but copper losses
occur only when the transformer is loaded. Hence, the performance of such
transformers cannot be judged by the commercial efficiency, but it can be judged
by all-day efficiency also known as operational efficiency or energy efficiency
which is computed on the basis of energy consumed during a period of 24 hours.

The all-day efficiency is defined as the ratio of output in kWh (or Wh) to the input
in kWh (or Wh) of a transformer over 24 hours.

𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐾𝑊ℎ
All-day efficiency = all-day = 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝐾𝑊ℎ
To find this all-day efficiency, we have to know the load cycle on the transformer.
EXAMPLES:
1. A 20 kVA transformer on domestic load, which can be taken as of unity power
factor, has a full load efficiency of 95.3%, the copper loss then being twice the
iron loss. Calculate its all-day efficiency on the following daily cycle; no-load
for 10 hours, half load for 8 hours and full load for 6 hours.

2. A 5 kVA single phase transformer has full-load copper loss of 100 watt and
50 watt as iron loss. The daily variation of load on the transformer is as
follows:
7 AM to 1 PM 3 kW at power factor 0.6 lagging.
1 PM to 6 PM 2 kW at power factor 0.8 lagging.
6 PM to 1 AM 5 kW at power factor 0.9 lagging.
1 AM to 7 AM No-load
Determine the all-day efficiency.
SEATWORK:
1. A 100 kVA transformer supplies a lighting and power load. The iron loss is
960 W and the copper loss is 960 W at full load. The transformer is
operated continuously at the rated voltage as per the following schedule in a
day 100 kVA at 0.8 p.f. for 4 hrs.; 50 kVA at 0.6 p.f. for 8 hrs. and 5 kVA at
0.95 p.f. for 12 hrs. What will be the all-day efficiency of the transformer?
(Ans. 94.5%)