Introduction to Transformers

ESPRELA ROVIC, Student, IEEE

February 2024

Reasons for Choosing AC over DC in Cost of Infrastructure: The infrastructure for AC

Electrical Power Distribution power generation and distribution is generally more
cost-effective than DC infrastructure. This includes
The choice of using AC (alternating current) for
the cost of generators, transformers, and other com-
electrical power distribution in homes instead of
ponents.
DC (direct current) can be attributed to several
technical and practical reasons. Here are some key
reasons: Versatility of AC Motors: AC motors are simpler,
more reliable, and cheaper than DC motors. Many
household appliances, including refrigerators, air
Ease of Voltage Transformation: AC voltage can conditioners, and washing machines, use AC mo-
be easily transformed to different voltage levels us- tors.
ing transformers. This is essential for efficient long-
distance power transmission. Higher voltage re-
Historical Factors: The historical development of
duces energy loss during transmission, and trans-
electrical power systems played a significant role.
formers allow the voltage to be stepped down before
AC power systems, popularized by figures like
reaching homes.
Nikola Tesla and advancements like the develop-
ment of the AC transformer by George Westing-
Efficient Power Transmission: AC transmission house, gained widespread adoption.
lines can transmit power over long distances with While DC has seen a resurgence in certain ap-
lower energy losses compared to DC transmission. plications, especially with the proliferation of elec-
This is due to the ability to use transformers for tronic devices and renewable energy systems, the
voltage transformation and the skin effect, which is existing power grid infrastructure and the histori-
more favorable for AC at high voltages. cal development of AC power systems make it the
dominant choice for residential power distribution.

Safety Considerations: AC is generally considered Transformers in Electrical Systems

safer for power distribution because it is associated
A transformer is an electrical device that trans-
with lower transmission losses, reducing the risk of
fers electrical energy between two or more circuits
electrical fires. Additionally, the ability to easily
through electromagnetic induction. It consists of
step down voltage with transformers at the distri- two coils of wire, known as the primary and sec-
bution point makes it safer for use in homes. ondary windings, that are electrically isolated but
magnetically coupled through a shared core. Trans-
formers are a fundamental component of electrical
Generation and Distribution: Most power genera-
power systems and are used for various applica-
tion methods, such as those in power plants, nat-
tions, including voltage transformation, impedance
urally produce AC. AC generators are simpler and
matching, and isolation.
more efficient than DC generators. Therefore, gen-
erating power in AC and distributing it without
conversion is more practical. Key Aspects of Transformers:

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Voltage Transformation Transformer Construction
One of the primary functions of a transformer is The concept behind transformer construction in-
to change the voltage level between the primary volves creating a device that utilizes electromag-
and secondary windings. A step-up transformer in- netic induction to transfer electrical energy be-
creases the voltage, while a step-down transformer tween two or more coils of wire, known as the pri-
decreases it. This ability to transform voltage is mary and secondary windings. The key compo-
crucial for efficient power transmission and distri- nents of a transformer include the following:
bution. High-voltage transmission reduces energy
losses in power lines, while lower voltages are safer
Primary and Secondary Windings: These are coils
for use in homes and businesses.
of wire wound around a core. The primary winding
is connected to the source of electrical power, while
Power Transmission the secondary winding is connected to the load.

Transformers play a vital role in the efficient trans-

mission of electrical power over long distances. By Core: The core is a magnetic material that serves
stepping up the voltage at the power generation to enhance the magnetic coupling between the pri-
side, the current is reduced, which minimizes resis- mary and secondary windings. It can be con-
tive losses during transmission. At the distribution structed using various materials, with iron and steel
side, transformers step down the voltage for safe being the most common choices.
and practical use.
Choice of Iron Core
Impedance Matching
The choice of an iron core in transformers is based
Transformers can be designed to match the on several factors:
impedance between different parts of a power sys-
tem. This is important for maximizing power trans- • High Permeability: Iron has a high perme-
fer between components, ensuring efficient opera- ability, allowing for the easy establishment of a
tion, and preventing damage to equipment. magnetic field. This property enhances the ef-
ficiency of magnetic coupling between the pri-
Isolation mary and secondary windings.

Transformers provide electrical isolation between • Low Hysteresis Losses: Iron exhibits low
the primary and secondary circuits. This isolation hysteresis losses, enabling it to be magnetized
is crucial for safety, as it prevents direct electrical and demagnetized with relatively low energy
contact between different parts of a system. Isola- losses. This minimizes energy losses and im-
tion is particularly important in power distribution proves overall efficiency.
and in separating different components of electronic
systems. • High Saturation Flux Density: Iron has
a high saturation flux density, supporting a
Current Transformation high magnetic flux before reaching saturation.
This property allows transformers to handle
While the primary function of transformers is volt- varying levels of magnetic flux, accommodat-
age transformation, they also indirectly affect cur- ing changes in load conditions.
rent. According to the power equation (P = V I),
if voltage is increased, current decreases, and vice • Cost-Effectiveness: Iron is a cost-effective
versa. Transformers enable the manipulation of and readily available material, making it a
voltage and current levels to suit specific applica- practical choice for transformer cores on an in-
tions. dustrial scale.

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 Transformer Operation transformers. It is an abstraction that allows en-
A transformer transforms electrical energy from gineers to focus on the fundamental principles of
one circuit to another through electromagnetic in- transformer operation without considering certain
duction. The transformation occurs based on the practical aspects that may introduce complexity.
principles of Faraday’s law of electromagnetic in- Here are the key characteristics of an ideal trans-
duction and the mutual induction between two coils former:
of wire.
Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction • Perfect Magnetic Coupling: In an ideal trans-
states that a change in magnetic flux through a former, all the magnetic flux generated by the
closed loop induces an electromotive force (EMF) primary winding links perfectly with the sec-
or voltage in the loop. The induced voltage is pro- ondary winding. There is no leakage flux or
portional to the rate of change of magnetic flux. magnetic flux that does not contribute to the
In a transformer: induction of voltage in the secondary winding.

• No Core Losses: Ideal transformers assume no

dΦ losses associated with the core material. In
V1 = −N1 ,
dt real transformers, hysteresis and eddy current
dΦ losses occur in the core material, leading to
V2 = −N2
dt some energy dissipation in the form of heat.
Where: • No Copper Losses: An ideal transformer as-
sumes no resistance in the windings. In prac-
tical transformers, the resistance of the copper
V1 and V2 windings leads to I 2 R losses, where I is the
current flowing through the windings.
are the voltages in the primary and secondary coils, • No Leakage Inductance: In an ideal trans-
respectively. former, there is no leakage inductance, mean-
ing all the magnetic flux produced by the pri-
N1 and N2 mary winding links with the secondary wind-
dΦ ing. In reality, there is some degree of leakage
is the rate of change of magnetic flux.
dt inductance that affects the coupling between
the windings.
are the number of turns in the primary and sec-
ondary coils, respectively. • Perfect Voltage Transformation: The voltage
The negative sign indicates the direction of the transformation ratio in an ideal transformer
induced voltage according to Lenz’s law, which is determined solely by the turns ratio of the
states that the induced EMF will always work to windings. The voltage on the secondary side
oppose the change in magnetic flux that produced is perfectly proportional to the voltage on the
it. primary side.
In summary, the transformer transforms voltage
from the primary coil to the secondary coil based On the other hand, a practical transformer takes
on the principles of electromagnetic induction. The into account the non-ideal aspects and imper-
voltage transformation is determined by the turns fections associated with real-world transformers.
ratio N N2 , where the secondary voltage is propor- Practical transformers exhibit:
1

tional to the primary voltage and inversely propor-

tional to the turns ratio. • Leakage Flux: In real transformers, some mag-
netic flux does not link both the primary and
Ideal Transformer secondary windings, leading to leakage flux.
An ideal transformer is a theoretical concept used This introduces the concept of leakage induc-
in electrical engineering to simplify the analysis of tance.

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 • Core Losses: The core material in practical [9] Alexander, C. K., & Sadiku, M. N. O. (2013).
transformers has finite permeability and ex- Fundamentals of Electric Circuits. McGraw-
periences hysteresis and eddy current losses, Hill Education.
resulting in energy dissipation in the form of
heat.

• Copper Losses: The resistance of the trans-

former windings contributes to I 2 R losses,
where I is the current flowing through the
windings.

• Impedance Effects: The leakage inductance

and winding resistance introduce impedance
effects that affect the performance of the trans-
former, especially at higher frequencies.

In summary, an ideal transformer is a theoretical

model that simplifies the analysis of transformer
behavior, while a practical transformer considers
real-world factors and imperfections. Understand-
ing the ideal transformer helps establish fundamen-
tal principles, but practical transformers are de-
signed to account for and manage the effects of
non-idealities.

References
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