CLASSIFICATION OF TRANSFORMER

A transformer can be classified into many different ways. Some of the classifications of
transformers are as follows:

i) Classification based on application

• Step-up transformer
• Step-down transformer
ii) Classification based on construction
• Core type transformer
• Shell type transformer
iii) Classification based on number of phases
• Single-phase transformer
• Three-phase transformer
iv) Classification based on the location of transformer
• Indoor type transformer
• Outdoor type transformer
• Station transformer

Core-type Transformer

The transformer shown in Fig. 4.1 is a core-type transformer. A core-type transformer has a
single path for the magnetic flux to flow in the transformer. The core can be in the form of a
rectangle or a square and it is laminated to reduce eddy current loss. In this type of construction,
the windings encircle the core. As stated earlier in this chapter, low-voltage coils are placed near
the core with proper insulation and the high-voltage coil surrounds the low-voltage coil. For
proper flux linkage, both the coils are present on both the limbs. Generally, cylindrical type
windings are used for core-type transformers. These transformers are used for high-voltage
applications. For small transformers, rectangular core with rectangular cylindrical coils are used.
For large transformers, square core with circular cylindrical core is used.
Shell-type Transformer
A shell-type transformer has two windows and three limbs. Both the primary and secondary
windings are placed on the central limb as shown in Fig. 4.4. In this type of construction the
magnetic flux has two parallel paths to flow through the core.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION OF TRANSFORMER

Transformer works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Consider a single-phase
transformer shown in Fig.

To make the diagram simple, the laminated core is not shown in the transformer circuit of Fig.

The primary of the transformer having N1 turns is fed from an AC supply of V1 volts. The
current I1 will flow through the primary coil. The current through the primary will set up a flux φ
in the core. This flux, when linked with the primary winding, will produce an induced e.m.f., E1,
in the primary. The flux φ will pass through the core and link with the secondary winding to
induce an e.m.f., E2, in the secondary winding. Because of this induced e.m.f., a current I2 will
flow through the load connected with the secondary winding. The load terminal voltage is V2.

If the input voltage V1 is greater than the output voltage V2, then it is called the step-down trans-
former. If the input voltage V1 is less than the output voltage V2, then it is called the step-up
transformer. If V1 = V2, it is called isolation transformer or one-to-one transformer. In the case
of step-up transformer the number of turns of primary (N1) is less than the number of turns of
secondary (N2). Similarly, in the case of step-down transformer, the number of turns of primary
(N1) is more than the number of turns of secondary (N2).

EMF Equation of a Single Phase Transformer

CONCEPT OF IDEAL TRANSFORMER

Idea transformer is nothing but a transformer which has 100% efficiency. In this transformer
there are two purely inductive coils. So this is no iron loss, no copper loss, as well as there is no
I2R losses. Also this is no ohmic resistance drop and no leakage drop. Hence this is concept of
ideal transformer.

Ideal Transformer Practical Transformer

It has 100% efficiency. It has 100% below efficiency.
It has no losses. It has no losses.
Purely inductive material is used. It is two purely inductive material used.
It has no I2R losses. It has I2R losses.
It has no iron loss. It has iron loss.
There is no ohmic resistance drop. There is ohmic resistance drop.
It has no leakage drop. It has leakage drop.
In it ideal condition. In it practical condition.
It is not used in practical condition. It is used in practical condition.

LOSSES IN TRANSFORMER

In any electrical machine, 'loss' can be defined as the difference between input power and output
power. An electrical transformer is an static device, hence mechanical losses (like windage or
friction losses) are absent in it. A transformer only consists of electrical losses (iron losses and
copper losses). Transformer losses are similar to losses in a DC machine, except that
transformers do not have mechanical losses.
Losses in transformer are explained below -

(i) Core losses or Iron losses

Eddy current loss and hysteresis loss depend upon the magnetic properties of the material used
for the construction of core. Hence these losses are also known as core losses or iron losses.

Hysteresis loss in transformer: Hysteresis loss is due to reversal of magnetization in the

transformer core. This loss depends upon the volume and grade of the iron, frequency of
magnetic reversals and value of flux density. It can be given by, Steinmetz formula:
Wh= ηBmax1.6fV (watts)
where, η = Steinmetz hysteresis constant
V = volume of the core in m3
Eddy current loss in transformer: In transformer, AC current is supplied to the primary
winding which sets up alternating magnetizing flux. When this flux links with secondary
winding, it produces induced emf in it. But some part of this flux also gets linked with
other conducting parts like steel core or iron body or the transformer, which will result in
induced emf in those parts, causing small circulating current in them. This current is
called as eddy current. Due to these eddy currents, some energy will be dissipated in the
form of heat.
 (ii) Copper loss in transformer
Copper loss is due to ohmic resistance of the transformer windings. Copper loss for the
primary winding is I12R1 and for secondary winding is I22R2. Where, I1 and I2 are current in
primary and secondary winding respectively, R1 and R2 are the resistances of primary and
secondary winding respectively. It is clear that Cu loss is proportional to square of the current,
and current depends on the load. Hence copper loss in transformer varies with the load.

EFFICIENCY OF TRANSFORMER

Just like any other electrical machine, efficiency of a transformer can be defined as the output
power divided by the input power. That is efficiency = output / input .

Transformers are the most highly efficient electrical devices. Most of the transformers have full
load efficiency between 95% to 98.5% . As a transformer being highly efficient, output and input
are having nearly same value, and hence it is impractical to measure the efficiency of transformer
by using output / input. A better method to find efficiency of a transformer is using, efficiency =
(input - losses) / input = 1 - (losses / input).

AUTO TRANFORMER

An auto transformer is an electrical transformer having only one winding. The winding has at
least three terminals which is explained in the construction details below.

Some of the advantages of auto-transformer are that,

they are smaller in size,

cheap in cost,
low leakage reactance,
increased kVA rating,
low exciting current etc.

An example of application of auto transformer is, using an US electrical equipment rated for
115 V supply (they use 115 V as standard) with higher Indian voltages. Another example could
be in starting method of three phase induction motors.
Construction of auto transformer

An auto transformer consists of a single copper wire, which is common in both primary as well
as secondary circuit. The copper wire is wound a laminated silicon steel core, with at least three
tappings taken out. Secondary and primary circuit share the same neutral point of the winding.
The construction is well explained in the diagram. Variable turns ratio at secondary can be
obtained by the tappings of the winding (as shown in the figure), or by providing a smooth
sliding brush over the winding. Primary terminals are fixed.
Thus, in an auto transformer, you may say, primary and secondary windings are connected
magnetically as well as electrically.

Working of auto transformer

As I have described just above, an auto transformer has only one winding which is shared by
both primary and secondary circuit, where number of turns shared by secondary are variable.
EMF induced in the winding is proportional to the number of turns. Therefore, the secondary
voltage can be varied by just varying secondary number of turns.

As winding is common in both circuits, most of the energy is transferred by means of electrical
conduction and a small part is transferred through induction.

The considerable disadvantages of an auto transformer are,

any undesirable condition at primary will affect the equipment at secondary (as windings
are not electrically isolated),
due to low impedance of auto transformer, secondary short circuit currents are very high,
harmonics generated in the connected equipment will be passed to the supply.