STUDY ON ……

‘ TRANSFORMERS
 INDEX

S.N TITTLE PG.NO

O
1. INTRODUCTION 1

2. CONSTRUCTION 2

3. WORKING PRINCIPLE 5

4. COMPONENTS OF TRANSFORMERS 6

5. TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS 11

6. TRANSFORMER LOSSES 22

7. TRANSFORMER EFFICIENCY 24

8. APPLICATIONS OF TRANSFORMERS 26

8. BENEFITS OF TRANSFORMERS 27

9. CONCLUSION 28
Introduction
 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 the 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.

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Construction
A transformer consists of three major parts namely a primary
winding, a secondary winding and a magnetic core. The primary
winding is one that used to input the supply and secondary winding
is one that used to take output. The magnetic core is used to
confine the magnetic flux to a definite path.
We design a transformer in such a way that it approaches the
characteristics of an ideal transformer. In practice, we incorporate
the following design features for transformer construction −
 The core of the transformer is made up of high grade silicon
steel which has high permeability and low hysteresis loss.
 The core is laminated to minimize the eddy current loss.
 It is a usual and more efficient practice to wind one-half of the
primary and secondary windings on one limb instead of
placing primary on one limb and secondary on the other. This
ensures tight magnetic coupling between the two windings
and hence reduces the leakage flux considerably.
 The winding resistances R1 and R2 are reduced as much as
possible so that they cause lowest I2R loss and temperature
rise and ensure higher efficiency.

Transformer Construction
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A transformer can be constructed in the following two ways −
 Core Type
 Shell Type
Core Type
In the core type construction of the transformer, the magnetic core has two
vertical lags (called limbs) and two horizontal sections (called yokes). The
half of the primary winding and the half of the secondary winding are
placed around each limb as shown in Figure-1.
This arrangement of windings minimizes the leakage flux. In practice, the
low-voltage winding (it could be primary or secondary) is placed next to
the core and the high-voltage winding is placed around the low-voltage
winding. This considerably reduces the requirement of insulating material.

The main advantage of the core-type construction of transformers is that it

is easier to dismantle for repair and maintenance. The core-type
construction is most suitable for high-voltage and high-power transformers
because in the core type construction, the nature cooling is more efficient.

Shell Type

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In the shell-type construction of transformers, both primary and secondary
windings are wound on the central limb, while the two outer limbs
complete the low reluctance flux paths as shown in Figure-2.

In this case, each winding is sub-divided into sections, and the low-voltage
(lv) winding sections and high-voltage (hv) winding sections are
alternatively put in the form of a sandwich. Therefore, this type of winding
is also called as sandwich winding or disc winding.
The shell-type construction of transformers provides better mechanical
support against electromagnetic forces between the current-carrying
windings. Also, this transformer construction provides a shorter path for
magnetic flux and hence requires small magnetizing current. The shell-type
construction is more suitable for low voltage transformers because of poor
nature cooling due to the embedding of the windings.

Working Principle
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The main principle of operation of a transformer is mutual inductance
between two circuits which is linked by a common magnetic flux. A basic
transformer consists of two coils that are electrically separate and inductive,
but are magnetically linked through a path of reluctance. The working
principle of the transformer can be understood from the figure below.

As shown above the electrical transformer has primary and secondary

windings. The core laminations are joined in the form of strips in between
the strips you can see that there are some narrow gaps right through the
cross-section of the core. These staggered joints are said to be ‘imbricated’.
Both the coils have high mutual inductance. A mutual electro-motive force
is induced in the transformer from the alternating flux that is set up in the
laminated core, due to the coil that is connected to a source of alternating
voltage. Most of the alternating flux developed by this coil is linked with the
other coil and thus produces the mutual induced electro-motive force. The so
produced electro-motive force can be explained with the help of Faraday’s
laws of Electromagnetic Induction as
e=M*dI /dt

If the second coil circuit is closed, a current flows in it and thus electrical
energy is transferred magnetically from the first to the second coil.

The alternating current supply is given to the first coil and hence it can be
called as the primary winding. The energy is drawn out from the second coil
and thus can be called as the secondary winding.

In short, a transformer carries the operations shown below:

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 1. Transfer of electric power from one circuit to another.
2. Transfer of electric power without any change in frequency.
3. Transfer with the principle of electromagnetic induction.
4. The two electrical circuits are linked by mutual induction

Components of a Transformer
A transformer is made of several different parts that function in their own
different ways to enhance the overall functioning of a transformer. These
include core, windings, insulating materials, transformer oil, tap changer,
conservator, breather, cooling tubes, Buchholz Relay and explosion vent.

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.

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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

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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.

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Radiators and Fans
The heat found in the transformer is a result of the power dissipated during
the power conversion process. The dry transformers are cooled by natural
air. But there are oil immersed transformers that contain and follow a wide
range of cooling methods. Cooling fans and radiators are placed on the
transformer tank all depending on the power rating, how power is lost, and
the requirements of the level of cooling for a certain transformer. The
process follows the sequence that the heat generated or produced in the core
and the windings are transferred to the surrounding transformer oil and then
cancelled out at the radiator. In bigger transformers, the process of forced
cooling is implemented with the help of cooling radiators which are inserted
in line with the radiators.

Terminal and Bushings

Terminals are present inside transformers and these are used for connecting
incoming and outgoing cables. They are connected to bushes and the bushes
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are also connected to the ending of the windings. Bushings act as insulators,
forming a barrier between the terminals and the tank. They also work as
providers of safe passage for the conductor, which connects the terminals to
the windings. Most of these are made up of materials, including epoxy resins
and porcelain.

Tap Changers
In the adjustment of the secondary voltage of the electric transformers tap
changers are used. These are made in a manner whereby they change the
turns ratio of the transformer to the one required. Two types of tap changers
are found and these include on load tap changers and off load tap changers.
When the electric transformer does not supply any loads then the off load
tap changers are used. The on load tap changers do not interrupt the current
flow that heads towards the load.

Buchholz Relay
The Buchholz relay is used in oil immersed transformers and this kind can
be rated over 500kVA. It is a relay made up of oil and gas and is used to
sense faults when the parts of the electric transformer are immersed in oil.
The Buchholz relay senses the gasses released when short circuits under the
transformer oil generate enough heat that decomposes the oil into gas. As
the gasses are sensed, the Buchholz relay activates an alarm circuit which

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then opens the circuit breaker supplying the current to the primary winding
and interrupts the proper flow of the current.

Types of transformers

1. Based on the transformer's core

a. Core Type Transformer
b. Shell Type Transformer
c. Berry Type Transformer

2. Based on voltage conversion

a. Step Up Transformer
b. Step Down Transformer

3. Based on its purpose

a. Power Transformer
b. Distribution Transformer
c. Isolation Transformer
d. Instrument Transformers
e. Current Transformer
f. Potential Transformer

4. Based on windings
a. Two Winding Transformer
b. Autotransformer

5. Based on the insulation used

a. Dry Type Transformer
b. Oil Immersed Transformer

6. Based on the number of phases

a. Single Phase Transformer
b. Three Phase Transformer

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1. Based on the transformer's core

One of the main differences between a core-type transformer and a shell-

type transformer is how the winding surrounds the core. In shell-type
transformers, the core surrounds the transformer's windings, while on a core-
type transformer, the windings wrap around the core.

a. A core type transformer has two cylinders and two horizontal bars
forming the frame. The magnetic core is a square form with a common
magnetic circuit. The cylindrical coils (HV and LV) are located on two
cylinders.

b. Shell type transformer has a center cylinder and two outer cylinders. Both
the HV and LV coils of it are located on a center column. This transformer
has a dual magnetic circuit.

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 c. Berry type transformer: Magnetic circuit looks like a wheel. The metal
shell is tightly fixed and filled with oil inside.

2. Based on voltage conversion

a. Step-up transformer

The step-up transformer helps the voltage increase on the output side
because the number of turns on the secondary is always more than the
number of turns on the primary. A high voltage is developed on the
secondary side of the transformer.

In countries like India, electricity is generated at 11kv. For economic

reasons, AC power is transmitted at very high voltage (220v-440v) over long
distances. Hence a step-up transformer is applied at the generating station.

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b. Step-down transformer

A step-down voltage transformer reduces the output voltage. In other words,

it converts high voltage, low current power into low voltage, high current
power. For example, the power supply has a voltage of 230-110v, but the
doorbell only requires 16v. Therefore, it is recommended to use a step-down
transformer to reduce the voltage from 110v or 220v to 16v.

For many regions, the voltage is reduced to 440v / 230v for safety reasons,
so the number of turns on the secondary is less than the primary ones; Less
voltage is generated at the transformer's output (secondary) end.

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3. Based on their purpose
a. Power Transformer

Power transformers are mainly used in the transmission networks of higher

voltages. Its ratings are as follows 400kv, 200kv, 110kv, 66kv, 33kv. Most
of the power transformer is rated above 200MVA. They are installed at the
generating stations, transmission substations, which need a high-capacity
transformer. The power transformer is designed for maximum efficiency of
100% and is larger than the distribution transformer.

At a very high voltage, the power cannot be distributed to the consumer

directly because they need smaller voltage, so the power is stepped down to
the desired level with the help of a step-down power transformer. The
transformer is not loaded fully; hence the core loss occurs for the whole day,
but the copper loss is based on the load cycle of the distribution network.

Suppose the power transformer is connected to the transmission network. In

that case, the load fluctuation will be significantly less as it is not connected
to the consumer end directly. Still, if connected to the distribution network,
there will be fluctuations in the load.

The transformer is loaded for 24 hours at the transmission station; thus, the
core and copper loss will occur for the whole day. The power transformer is
cost-effective when the power is generated at low voltage levels. If the
voltage level is raised, then the current of the power transformer is reduced,
resulting in I2R losses and the voltage regulation is also increased.

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b. Distribution Transformer

A distribution transformer, also known as a consumption transformer, is

responsible for switching from a low medium voltage source to the voltage
used for home appliances and industrial equipment.

Distribution transformers are intended to reduce the voltage for distribution

for users or commercial use. This machine has good voltage regulation and
can operate 24 hours a day with maximum efficiency at 50% load.

c. Isolation Transformer

Isolation transformers are transformers with the primary and secondary

winding independently of each other, and there is only a magnetic flux
relationship between them. Unlike autotransformers, isolating transformers
are composed of the primary and secondary windings linked only through a
magnetic field. The windings are separated so that they are electrically
independent and form the distinct points of the isolation transformer:

 Any point on the secondary coil has a voltage of zero relatives to the
ground. So when we touch any point on the secondary winding, there
will be no shock. The voltage is different in the 2 points of the
secondary winding, which is the most significant advantage of the
isolation transformer. It helps to reduce the risk of electrical leakage in
the device housing and provides safety during use.
 Each primary or secondary winding has a different volt-ampere
characteristic according to the ratio of turns on the primary and
secondary districts.
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d. Instrument Transformers

The instrument Transformer is generally called an isolation transformer. It is

an electrical device used to transform current as well as a voltage levels. The
most common use of instrument transformers is to safely isolate the
secondary winding when the primary has high voltage and high current
supply. The measuring instrument, energy meters, or relays connected to the
transformer's secondary side will not get damaged. The instrument
transformer is further divided into two types:

 Current Transformer (CT)

 Potential Transformer (PT)

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e. Current Transformer

The current transformer is used for measuring electricity and also for
protection. When the current is high to apply directly to the measuring
instrument, the current transformer is used to transform the high current into
the current required value in the circuit.

The transformer's primary winding is connected in series to the main supply

and the various measuring instruments like an ammeter, voltmeter,
wattmeter, or protective relay coil to measure and control electricity. They
have an accurate current ratio and phase relation to enable the meter
accurately on the secondary side. The term ratio is significant in CT.

f. Potential Transformer

The potential transformer is an instrument transformer used to transform

voltage from a higher value in the primary windings to a lower value in the
secondary windings. This transformer steps down the voltage to a safe limit
value that the ordinary low voltage instrument like wattmeter, voltmeter, and
watt-hour meters can easily measure.

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4. Based on windings

a. A two-winding transformer (conventional winding transformer) has a

fixed number of turns. They are separate; It is a static machine that transfers
electrical energy from one end to another without changing frequency. A
two-winding transformer has two separate winding, which is the primary
and secondary winding.

b. Auto-transformer shares the same turns (of wire) between the input and
the output connections. The primary and secondary winding are not
electrically insulated.

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5.Based on the insulation used

a. Dry Type Transformer

The dry-type transformer is a type of transformer not using any insulating

liquid where its winding or core is immersed in liquid. Instead, the windings
and core are kept within a sealed tank that is pressurized with air. They are
still very safe without liquid.

We have two types of the dry-type transformer, that is Cast Resin Dry Type
Transformer (CRT) and Vacuum pressure Impregnated Transformer (VPI)

b. Oil ImmersedTransformer

It's also called an oil-filled transformer. The oil-immersed transformer is a

kind of voltage transformation device using an oil cooling method to reduce
the transformer temperature. Unlike the dry-type transformer, the body of
an oil-immersed transformer is installed in the welded steel oil tank filled
with insulation oil. When operating, the heat of the coil and iron core is first
transformed into the insulation oil and then to the cooling medium. And
according to the capacity sizes, it can be divided into an immersed natural
cooling transformer and an immersed forced air cooling transformer.

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6.Based on the number of phases

a. Single Phase Transformer

A single-phase transformer is an electrical device that accepts single-phase

AC power and outputs single-phase AC. A single-phase transformer is used
in non-urban areas as the overall demand and costs are lower than the 3-
phase distribution transformer. They decrease the home voltage to a suitable
value without a change in frequency, so it's used as a step-down transformer.
For this reason, it is commonly used in electronic appliances at residences.

b. Three Phase Transformer

A three-phase transformer is made of three sets of primary and secondary

windings. Each set of windings wound around one leg of an iron core
assembly. It looks like three single-phase transformers sharing one joined
core as in the image below.

Three-phase oil-immersed transformer

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Transformer Losses
Transformers, like all devices, are not perfect. While ideal transformers do
not have losses, real transformers have power losses. A transformer's output
power is always slightly less than the transformer's input power. These
power losses end up as heat that must be removed from the transformer. The
four main types of loss are resistive loss, eddy currents, hysteresis, and flux
loss.
Resistive Loss
Resistive loss, or I2R loss, or copper loss, is the power loss in a transformer
caused by the resistance of the copper wire used to make the windings. Since
higher frequencies cause the electrons to travel more toward the outer
circumference of the conductor (skin effect), electrical disturbances called
harmonics have the effect of reducing the wire size and increasing resistive
loss. These losses are the same as the power losses in any conductor and are
calculated as follows:
2
P=I R

where
P = power (in W)
I = current (in A)
R = resistance (in Ω)

Eddy Current Loss

Eddy current loss is power loss in a transformer or motor due to currents
induced in the metal parts of the system from the changing magnetic field.
Any conductor that is in a moving magnetic field has a voltage and current
induced in it. The iron core offers a low reluctance to the magnetic flux for
mutual induction. The magnetic flux induces current at right angles to the
flux. This means that current is induced across the core. This current causes
heating in the core. The heat produced by eddy currents increases as the
square of the frequency.

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Hysteresis Loss
Hysteresis loss is loss caused by the magnetism that remains (lags) in a
material after the magnetizing force has been removed. Magnetic domains
are small sections of a magnetic material that act together when subject to an
applied magnetic field. Magnetic domains have magnetic properties and
move in iron when subjected to a magnetic field. When the iron is subjected
to a magnetic field in one polarity, the magnetic domains will be forced into
alignment with the field. When the polarity changes twice each cycle, power
is consumed by this realignment, and this reduces the efficiency of the
transformer. This movement of the molecules produces friction in the iron,
and thus heat is a result. Harmonics can cause the current to reverse
direction more frequently, leading to more hysteresis loss. Hysteresis is
reduced through the use of highly permeable magnetic core material.
Flux Loss
Flux loss occurs in a transformer when some of the flux lines from the
primary do not pass through the core to the secondary, resulting in a power
loss. There are two main reasons for flux lines to travel through the air
instead of through the core. First, the iron core can become saturated so that
the core cannot accept any more flux lines. The lines of flux then travel
through the air and are not cut by the secondary. Second, the ratio of the
reluctance of the air and the core in the unsaturated region is typically about
10,000:1. This means that for every 10,000 lines of flux through the core,
there is 1 line of flux through the air. Flux loss is generally small in a well-
designed transformer.

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Transformer Efficiency
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).
Condition For Maximum Efficiency
Let,
Copper loss = I12R1
Iron loss = Wi

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Hence, efficiency of a transformer will be maximum when copper loss and
iron losses are equal.
That is Copper loss = Iron loss.

All Day Efficiency Of Transformer

As we have seen above, ordinary or commercial efficiency of a transformer
can be given as

But in some types of transformers, their performance can not be judged by

this efficiency. For example, distribution transformers have their primaries
energized all the time. But, their secondaries supply little load all no-load
most of the time during day (as residential use of electricity is observed
mostly during evening till midnight).
That is, when secondaries of transformer are not supplying any load (or
supplying only little load), then only core losses of transformer are
considerable and copper losses are absent (or very little). Copper losses are
considerable only when transformers are loaded. Thus, for such transformers
copper losses are relatively less important. The performance of such
transformers is compared on the basis of energy consumed in one day.

All day efficiency of a transformer is always less than ordinary efficiency

of it.

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Applications of Transformers
Transformers are used in a variety of applications, including power
generation, transmission and distribution, lighting, audio systems,
and electronic equipment.
 Power generation: Transformers are used in power plants to
increase the voltage of the electricity generated by the plant
before it is sent to the grid.
 Transmission and distribution: Transformers are used in the
transmission and distribution of electricity to increase or
decrease the voltage of electricity as it is sent from power
plants to homes and businesses.
 Lighting: Transformers are used in lighting systems to decrease
the voltage of electricity before it is sent to light bulbs.
 Audio systems: Transformers are used in audio systems to
increase or decrease the voltage of electricity before it is sent
to speakers.
 Electronic equipment: Transformers are used in a variety of
electronic devices, including computers, TVs, radios, and cell
phones.
Transformers are a vital part of the electrical grid and are used in a
variety of applications to ensure that electricity is delivered safely
and efficiently.

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Benefits Of Transformers
Transformers offer many benefits over traditional methods of
electrical power distribution. Some of the advantages of using
transformers include:
 Efficiency: Transformers can transfer electricity much more
efficiently than other methods, such as power lines. This means
that less energy is lost in the form of heat, which results in
lower energy costs.
 Safety: Transformers are also much safer than other methods
of electrical power distribution. This is because they do not
rely on high-voltage power lines, which can pose a serious
electrocution hazard.
 Reliability: Transformers are very reliable and have a long
lifespan. They can typically last for decades with proper
maintenance.
Transformers can be used in a variety of applications, such as
powering homes and businesses or providing electricity to industrial
equipment. They are an essential part of the electrical grid and play
a vital role in ensuring that power is distributed safely and
efficiently.
In addition to their many benefits, transformers also have some
drawbacks. One of the biggest disadvantages of using transformers
is their cost. Transformers can be very expensive, and the
installation costs can also be high. Additionally, transformers
require regular maintenance and must be replaced every few years.
Despite their drawbacks, transformers are still a widely used type of
electrical equipment due to their many advantages.

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Conclusion
Overall, transformers are an incredibly versatile tool that can be
used in a variety of applications. From power generation and
transmission to data storage and processing, they play a vital role in
modern society. With new technologies emerging all the time, the
potential uses for transformers are only limited by our imagination.
Transformers are an important part of our lives, and their
applications are vast.
Transformer is an important device that is used over the whole
world for many applications. The use of a transformer to transmit
power over large distances have benefitted the world by
supplying electricity over remote regions. The key theory that
gave way to this important technology was Faraday’s law of
induction. By applying the law of induction, a transformer was
technology was Faraday’s law of induction. By applying the law of
induction, a transformer was
designed to transform electrical energy by changing the number of
turns around a core. Over the 100 years, transformers are still
evolving to fit many special purposes such as the current
transformer and pulse transformer. Despite some of the energy
losses, transformers are still one of the highly efficient
instruments used for power distribution. Therefore, ranging
from small household appliances to large industry a transformer is
used to obtain the desired voltage by changing the input current.

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Bibliography
For successfully completing my project I have taken sources from
internet.
Reference:
1. NCERT
2. https://www.wikipedia.org/
3. https://byjus.com/transformer/
4. https://www.britannica.com/technology/transformer-
electronics

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