Equivalent Circuit of

Transformer
By : Dr. Atul R. Phadke
Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering
Government College of Engineering, Karad (Maharashtra)
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER:
Ideal
𝑅1 𝑋1 Transformer 𝑅2 𝑋2
I1 I2

V1 E1 E2 V2 ZL

N1 N2

It is possible to construct an equivalent circuit of transformer by adding the effect

of imperfections to an ideal transformer.
Practical transformers have winding resistances. Their effect can be considered
by connecting resistances 𝑅1 and 𝑅2 in series with the primary and secondary
windings respectively.
Similarly, to include the effect of magnetic leakage, leakage reactances 𝑋1 and 𝑋2
are connected in series with the primary and secondary windings respectively.
Load is represented by impedance 𝑍𝐿 .
When it is connected across secondary, current 𝐼2 flows in the secondary circuit. 2
EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER:
Ideal
𝑅1 𝑋1 Transformer 𝑅2 𝑋2
𝐼1 = 𝐼0I1+ 𝐼2′ 𝐼2′ I2
I0
Iw Iµ

V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 E1 E2 V2 ZL

N1 N2
When secondary is loaded, load component of primary current 𝐼2′ flows in primary.
Now the primary current is 𝐼1 = 𝐼0 + 𝐼2′
The no load current 𝐼0 is the phasor sum of the magnetizing component 𝐼𝜇 and the
working component 𝐼𝑤 .
Magnetizing component 𝐼𝜇 is lagging behind the voltage by 900. So, its path can
be represented by pure inductance X0.
Working component 𝐼𝑤 is in phase with voltage. So, its path can be represented
by a non-inductive resistance R0.
Current 𝐼0 can be simulated by parallel combination of R0 and X0 connected 3
across the primary circuit.
POINTS TO REMEMBER:
When resistance, reactance or impedance is transferred from secondary to
primary, it is divided by 𝐾 2 .

When resistance, reactance or impedance is transferred from primary to

secondary, it is multiplied by 𝐾 2 .

When current is transferred from secondary to primary, it is multiplied by K.

When current is transferred from primary to secondary, it is divided by K.

When voltage is transferred from secondary to primary, it is divided by K.

When voltage is transferred from primary to secondary, it is multiplied by K.

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EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER REFERRED TO PRIMARY:
Ideal
𝑅1 𝑋1 Transformer 𝑅2 𝑋2
I1 𝐼2′ I2
I0
Iw Iµ

V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 E1 E2 V2 ZL

N1 N2

𝑅2ൗ 𝑋2ൗ
𝑅1 𝑋1 𝑅2′ = 𝑅𝐾 𝑋 ′
=𝑋
I1 2 2 2 2 𝐾 2 𝐼2II′22 = 𝐼2 𝐾
I0
Iw Iµ
𝐸2ൗ 𝑉2ൗ ′ 𝑍
V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 𝐸22′ =
E1 = E 𝐾 𝑉2′ = V2𝐾 Z𝑍L𝐿 = 𝐿ൗ𝐾 2

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SIMPLIFIED EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER REFERRED TO PRIMARY:
𝑅2ൗ 𝑋2ൗ
𝑅1 𝑋1 𝑅2′ = 𝑅𝐾 𝑋 ′
=𝑋
I1 2 2 2 2 𝐾 2 𝐼2II′22 = 𝐼2 𝐾
I0
Iw Iµ
𝐸2ൗ 𝑉2ൗ ′ 𝑍
V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 𝐸22′ =
E1 = E 𝐾 𝑉2′ = V2𝐾 Z𝑍L𝐿 = 𝐿ൗ𝐾 2

𝑅01 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2′ 𝑋01 = 𝑋1 + 𝑋2′

𝑅2ൗ 𝑋2ൗ
𝑅1 𝑅2′ = 𝑋1 𝑋2′ =
I1 𝐼2′ 𝐾2 𝐾2
I0
Iw Iµ

𝑉2′V2 ′ 𝑍𝐿
V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 Z𝑍L𝐿 = ൗ𝐾 2

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APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER REFERRED TO PRIMARY:
𝑅01 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2′ 𝑋01 = 𝑋1 + 𝑋2′

𝑅2ൗ 𝑋2ൗ
𝑅1 𝑅2′ = 𝑋1 𝑋2′ =
I1 𝐼2′ 𝐾2 𝐾2
I0
Iw Iµ

𝑉2′V2 𝑍
V1 𝑅0 𝑋0 Z𝑍L𝐿′ = 𝐿ൗ 2
𝐾

𝐼1 = 𝐼2′ 𝑅01 𝑋01

V1 𝑉2′ 𝑍𝐿′

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SIMPLIFIED EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF TRANSFORMER REFERRED TO SECONDARY:
𝑅02 = 𝑅2 + 𝑅1′ 𝑋02 = 𝑋1 + 𝑋2′

𝐼 𝑅1′ = 𝑅1 𝐾 2 𝑋1′ = 𝑋1 𝐾 2
𝐼1′ = 1ൗ𝐾 𝑅2 𝑋2 I2
𝐼 𝐼2
𝐼0′ = 0ൗ𝐾
𝐼𝑤ൗ 𝐼𝜇
𝐾 ൗ V2
𝐾
E2 V2 𝑍𝐿
𝑅0′ = 𝑅0 𝐾 2 𝑋0′ = 𝑋0 𝐾 2

𝑅02 𝑋02
𝐼2 I2

𝑍02
V2
E2 V2 𝑍𝐿