1/29/25, 12:52 PM Electrical Transformers – Formulas and Equations

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Electrical Transformers – Formulas and
Equations
By Rabert T - April 21, 2023

Table of Contents

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1/29/25, 12:52 PM Electrical Transformers – Formulas and Equations

What is a Transformer?

A transformer is a static alternating current electrical

equipment that is used in electrical power systems for the
purpose of altering the voltage level according to the
requirements. This might mean increasing or reducing the
voltage. The level of the voltage & the current may be
changed by a transformer, but the frequency remains the
same.

Different types of transformers

A transformer may be classified as one of these three

categories according to the way it operates:

1. The voltage is raised from a lower level using a step-up

transformer, which refers to a step-up transformer.

2. The voltage level is lowered by a step-down transformer,

which starts at a higher voltage level.

3. An isolation transformer is a device that does not alter the

voltage but rather electrically isolates two independent
electrical circuits. Another term for it is the 1-to-1
transformer.

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EMF Equation of the Transformer

The term “emf equation of the transformer” refers to the

mathematical formula that determines the value of the
induced electromagnetic field (EMF) in the windings of the
transformer.

The equation for the electromagnetic field of the primary

winding is as follows:

E1=4.44fϕmN1=4.44fBmAN1

The equation for the electromagnetic field of the secondary

winding is as follows:

E2=4.44fϕmN2=4.44fBmAN2

Where,

f -Supply frequency,

ϕm – Maximum flux in core,

Bm– Maximum flux density in core,

A – Crosssection area of core,

N1 and N2 – Number of turns in primary & secondary

windings.

Turns Ratio of the Transformer

The turns ratio of a transformer is defined as the ratio of the

number of winding turns in primary side (N1) to the number
of winding turns in the secondary side (N2) of the
transformer.

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Turns Ratio=Primary winding turns(N1)/Secondary

winding turns(N2)

Voltage Transformation Ratio of the Transformer

The term “voltage transformer ratio” refers to the

relationship between a transformer’s alternating current
(AC) output voltage and its alternating current (AC) input
voltage. It is denoted as K.

Voltage Transformation Ratio,

K=Output Voltage (V2)/Input Voltage (V1)

Current Transformation Ratio of the Transformer

The term “current transformation ratio” refers to the

proportion of a transformer’s output current, which is the
current flowing through its secondary winding, to its input
current, which is the current flowing through its primary
winding.

Current Transformation Ratio,

K=Secondary winding current(I2)/Primary

windingcurrent(I1)

Relationship between Current Transformation Ratio

& Voltage Transformation Ratio, & Turns Ratio

The following formula indicates the connection that exists

between the turns ratio, the voltage transformation ratio, &
the current transformation ratio:

Turns Ratio =N1/N2=V1/V2=I2/I1=1/K

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In this condition,the voltage transformation ratio

is reciprocated by the current transformation ratio.This is
because whenever a transformer raises the voltage, it
simultaneously lowers the current in the same proportion in
order to keep the magnetic field strength (MMF) in the core
at a consistent level.

MMF Transformer Equation

Magnetomotive Force denoted as MMF. The transformer’s

ampere-turn rating is another name for the mmf. An
established magnetic flux in a transformer’s core is created
by the mmf. It is determined by multiplying the number of
turns in the winding by the current flowing through it.

Primary winding,MMF=N1I1

Secondary winding,MMF=N2I2

Where,

I1-Current in transformer’s primary winding

I2– Current in transformer’s secondary winding

Equivalent Resistance of the Windings of the

Transformer

Copper wire is often used in the construction of a

transformer’s primary as well as secondary windings. As a
result, they do possess a finite resistance, although one that
is rather low. R1 is the symbol used to indicate the
resistance of the primary winding, while R2 is the symbol
used to represent the resistance of the secondary winding.

Referring to the entire circuit of the transformer, either on

the primary side or the secondary side, the equivalent

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resistance of the windings of the transformer is given.

Therefore, the equivalent resistance of the windings on the

primary side of the transformer may be calculated as
follows:

R01=[R1+R′2]=[R1+(R2/K2)]

The equivalent resistance of the windings on the secondary

side of the transformer may be calculated as follows:

R02=[R2+R′1]=[R2+(R1K2)]

Where,

R1 ′ represents the resistance of the primary winding with

reference to the secondary side,

R2 ′ represents the resistance of the secondary winding with

reference to the primary side,

R1 represents primary windingresistance,

R2 represents secondary windingresistance,

R01 represents the equivalent resistance of the transformer

with reference to the primary side, and

R02 represents the equivalent resistance of the transformer

with reference to the secondary side.

Leakage Reactance of the Windings of the Transformer

The term “leakage reactance of the transformer windings”

refers to the inductive reactance that is induced by the
leakage of magnetic flux in the transformer.

With regard to the primary winding,

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X1= E1/I1

With regard to the secondary winding

X2= E2/I2

In this equation,

X1 represents primary windingleakage reactance,

X2 representssecondary windingleakage reactance,

E1 representsprimary windingself-induced emf, and

E2 represents secondary windingself-induced emf.

Equivalent Reactance of the Windings of the

Transformer

The overall reactance that the primary & secondary windings

of the transformer contribute to the total reactance that is
referred to as the equivalent reactance.

The equivalent reactance of the transformer, as it applies to

the primary side, is as follows:

X01=[X1+X′2]=[X1+(X2/K2) ]

The equivalent reactance of the transformer, as it applies to

the secondary side, is as follows:

X02=[X2+X′1]=[X2+(K2X1)]

In this equation,

X1‘ represents the leakage reactance of the primary winding

on the secondary side, and

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X2‘ represents the leakage reactance of the secondary

winding on the primary side.

Total Impedance of the Transformer’s Windings

The term “total impedance of the transformer windings”

refers to the opposition that is provided by the combined
efforts of the winding resistances & leakage reactance.

The impedance of the transformer’s primary winding stated

as

Z1=√R21+X21

The impedance of the transformer’s secondary winding

stated as

Z2=√R22+X22

On the primary side of the transformer, the equivalent

impedance calculated as follows:

Z01=√R201+X201

On the secondary side of the transformer, the equivalent

impedance calculated as follows:

Z02=√R202+X202

Equations of the Input & Output Voltage of a

Transformer

In the equivalent circuit of a transformer, the KVL formula is

used to get the voltage equations for both the input and
output of the transformer.

The equation for a transformer’s input voltage may be

written as follows:

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V1=E1+I1R1+jI1X1=E1+I1(R1+jX1)=E1+I1Z1

The equation for a transformer’s output voltage may be

written as follows:

V2=E2−I2R2−jI2X2=E2−I2(R2+jX2)=E2−I2

Transformer Losses

1). Core loss &

2). Copper loss

are the two different kinds of losses that might take

occurs in the transformer.

1). Core Losses

The hysteresis loss together with the eddy current loss

contribute to the overall core loss of the transformer, which
may be expressed as:

Core loss=Ph+Pe

In such condition, the hysteresis loss is occurred on by a

magnetic reversal that occurs in the core.

Hysteresis loss,Ph=ηB1.6maxfV

Additionally, the eddy current is occurred by eddy

currents flowing inside the core.

Eddy current loss,Pe=keB2mf2t2

Where,

η – The Steinmetz coefficient,

Bm–Core Maximum flux density,

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Ke– Eddy current constant,

f – Frequency of magnetic flux reversal, and

V – Core’s volume.

2). Copper Loss

Copper loss occurs as a result of the windings of the

transformer having a high resistance.

Copper loss=I21R1+I22R2

Voltage Regulation of the Transformer

The change in the output voltage of a transformer from no-

load to full load is described as the transformer’s voltage
regulation, and it is measured relative to the transformer’s
no-load voltage.

Voltage Regulation=(No load voltage -Full load

voltage)/No load voltage

Efficiency of the Transformer

The transformer’s efficiency is defined as the ratio of the

output power to the input power.

Efficiency,η=Output power(Po)/Input power(Pi)

Efficiency,η=Output power/(Output power+Losses)

Transformer Efficiency Under All Load Conditions

The following formula is used to determine the efficiency of a

transformer at a specific actual load:

η= x × full load kVA×power factor/(x × full load

kVA×power factor)+Losses

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All Day Transformer Efficiency

A transformer’s all-day efficiency is defined as the ratio of

output energy (kWh) to input energy (kWh) during a 24-
hour period.

ηallday=Output energy in kWh / Input energy in kWh

Condition for the Transformer Maximum Efficiency

When a transformer’s core losses & copper losses are equal

to one another, the efficiency of the transformer is at its
maximum.

Therefore, in order to achieve the transformer’s maximum

efficiency

Copper loss=Core loss

Maximum Transformer Efficiency Corresponding to

Load Current

The load current (or) secondary winding current for a

transformer’s maximum efficiency is provided by,

I2=√Pi/R02

Conclusion

This post explained the most essential formulae of electrical

transformers, which are highly important for all learners of
electrical engineering and every electrical engineering
professional.

Rabert T

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As an electrical engineer with 5 years of experience, I focus on transformer and circuit breaker reliability
in 110/33-11kV and 33/11kV substations. I am a professional electrical engineer with experience in
transformer service and maintenance. I understand electrical principles and have expertise
troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining transformers, circuit breakers, and testing them.

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