TRANSFORMER

INTRODUCTION
The transformer is a static device which is
used to transfer electrical energy from one ac
circuit to another ac circuit.
Input to a transformer and output from a
transformer both are alternating quantities
(AC).
Electrical energy is generated and
transmitted at an extremely high voltages.
The voltage is to be then reduced to a lower
value for its domestic and industrial use.
This is done by using a transformer.
The power transmission system using
transformers is shown in figure.
When the transformer changes the voltage
level, it changes the current level also.
 Basic Principle

The primary winding is connected to the

single – phase ac supply, an ac current starts
flowing through it.
The ac primary current produces an
alternating flux (Ф) in the core.
Most of this changing flux gets linked with
the secondary winding through the core.
The varying flux will induce voltage into the
secondary winding according to the faraday’s
laws of electromagnetic induction.
Voltage level change but frequency i.e. time
period remains same.
There is no electrical contact between the
two winding, an electrical energy gets
transferred from primary to the secondary.
A simple transformer consists of two
electrical conductors called the primary
winding and the secondary winding.
Energy is coupled between the windings by
the time varying magnetic flux that passes
through( links) both primary and secondary
windings.
Can the transformer operate on
DC?
Answer: NO
The transformer action does not take place
with a direct current of constant magnitude.
Because with a DC primary current, the flux
produced in the core is not alternating but it
is of constant value.
As there is no change in the flux linkage with
the secondary winding, the induced emf in
the secondary is zero.
If DC is applied to the primary then there is a
possibility of transformer core saturation.
If core saturates the primary will draw
excessively large current. Therefore
application of DC should be avoided.
 Transformer Types
The transformer are of different types
depending on the arrangement of the core
and the winding as follows.
Core Type
Shell Type
Berry Type
The magnetic core is a stack of thin silicon-
steel laminations about 0.35 mm thick for 50
Hz transformer. In order to reduce the eddy
current losses, these laminations are
insulated from one another by thin layers of
varnish.
Core Type Transformer
Shell Type Transformer
Sr. Core Type Transformer Shell Type Transformer
No
1. The core has only one The core has two windows.
window.
2. Winding encircles the Core encircles the windings.
core.
3. Cylindrical windings are Sandwich type windings are
used. used.
4. Easy to repair. It is not so easy to repair.
5. Better cooling since Cooling is not very
more surface is exposed effective.
to the atmosphere.
 Construction of Transformer
The Most important parts of a transformer
are the windings (coils) and the core.
Some other parts such as suitable tank,
conservator, bushings, breather, explosion
vent etc. are also used along with the core
and windings.
 Applications
Step – up and Step – down Voltage
Measurement of current in single and three
phase system
Measurement of voltage in single and three
phase system
Measurement of power
Measurement of Energy
EMF equation of a transformer
In a transformer, source of alternating current is applied to
the primary winding.
Due to this, the current in the primary winding (called as
magnetizing current) produces alternating flux in the core
of transformer.
 This alternating flux gets linked with the secondary
winding, and because of the phenomenon of
mutual induction an emf gets induced in the secondary
winding.
Magnitude of this induced emf can be found by using the
following EMF equation of the transformer.
Continued…
 Let,
N1 = Number of turns in primary winding
N2 = Number of turns in secondary winding
Φm = Maximum flux in the core (in Wb) = (Bm x A)
f = frequency of the AC supply (in Hz)

 As, shown in the fig., the flux rises sinusoidally to its maximum
value Φm from 0. It reaches to the maximum value in one quarter of
the cycle i.e in T/4 sec (where, T is time period of the sin wave of the
supply = 1/f).
Therefore,
average rate of change of flux = Φm /(T/4) = Φm /(1/4f)
Therefore,
Continued…

Fig.(1)
Continued…
 Now,
Induced emf per turn = rate of change of flux per turn

Therefore, average emf per turn = 4f Φm ..........(Volts).

 Now, we know, Form factor = RMS value / average value
Therefore, RMS value of emf per turn = Form factor X average emf per turn.

As, the flux Φ varies sinusoidally, form factor of a sine wave is 1.11

Therefore, RMS value of emf per turn = 1.11 x 4f Φm = 4.44f Φm.

RMS value of induced emf in whole primary winding (E1) = RMS value of emf per turn X
Number of turns in primary winding

E1 = 4.44f N1 Φm ............................. eq (1)

Continued…
 Similarly, RMS induced emf in secondary winding (E 2) can be given
as

E2 = 4.44f N2 Φm. ............................ (eq 2)

rom the above equations 1 and 2,

Continued…
 This is called the emf equation of transformer, which shows, emf /
number of turns is same for both primary and secondary winding.

For an ideal transformer on no load, E1 = V1 and E2 = V2 .

where, V1 = supply voltage of primary winding
V2 = terminal voltage of secondary winding
 Factors affecting the induced emf are:
1. Flux Φm
2. Frequency of applied voltage
3. Number of turns N.
Voltage & Current ratios of a
transformer

Fig.(1): Elementary single phase transformer

Continued…
Voltage ratios of the transformer with load:
 As shown in fig.(1), let
N1 = Number of turns in primary winding
N2 = Number of turns in secondary winding
E1 = rms induced voltage in primary winding
E2 = rms induced voltage in secondary winding
E1 = 4.44f N1 Φm volts
E2 = 4.44f N2 Φm volts
By taking the ratio
N1of these expressions we get,
EE1 = N2 …(1)
2
Continued…
Voltage ratios of the transformer without load:
 Assume the load on secondary winding is disconnected.
∴ I2 = 0
∴ load terminal voltage v2 is equal to secondary induced voltage
E2
i.e. V2 = E2 …….(2)
 As the primary current on no load is very small,
V1 = E 1 …….(3)
By substituting eq.(2) & (3) in eq.(1) we get,
=
VV1 N1N ……(4)
2 2
Continued…
Voltage ratio:
The ratio of the primary and secondary terminal
voltages (i.e. V1 & V2 ) is called as the voltage ratio.
Transformation ratio (k):
The transformation ratio for voltage is defined as
the ratio of secondary voltage to the primary voltage of a

∴ K = V2 = E2 = N2
transformer.
……(5)

V1 E1 N1
Continued…
Turns ratio:
The turns ratio of a transformer is defined as the ratio of the

∴ turns ratio = N1
number of primary turns to the number of secondary turns.
…….(6)
N2
Types of transformers based on the value of K:
1. Step up transformer:
If K > 1 or V2 > V1 is called step up transformer.
2. Step down transformer:
If K < 1 or V2 < V1 is called step down transformer.
Continued…
3. One-to-one transformer:
If K=1 or V1 = V2 is called as a one-to-one transformer. It is also known as the
isolation transformer.

 Current ratios:
 The transformer transfer electrical power from one side to the other (primary
to secondary) with a very high efficiency (η).
 If we assume that the power loss taking place in the transformer is very low (η
= 100%) then, we can write that

∴ V1 I1 cos ø1 = V2 I2 cos ø2
power input = power output
…….(7)
where I1 and I2 are the RMS values of the primary and secondary currents of
the transformer respectively.
Continued…
cos ø1 and cos ø2 are the power factors of the primary and
secondary sides of the transformer. Practically they are of

∴ cos ø1 = cos ø2
same value.
…..(8)
∴ V1 I1 = V2 I2 …..(9)
∴ I1 V2 N2
I2 = V1 = N1
…..(10)

This expression shows that the primary & secondary

currents are inversely proportional to the number of turns of
the corresponding windings.
Rating of Transformer
Generally the rating of a machine should indicate the
power supplied by it. But incase of transformer, the output
power is not constant.
It keeps changing with the load. The output power factor
is also a function of load.
Hence rating of a transformer is expressed in terms of
voltage and current as follows:
Rating of transformer = Primary voltage x primary current
or = Secondary voltage x secondary
current
Continued…
As the voltage and current may or may not be in phase, the
units of transformer rating are Volt Ampere (VA) or

∴ Rating in VA or kVA or MVA = V1 x I1 = V2 x I2

kiloVolt-Ampere (kVA) or Mega Volt Ampere (MVA).

Why is the transformer rated I VA or kVA?

 There are two type of losses in a transformer;
1. Copper Losses
2. Iron Losses or Core Losses or Insulation Losses
 Copper losses ( I²R)depends on Current which passing through
transformer winding while Iron Losses or Core Losses or
Insulation Losses depends on Voltage.
Continued…
 Hence the total losses depends on the volt ampere (VA) and not on the
power factor. Therefore rating of transformer is in VA or kVA and not
in kW.

The complete rating of a transformer:

 The complete rating of a transformer includes the ratio of primary and
secondary voltages, kVA rating and supply frequencies as follows:
3300 V/ 240 V , 5 kVA , 50 Hz
where, 3300 V is primary voltage V1
240 V is secondary voltage V2
5 kVA is kVA rating and 50 Hz is the supply frequency.
Continued…
Specifications of transformer:
 When transformer is to be purchased, we have to consider
following specifications:
1. kVA rating 2. Number of phases
3. Primary voltage 4. Secondary voltage
5. Primary current 6. Secondary current
7. Frequency of operation
8. Types of cooling
Continued…
 table 1 shows the typical specifications of a
single phase transformer.
Sr. Specification/rating Value
No.
1. kVA rating 5kVA
2. Number of phases 1
3. Primary voltage V1 230 V
4. Secondary voltage v2 100 V
5. Primary current I1 21 A
6. Secondary current I2 50 A
7. Frequency of operation 50 Hz
8. Cooling Open
Losses in a Transformer
An ideal transformer is loss free. But in the practical
transformer there are following losses taking place.
1. Copper losses (Pc)
2. Iron losses (Pi):
i. Hysteresis losses
ii. Eddy current losses
Continued…
Copper Loss (Pc):
 The total power loss is taking place in the winding

∴ Copper loss = Primary copper loss + Secondary copper

resistances of the transformer is known as the copper loss.

loss
 The copper loss is denoted by Pc .

where, R1 and R2 are resistances of primary and secondary

winding respectively.
Continued…
 The copper loss should be kept as low as possible to
increase the efficiency of the transformer.
 To reduced the copper loss, it is essential to reduce the
resistances R1 and R2 of primary and secondary winding.
 Copper losses are also called as variable losses as they are
dependent on the square of load current.
Continued…
Iron loss (Pi):
 Iron loss Pi is the power loss taking place in the iron core
of the transformer.
Pi = Hysteresis Loss + Eddy current loss
Hysteresis losses:
 Hysteresis loss is directly proportional to frequency f and
voltage V. it is given by
PH = KH Bm1.67 fV …..[KH constant]
Continued…
Eddy current losses:
 Eddy current loss is proportional to square of frequency
and square of thickness of laminations. It is given by,
PE = KE Bm2 f2.t2 ……[t = thickness]
 Due to time varying flux, there is some induced emf in the
transformer core. This induced emf causes some currents
to flow through the core body. These currents are known
as the eddy currents.
 The eddy current loss can be minimized by using
laminated core for transformer.
An Ideal Transformer
 An ideal transformer is a transformer having following characteristics:
1. The losses are zero.
2. The primary and secondary winding resistances are zero.
3. The external voltage applied to the primary, V1 is same as the primary
induced voltage E1.
i.e. E1 = V1
4. Similarly, the voltage induced E2 in secondary winding will be equal to the
load voltage V2.
i.e. E2 = V2
5.. The transformation ratio for an ideal transformer is given by,
K = E2 = V 2
E1 V1
Continued…
Efficiency of an ideal transformer is 100%.
The voltage regulation is 0%. That means the secondary
voltage will remain constant irrespective of the load
current.
Efficiency & Regulation
Efficiency (η):
 The efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of
output power to input power. It is denoted by η.

………………
(1)
Continued…
 Since the output power is always less than the input power
due to losses in the transformer, the efficiency of the
practical transformer is always between 0 and 1 i.e. 0%
and 100% but it can never be 1 or 100%.
 The output power at full load = V2 I2 cos ø2
or = (kVA x cos ø2 x 1000) watt
 Then from eq.(1), full load efficiency is given by
ηFL = kVA x cos ø2 x 1000
(kVA x cos ø2 x 1000) + Pi + Pc …(2)
Continued…
 In eq.(2), the value of kVA and copper loss will change
with change in load.
 The iron loss however remains constant. The copper loss
will change in square proportion with the load. Hence for
half load condition the efficiency is given by.
ηHL = 0.5 kVA x cos ø2 x 1000
(0.5 kVA x cos ø2 x 1000) + Pi +(0.5)2 Pc
Continued…
Why the transformer efficiency is always higher than
that of rotating machines?
 The transformer is a static device with no moving parts.
Hence losses due to friction and windage are completely
absent.
 The efficiency of the transformer can be atleast equal to
90%.
 This why the transformer efficiency is always higher than
the that of rotating machines.
Continued…
Condition for maximum efficiency:
It can be proved that the transformer efficiency is maximum when,
Pi = P c
i.e. when copper loss equals the iron loss.
Load at maximum efficiency:
 Let kVA(max) be the kVA of the transformer at full load and kVA (load)
be kVA at a particular load.
Let Pi = constant iron loss and
Pc = copper loss at full load
 kVA load for maximum efficiency is given by,
kVA load for maximum efficiency = kVA (max) √Pi/Pc
Continued…
Voltage regulation:
 Ideally, the secondary terminal voltage V 2 (or load voltage)
of a transformer should remain constant independent of the
load current.
 But practically the load voltage decreases with increase in
load current IL.
 No load Voltage:
The no load voltage is the secondary terminal voltage
corresponding to zero load current. For a transformer
No load voltage = E2 volts
Continued…
 Full load voltage:
It is secondary terminal voltage (V2) corresponding
to the specified load current. The percent voltage
regulation is given by mathematically as:

……(1)
 Thus with increase in load current, the value of V2
decreases and the percent regulation increases. Ideal value
of voltage regulation is 0%.
Continued…
 Definition of voltage regulation:
The voltage regulation of a transformer is defined
as the change in secondary terminal voltage(V2) from no
load to full load with the primary source voltage (V1) and
the temperature of the transformer maintained constant.
The regulation is positive for resistive and
inductive loads and it can be negative for the capacitive
load.
Load Test
Some of the tests carried out on a transformer are as
follows:
1. Direct loading test of load test
2. Open circuit (O.C.) test
3. Short circuit (S.C.) test
4. Polarity test
 Efficiency measurement:
% η = output power delivered to load x 100
input power to the primary
Continued…
Regulation measurement:
% Regulation = V2NL – V2FL x 100
V2NL
 Advantages of a two winding transformer:
1. It provides complete isolation between primary and
secondary.
2. It has no moving parts.
3. Its construction is simple.
4. We can step up or step down the voltage.
Continued…
Disadvantages:
1. Large size.
2. Low efficiency.
3. Poor voltage regulation.
4. High power losses in the windings.
5. More copper is required to be used because it has two
separate windings.
6. Variable output voltage can not be obtained.
7. Variable frequency operation is not possible.
Continued…
Applications of two winding transformer:
1. As the distribution transformer.
2. As isolation transformer.
3. As a step down transformer in the dc power
supplies.
4. Welding applications.
Autotransformer
The normal transformer has separate primary and secondary
windings.
But the autotransformer is a special transformer in which a part
of winding is common for the primary and secondary windings.
The construction of autotransformer is as shown in fig. (1).
It consists of only one winding wound on a laminated magnetic
core, with rotary movable contact. Thus form the
autotransformer three terminals are brought out for connection.
The autotransformer can operate as a step down or a step up
transformer.
Continued…

Fig.(1): Autotransformer
Continued…
Autotransformer as step down transformer:
 Fig.2(b) shows the connection of autotransformer as step
down transformer.
 It shows that two terminal A and B are connected to the
single phase AC supply V1. thus winding AB acts as the
primary winding.
 A part of complete winding i.e. CB acts as the secondary
winding across which the load is connected.
Continued…

Fig.2(a):Step down autotransformer fig.2(b):step up autotransformer

Continued…
 The load voltage for this configuration is given by,
V 2 = N2 x V 1

N1 N is less than N , this

 As the number of turns 2 1
configuration operates as step down transformer.
Continued…
Autotransformer as step down transformer:
 Fig.2(b) shows the connection of an autotransformer for
operating as the step up transformer.
 It shows the part CB of the complete winding acts as the
primary winding. The full winding AB acts as a secondary
winding and the load is connected between these
terminals.
 As the number of turns N2 is higher than the number of
turns N1, the autotransformer acts as a step up transformer.
Continued…
Advantages of autotransformer:
1. As only one winding is used, the copper required for the
transformer is very less.
2. The size and hence cost is reduced as compared to the
conventional transformer.
3. The losses taking place in the winding are reduced
hence the efficiency is higher than the conventional
transformer.
4. Due to reduced resistance, the voltage regulation is
better than the conventional transformer.
Continued…
Disadvantages of autotransformer:
1. There is no electrical isolation between the primary and
secondary winding. This can be proved to be dangerous
for high voltage applications.
2. If common part of the winding breaks, then transformer
action is lost and full primary voltage appears across the
secondary .
3. It possess a low impedance, hence if the secondary
circuit is short circuited, then large current will flow on
the secondary side.
Continued…
Applications of autotransformer:
1. It can be used as a variac, i.e. variable ac supply to vary
the ac voltage applied to the load smoothly from 0 V to
about 270 V.
2. In order to start the ac machines such as induction motors
or synchronous motors.
3. To vary the supply voltage (as per requirement) of a
furnace.
4. As a dimmerstat: when the variac autotransformer is used
to control the intensity of lamps in the cinema halls etc., it
is called as the dimmerstat.
Continued…
Comparison of two winding transformer and
autotransformer:
Sr. Parameter
Autotransformer Conventional transformer
no.
1. It is a static machine which
A transformer, having only
transfers electrical energy
one winding a part of which
Definition from one end to another
acts as a primary and the
without changing
other as a secondary.
frequency.
2. Auto-transformer has only It has two separate
Number of
one winding wound on a winding, i.e., primary and
Windings
laminated core secondary winding.
3. The primary and secondary The primary and secondary
Insulation winding are not electrically winding are electrically
insulated. insulated from each other.
Continued…
Sr. Parameter
Autotransformer
Conventional
no. transformer
4. Induction Self Induction Mutual Induction
5. Size Small Large
6. Partly by transformation and
Power Transfer partly by direct electrical Through transformation
connection.
7. Voltage Regulation Better Good
8. Winding Material Less requires More requires
9. The primary and secondary
The primary and secondary
winding circuits are
Circuit winding circuits are
connected both electrically
connected magnetically.
and magnetically.
10. Connect directly to the
Connection Depends upon the tapping
load.
11. Starting current Decreases Decreases by 1/3 times.
Continued…
Sr. Parameter
Autotransformer Conventional transformer
no.
12. Excitation current Small Large
13. Economical More Less
14. Cost Less costly More costly
15. Efficient More Less
16. Leakage flux and
Low High
resistance
17. Impedance Less High
18. Cost Cheap Very costly
19. Losses Low High
20. Output voltage Variable Constant.
21.
Use as a starter in an induction Use in power system for
Applications motor, as a voltage regulator, step up and step down the
in railways, in a laboratory. voltage.
Three Phase Transformer
The electric power is generally generated in the form of three
phase voltage. The distribution of the electric power also is
three phase.
The voltage generation takes place at very high level typically
at 13.2kV or 22 kV or even higher. The transmission of
electricity takes place at voltage level such as 110kV, 132kV.
So it is necessary to use the step up transformer to raise the
voltage levels from 13.2kV to 132 kV etc. The three phase
transformer are used for the same.
Such high voltages can not be used by the domestic or
industrial users. So the voltage should be stepped down. Three
phase step down transformer are used as distribution
transformer.
Continued…
Construction of three phase transformer:
 The three phase transformer were constructed by
combining three single phase transformer as shown in fig.
(1).
 The three single phase transformer are connected such that
the three primary windings are connected in delta or star.
 This type of construction is called as the bank of the
transformer.
Continued…
Similarly, the secondary windings are connected in
star or delta as shown in fig.(1).
But such construction proves to be costly and makes
the transformer bulky. Therefore, specially made three
phase transformer are being used now a days.
Fig.(1)construction of three phase transformer
Continued…
Advantages:
 The advantages of using bank of single phase transformer are
as follows:
1. Reliability is equally good as that of a 3 phase single unit
transformer.
2. It is cheaper to carry spare stock of a sign phase
transformer.
3. In the underground (mine) applications, the bank is
preferred due to case of transport.
4. The bank also gives an advantages of derated open delta
operation if one unit out of three become inoperative.
Continued…
Disadvantages:
1. The bank of transformers cost more.
2. It occupies more space.
3. The three phases are electrically connected but the three
magnetic circuits are independent.
Continued…
Types of three phase transformer:
 The three phase transformers are of two types:
1. Core type
2. Shell type
Continued…
1. Core type transformer:
 Fig. (2) shows the construction of core type transformer.
 The core of this transformer consists of three limbs. The
primary and secondary windings of the three phases are
wound on these limbs.
Continued…

Fig.(2): construction of core type three phase transformer

Continued…
2. Shell type transformer:
The construction of shell type transformer is as shown in
fig.(3).
The construction of three phase shell type transformer is
similar to that of a single phase shell type transformer.
Continued…

Fig.(2): construction of shell type three phase transformer

Continued…
Three phase transformer connection:
 There are several methods of connecting primaries and
secondaries of three phase transformer. They are:
1. Star-star connection
2. Delta-delta connection
3. Star-delta connection
4. Delta-star connection
5. Vee-Vee or open delta
6. Tee-Tee or Scott
Continued…
 These connections may be step-up or step-down.
 Out of these transformer the delta-star type transformer is
most commonly used for the distribution applications.
Continued…
Specifications/ratings of 3 phase transformer:
Sr. Specifications/Ratings Value
No.
1. kVA rating 50kVA
2. Number of phases 3
3. Connection Delta/star
4. Primary voltage 415 V
5. Secondary voltage 230 V
6. Primary current 70 A
7. secondary current 126 A
8. Cooling Open
9. Frequency 50 Hz
Star-Delta Motor Starting