What is a transformer?

A transformer can be defined as a static device which helps in the transformation of electric power in one
circuit to electric power of the same frequency in another circuit. The voltage can be raised or lowered in
a circuit, but with a proportional increase or decrease in the current ratings. In this article we will be
learning about Transformer basics and working principle

Transformer – Working Principle

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 flow 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:

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.
Transformer Construction
For the simple construction of a transformer, you must need two coils having mutual inductance and a
laminated steel core. The two coils are insulated from each other and from the steel core. The device will
also need some suitable container for the assembled core and windings, a medium with which the core
and its windings from its container can be insulated. In order to insulate and to bring out the terminals of
the winding from the tank, bushings that are made from either porcelain or capacitor type must be used.

In all transformers that are used commercially, the core is made out of transformer sheet steel laminations
assembled to provide a continuous magnetic path with minimum of air-gap included. The steel should
have high permeability and low hysteresis loss. For this to happen, the steel should be made of high
silicon content and must also be heat treated. By effectively laminating the core, the eddy-current losses
can be reduced. The lamination can be done with the help of a light coat of core plate varnish or lay an
oxide layer on the surface. For a frequency of 50 Hertz, the thickness of the lamination varies from
0.35mm to 0.5mm for a frequency of 25 Hertz.

Types of Transformers

Types by Design

The types of transformers differ in the manner in which the primary and secondary coils are provided
around the laminated steel core. According to the design, transformers can be classified into two:
1. Core- Type Transformer
In core-type transformer, the windings are given to a considerable part of the core. The coils used for this
transformer are form-wound and are of cylindrical type. Such a type of transformer can be applicable for
small sized and large sized transformers. In the small sized type, the core will be rectangular in shape and
the coils used are cylindrical. The figure below shows the large sized type. You can see that the round or
cylindrical coils are wound in such a way as to fit over a cruciform core section. In the case of circular
cylindrical coils, they have a fair advantage of having good mechanical strength. The cylindrical coils will
have different layers and each layer will be insulated from the other with the help of materials like paper,
cloth, micarta board and so on. The general arrangement of the core-type transformer with respect to the
core is shown below. Both low-voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) windings are shown.
The low voltage windings are placed nearer to the core as it is the easiest to insulate. The effective core
area of the transformer can be reduced with the use of laminations and insulation.

2. Shell-Type Transformer
In shell-type transformers, the core surrounds a considerable portion of the windings. The comparison is
shown in the figure below.
The coils are form-wound but are multi layer disc type usually wound in the form of pancakes. Paper is
used to insulate the different layers of the multi-layer discs. The whole winding consists of discs stacked
with insulation spaces between the coils. These insulation spaces form the horizontal cooling and
insulating ducts. Such a transformer may have the shape of a simple rectangle or may also have a
distributed form. Both designs are shown in the figure below:

Shell Type Transformers Distributed Form

 A strong rigid mechanical bracing must be given to the cores and coils of the transformers. This will help
in minimizing the movement of the device and also prevents the device from getting any insulation
damage. A transformer with good bracing will not produce any humming noise during its working and
will also reduce vibration.
A special housing platform must be provided for transformers. Usually, the device is placed in tightly-
fitted sheet-metal tanks filled with special insulating oil. This oil is needed to circulate through the device
and cool the coils. It is also responsible for providing the additional insulation for the device when it is
left in the air.

There may be cases when the smooth tank surface will not be able to provide the needed cooling area. In
such cases, the sides of the tank are corrugated or assembled with radiators on the sides of the device. The
oil used for cooling purpose must be absolutely free from alkalis, sulphur and most importantly moisture.
Even a small amount of moistures in the oil will cause a significant change in the insulating property of
the device, as it lessens the dielectric strength of the oil to a great extent.

Mathematically speaking, the presence of about 8 parts of water in 1 million reduces the insulating quality
of the oil to a value that is not considered standard for use. Thus, the tanks are protected by sealing them
air-tight in smaller units. When large transformers are used, the airtight method is practically difficult to
implement. In such cases, chambers are provided for the oil to expand and contract as its temperature
increases and decreases.
These breathers form a barrier and resist the atmospheric moisture from contact with oil. Special care
must also be taken to avoid sledging. Sledging occurs when oil decomposes due to overexposure to
oxygen during heating. It results in the formation of large deposits of dark and heavy matter that clogs the
cooling ducts in the transformer.

The quality, durability and handling of these insulating materials decide the life of the transformer. All
the transformer leads are brought out of their cases through suitable bushings. There are many designs of
these, their size and construction depending on the voltage of the leads. Porcelain bushings may be used
to insulate the leads, for transformers that are used in moderate voltages. Oil-filled or capacitive-type
bushings are used for high voltage transformers.

The selection between the core and shell type is made by comparing the cost because similar
characteristics can be obtained from both types. Most manufacturers prefer to use shell-type transformers
for high-voltage applications or for multi-winding design. When compared to a core type, the shell type
has a longer mean length of coil turn. Other parameters that are compared for the selection of transformer
type are voltage rating, kilo-volt ampere rating, weight, insulation stress, heat distribution and so on.

Transformers can also be classified according to the type of cooling employed. The different types
according to these classifications are:

Types of Transformers based on cooling method

1. Oil Filled Self-Cooled Type

Oil filled self-cooled type uses small and medium-sized distribution transformers. The assembled
windings and core of such transformers are mounted in a welded, oil-tight steel tanks provided with a
steel cover. The tank is filled with purified, high quality insulating oil as soon as the core is put back at its
proper place. The oil helps in transferring the heat from the core and the windings to the case from where
it is radiated out to the surroundings.

For smaller sized transformers the tanks are usually smooth surfaced, but for large size transformers a
greater heat radiation area is needed, and that too without disturbing the cubical capacity of the tank. This
is achieved by frequently corrugating the cases. Still larger sizes are provided with radiation or pipes.
2. Oil Filled Water Cooled Type
This type is used for much more economic construction of large transformers, as the above-told self-
cooled method is very expensive. The same method is used here as well- the windings and the core are
immersed in the oil. The only difference is that a cooling coil is mounted near the surface of the oil,
through which cold water keeps circulating. This water carries the heat from the device. This design is
usually implemented on transformers that are used in high voltage transmission lines. The biggest
advantage of such a design is that such transformers do not require housing other than their own. This
reduces the costs by a huge amount. Another advantage is that the maintenance and inspection of this type
is only needed once or twice in a year.

3. Air Blast Type

This type is used for transformers that use voltages below 25,000 volts. The transformer is housed in a
thin sheet metal box open at both ends through which air is blown from the bottom to the top.
E.M.F Equation of a Transformer

Let,

 NA =  Number of turns in primary

 NB = Number of turns in secondary
Ømax  = Maximum flux in the core in webers = Bmax X A
f   = Frequency of alternating current input in hertz (HZ)

As shown in figure above, the core flux increases from its zero value to maximum value Ø max  in one
quarter of the cycle , that is in ¼ frequency second.

Therefore, average rate of change of flux = Ø max/ ¼ f = 4f ØmaxWb/s

Now, rate of change of flux per turn means induced electro motive force in volts.

Therefore, average electro-motive force induced/turn = 4f Ø maxvolt

If flux Ø varies sinusoidally, then r.m.s value of induced e.m.f is obtained by multiplying the average
value with form factor.
Form Factor = r.m.s. value/average value = 1.11

Therefore, r.m.s value of e.m.f/turn = 1.11 X 4f Ø max = 4.44f Ømax

Now, r.m.s value of induced e.m.f in the whole of primary winding

= (induced e.m.f./turn) X Number of primary turns

Therefore,

 EA = 4.44f NAØmax = 4.44fNABmA

Similarly, r.m.s value of induced e.m.f in secondary is

EB = 4.44f NB Ømax = 4.44fNBBmA

In an ideal transformer on no load,

VA = EA and VB = EB, where VB is the terminal voltage

Voltage Transformation Ratio (K)

From the above equations we get

EB/ EA = VB/ VA = NB/NA = K

This constant K is known as voltage transformation ratio.

(1)   If NB>NA, that is K>1, then transformer is called step-up transformer.

(2)   If NB<1, that is K<1, then transformer is known as step-down transformer.
Again for an ideal transformer,

Input VA = output VA

VAIA = VBIB
Or, IB/IA = VA/VB = 1/K
Hence, currents are in the inverse ratio of the (voltage) transformation ratio.

Applications of a transformer

Transformers are used in most electronic circuits. A transformer has only 3 applications;

1. To step up voltage and current.

2. To Step down voltage and current
3. To prevent DC – transformers can pass only Alternating Currents so they totally prevent DC from
passing to the next circuit.
1. If R1 is the primary winding resistance and R2 is the secondary winding resistance then the equivalent
resistance of the transformer as referred to the primary is

a. R1+R2/K2
b. R2+R1/K2
c. R1+K2R2
d. R2+ K2R1

Answer: R1+ R2/K2

 2. If ∅m is the maximum value of flux in the core then the average rate of change of flux is

a. f∅m
b. 2f∅m
c. 4f∅m
d. 4.44 f∅m

ANSWER: 4 f∅m

3. If the transformer is loaded then the secondary terminal voltage falls for and rises for

a. Lagging power factor, leading power factor

b. Lagging power factor, unity power factor
c. Unity power factor, lagging power factor
d. Leading power factor, lagging power factor

ANSWER: Lagging power factor, leading power factor

4. The efficiency of the transformer will be maximum when

a. Iron losses is equal to the twice of the copper losses

b. Copper losses is equal to the twice of the iron losses
c. Iron losses is equal to the copper losses
d. All of these

ANSWER: Iron losses is equal to the copper losses

5. Copper losses is proportional to

a. kVA
b. square of kVA
c. cube of kVA
d. none of these

ANSWER: square of kVA

6. Efficiency of a transformer is maximum at

a. Leading power factor

b. Lagging power factor
c. Unity power factor
d. None of these
ANSWER: Unity power factor

7)   Copper losses occurs due to ohmic resistance in

a. Primary winding
b. Secondary winding
c. Both primary and secondary winding
d. None of these

ANSWER: Both primary and secondary winding

8)   In transformer if the secondary is open circuited then its terminal voltage is

a. Same as the induced emf

b. Greater than the induced emf
c. Lesser than the induced emf
d. None of these

ANSWER: Same as the induced emf

9)   In core type transformer, the coils are wound in helical layers, each layers being insulated from each
other by using

a. Paper
b. Cloth
c. Cooling ducts
d. All of these

ANSWER: All of these

10)   The steel used for laminations should have

a. High permeability and high hysteresis

b. High permeability and low hysteresis
c. Low permeability and hysteresis
d. Low permeability and high hysteresis

ANSWER: High permeability and low hysteresis