PHYSICS

PROJECT WORK

TRANSFORMERS

SUBMITTED BY
AKSHAY NACHAPPA
1
 KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA

MYSORE

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

Submitted By:
Akshay Nachappa
CLASS: XII A

2
 Certificate

I certify that Akshay Nachappa, student of Class

XII, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mysore, has completed the
project titled Transformers during the academic year
2016-2017 towards partial fulfillment of credit for
the Physics practical evaluation of CBSE 2017 and
submitted satisfactory report, as compiled in the
following pages, under my supervision.

(Mrs R Amudha,)
PGT Physics
Department of Physics
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mysore

3
 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to

my physics mentor, Mrs R Amudha for her vital
support, guidance and encouragement, without
which this project would not have come forth.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the

staff of the Department of Physics at Kendriya
Vidyalaya, Mysore for their support during the
making of this project.

Akshay

Nachappa

4
 INDEX

Sl. No Contents Page No

1 AIM 5

2 INTRODUCTION 6

3 PRINCIPLE & CONSTRUCTION 8

4 THEORY 10

5 APPARATUS REQUIRED 19

6 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM &PROCEDURE 20

7 OBSERVATIONS 22

8 CONCLUSION 23

PRECAUTIONS & SOURCES

9 24
OF ERROR

5
10 BIBLIOGRAPHY 25

AIM
TO INVESTIGATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE RATIO OF :-

(i) INPUT & OUTPUT VOLATGE

(ii) NO OF TURNS IN SECONDARY COIL

AND PRIMARY COIL OF A SELF DESIGNED
TRANSFORMER.

6
 INTRODUCTION

The transformer is a device used for converting a low

alternating voltage to a high alternating voltage or a high
alternating voltage into a low alternating voltage.
It is a static electrical device that transfers energy by
inductive coupling between its winding circuits. Transformers
range in size from a thumbnail-sized coupling transformer
hidden inside a stage microphone to huge units weighing
hundreds of tons used in power plant substations or to
interconnect portions of the power grid. All operate on the same
basic principles, although the range of designs is wide. While
new technologies have eliminated the need for transformers in
some electronic circuits, transformers are still found in many
electronic devices.
Transformers are essential for high-voltage electric power
transmission, which makes long-distance transmission
7
economically practical. A transformer is most widely used
device in both low and high current circuit. In a transformer, the
electrical energy transfer from one circuit to another circuit
takes place without the use of moving parts.

A transformer which increases the voltages is called a step-

up transformer. A transformer which decreases the A.C. voltages
is called a step-down transformer.

Transformer is, therefore, an essential piece of apparatus

both for high and low current circuits.

Close-up of single-phase pole mount transformer.

8
 PRINCIPLE
It is based on the principle of mutual induction that is if a
varying current is set-up in a circuit then induced e.m.f. is
produced in the neighboring circuit. The varying current in a
circuit produce varying magnetic flux which induces e.m.f. in
the neighboring circuit.

CONSTRUCTION OF SIMPLE TRANSFORMER.

A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core made of
laminated sheets, well insulated from one another. Two coils p 1 &
p2 and s1 & s2 are wound on the same core, but are well insulated
9
with each other. Note that the both the coils are insulated from the
core, the source of alternating e.m.f is connected to p 1p2, the
primary coil and a load resistance R is

connected to s1 s2, the secondary coil through an open switch S.

thus there can be no current through the sec. coil so long as the
switch is open. For an ideal transformer, we assume that the
resistance of the primary & secondary winding is negligible.
Further, the energy loses due to magnetic the iron core is also
negligible. For operation at low frequency, we may have a soft
iron. The soft iron core is insulating by joining thin iron strips
coated with varnish to insulate them to reduce energy losses by
eddy currents. The input circuit is called primary and the output
circuit is called secondary.

P1 P2
10
THEORY AND WORKING
When an altering e.m.f. is supplied to the primary coil p 1p2, . The
altering current in the primary produces a changing magnetic flux,
which induces altering voltage in the primary as well as in the
secondary. In a good-transformer, whole of the magnetic flux
linked with primary is also linked with the secondary, and then the
induced e.m.f. induced in each turn of the secondary is equal to
that induced in each turn of the primary. Thus if E p and Es be the
instantaneous values of the e.m.f.’s induced in the primary and the
secondary and Np and Ns are the no. of turns of the primary
secondary coils of the transformer and, Dф / dt = rate of change of
flux in each turn of the coil at this instant, we have

Ep = -Np Dф / dt (1)

Es = -Ns Dф / dt (2)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by dividing 2

by 1, we get

11
 E s / E p = - Ns / N p (3)

As Ep is the instantaneous value of back e.m.f induced in the

primary coil p1, so the instantaneous current in primary coil is due

to the difference (E – Ep ) in the instantaneous values of the

applied and back e.m.f. further if R p is the resistance of, p1p2 coil,

then the instantaneous current Ip in the primary coil is given

by Ip=(E – Ep )/ Rp

E – E p = Ip R p

When the resistance of the primary is small, R p Ip can be neglected

so therefore

E – Ep = 0 or Ep = E

Thus back e.m.f = input e.m.f

Hence equation 3 can be written as E s / Ep = Es / E = output e.m.f /

input e.m.f = Ns / Np = K
12
Where K is constant, called turn or transformation ratio.

In a step up transformer

Es > Ep so K > 1, hence Ns > Np

In a step down transformer

Es < Ep so K < 1, hence Ns < Np

Input and Output Power in a transformer:

We know that transformer is a device that changes the voltage

from one value to the other keeping the power at output end same
as that of input end.

If Ip= value of primary current at the same instant t

Is = value of secondary current at this instant,

then Input power at the instant t = Ep Ip

Output power at the same instant = Es Is

If there are no losses of power in the transformer,

then Input power = output power or

13
 E p Ip = E s Is Or

Es / E p = Ip / I s = K

In a step up transformer
As k > 1, so Ip > Is or Is < Ip

ie., current in secondary is weaker when secondary voltage is

higher. Hence, whatever we gain in voltage, we lose in current in
the same ratio.

Similarly it can be shown, that in a step down transformer,

whatever we lose in voltage, we gain in current in the same ratio.
Thus a step up transformer in reality steps down the current & a
step down transformer steps up the current.

AN IDEAL STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

14
 AN IDEAL STEP UP TRANSFORMER

LOSSES IN TRANSFORMER

In any electrical machine, 'loss' can be defined as the difference

between input power and output power. An electrical
transformer is a static device, hence mechanical losses (like
windage or friction losses) are absent in it. A transformer only
consists of electrical losses (iron losses and copper losses).
Losses in transformer are explained below -
15
(I) Core Losses Or Iron Losses

Eddy current loss and hysteresis loss depend upon the magnetic
properties of the material used for the construction of core.
Hence these losses are also known as core losses or iron losses.

Hysteresis loss in transformer: Hysteresis loss is due to

reversal of magnetization in the transformer core. This loss
depends upon the volume and grade of the iron, frequency of
magnetic reversals and value of flux density.

Eddy current loss in transformer: In transformer, AC current

is supplied to the primary winding which sets up alternating
magnetizing flux. When this flux links with secondary winding,
it produces induced emf in it. But some part of this flux also gets
linked with other conducting parts like steel core or iron body or
the transformer, which will result in induced emf in those parts,
causing small circulating current in them. This current is called
as eddy current. Due to these eddy currents, some energy will be
dissipated in the form of heat.

(II) Copper Loss In Transformer

16
 Copper loss is due to ohmic resistance of the transformer
windings. Copper loss for the primary winding is I12 R1 and for
secondary winding is I22 R2. Where, I1 and I2 are current in
primary and secondary winding respectively, R 1 and R2 are the
resistances of primary and secondary winding respectively.

It is clear that Cu loss is proportional to square of the current,

and current depends on the load. Hence copper loss in
transformer varies with the load.

EFFICIENCY OF A TRANSFORMER.
In an ideal transformer, where there is no power losses, η = 1. But
in actual practice, there are many power losses as explained
earlier; therefore the efficiency of transformer is less than one.

Just like any other electrical machine, efficiency of a

transformer can be defined as the output power divided by the
input power. Efficiency η = output power / input power
= E s Is / E p Ip
Transformers are the most highly efficient electrical devices. Most
of the transformers have full load efficiency between 95% to
98.5% .

17
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 = I12 R1, Iron loss = Wi

18
 USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all a.c. operations

 In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator, computer, air

conditioner, in the induction furnaces.

 A step down transformer is used for obtaining large current,

hence step down transformer is used for welding purposes.
19
 A step up transformer is used for the production of X-Rays

 Transformers are used in voltage regulators and stabilized

power supplies.

 Transformers are used in the transmissions of a.c. over long

distances.

 Small transformers are used in Radio sets, telephones, loud

speakers and electric bells etc.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. SOLENOIDS WITH COILS WINDINGS 300, 600, 1200 &

3600 TURNS

2. DIGITAL AMMETERS – TWO

20
 3. DIGITAL VOLTMETERS – TWO

4. UI STAMPED LAMINATED CORE

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

21
 PROCEDURE

1. The UI stamped laminated core is firmly clamped to the table.

2. Select solenoid coil S1 to act as primary (say solenoid with

600 turn winding)s place them on one arm of the U type laminated
core and select solenoid coil S2 (say solenoid with 300 turn
winding) in the other arm of the U type laminated core, replace
the upper arm of the core arm firmly.

3. Connect Ammeter and Voltmeter to the primary coil ends

P1P2.

4. Connect Ammeter and Voltmeter to the secondary coil ends

S1S2.

5. Now connect supply of ac mains to the primary and measure

& record the primary current and voltage and corresponding
secondary current and voltage readings.

22
 6. Switch the power off, change the solenoids in the arms of the
laminated core with different turns of winding. Repeat all the
steps, recording the relative voltage and current readings.

OBSERVATIONS
1. Least count of Voltmeters : 0.1 Volt
2. Zero errors of voltmeters : nil
3. Range of voltmeters : 999 V
4. Least count of ammeters : 0.1 Amp
5. Zero errors of ammeters : nil
6. Range of ammeters : 25 Amp
7. Applied AC voltage : 224 Volts
23
 S. No of turns No of turns Voltage in Current Voltage in Current in Loss of
No in Primary in Primary in Secondary Secondary Power
Secondary (Vp) Volts Primary
(Np) (Ip) (Vs) (Is) (VI)
(Ns) Amps Volts Amps

1 600 300 224 3 143 5 69

2 300 600 224 3.25 450 1.4 51.2

3 1200 300 224 2.8 60 9.6 62.8

4 1200 3600 224 2.8 680 0.83 98

CONCLUSIONS
1. The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary
coil depends upon the turn ratio (Ns/Np) w.r.t input Voltage.
2. The output current of the transformer across the secondary
coil depends upon the turn ratio (Ns/Np) w.r.t input Current.
3. There is loss of power between input and output coil of a
transformer.

24
PRECAUTIONS
1. Be cautious and take safe precautions while working with
high voltages.
2. While taking the readings of voltages and current, the ac
mains should remain constant.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Values of currents can change due to heating of the coils.
2. Eddy current can change the readings.

25
BIBLIOGRAPHY

The data used in this project was taken from the following
sources:
 www.google.com
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.scribd.com
 NCERT Text book on Physics for Class 12
 www.hyperphysics.com

26