01)

02)
03)
04)
05)
06)
07)
08)
09)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
 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 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.
A transformer is a device used in the power transmission of
electric energy. The transmission current is AC. It is
commonly used to increase or decrease the supply voltage
without a change in the frequency of AC between circuits.
The transformer works on the basic principles
of electromagnetic induction and mutual induction.

Close-up of single-phase pole mount transformer.

relationship between the following parameters in ac

1.

2.

number of turns in the primary and secondary coils affect

the voltage transformation capability of the transformer,

voltage. Through experimental procedures and data analysis,

the aim is to gain insights into the fundamental principles
governing transformer operation and to potentially identify
any correlation or trends between these parameters.
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
neighbouring circuit. The varying current in a
circuit produce varying magnetic flux which
induces e.m.f. in the neighbouring circuit.
A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core made

of laminated sheets, well insulated from one another. Two

coils p1 & p2 and s1 & s2 are wound on the same core, but are

well insulated with each other. Note that the both the coils

are insulated from the core, the source of alternating e.m.f

is connected to p1p2, 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.
An ideal voltage step-down transformer. The secondary current arises from the action of the
secondary EMF on the (not shown) load impedance.

The ideal transformer as a circuit element

When an altering e.m.f. is supplied to the primary coil p1p2, an

alternating current starts falling in it. 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 Ep 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, Dфь / dt = rate of change of flux in each

turn of the coil at this instant, we have

Ep = -Np Dфь/dt (1)

Es = -Ns Dфь/dt (2)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by
dividing 2 by 1, we get

Es / Ep = - Ns / Np (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 Rp is the resistance o,
p1p2 coil, then the instantaneous current Ip in the primary
coil is given by

I =E – Ep / Rp

E – Ep = Ip Rp

When the resistance of the primary is small, Rp 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 Es / Ep = Es / E = output

e.m.f / input e.m.f = Ns / Np = K

Where K is constant, called turn or transformation ratio.

In a step up transformer

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

In a step down transformer

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

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

And Is =value of sec. current at this instant, then Input

power at the instant t = Ep Ip and Output power at the same
instant = E s Is

If there are no losses of power in the transformer, then

Input power = output power or

E p Ip = Es Is Or

Es / Ep = Ip / Is = K

In a step up transformer

As k > 1, so Ip > Is or Is < Ip

I.e. current in sec. 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.

BASIC IDEA OF STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

BASIC IDEA OF STEP UP TRANSFORMER

 EFFICIENCY
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of output

power to the input power i.e.

η = output power / input power = Es Is / Ep Ip

Thus in an ideal transformer, where there is no power losses,

η = 1. But in actual practice, there are many power losses;

therefore the efficiency of transformer is less than one.

ENERGY LOSSES
In practice, the output energy of a transformer is always
less than the input energy, because energy losses occur due
to a number of reasons as explained below.

Loss of Magnetic Flux: The coupling between the coils is

seldom perfect. So, whole of the magnetic flux produced
by the primary coil is not linked up with the secondary
coil.

Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of lamination,

Eddy currents are produced. The magnitude of eddy
current may, however be small. And a part of energy is
lost as the heat produced in the iron core.

Copper Loss: In practice, the coils of the transformer

possess resistance. So a part of the energy is lost due to
the heat produced in the resistance of the coil.

Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil tapes

the iron core through complete cycle of magnetization. So
Energy is lost due to hysteresis.

Magneto restriction: The alternating current in the

Transformer may be set its parts in to vibrations and
sound may be produced. It is called humming. Thus, a part
of energy may be lost due to humming.
•
•
•
•
1. Take thick iron rod and cover it with a thick paper
and wind a large number of turns of thin Cu wire on
thick paper (say 60). This constitutes primary coil of
the transformer.

2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and

wound relatively smaller number of turns (say 20) of
thick copper wire on it. This constitutes the
secondary coil. It is a step down transformer.

3. Connect p1, p2 to A.C main and measure the input

voltage and current using A.C voltmeter and ammeter
respectively.

4. Similarly, measure the output voltage and current

through s1and s2.
a. Now connect s1and s2to A.C main and again
measure voltage and current through primary
and secondary coil of step up transformer.

5. Repeat all steps for other self made transformers

by changing number of turns in primary and
secondary coil.
 USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all a.c. operations

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

conditioner etc.

• In the induction furnaces.

• A step down transformer is used for welding purposes.

• A step down transformer is used for obtaining large

current.

• A step up transformer is used for the production of X-

Rays and NEON advertisement.

• 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.

• It can raise or lower (step-up or step-down) the level of

AC voltage or current. When voltage increases, current

decreases, and vice versa.

1. Values of current can be changed due to heating effect.
2. Eddy current can change the readings.

1. The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary

coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/Np) with respect to the input
voltage
2. The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary
coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/N p) with respect to the input
voltage
3. There is a loss of power between input and output coil
of a transformer.

1. Keep safe yourself from high voltage.

2. While taking the readings of current and voltage the A.C
should remain constant.
 A Big Transformer

➢ NCERT Textbook Class 12

➢ NCERT Physics Lab Manual Class 12
➢ Google Website

The End