Page 1 of 8

Home Whiteboard Online Compilers Practice Articles Jobs Tools

SQL HTML CSS Javascript Python Java C C++ PHP Scala C#

Practical Transformer on Load

When a load Impedance is connected across the secondary winding of the practical
transformer, then the transformer is said to be loaded and draws a load which flows
through the secondary winding and the load.

We shall consider following two cases for analysing the practical transformer −

Case 1 - When the Transformer is Assumed to have no Winding

Resistance and Leakage Flux
The figure shows a practical transformer with the assumption that the winding
resistances and the leakage reactances are neglected. With this assumption,

V1 = E 1 and V2 = E2

Consider an inductive load is connected across the secondary winding which causes the
secondary current I2 to lag the secondary voltage V2 by an angle 2. In this case, the total
primary current I1 must fulfil two requirements −

First, it must supply the no-load current I0 to produce the iron losses and the
magnetic flux in core of the transformer.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 1/8
 Page 2 of 8

Secondly, it must supply a current I’2 to neutralise the demagnetising effect of

secondary current I2.

The magnitude of current I’2 is given by,

′
N1 I = N2 I2
2

N2
′
⇒ I = I2 = KI2
2
N1

Therefore, the total primary current drawn by a practical transformer under loaded
condition is given the phasor sum of I’2 and I0 i.e.

′
I1 = I + I0
2

Where,

′
I = −KI2
2

The negative sign shows that the current I'2 is 180° out of phase with current I2.

The phasor diagram shows that both the emfs E1 and E2 lag behind the mutual flux (m)
by 90°. The current I'2 denotes the portion of primary current which neutralise the
demagnetising effect of the secondary current (I2). Therefore, the current I'2 must be in
anti-phase with I2. The phasor I0 represents the no-load current of the transformer. The
phasor sum of I’2 and I0 represents the total primary current (I1). Hence,

primary power factor = cos φ1

Secondary power factor = cos φ2

Therefore,

Input power, P 1 = V1 I1 cos φ1

Output power, P 2 = V2 I2 cos φ2

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 2/8
 Page 3 of 8

Case 2 - When the Transformer has Winding Resistance and

Leakage Flux
The figure shows a practical transformer having winding resistances and leakage
reactances. This is the actual case that exits in a practical transformer. Here, some of the
applied voltage is dropped in the primary winding resistance R1 and leakage reactance
X1, thus the primary EMF (E1) will be less than the applied voltage V1.

similarly, there being a voltage drop in the secondary winding resistance R2 and the
leakage reactance X2 so that the voltage across the secondary winding terminals V2 will
be less than the secondary EMF (E2).

Now, consider an inductive load connected across the secondary winding of the
transformer which causes the secondary current I2 to lag behind the secondary voltage
V2 by an angle 2 and the total primary current (I1) must fulfil two requirements −

First, it must supply the no-load current I0 to produce the iron losses and the
magnetic flux in core of the transformer.

Secondly, it must supply a current I'2 to neutralise the demagnetising effect of

secondary current I2.

The magnitude of current I'2 is given by,

′
N1 I = N2 I2
2

N2
′
⇒ I = I2 = KI2
2
N1

Therefore, the total primary current drawn by a practical transformer under loaded
condition is given the phasor sum of I'2 and I0 i.e.

′
I1 = I + I0
2

Where,

′
I = −KI2
2

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 3/8
 Page 4 of 8

The negative sign shows that the current I'2 is 180° out of phase with current I2.

Now, by applying KVL in primary loop and secondary loop, we get the applied primary
voltage (V1) and secondary terminal voltage (V2) as,

V1 = −E 1 + I1 (R1 + jX1 )

⇒ V1 = −E 1 + I1 Z1

And,

V2 = E 2 − I2 (R2 + jX2 )

⇒ V2 = E 2 − I2 Z2

The bold letters shows the phasor sum.

From the phasor diagram, it can be seen that both the EMFs E1 and E2 lag behind the
mutual flux (m) by 90°. The current I'2 represents the primary current to counteract the
demagnetising effect of secondary current (I2) which in anti-phase with I2. The current I0
is the no-load current of the transformer. Thus, the total primary current (I1) is obtained
by the phasor sum of I'2 and I0.

Also, the primary voltage (V1) is obtained by adding (phasor sum) the drop I1R1 and I1X1
to the counter EMF (- E1). The secondary terminal voltage V2 is obtained by subtracting
(phasor difference) I2R2 and I2X2 from EMF (E2).

The input and output power factors are given by,

Input power factor = cos φ1

Output power factor = cos φ2

Also, the input and output powers of the transformer is given by,

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 4/8
 Page 5 of 8

Input power, P1 = V1 I1 cos φ1

Output power, P2 = V2 I2 cos φ2

Numerical Example
A 440/120 V single phase transformer takes no-load current of 6 A at 0.3 lagging power
factor. If the secondary winding supplies a current of 100 A at a power factor 0.85
lagging. Determine the current taken by the primary winding.

Solution

Here, the primary current I1 is given by phasor sum of I'2 and I0, thus,

∘
cos φ0 = 0.3; ∴ φ0 = 72.54

∘
cos φ2 = 0.85; ∴ φ2 = 31.79

Now, the transformation ratio is,

V2 120 3
K = = =
V1 440 11

Therefore,

3
′
I = KI2 = ( ) × 100 = 27.27A
2
11

Refer the phasor diagram, the angle between I'2 and I0 is

∘
θ = 72.54 − 31.79 = 40.75

Now, using the parallelogram law of vector addition, the primary current is
−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
′ 2 2 ′
I1 = √(I ) + (I0 ) + 2I0 I cos θ
2 2

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 5/8
 Page 6 of 8

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
2 2
⇒ I1 = √(27.27) + (6) + (2 × 6 × 27.27 × cos 40.75) = 32.05 A

TOP TUTORIALS

Python Tutorial

Java Tutorial

C++ Tutorial
C Programming Tutorial

C# Tutorial

PHP Tutorial
R Tutorial

HTML Tutorial
CSS Tutorial
JavaScript Tutorial

SQL Tutorial

TRENDING TECHNOLOGIES

Cloud Computing Tutorial

Amazon Web Services Tutorial
Microsoft Azure Tutorial

Git Tutorial
Ethical Hacking Tutorial
Docker Tutorial

Kubernetes Tutorial
DSA Tutorial
Spring Boot Tutorial

SDLC Tutorial
Unix Tutorial

CERTIFICATIONS

Business Analytics Certification

Java & Spring Boot Advanced Certification

Data Science Advanced Certification

CloudChapters
Computing And DevOps Categories

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 6/8
 Page 7 of 8

Advanced Certification In Business Analytics

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning
DevOps Certification

Game Development Certification

Front-End Developer Certification
AWS Certification Training

Python Programming Certification

COMPILERS & EDITORS

Online Java Compiler

Online Python Compiler
Online Go Compiler

Online C Compiler
Online C++ Compiler
Online C# Compiler

Online PHP Compiler

Online MATLAB Compiler
Online Bash Terminal

Online SQL Compiler

Online Html Editor

ABOUT US | OUR TEAM | CAREERS | JOBS | CONTACT US | TERMS OF USE |

PRIVACY POLICY | REFUND POLICY | COOKIES POLICY | FAQ'S

Tutorials Point is a leading Ed Tech company striving to provide the best learning material on
technical and non-technical subjects.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 7/8
 Page 8 of 8

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/electrical_machines/practical_transformer_on_load.htm 8/8