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A Project on Transformers

Submitted by: __________

Class: __________
Roll No: __________
School Name: __________
Subject: Science
Teacher’s Name: __________
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Science teacher for providing me with valuable
guidance and continuous encouragement throughout the completion of this project. Her expert
advice and motivation helped me in understanding the concept of transformers in depth. I would
also like to thank my school principal and other teachers who supported me during this work. I owe
my deep sense of gratitude to my parents, who always encouraged me to do my best and gave me
all facilities to complete this project successfully. I also thank my friends and classmates for their
constant support and useful discussions. Lastly, I am thankful to the authors of books and websites
that I referred to for gathering important information. Without their contribution, this project would
not have been possible.
Certificate
This is to certify that the project entitled “A Project on Transformers” has been completed
successfully by __________ of Class ___, Roll No ___, under my supervision during the academic
session __________. This project is an original work and has not been copied from any other
source. It fulfills the requirements laid down by the Science Department and reflects the effort and
sincerity of the student in carrying out the research. The project contains information about
transformers, including their history, principle, construction, working, types, applications,
advantages, disadvantages, and their importance in daily life. I wish the student best of luck for all
future endeavors.

(Signature of Teacher)
Introduction
Electricity is one of the most important resources in the modern world. Almost every aspect of our
daily life depends on electricity, from lighting our homes to running industries and operating
electronic devices. However, electricity generated at power stations cannot be supplied directly to
houses and factories because the generated voltage is either too low or unsuitable for
long-distance transmission. If electricity is transmitted at low voltage, a large amount of power is
wasted as heat in the transmission lines. This problem is solved by a device called the transformer.
Transformers play a key role in adjusting the voltage level to suit both transmission and usage.
They step up the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission and step down the voltage for safe
domestic and industrial use. Thus, transformers are essential for the smooth functioning of modern
society.
History of Transformers
The history of transformers begins with the discovery of electromagnetic induction by Michael
Faraday in 1831. Faraday showed that when the magnetic field through a coil changes, an
electromotive force (emf) is induced in it. This discovery laid the foundation for the invention of
transformers. The first practical transformer was designed in 1885 by William Stanley in the United
States. He used a laminated soft iron core and insulated copper wire to make the device more
efficient and commercially useful. His invention allowed the safe transmission of electrical energy
over long distances. Over the years, many improvements were made in transformer design, making
them more compact, reliable, and efficient. Today, transformers are found everywhere – from giant
power stations to small chargers used in our homes. The invention of transformers marked a
revolution in the field of electrical engineering and made modern power distribution possible.
Definition & Principle
A transformer is defined as a static electrical device that transfers alternating current (AC) electrical
energy from one circuit to another through the principle of electromagnetic induction. It does not
have any moving parts and works only on AC supply. The principle of a transformer is based on
Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. According to this law, whenever the magnetic flux
linked with a coil changes, an emf is induced in the coil. In a transformer, when alternating current
flows through the primary coil, it produces a changing magnetic flux in the core. This flux passes
through the secondary coil, where an emf is induced. If the secondary is connected to a circuit,
current flows. The ratio of primary voltage to secondary voltage depends on the number of turns in
the primary and secondary windings, expressed by the equation: Vp/Vs = Np/Ns. This principle
makes voltage transformation possible.
Construction
A transformer mainly consists of three essential parts: the core, the primary coil, and the secondary
coil. The core is made of soft iron and laminated sheets to reduce eddy current losses. It provides a
low reluctance path for the magnetic flux. The primary coil is connected to the input AC supply.
When current flows through it, an alternating magnetic field is produced. The secondary coil is
connected to the output, where the required voltage is obtained. The coils are made of copper wires
and insulated properly to avoid short circuits. In large transformers, the entire assembly is placed
inside a container filled with insulating oil that acts both as coolant and insulator. Cooling fans and
radiators are also used to keep the transformer at safe operating temperatures. Despite its simple
construction, a transformer is a highly efficient device.
Working
The working of a transformer is simple but effective. When an alternating voltage is applied to the
primary winding, it produces an alternating current. This current generates an alternating magnetic
flux in the iron core. The flux links with the secondary winding, inducing an emf according to
Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. The induced emf causes current to flow in the
secondary circuit when connected to a load. The voltage transformation depends on the ratio of
turns in the coils. If the secondary has more turns than the primary, the voltage increases (step-up
transformer). If the secondary has fewer turns than the primary, the voltage decreases (step-down
transformer). Thus, by adjusting the number of turns, the transformer provides the required output
voltage without changing the frequency of the supply.
Types of Transformers
Transformers can be classified into different types based on their functions. The most common
types are: 1. Step-up transformer – increases the voltage while decreasing the current, used at
power stations for transmission. 2. Step-down transformer – decreases the voltage to safe levels,
used in homes and factories. 3. Isolation transformer – used for safety, it provides the same input
and output voltage but isolates the circuits electrically. 4. Auto-transformer – has a single winding
acting as both primary and secondary, compact in design. Each type has a specific purpose, and
together they make the distribution of electricity safe and efficient.
Transformer Losses
Although transformers are highly efficient, they are not perfect and suffer from certain losses. These
include: 1. Copper loss – caused by the resistance of the winding wires when current flows. 2. Iron
loss – occurs in the iron core due to alternating magnetic flux, further divided into hysteresis loss
and eddy current loss. 3. Hysteresis loss – caused due to repeated magnetization and
demagnetization of the core. 4. Eddy current loss – produced when circulating currents are induced
in the iron core. Engineers reduce these losses by using laminated cores, high-grade silicon steel,
and proper cooling techniques. As a result, modern transformers achieve efficiency as high as
95–99%.
Efficiency of Transformer
The efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of output power to input power.
Mathematically, Efficiency (η) = Output Power / Input Power × 100%. Since transformers have no
moving parts, their mechanical losses are negligible. Most of the losses are electrical or magnetic in
nature. In practical applications, a well-designed transformer can achieve efficiencies between 95%
and 99%. This means only a small fraction of energy is lost as heat. High efficiency makes
transformers reliable and suitable for large-scale power distribution. To maintain efficiency, cooling
systems such as oil and fans are used in bigger transformers. Thus, efficiency is one of the key
reasons why transformers are widely used in power systems.
Applications
Transformers are used in a wide range of applications in daily life as well as in industries. In power
stations, step-up transformers increase the voltage for long-distance transmission. At the receiving
end, step-down transformers reduce the voltage for safe distribution in homes and offices.
Transformers are also used in electronic devices like radios, televisions, chargers, and inverters. In
welding machines and furnaces, special transformers provide the required current. They are also
used in laboratories, hospitals, and communication systems. Without transformers, it would not be
possible to use electricity in a safe and controlled manner. This shows the importance of
transformers in our everyday life.
Advantages & Disadvantages
Transformers offer many advantages. They are highly efficient devices with efficiencies up to 99%.
They have no moving parts, making them durable and requiring little maintenance. They are
reliable, versatile, and can work for many years. However, transformers also have some
disadvantages. They can work only with alternating current (AC) and not with direct current (DC).
Large transformers are heavy and expensive. They also produce a humming noise and heating
effect due to losses. Despite these drawbacks, the advantages of transformers far outweigh their
limitations, which is why they are widely used in power systems.
Real-life Examples
Transformers are present all around us in real life. The charger of a mobile phone contains a small
step-down transformer to reduce the voltage to safe levels. In laptops, radios, and televisions,
transformers regulate the supply voltage. Doorbells and other small appliances also use miniature
transformers. On the other hand, large power stations use massive step-up and step-down
transformers for transmission and distribution of electricity. The street transformers we see on
electric poles are examples of step-down transformers. These real-life examples prove that
transformers are not just scientific devices, but also an essential part of our daily life.
Conclusion & Bibliography
In conclusion, transformers are among the greatest inventions in the field of electrical engineering.
They make the safe and efficient transmission of electricity possible, which is the backbone of
modern civilization. From power plants to mobile chargers, transformers play an important role in
almost every device that uses electricity. Without them, large-scale use of electrical energy would
be impossible.

Bibliography:
1. NCERT Science Textbook
2. School Notes
3. Internet Articles on Transformers
4. Electrical Engineering Books