Experiment No.
4
Transformers
AIM: To study the construction and working of transformers
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Transformer assembly
THEORY:
The transformer transfers the electrical power from one circuit to the other circuit without the change
in frequency. The transfer happens based on the mutual induction between the two circuits that are
linked by a magnetic flux.
A transformer has two inductive coils that are electrically separated from each other but are
magnetically linked through a path for the flow of magnetic flux.
Transformers vary in different sizes and ranges. It ranges from small transformers used in the
communication system to giant transformers used in the High voltage transmission system.
The output voltage of a transformer can be increased or decreased, with a proportional change in the
current ratings. Accordingly, there are two types of transformers: Step up transformer and step down
transformer.
Figure 4.1 Parts of a transformer
In a step-up transformer, the input voltage is stepped up to a high output voltage. The number of turns
in the primary coil is less than the secondary coil in the step-up transformer. When the output voltage
is lower than the input side, it is called a step-down transformer. It has more turns in the primary coil
than the secondary coil.
Based on the construction and application of a transformer, there are also several other types of
transformers. It includes shell type transformer, core type transformer, power transformer, distribution
transformer.
Construction of Transformer
The construction of transformer is very simple for the small-sized transformer. It consists of
a transformer core, primary and secondary windings. For a high range of power transformers, the core
and windings are placed in a transformer tank with additional accessories. The main components
involved in the construction of transformer are as follows
• Transformer core
• Primary and Secondary windings
• Insulating Oil
• Transformer tank
• Oil conservator
• Breather
• Cooling tubes
• Buchholz Relay
• Explosion Vent
Transformer Core
The transformer core is mainly used for two purposes: Provide mechanical support for the entire
transformer and provide a path for the flow of magnetic flux. The core is built up of soft iron or silicon
steel laminations to provide a low reluctance path to the magnetic flux. The steel used should have
high silicon content and be treated with heat to have better permeability and low hysteresis loss. The
laminations are insulated from each other by a coat of varnish or by an oxide layer. These laminations
reduce the eddy current loss. The thickness of the laminations varies from 0.35 mm to 0.5 mm.
The laminations in the form of strips called stampings are joined together and pivoted to avoid any air
gaps between the core. Various types of stampings like ‘E’ shaped, ‘I’ shaped, ‘L’ shaped and ‘U’
shaped stampings are used for the construction of transformer. Based on the type of core used there
are three types: core type transformer, shell-type transformer and Berry type transformer.
Windings
The transformer has two windings: primary winding and secondary winding. The primary winding is
connected to the power supply and the secondary winding is connected to the load. The winding
connected to the high voltage circuit is called high voltage (HV) winding. The winding connected to
the low voltage circuit is called low voltage (LV) winding. The windings are wound over the core
depending on the type of core used. In a core-type transformer, the windings are wound around the
two legs of the core. In a shell-type transformer, the windings are wound on the central leg of the three-
legged transformer core.
Figure 4.2 Transformer core and windings
The windings are made of solid or stranded copper. Proper insulation is to be given to the windings to
prevent it from short-circuiting. For huge power transformers, cloth or paper insulation is provided.
Varnish coating is used as insulation for small-range transformers.
Transformer tank and insulating oil
The transformer core and winding arrangement are immersed in a tank containing insulating oil. The
tank gives protection to the core and windings. Cooling tubes are welded with the tank for cooling
purposes. The insulating oil act as an insulation medium for core and windings. It is also used for
absorbing the heat in the windings and core.
Oil conservator
The transformer tank is connected through a pipe to a small tank called the conservator. The
Conservator is designed to act as a reservoir for the transformer oil. An increase in temperature causes
the oil in the transformer to expand. The conservator provides space for this expansion of the oil. The
main function of the oil conservator is to keep the transformer tank completely filled with oil at all
conditions.
Breather
Breather is a part of a large-sized transformer. During the change in temperature inside the tank, the
oil expands and contracts. For example, when the temperature goes down, it will make the oil to
contract. So, atmospheric air gets absorbed inside a transformer tank. This process is similar to
breathing in human beings and so-called as a breather.
Breather consists of silica gel, which prevents any atmospheric moisture from entering the tank from
the outside world. All the moisture gets absorbed by the silica gel.
Cooling Tubes
The heat is produced in the windings and core due to copper loss in the conductors, hysteresis and
eddy current loss in the transformer core. This heat has to be dissipated to operate the transformer
efficiently. The cooling tubes are used to remove the heat from the transformer oil and tank. Through
this cooling tube, coolants in the form of oil or air are passed inside a transformer. The cooling method
may be natural or forced cooling, which depends on the size of a transformer.
Buchholz Relay
Buchholz Relay is an important part of the construction of transformer. Buchholz Relay is a device
used to protect the transformer from faults occurring inside the tank. It is a gas and oil actuated relay.
The relay is placed between the transformer tank and the conservator. Whenever a fault like a failure
of insulation or damage to the core takes place, it results in the production of excess heat. This heat
will decompose the oil and produce bubbles. These bubbles flow in the upward direction towards the
conservator and get collected in the relay. The production of bubbles depends on the intensity of faults.
The bubble thus produced inside a transformer tank will activate the relay and give an alarm signal,
indicating that there was a fault inside the tank. This will enable the operating person to disconnect the
supply to the transformer.
Explosion vent
The transformer has an explosion vent to prevent any damage to the transformer tank caused by the
excessive pressure generated inside the transformer. If an explosion occurs in a transformer due to an
internal fault, then the blast of the explosion will be allowed to escape through the explosion vent,
rather than causing the transformer’s tank to explode.
Working Principle of Transformer
The Transformer works on the principle of Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. When the
primary winding is connected to the AC supply, a current starts to flow through the primary winding.
Since this winding is linked to the magnetic core, the current through the primary coil produces an
alternating flux Φ in the core. Since this flux is alternating in nature and it is also linked with the
secondary winding, so a mutually induced emf is induced in the secondary coil.
When a load is connected to the secondary winding, a current starts to flow in the winding. Thus
the energy is transferred from the primary to the secondary side by means of electromagnetic
induction. This transfer is achieved without the change in frequency.
The flux Φ produced in the iron core links not only with the secondary winding but also with the
primary winding and produces a self-induced emf in the primary coil itself. This induced emf opposes
the applied voltage as per Lenz’s Law and so, this emf is sometimes called Back emf.
