Transformers A2 Unit 4

A transformer is a device that converts one oscillating potential difference supply to another
with a different potential difference. All transformers consist of a primary (input) coil and a
secondary (output) coil.

Transformer Rule
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction tells us that the emf induced in a circuit,

݀߶
ߝ = −ܰ
݀‫ݐ‬
This means that

݀߶
ܸଵ = −ܰଵ
݀‫ݐ‬
and

݀߶
ܸଶ = −ܰଶ
݀‫ݐ‬
Therefore

݀߶
ܸଶ −ܰଶ ݀‫ݐ‬
=
ܸଵ ݀߶
−ܰଵ
݀‫ݐ‬
which gives us the Transformer Rule,

ࢂ૛ ࡺ૛
=
ࢂ૚ ࡺ૚
nb:
• ܸଵ and ܸଶ are often referred to as Primary and Secondary voltages, so ܸଵ = ܸ௉ and
ܸଶ = ܸௌ
• Step-up transformers increase the voltage; so ܸଶ > ܸଵ and ܰଶ > ܰଵ
• Step-down transformers decrease the voltage; so ܸଶ < ܸଵ and ܰଶ < ܰଵ

Transformer Efficiency
Transformers are nearly 100% efficient. Those used in practical applications, for electricity
distribution, are around 98% efficient, and researchers have achieved efficiencies of 99.85%
using superconducting wires.

The efficiency of a transformer, ߟ (“eta”), can be calculated by the ratio of power delivered
to the primary coil (input) to the power provided by the secondary coil (output).

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 Transformers A2 Unit 4
Using ܲ = ܸ‫ܫ‬,

‫ܫ‬ଶ ܸଶ
ߟ=
‫ܫ‬ଵ ܸଵ

Transformers are so efficient because:

• Low-resistance
resistance windings mean less
power wasted due to heating effect of
current.
• Laminated core reduces
reduce eddy currents.
• Soft iron core is easily magnetised and
demagnetised.
A laminated core (layers of soft iron) is
Practical Uses
used to reduce eddy currents,
currents improving
Transformers are used extensively across the efficiency. A current is induced in the core
country, in the National Grid. itself (an eddy current),
current) resulting in a
heating effect. However, the laminated
Electricity generated at about
a 25kV. By core prevents this current from
fr flowing in
increasing this to about 400kV before long- long one direction,, thus reducing this effect.
effect
distance transmission, the current is hugely
reduced. This reduces the heating effect in these wires, and therefore increases efficiency. A
step-down
down transformer is then used at the other end to reduce
reduce the voltage to 230V.

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