Single phase transformer

Definition:
Transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through the
medium of magnetic field and without a change in frequency. The electrical circuit that receives
energy from the supply mains is called primary winding and the other circuit which delivers electric
energy to the load is called secondary winding.
Application:

In electrical power engineering, the transformer makes it possible to convert electrical power
from a generated voltage of about 11kVto higher values of 132, 220, 400, 500 and 765 kV,
thus, permitting transmission of huge amount of power along long distances to appropriate
distribution points at tremendous savings in the cost of transmission lines as well as in power
losses.

At distribution points, transformers are used to reduce these high voltages to a safe level of
400/230 V for use in homes, offices, etc.

In electric communication circuit, transformers are used for variety of purposes e.g. as an
impedance transformation device to allow maximum transfer of power from input to output
device.

In radio, and T.V. circuits, input transformers inter-stage transformers, and output are widely
used to step down the input voltage to a voltage compatible with the other components in the
device.

Transformers are used in telephone circuits for audio interfacing.

There are some special transformers called instrument transformer which are used for
measuring electrical quantities i.e. voltage and current.

Working Principle:
A transformer works on the principle of mutual inductance between two (sometimes more)
inductively coupled coils. It consists of two winding in close proximity as shown in Fig. 1. The two
windings are coupled by magnetic induction. There is no conductive connection between the two
windings of the transformer. The primary winding is energised by a sinusoidal voltage and the
secondary feeds the load. The alternating current in the primary sets upon an alternating flux ( ) in the
core. The secondary winding is liked by most of this flux end EMF is induced in both of the windings.
The EMF induced in the secondary winding drives a current through the load connected to the
winding. Thus, energy is transferred from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit through the
medium of magnetic field.
In brief, transformer is a device that:

Transfers electrical power from one circuit to another.

It does so without change of frequency.
It accomplishes this by electromagnetic induction (or mutual inductance).
1

Fig. 1. Single phase, two winding transformer

Classification of transformer:
Transformer can be classified in various manners. A brief classification of transformer is given below.

On the basis of output voltage:

(a) Step up

On the basis of core construction:

(a) Core type

(b) Shell type

On the basis of phase:

(a) Single phase

(b) Step down

(b) Three phase

On the basis of cooling: Transformer can be divided into two categories-

Dry-type:
(a) Self cooled

(b) Forced air cooled

Liquid immersed:
(a) Oil cooled

On the basis of core medium:

(a) Air core

(b) Water cooled

(b) Iron core

On the basis of utilization:

(a) Pulse
(b) Power
(c) Distribution
(d) Rectifier (e) Arc
(f) Furnace
(g) Measurement
(h) Protection

On the basis of winding:

(a) Auto transformer

(b) Scott-T transformer

On the basis of frequency range:

2

(c) Zigzag transformer

(a) Utility or power frequency transformer

(c) Radio frequency transformer

(b) Audio frequency transformer

On the basis of circuit application:

(a) Power supply
current stabilizer

(b) Impedance matching

(d) circuit isolation

(c) Output voltage and

Can DC supply be used for transformer?

A transformer works on the principle of mutual induction for which current in one coil must change
uniformly. If DC supply is connected, the current will not change due to constant supply and hence
transformer will not work.
Practically, winding resistance is very low. For DC the inductive reactance (X L) is zero as DC
has no frequency. So, total impedance of winding is very low for DC. Thus, winding will draw very
high current if DC supply is connected to it. This may cause burning of the winding and hence,
permanent damage to the transformer.

Transformer construction:
The simple element of transformer consists of two coils having mutual inductance and a laminated
core. The core is a stack of thin silicon-steel laminations of about 0.35 mm thick for 50 Hz
transformer. In order to reduce the eddy current losses, these laminations are insulated from one
another by thin layer of varnish. For reducing core losses, nearly all transformers have their magnetic
core made from cold-rolled grain oriented sheet-steel (C.R.G.O). This material when magnetized in
the rolling direction has low core loss and high permeability.
Two basic types of transformers are
(1) Core type
(2) Shell type.
In core type transformers, windings surround a considerable part of the core, whereas, in shell
type transformer, the core surrounds a considerable part of the windings. The basic construction is
shown in Fig. 2 (a) and (b).

I0
V1

Secondary
N2

V1 N1

N1

V2
N2

Primary

(a) Core-type

(b) Shell-type
3

V2

Fig. 2. Basic types of transformer

(1) Core type Transformer:

The complete magnetic circuit of the core-type transformer is in the shape of a hollow rectangle
as shown in Fig. 2 (a) and (b) in which I0 is the no-load current and is the flux produced by it.
N1 and N2 are the number of turns on the primary and secondary respectively.
The core is made up of silicon-steel laminations which are either rectangular or L shaped.
With coils wound on two legs (limbs), the transformer looks like Fig.3 (a) from the front and as
Fig. 3(b) from top when horizontal cross-section is done. In small size core-type transformer, a
simple rectangular core is used with cylindrical coils which are either circular or rectangular form.