ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 5B

TRANSFORMERS: MUTUAL INDUCTANCE

5B.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively

5B.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. investigate mutual inductance by applying dc source in the primary winding
b. investigate mutual inductance by applying ac source in the primary winding
c. observe the effect of mutual inductance in the secondary windings of the transformer
using an oscilloscope

5B.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. demonstrate mutual inductance by using a typical transformer.

2. verify the results with an oscilloscope.

5B.4 Principle of the Activity

Mutual inductance between the primary and secondary windings of a transformer can
occur only when the applied current is changing. An unchanging dc source applied to the
primary of a transformer does not induce a voltage in the secondary. However, by placing
a switch between the dc source and the transformer primary, you can pulse the voltage on
and off. As the voltage is pulsed on and off with the switch, the applied current undergoes
sudden changes, causing the magnetic field surrounding the primary to expand and
collapse. The fluctuating magnetic field then induces a voltage into the secondary
winding.
Because ac voltage is in constant state of change, it too induces a voltage in the
secondary winding when applied to the primary.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5B.5 Materials/Equipment

1 – F.A.C.E.T. Base Unit

1 – AC1 FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2 – 15Vdc Power Supply
1 – Oscilloscope, dual trace
1 – Generator, sine wave
1 – Multimeter

5B.6 Procedure/s
1. Turn off the power sources. Insert the AC FUNDAMENTALS circuit board into the
base unit. Install the GENERATOR BUFFER if required .Turn on the power sources.

2. Locate the TRANSFORMER circuit block on the AC 1 FUNDAMENTALS circuit

board, and connect the circuit shown in Figure 5.2-1. Adjust VA for 6 V dc.

Figure 5.2-1

3. Press and hold the switch while you measure the dc voltage across the secondary
windings. Use a multimeter. Is there any dc voltage across the secondary?
_____________

VS = ________ V

4. Set up the oscilloscope for operation. Set the trigger mode AUTO, the channel 1
attenuator to display 2V/div with an X10 probe, the time base to 10 ms/div, and the
channel 1 vertical coupling to dc. Connect the channel 1 x 10 probe across the secondary
of transformer T1.

5. While observing the oscilloscope display, press and release the switch several times.
Did pulsing the dc supply on the primary cause a voltage pulse to be induced across the
secondary? ______________________________________________________________.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
 NOTE: While activating the switch several times, change the trigger mode to NORM,
and adjust the level control for a stable wave form.

6. Set the trigger mode on the oscilloscope to AUTO and the channel 1 vertical coupling
to AC.

7. Connect the circuit shown in Figure 5.2-2. Adjust the V GEN for 8 Vpk-pk, 1 kHz sine
wave. With the oscilloscope, observe the voltage across the secondary. There is no direct
connection between the primary and secondary windings, so move your oscilloscope
ground clip to the secondary side of the transformer. Does the ac voltage on the primary
induce a voltage in the secondary?
____________________________________________

Figure 5.2-2

8. Turn off the power sources, and remove all circuit board connections.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5B.7 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:
Group Members: Signature:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

5B.7.1 Calculations

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5B.7.2 Conclusion/s: Write at least three (3) conclusions.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5B.7.3 Rating (See Attached Rubric)

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS