Vincoy, John Lloyd A.

Vincoy EE330- ‘AC/DC MACHINERIES’

I. What is a Transformer?

A transformer is defined as a passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to
another through the process of electromagnetic induction. It is most commonly used to increase (‘step
up’) or decrease (‘step down’) voltage levels between circuits.

2. Sketch, Label and Describe the Basic Construction of a Transformer.

3. Enumerate and Give the Functions of each Elements of Transformers.

Transformers are used to transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another through electromagnetic
induction. They are used either to step up or step down voltage levels. A transformer is made of several
different parts that function in their own different ways to enhance the overall functioning of a transformer.
These include core, windings, insulating materials, transformer oil, tap changer, conservator, breather, cooling
tubes, Buchholz Relay and explosion vent. The core, windings, insulating materials and transformer oil are
seen in almost every transformer, while the other components are seen in transformers that are more than 50
KVA.

Core
The core of the transformer is used to support the windings. It is made of soft iron to reduce eddy current loss
and Hysteresis loss, and provides low reluctance path to the flow of magnetic flux. The diameter of a
transformer’s core is directly proportional to copper loss and inversely proportional to iron loss.

Windings
Windings consist of several copper coil turns bundled together, each bundle connected to form a complete
winding. Windings can be based either on the input-output supply or on the voltage range. Windings that are
based on supply are classified into primary and secondary windings, meaning the windings to which the input
and output voltage is applied respectively. On the other hand, windings based on voltage range can be
classified into high voltage and low voltage windings.

Insulating materials
Insulating materials like papers and card boards are used to isolate primary and secondary windings from each
other as well as the transformer core. These windings are made of copper due to high conductivity and
ductility. High conductivity minimizes the amount of copper needed and minimizes losses. Moreover, high
ductility results in easy bending of conductors into tight winding around the core that also minimizes the
amount of copper and volume of winding.

Transformer oil
The transformer oil insulates as well as cools the core and coil assembly. The core and windings of the
transformer must be completely immersed in the oil that normally contains hydrocarbon mineral oils.

Conservator
The conservator is an airtight metallic cylindrical drum fitted above the transformer that conserves the
transformer oil. It is vented at the top and is filled only half with the oil to allow expansion and contraction
during temperature variations. However the main tank of the transformer with which the conservator is
connected is completely filled with the oil through a pipeline.

Breather
The breather is a cylindrical container filled with silica gel, which is used to keep the air that enters the tank
moisture-free. This is because the insulating oil when reacts with moisture can affect the insulation and cause
internal faults, which is why it is a must to keep the air free from moisture. In the breather, when the air passes
through the silica gel, the moisture contents are absorbed by the silica crystals.

Tap changer
To balance voltage variations within the transformer, tap changers are used. There are two types of tap
changers – on load and off load. In on load tap changers, tapping can be changed without isolating transformer
from the supply, while in off load, the transformer needs to be disconnected from the supply.

Cooling tubes
As the name suggests, cooling tubes are used to cool the transformer oil. The circulation of oil within the
transformer may be natural or forced. In the case of natural circulation, when the oil temperature rises, the hot
oil naturally moves to the top and cold oil moves down, while in case of forced circulation, an eternal pump is
used.

Buchholz Relay
Placed over the connecting pipe that runs from the main tank to conservator tank the Buchholz Relay senses
the faults occurring within the transformer. It operates by the gases emitted due to decomposition of
transformer oil during internal faults. Thus, this device is used to sense and in turn protect the transformer from
internal faults.

Explosion vent
The boiling hot oil from the transformer is expelled during internal faults through the explosion vent to avoid
explosion of the transformer. This is generally placed above the level of the conservatory tank.
4. Illustrate each Type of Transformers.

Transformers can be classified on different basis, like types of construction, types of cooling etc.

(A) On the basis of construction, transformers can be classified into two types as; (i) Core type
transformer and (ii) Shell type transformer, which are described below.

(I) Core Type Transformer

In core type transformer, windings are cylindrical former wound, mounted on  the core limbs as shown in
the figure above. The cylindrical coils have different layers and each layer is insulated from each other.
Materials like paper, cloth or mica can be used for insulation. Low voltage windings are placed nearer to
the core, as they are easier to insulate.

(Ii) Shell Type Transformer

The coils are former wound and mounted in layers stacked with insulation between them. A shell type
transformer may have simple rectangular form (as shown in above fig), or  it may have a distributed form.
(B) On the basis of their purpose
1. Step up transformer: Voltage increases (with subsequent decrease in current) at
secondary.

2. Step down transformer: Voltage decreases (with subsequent increase in current) at

secondary.
(C) On the basis of type of supply
1. Single phase transformer

2. Three phase transformer

(D) On the basis of their use
1. Power transformer: Used in transmission network, high rating

2. Distribution transformer: Used in distribution network, comparatively lower rating than that
of power transformers.
3. Instrument transformer: Used in relay and protection purpose in different instruments in
industries
o  Current transformer (CT)

o Potential transformer (PT)

(E) On the basis of cooling employed
1. Oil-filled self cooled type

2. Oil-filled water cooled type

3. Air blast type (air cooled)

5. Principles of Transformer Operation.

The working principle of a transformer is very simple. Mutual induction between two or more windings
(also known as coils) allows for electrical energy to be transferred between circuits. This principle is
explained in further detail below.

Transformer Theory
Say you have one winding (also known as a coil) which is supplied by an alternating electrical source.
The alternating current through the winding produces a continually changing and alternating flux that
surrounds the winding.
If another winding is brought close to this winding, some portion of this alternating flux will link with the
second winding. As this flux is continually changing in its amplitude and direction, there must be a
changing flux linkage in the second winding or coil.
According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, there will be an EMF induced in the second
winding. If the circuit of this secondary winding is closed, then a current will flow through it. This is the
basic working principle of a transformer.
Let us use electrical symbols to help visualize this. The winding which receives electrical power from the
source is known as the ‘primary winding’. In the diagram below this is the ‘First Coil’.

The winding which gives the desired output voltage due to mutual induction is commonly known as the
‘secondary winding’. This is the ‘Second Coil’ in the diagram above.
A transformer that increases voltage between the primary to secondary windings is defined as a step-up
transformer. Conversely, a transformer that decreases voltage between the primary to secondary windings
is defined as a step-down transformer.
Whether the transformer increases or decreases the voltage level depends on the relative number of turns
between the primary and secondary side of the transformer.
If there are more turns on the primary coil than the secondary coil than the voltage will decrease (step
down).
If there are less turns on the primary coil than the secondary coil than the voltage will increase (step up).
While the diagram of the transformer above is theoretically possible in an ideal transformer – it is not
very practical. This is because in the open air only a very tiny portion of the flux produced from the first
coil will link with the second coil. So the current that flows through the closed circuit connected to the
secondary winding will be extremely small (and difficult to measure).
The rate of change of flux linkage depends upon the amount of linked flux with the second winding. So
ideally almost all of the flux of primary winding should link to the secondary winding. This is effectively
and efficiently done by using a core type transformer. This provides a low reluctance path common to
both of the windings.

The purpose of the transformer core is to provide a low reluctance path, through which the maximum
amount of flux produced by the primary winding is passed through and linked with the secondary
winding.
The current that initially passes through the transformer when it is switched on is known as the
transformer inrush current.