Questions

Name :

Class :
Question 1

If an isolation transformer (a transformer with the same number of “turns” in the primary and secondary
coils) is connected between an AC source and an AC load, we will measure the same voltage and the same
current at both source and load terminals:
3.5 A 3.5 A

A A

V V

120 VAC 120 VAC

If we calculate power output by the source and power dissipated by the load, the value is the same: 420
Watts (P = I V ).

Now suppose we analyze a circuit containing a step-up transformer (one with more turns of wire in the
secondary coil than in the primary coil). With a step-up transformer, the load voltage will be greater than
the supply voltage. In this example, I show a step-up transformer with a 1:2 step ratio:
10 A 1:2

A A

V V
120 VAC 240 VAC

Assuming the load resistance is completely different from the first (isolation transformer) circuit, what
can you deduce about the load current and the power (both source and load) in this circuit? Is the load
current less than the source current? Is the load current greater than the source current? Is the load power
greater than the source power? Explain your answers.

1
Question 3

Calculate all listed values for this transformer circuit:

Rload
48 VAC 13000 turns 4000 turns
150 Ω

• Vprimary =
• Vsecondary =
• Iprimary =
• Isecondary =
Explain whether this is a step-up, step-down, or isolation transformer, and also explain what distinguishes
the “primary” winding from the “secondary” winding in any transformer.
file i01256

Question 4
Calculate the load current and load voltage in this transformer circuit:

2390 turns 710 turns

Load
28 VAC 350 Ω

Iload = Vload =

file i01254

Question 5
Calculate the source current and load current in this transformer circuit:

1400 turns 3610 turns

Load
110 VAC 3.9 kΩ

Isource = Iload =

file i01255

2
Question 6
Calculate all voltages and all currents in this circuit, given the component values and the number of
turns in each of the transformer’s windings:
4500 turns
300 turns

2k2 50 VAC

Question 7
Calculate all voltages and all currents in this transformer circuit, assuming the 170 ohm resistor carries
a current of 5.8 mA:

220 Ω
3800 turns 550 turns
135 Ω

170 Ω

• Vprimary =
• Vsecondary =
• Iprimary =
• Isecondary =

3
Question 8
Calculate all voltages and all currents in this transformer circuit, assuming the 5 ohm resistor carries a
current of 10 amps:

1450 turns 900 turns 5Ω 4Ω

• Vprimary =
• Vsecondary =
• Iprimary =
• Isecondary =

Question 9
Calculate all voltages and all currents in this transformer circuit, assuming the 3.3 kΩ resistor drops 40
volts:

900 2200
400 Ω turns turns
500 Ω

3.3 kΩ

• Vsource =
• Vprimary =
• Vsecondary =
• Isource =
• Iprimary =
• Isecondary =
file i01271

4
Question 10
Calculate all voltages and all currents in this transformer circuit, assuming the 3.3 kΩ resistor drops 13
volts:

45 Ω
700
turns
2200
turns
500 Ω

3.3 kΩ

• Vsource =
• Vprimary =
• Vsecondary =
• Isource =
• Iprimary =
• Isecondary =
file i01273

5
Question 11
Suppose a power system were delivering AC power to a resistive load drawing 150 amps:

Rwire = 0.1 Ω
I = 150 A

Load source
240 VAC

Rwire = 0.1 Ω

Calculate the load voltage, load power dissipation, the power dissipated by the wire resistance (Rwire ),
and the overall power efficiency (η = PPsource
load
).
Eload =
Pload =
Plines =
η=

Now, suppose we were to use a pair of perfectly efficient 10:1 transformers to step the voltage up for
transmission, and back down again for use at the load. Re-calculate the load voltage, load power, wasted
power, and overall efficiency of this system:

Rwire = 0.1 Ω
I = 150 A
AC voltage
Load 2400 VAC source
240 VAC

Rwire = 0.1 Ω

Eload =
Pload =
Plines =
η=