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Electrical Power Concepts

Types of Power Losses in Transformers? How can we

reduce Eddy current and Hysteresis Losses?
October 16, 2020 by Come4Concepts

The output power in practical real transformer is slightly less than input power since there are
some power losses occurs within the transformer. Different types of transformer losses are as
follows:

Core or Iron losses

 Copper loss

 Stray Loss

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Dielectric loss

Core losses occur in the core of transformer while copper loss occur in the primary and
secondary windings of transformer. Core losses are constant in transformer while copper loss
varies with the square of load current. The reason for being fixed core losses is due to the fact
that these losses depend on the magnetic properties of the material used in the construction
of core. Now, let discuss the detail of transformer losses.

COPPER LOSS:

In transformer, primary and secondary windings have some resistance. When current flows
through the copper coils (Primary and secondary windings) of transformer, windings resistance
consume some of the power and gets heated up. The resistive heating losses occur in the
primary and secondary windings of transformer is known as copper loss. These are called
copper loss because the coil generally used is copper. Since copper losses are resistive and
proportional to the square of load current, they are also known as load losses or losses.
The copper loss formula can be expressed as:

 Pc=

Assuming R to be remains constant. Hence copper loss varies as the square of load current.
This means that if load current (load) is doubled, copper loss will become four times.

How can we reduce Copper Losses in Transformer?

Since Copper loss Pc is the power loss equal to the product of resistance R in ohm and square
of the current (I) in amps Pc= .

If we reduce any of the term on the R.H.S, we can reduce copper loss in transformers.

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Copper wire windings are made thick in order to reduce resistance.(Since resistance is inversely
proportional to the area of cross section of wire).

Voltage is stepped up so that current can be reduced. In this way, the product of is 
reduced. This technique is generally used in large distance transmission.

IRON OR CORE LOSSES:

Hysteresis loss and eddy current loss occur within the core of transformer is known as Iron or
Core losses of transformer.

Eddy Current Loss:

When we applied AC voltage at the primary (winding) side of transformer, current flows in the
primary winding produces alternating magnetic flux. This alternating magnetic flux also links
with the core of transformer. Since core of the transformer is conducting material, emf is
induced in it according to the faraday law of electromagnetic induction. The induced emf
causes the flow of current in the core of transformer. Circulating currents produced in the
magnetic core does not contribute in the output of transformer and dissipated in the form of
heat. This type of loss is known as transformer eddy current loss.

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These losses occurs when the conductor (magnetic core of transformer) experiences changing
magnetic field. If the mass of the core is highly conductive, eddy current losses are quite high
since the resistance of material is very low in that case.

Here the question arises:

How can we reduce Eddy Current Loss in Transformer?

Eddy currents produced in the core of transformer are not desirable and need to be reduced. In
order to reduce eddy current losses, we generally increase the resistance of path where
produce eddy currents circulates. The resistance(R) of the wire is given as:

Where

ρ= Resistivity of material.

L = length of wire.

A= Cross sectional area of the wire.

From the above equation, we can say that reducing the cross-sectional area(A) increases the
resistance(R) of material. Now, reducing of cross sectional area is done by using core of thin
laminated sheets which are insulated from each other by thin layer of varnish. Laminations are
made to be thin and done in such a manner so that the cross-sectional area for the flow of
current is reduced. Once the cross sectional area is reduced, resistance of the material
increases.

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Eddy currents circulates within these thin lamination sheets. Large resistance between the
lamination sheet limits the currents within the sheets. In this way, eddy current losses are
minimized to a great extent. Moreover, the sum of all the individual eddy currents flowing in
the thin laminations is very less as compared to the solid mass of the core (which has a much
higher cross-sectional area.)

One more thing to be noted that the use of laminations is not required if the core of
transformer is made up of highly resistive material like ferrite. Since the resistivity of the core
material is itself quite high which will reduce transformer eddy current loss.

Stray loss:

Stray losses occur due to the presence of leakage flux in the transformers. Leakage flux links
with the metallic structural parts (i.e. tank ) and produce eddy current losses in them. Since they
take place all over the transformer instead of one definite place, hence the name “stray” is
given to them.

Dielectric loss:

Dielectric losses occur in the insulating material (in the oil of transformer) or in the solid
insulations. If the oil gets deteriorated or solid insulation is damage, efficiency of the
transformer become affected.

Hysteresis loss:

Magnetic core of the transformer is made up of ferromagnetic materials. These materials are
very sensitive to be magnetized (i.e when magnetic field passes through it, they behave like a
magnet).

Since every magnetic material has some domains in their structure. In normal condition, these
magnetic domains(particles) move in arbitrary directions. When the core is subjected to
alternating magnetic field, randomly moving domains began to align themselves in parallel
with the magnetic lines of forces(flux). When applied magnetic source is removed, maximum
number of domains goes back to their arbitrary state, but some of them remains in their new
position. Due to these magnetic domains, the substance is still slightly magnetized. In order to
neutralize this magnetism, we have to apply some amount of magnetomotive force(H=NI) in
the opposite direction known as coercive force (see the below fig). That extra force applied is
nothing but hysteresis loss.

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Since the applied magnetic field in the transformer is alternating, there are reversal of cycles.
Hence the domains present in the core material will change their directions after every half
cycle. Due to the frequent changings of domain positions, there will be extra work done after
every cycle. For this reason, there will be continuous consumption of electrical energy which is
known as hysteresis power loss. The below diagram is the B-H hysteresis loop curve . 

How can we reduce hysteresis loss in transformer?

Although we cannot prevent hysteresis losses in transformer but we can minimize these power
losses to a great extent. Hysteresis losses occur in the core of transformer is directly

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proportional to the area of the hysteresis loop of the material. From the above figure, we can
analyze that area cover under the BH loop is the power dissipated in the form of heat which is
known as hysteresis loss.

Hysteresis loss can be reduced if this loop becomes narrow. Hence these losses are reduced by
using material having less hysteresis loop area. Silicon and steel used for the manufacturing of
transformer core have very less hysteresis loop area. In this way, we can minimize these losses
by using a material having less hysteresis loop area.

 Conclusion:

From the above discussion, we conclude that both hysteresis and eddy current losses depend
on the magnetic properties of the core material used in the construction. Copper losses are
current dependent and varies as the square of load current. Moreover, the percentage of
dielectric and stray losses are very low as compared to the iron and copper losses so they can
be neglected. Hence, we can write transformer losses in equation form as:

Input Power= Output Power – transformer losses.

Primary Power = Secondary Power- hysteresis loss- eddy current loss-copper loss.

That’s all. Hope this will helps you.

Related Posts :

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How Transformer Works ?

Types of Insulators Used in Transmission Lines

What is Power Factor ?

Machine, Transformer
Core losses, Hysteresis loss, Power losses in Transformers, transformer eddy current loss,
transformer losses
Synchronization of Alternators- Conditions & Advantages
B-H Curve Hysteresis Loop in Transformers

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