PIA Training Centre Module 3 – ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS

Category – B Basic Sub Module 3.15 – Transformers

MODULE 3
Sub Module 3.15

TRANSFORMERS

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Contents TURNS RATIO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 19

AUTOTRANSFORMERS ------------------------------------------------------------------- 20
INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
TYPES OF AUTOTRANSFORMER: ------------------------------------------------------- 20
VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER PRINCIPLE--------------------------------------------------- 2
OPERATION OF TRANSFORMER --------------------------------------------------------- 4
THE CURRENT TRANSFORMER ----------------------------------------------------------- 5
CONSTRUCTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
DESIGN FEATURES -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
OPERATION OF CURRENT TRANSFORMER -------------------------------------------- 6
LOSSES IN TRANSFORMERS -------------------------------------------------------------- 8
IRON LOSSES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
FLUX LEAKAGE LOSSES -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
SKIN EFFECT---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
TRANSFORMER ON “NO LOAD” CONDITION ----------------------------------------- 9
TRANSFORMER “ON-LOAD” CONDITION---------------------------------------------10
POWER IN TRANSFORMERS -------------------------------------------------------------12
TOTAL SECONDARY POWER EQUALS PRIMARY POWER ---------------------------12
TRANSFORMER EFFICIENCY -------------------------------------------------------------13
TRANSFORMER REGULATION -----------------------------------------------------------14
TRANSFORMER POLARITY MARKING -------------------------------------------------14
THREE PHASE TRANSFORMERS --------------------------------------------------------16
CALCULATION OF LINE AND PHASE VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS----------------17
CACLULATION OF POWER IN A THREE PHASE SYSTEM ---------------------------17

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Category – B Basic Sub Module 3.15 – Transformers

INTRODUCTION

A transformer changes electrical energy of a given voltage into

electrical energy at a different voltage level. It consists of two
coils that are not electrically connected but are arranged so that
the magnetic field surrounding one coil cuts through the other
coil. When an alternating voltage is applied to (across) one coil,
the varying magnetic field set up around that coil creates an
alternating voltage in the other coil by mutual induction. A
transformer can also be used with pulsating DC, but a pure DC
voltage cannot be used, since only a varying voltage creates the
varying magnetic field that is the basis of the mutual induction
process. A transformer consists of three basic parts. [Fig 3.15.1]
These are an iron core which provides a circuit of low
reluctance for magnetic lines of force, a primary winding which
receives the electrical energy from the source of applied
voltage, and a secondary winding which receives electrical
energy by induction from the primary coil. The primary and
secondary of this closed core transformer are wound on a FIG 3.15.1 AN IRON CORE TRANSFORMER
closed core to obtain maximum inductive effect between the two Typical transformers are shown in Fig 3.15.2 and 3.15.3. It
coils. should be noted that a steady dc voltage cannot be stepped up
or down by a transformer, because a steady current cannot
produce induced voltage.

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VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER PRINCIPLE

In voltage transformers, the primary coils are connected in

parallel across the supply voltage as shown in Figure 3.15.2.
There are many types of transformers. Most of these are either
step-up or step-down transformers. The factor that determines
whether a transformer is a step-up or step-down type is the
“turns” ratio. The turns ratio is the ratio of the number of turns in
the primary winding to the number of turns in the secondary
winding. For example, the turns ratio of the step-down
transformer shown in Figure 3.15.3 is 5 to 1, since there are five
times as many turns in the primary as in the secondary. The
step-up transformer shown in Figure 3.15.4 has a 1 to 4 turns
ratio. The ratio of the transformer input voltage to the output
voltage is the same as the turns ratio if the transformer is 100
percent efficient. Thus, when 10 volts are applied to the primary
of the transformer shown in Figure 3.15.3, two volts are induced FIG 3.15.2 TRANSFORMER
in the secondary. If 10 volts are applied to the primary of the
transformer in Figure 3.15.4, the output voltage across the
terminals of the secondary will be 40 volts. No transformer can
be constructed that is 100 percent efficient, although iron core
transformers can approach this figure. This is because all the
magnetic lines of force set up in the primary do not cut across
the turns of the secondary coil. A certain amount of the
magnetic flux, called leakage flux, leaks out of the magnetic
circuit. The measure of how well the flux of the primary is
coupled into the secondary is called the “coefficient of coupling.”
For example, if it is assumed that the primary of a transformer
develops 10,000 lines of force and only 9,000 cut across the
secondary, the coefficient of coupling would be 0.9 or, stated
another way, the transformer would be 90 percent efficient.

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Figure 3.15.3 STEPDOWN TRANSFORMER

Figure 3.15.4 STEPUP TRANSFORMER

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OPERATION OF TRANSFORMER and 4 amps (40 watts of power) are used in the primary to

When an AC voltage is connected across the primary terminals

of a transformer, an alternating current will flow and self induce
a voltage in the primary coil that is opposite and nearly equal to
the applied voltage. The difference between these two voltages
allows just enough current in the primary to magnetize its core
figure 3.15.5. This is called the exciting, or magnetizing, current.
The magnetic field caused by this exciting current cut across the
secondary coil and induces a voltage by mutual induction. If a
load is connected across the secondary coil, the load current
flowing through the secondary coil will produce a magnetic field
which will tend to neutralize the magnetic field produced by the
primary current. This will reduce the self-induced (opposition)
voltage in the primary coil and allow more primary current to
flow. The primary current increases as the secondary load
current increases, and decreases as the secondary load current
decreases. When the secondary load is removed, the primary Figure 3.15.5 Iron core Transformer
current is again reduced to the small exciting current sufficient
produce a magnetic field, there will be 40 watts of power
only to magnetize the iron core of the transformer. If a
developed in the secondary (disregarding any loss). If the
transformer steps up the voltage, it will step down the current by
transformer has a step-up ratio of 4 to 1, the voltage across the
the same ratio. This should be evident if the power formula is
secondary will be 40 volts and the current will be 1 amp. The
considered, for the power (I × E) of the output (secondary)
voltage is 4 times greater and the current is one-fourth the
electrical energy is the same as the input (primary) power minus
primary circuit value, but the power (I × E value) is the same.
that energy loss in the transforming process. Thus, if 10 volts
When the turns ratio and the input voltage are known, the
output voltage can be determined as follows:

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Answer:

The turns ratio is 5/100 or 1:20. Secondary voltage is stepped

Where E is the voltage of the primary, E2 is the output voltage down by a factor of 20/1, making VS equal to 20/120 or 6V.
of the secondary, and N1 and N2 are the number of turns of the
primary and secondary, respectively. Transposing the equation THE CURRENT TRANSFORMER
to find the output voltage gives:

Current transformers are used in AC power supply systems to

sense generator line current and to provide a current,
proportional to the line current, for circuit protection and control
devices. The current transformer is a ring-type transformer
Example:
using a current carrying power lead as a primary (either the
power lead or the ground lead of the AC generator). The current
A power transformer has 100 turns for LP and 600 turns for LS.
in the primary induces a current in the secondary by magnetic
What is the turns ratio? How much is the secondary voltage VS
induction.
with a primary voltage VP of 120V?
The current transformer is designed to enable circuit currents to
Answer:
be measured without breaking into the circuit, as is necessary
with an ammeter or its shunt. The output of the current
The turns ratio is 600/100, or 6:1. Therefore, VP is stepped up by
transformer may be applied directly to an instrument or be used
the factor 6, making VS equal to 6 x 120, or 720V.
in control circuits. It works on the principle of mutual inductance
but its construction and mode of operation are vastly different to
Example:
that of the power transformer.
A power transformer has 100 turns for LP and 5 turns for LS.
What is the turns ratio? How much is the secondary voltage VS
with a primary voltage of 120V?

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CONSTRUCTION
Some current transformers have primary windings consisting of
a relatively few turns, capable of carrying the load current that is
to be measured. Others, known as BAR-PRIMARY current
transformers, use the load’s supply cable as the primary
winding. It is this latter type that is most widely used on aircraft
and so will be concentrated on in these notes.
The former on which the secondary winding is wound is a ring
consisting of a continuous strip of metal wound on itself in a
spiral. This gives the effect of laminations but it is not, in fact,
actually laminated in the true sense. The secondary winding is
wound on the ring former with its two ends brought out for
connection to its load (meter or control circuit)
.
FIG 3.13.6 CURRENT TRANSFORMER
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DESIGN FEATURES
When a power transformer is designed, the designers only
needs to know the supply on which it will operate, the output
voltage and the maximum current that it will supply They are not
interested in the actual loads that may be placed on it.
Things are different with the current transformer. A current
transformer is designed to operate only on one particular load.
If a different load is attached to its secondary, then it will not
give accurate results. The designer needs to know the load and
the supply source and then design the current transformer to
link the two together.
Although voltages are obviously involved, it is correct to talk
about the ‘transformation of current’. A 400:1 current
transformer will have one ampere passing through its secondary
winding and (designed) load when 400 amperes are passing
through the primary cable. (The bar primary counts as a single
turn).
OPERATION OF CURRENT TRANSFORMER
When the load current passes through the supply cable, it
causes a magnetic field along its whole length which is
constantly building-up, collapsing, reversing, building-up, etc. It
is this flux which induces EMF’s into the coils of the secondary
winding. As the ring former and secondary coil only take up a
very small length of the primary cable (usually less than 1 inch),
it is obvious that, whatever happens at the secondary, the effect
on the primary will be virtually nil. The primary, which depends
on the load, may therefore be regarded as a constant
current/constant flux supply.
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The voltage in the secondary winding causes a current to flow
through its load and through the secondary winding. This
produces a secondary flux which opposes the primary flux and
so keeps the core flux to a very low level. This is a most
important point to remember because, if the primary is operated
with the secondary winding disconnected from its load there will
be no secondary emf to oppose the primary emf
FIG 3.13.7
This will result in a high core flux, increased eddy currents in
the core, increased voltages in the individual secondary coils
and overheating. The sum result is that the current transformer
will burn out. (Even if the mistake is realized and the system is
switched off before it actually burns out, the core may be pre-
magnetized, or biased and cannot thereafter be relied upon to
be accurate). If it is necessary to operate the primary when the
secondary load is disconnected, short together the secondary
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terminals. This will cause a secondary current and flux and so
keep the core flux to a minimum.
If the current transformer is supplying a load such as an
ammeter, then the actual connections may not matter and the
ammeter will indicate whichever way it is connected-up. This is
not true, however, when the current transformer is feeding
signals into control circuits, where it is essential to get the
phasing right. If the secondary connections are crossed, the
output will be turned through 180 causing untold havoc in the
control circuit. It is absolutely essential to get the secondary
connections correct. In the same way, if a current transformer
is being fitted over its primary cable, it is absolutely essential to
physically position it the right way round.
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LOSSES IN TRANSFORMERS
Transformer losses are very small, 98% efficiency being easily
attained, however some losses occur in all transformers.
Generally, the losses can be divided into three groups; copper
losses, iron or core losses and flux leakage losses.
IRON LOSSES
Iron or core losses are divided into two groups; hysteresis and
eddy current.
 Hysteresis losses arise through continually magnetising
and demagnetising the transformer core, the energy required
for this is dissipated as heat. Hysteresis loss is dependent on
the operating frequency and type of material used for making
the core. The higher the frequency, or the greater the flux
density within the core, the greater the loss. Transformers
are therefore designed to operate on a specific frequency
and the material used to make the core has a narrow
hysteresis loop. Typical materials used are stalloy,
permalloy or mumetal.
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 Eddy current loss is due to the formation of eddy
currents within the transformer core, the energy again
being dissipated as heat. Any metal located within the
field of a transformer has emf's induced in it, these emf's
produce small circulating currents called eddy currents.
The core of the transformer is metallic and therefore has
eddy currents flowing in it. Providing the currents are
small, loss is minimal, but if they are able to join
together, large circulating currents are produced. These
large circulating currents result in a power loss, the loss
being proportional to the square of the supply frequency.
Eddy currents are kept to a minimum by laminating the
transformer core, thus preventing the small eddy currents
joining into large circulating currents.
COPPER LOSSES
Copper losses are the I2R losses in the windings. Part of the
applied voltage is used to overcome the resistance of the
primary winding, this reduces the flux available for inducing an
emf in the secondary winding. Also, when the secondary circuit
is connected, the secondary voltage falls due to the resistance
of the secondary winding.
Copper losses are dependent on the primary and secondary
currents and the resistance of the windings and are
independent of the supply frequency.
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FLUX LEAKAGE LOSSES TRANSFORMER ON “NO LOAD” CONDITION

Flux leakage losses as the name implies, result from the fact
A transformer is said to be on "no-load" when its secondary side
that not all of the primary flux links with all of the secondary
winding is open circuited, in other words, the transformer
coils. The reduction in flux linkages results in a reduced
loading is zero. When an AC sinusoidal supply is connected to
secondary voltage. With modern production methods this loss
the primary winding of a transformer, a small current, IOPENwill
is negligible.
flow through the primary coil winding due to the presence of the
SKIN EFFECT primary supply voltage. With the secondary circuit open, nothing
connected, a back EMF along with the primary winding
Another loss that occurs at high frequencies is caused by skin resistance acts to limit the flow of this primary current.
effect. Any current carrying conductor has a field around it. In a Obviously, this no-load primary current ( Io ) must be sufficient
conductor carrying a.c. current, the field expands from and to maintain enough magnetic field to produce the required back
collapses to the centre of the conductor, and also changes emf. Consider the circuit below.
direction every half cycle. This alternating flux induces a back-
emf in the conductor. As the field is denser at the centre of the
conductor, the back emf at the centre of the conductor is larger
than the back-emf at the surface of the conductor.
Consequently, the current tends to flow in the surface region of
the conductor rather than the centre, almost as thought the
cable were a hollow tube. The higher the frequency the greater
the skin effect.

Although skin effect cannot be eliminated, the associated

problems can be reduced by using Litz wire (multiple stranded
cable – the current being divided between the strands), or by
reducing the resistance of the surface region of the cable, this
can be achieved by silver plating the conductor. FIG 3.15.8 Transformer on No Load condition

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The ammeter above will indicate a small current flowing through
the primary winding even though the secondary circuit is open
circuited. This no-load primary current is made up of the
following two components:
1. An in-phase current, IE which supplies the core losses (eddy
current and hysteresis).
2. A current, IM at 90o to the voltage which sets up the magnetic
flux.
FIG 3.15.9
Note that this no-load primary current, Io is very small compared
to the transformers normal full-load current. Also due to the iron
losses present in the core as well as a small amount of copper
losses in the primary winding, Io does not lag behind the supply
voltage, Vp by exactly 90o, ( cosφ = 0 ), there will be some small
phase angle difference.
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FIG 3.15.10 PHASOR DIAGRAM WHEN TRANSFORMER IS
ON “NO LOAD” CONDITION
TRANSFORMER “ON-LOAD” CONDITION
When an electrical load is connected to the secondary winding
of a transformer and the transformer loading is therefore greater
than zero, current flows in the secondary winding due to the
induced secondary voltage, set up by the magnetic flux created
in the core from the primary current. This secondary
current, IS which is determined by the characteristics of the load,
creates a secondary magnetic field, ΦS in the transformer core
which flows in the exact opposite direction to the main primary
field, ΦP. These two magnetic fields oppose each other resulting
in a combined magnetic field of less magnetic strength than the
single field produced by the primary winding alone when the
secondary circuit was open circuited.
This combined magnetic field reduces the back EMF of the
primary winding causing the primary current, IP to increase
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slightly. The primary current continues to increase until the

cores magnetic field is back at its original strength, and for a
transformer to operate correctly, a balanced condition must
always exist between the primary and secondary magnetic
fields. This results in the power to be balanced and the same on
both the primary and secondary sides. Consider the circuit
below.

FIG 3.15.11 TRANSFORMER ON LOAD

CONDITION

We know that the turns ratio of a transformer states that the

total induced voltage in each winding is proportional to the
number of turns in that winding and also that the power output
and power input of a transformer is equal to the volts times FIG 3.15.12 PHASOR DIAGRAM WHEN TRANSFORMER IS
amperes, ( V x I ). Therefore: LOADED

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POWER IN TRANSFORMERS The secondary winding L1 has a voltage step-up of 6:1,

providing 720V. The 7200 load resistance R1, across the
Since a transformer does not add any electricity to the circuit 720V to produce 0.1 A for I 1 in this secondary circuit. The
but merely changes or transforms the electricity that already
power here is 720V x 0.1A, therefore, which equals 72W.
exists in the circuit from one voltage to another, the total amount
of energy in a circuit must remain the same. If it were possible
The other secondary winding L2 provides voltage step-down,
to construct a perfect transformer, there would be no loss of
with the ratio 1:20, resulting in 6V for R2. The 0.6- load
power in it; power would be transferred undiminished from one
voltage to another. Since power is the product of volts times resistance in this circuit allows 10A for I 2 . Therefore, the power
amperes, an increase in voltage by the transformer must result here is 6V x 10A, or 60W. Since the windings have separate
in a decrease in current and vice versa. There cannot be more connections, each can have its individual values of voltage and
power in the secondary side of a transformer than there is in the current.
primary. The product of amperes times volts remains the same.
The transmission of power over long distances is accomplished
by using transformers. At the power source, the voltage is
stepped up in order to reduce the line loss during transmission.
At the point of utilization, the voltage is stepped down, since it is
not feasible to use high voltage to operate motors, lights, or
other electrical appliances

TOTAL SECONDARY POWER EQUALS PRIMARY POWER

Figure 3.15.10 illustrates a power transformer with two

secondary windings L1 and L2. There can be one, two or more
secondary windings with unity coupling to the primary as long
as all the windings are on the same iron core. Each secondary
winding has induced voltage in proportion to its turns ratio with
the primary winding, which is connected across the 120-V
source.

FIGURE 3.15.13
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All the power used in the secondary circuit is supplied by the
primary, however. In this example, the total secondary power is
132W, equal to 72W for R1 and 60W for R2. The power
supplied by the 120-V source in the primary then is
72+60=132W.
The primary current I 2 equals the primary power PP divide by
the primary voltage VP. This is 132W divided by 120V, which
equals 1.1A for the primary current. The same value can be
calculated as the sum of 0.6A of primary current providing
power for L1 plus 0.5A of primary current for L2, resulting in the
total of 1.1A as the value of I P .
This example shows how to analyze a loaded power
transformer. The main idea is that the primary current depends
on the secondary load. The calculations can be summarized as
follows:
Calculate Vs from the turns ratio and VP
Use VS to calculate I S  V S / R L
Use I S to calculate PS  V S   S
Use PS to find PP  PS
Finally,  P can be calculated as PP / V P
With more than one secondary, calculate each  S and PS .
Then add for the total secondary power, which equals the
primary power.
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TRANSFORMER EFFICIENCY
Efficiency is defined as the ratio of power out to power in.
Stated as a formula,
Pout
Efficiency  100%
Pin
For example, when the power out in watts equals one-half the
power in, the efficiency is one-half, which equals 0.5 x 100
percent, or 50 percent. In a transformer, power out is
secondary power, while power in is primary power.
Assuming zero losses in the transformer, power out equals
power in and the efficiency is 100 percent. Power transformers
actually, however, have an efficiency slightly less than 100
percent. The efficiency is approximately 80 to 90 percent for
power transformers in receivers, with a power rating of 50 to
300W. Transformers for higher power are more efficient
because they require heavier wire, which has less resistance.
In a transformer that is less than 100 percent efficient, the
primary supplies more than the secondary power. The primary
power missing from the output is dissipated as heat in the
transformer.
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TRANSFORMER REGULATION
As the load on the secondary is increased, the output voltage
falls. The amount by which the voltage falls is expressed as a
percentage of the no-load voltage and is termed the %
regulation.

no load voltage - full load voltage

% regulation =  100%
no load voltage

Regulation of power transformers is generally less than 4%.

TRANSFORMER POLARITY MARKING
The basic symbol used for a transformer with one primary
winding and one secondary winding is as shown below. The
two dots are used to indicate the phase relationship between
the two windings, the terminals marked with a dot are always in
phase with each other. In the diagram shown, when the top of
the left winding is positive, the bottom of the right winding is
positive and vice versa.
Figure 3.15.14
Whilst it should be understood that there is a phase shift of 180º
between the primary and secondary voltages, the polarity of the
secondary winding (at any instant in time) with respect to the
primary, depends purely on the way the transformer is wound.
To indicate the type of core material used, additional markings
are added to the basic transformer symbol. The core material is
determined primarily by the frequency of the supply on which
the transformer is to be operated.

Three lines drawn between the primary and secondary windings

on the transformer below indicate that it has a laminated iron
core. As such, the transformer would be used at low
frequencies and may be found on a.c. power supply systems.
The two coils drawn on the right show that this transformer has
two secondary windings, and the dot notation indicates that
these two windings are wound in opposite directions. The top of

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one winding being positive whilst the top of the other is

negative.

Figure 3.15.15
The dashed lines drawn between the windings of the
transformer below indicate that it has a ferrite core and as such
it would be used on medium to high frequencies.

When there are no lines between the two windings, the

transformer is air cored and as such would be used on very high
frequencies (VHF) and above.

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THREE PHASE TRANSFORMERS

The material presented so far in this chapter has dealt

exclusively with single-phase AC power, that is, with single
sinusoidal sources. In fact, most of the AC power used today is
generated and distributed as three-phase power, by means of
an arrangement in which three sinusoidal voltages are
generated out of phase with one another [figure 3.15.18]. The
primary reason is efficiency: The weight of the conductors and
other components
in a three-phase system is much lower than that in a single-
phase system delivering the same amount of power. Further,
while the power produced by a single-phase system has a FIGURE 3.15.16 THREE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
pulsating nature .The most common form of three-phase power
distribution transformer has a laminated soft iron core, the limbs
of which are of equal area. Each limb carries the primary and
secondary windings of one phase as shown. A three-phase system can deliver a steady, constant supply of
power. For example, later in this section it will be shown that a
Either a star or delta connection can be applied to the primary three-phase generator producing three balanced voltages—
and secondary windings or a combination of both. that is, voltages of equal amplitude and frequency displaced in
phase by 120◦—has the property of delivering constant
instantaneous power.

Another important advantage of three-phase power is that

three-phase motors have a nonzero starting torque, unlike their
single-phase counterpart. The change to three-phase AC power
systems from the early DC system proposed by Edison was
therefore due to a number of reasons: the efficiency resulting
from transforming voltages up and down to minimize

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transmission losses over long distances; the ability to deliver

constant power (an ability not shared by single- and two-phase
AC systems); a more efficient use of conductors; and the ability
to provide starting torque for industrial motors.

CACLULATION OF POWER IN A THREE PHASE SYSTEM

Three phase power is used primarily in commercial and

industrial environments, providing power to motors and
equipment. It is more economical to operate large equipment
with three phase power. In order to calculate three-phase
wattage, we multiply the average voltage of each phase times
the average current of each phase, times the power factor, then
multiply by the square root of 3. The square root of 3 is equal to
1.732, so the equation is written as shown:

FIGURE 3.15.17 THREE PHASE TRANSFORMER Watt's Law: W = V avg. x A avg x p.f. x 1.732
Where:
W = wattage (watts)
CALCULATION OF LINE AND PHASE VOLTAGES AND Vavg = average voltage of the three separate phases
CURRENTS (volts)
Aavg = average current of the three separate phases
current (amps)
p.f. = average power factor or the three separate phases
Line, Phase voltages and currents can be found using following 1.732 = a constant necessary with 3 phase.
formulas given in following table

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measured on each phase with an ammeter are 14.1, 13.9, and

13.8 amps, power factor was measured as 0.82. The average
voltage is 453 plus 458 plus 461 divided by 3 which equals 457
volts.

The average current is 14.1 plus 13.9 plus 13.8 divided by 3

which equals 13.9 amps.

Figure 3.15.18
In a three-phase circuit, the use of the constant 1.732 results The electrical power input to the motor equals 457 volts times
from the fact that not all three phases are producing the same 13.9 amps times 0.82 power factor divided by 1000 which
amount of power at the same time. Each phase's voltage and equals 5.2 kilowatts.
current move through zero at different times. Suffice it to say
that the correct power from a three-phase system at any point in (457V x 13.9A x .082pf x 1.732) / 1000 = 9.02 Kwatts
time is found by multiplying by the square root of 3.

The electrical power input in kilowatts for a three phase motor is

calculated by multiplying the average voltage of all three phases
measured at the motor times the average amperage of all three
phases measured at the motor times the average power factor
of all three phases measured at the motor times a constant of
1.732 and dividing the result by 1000.

An operating three phase motor has voltages measured with a

voltmeter on each phase of 453, 458, and 461 volts, amperage
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 PIA Training Centre Module 3 – ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS
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TURNS RATIO

A simple transformer consists of two coils, a primary and a

secondary, wound on a high permeability, soft iron core. The
changing current in the first coil creates a changing magnetic
field that induces an alternating voltage in the secondary coil.

The size of the secondary voltage compared to the voltage

applied to the primary depends on turns ratio, or transformation
ratio. That is, the number of turns of wire in the secondary
winding compared to number of turns in the primary.

If losses are small, the turns ratio may be expressed as: FIGURE 3.15.19

VSecondary NSecondary
  T (transformation ratio)
V Pr imary N Pr imary
If the number of turns on the secondary is less than the number
of turns on the primary, the output voltage will be less than the
input voltage, and the transformer is called a step-down
transformer.

If the number of turns on the secondary is greater than the

number of turns on the primary, the transformer is a step-up
type and the output voltage will be greater than the input
voltage.

By convention, when writing the transformation ratio, the

secondary voltage is put before the primary, therefore a 4:1
transformer is a step-up transformer, the secondary voltage
being 4 times the primary voltage.

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AUTOTRANSFORMERS TYPES OF AUTOTRANSFORMER:

According to the operation, the autotransformers are classified
Generally we know about two winding transformer but there is
in two general categories.
another special type of transformer, namely autotransformer
which is also used in several applications. Auto transformer is
Step up autotransformer
a single winding transformer in which a part of the winding is
common to both high voltage and low voltage sides. That is only In this type of autotransformer, the source voltage is connected
one winding is shared by the input and output side. The part of to the common winding and the load is connected across the
the winding which is common to both high voltage and low main single winding.
voltage side is termed as ‘common winding’ and the remaining
part of the main winding is called ‘series winding’. This series Step down autotransformer
winding is connected in series with the common winding. In this type of autotransformer, the source voltage is applied to
the main winding and common winding is connected across the
This is the simple concept of ‘what is autotransformer’. As
load.
we proceed to the further discussion, we will know about
the working principle and other technical details of the
autotransformer. We know that in two winding conventional
transformer there is no direct connection in between the
primary and secondary winding, rather they are interlinked by a
common magnetic path. But in autotransformer
the single winding is connected electrically as well
as magnetically with the two sides. So, we can say that. in
autotransformer power is transferred partly by induction method
and partly by conduction method.

Autotransformers are used often because they are compact,

efficient, and usually cost less with only one winding. However, FIG 3.15.20 STEP-UP AUTOTRANSFORMER
the same wire size must be suitable for both the primary and
secondary.

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FIG 3.15.21 STEP-DOWN AUTOTRANSFORMER

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