Qatar University

Department of Electrical Engineering

ELEC 313 Electric Machines Lab

Experiment 2: The Inductor Coil Design & Polarity Test of the Single-Phase Transformer

1. Objective
The objective of the experiment is to let the student:
1. Design and fabricate inductor coils.
2. Calculate and measure the self and mutual inductance of the fabricated coils.
3. Understand the test to identify the dot convention for the single-phase transformer.

2. Theory
2.1 Self and Mutual Inductances
The inductance of a coil refers to the electrical property by which a coil opposes any change in the
current flowing through it. Hence, inductance is only present in an ac circuits, but not in dc where
the current is constant.

Inductors generate a self-induced emf within themselves as a result of their changing magnetic field.
When the emf is induced in the same circuit in which the current is changing, the effect is called
self-induction. It is also called back-emf as its polarity is in the opposite direction to the applied
voltage. When the emf is induced into an adjacent coil situated within the same magnetic field, the
emf is said to be induced by mutual-induction.

Inductors are the primary element in an electric network, like resistors and capacitors. An inductor is
a passive component that is used in electric circuits to store energy in the form of magnetic energy
when electric current flows through it. It is also known as the coil, choke, or reactor. It is a two-
terminal electrical component that is characterized by its inductance, L. Inductors are used in the
following applications, such as tuning circuits, sensors, energy storage, induction motors,
transformers, filters, chokes, ferrite beads, relays etc.

The inductance of a straight wire can be calculated as:

Lac =200 l ln
[( ) ]2l
r
−1
nH
m

Where:
l = length of the conductor in m
r = radius of the conductor in m

This empirical formula only gives an approximate value for the inductance as it cannot take into
account all the effects of the circuit and the external magnetic flux couple, etc.

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 1
Inductors for particular applications can be designed and fabricated as in Fig. 1:

Fig. 1: Inductor Coil*

The self-inductance for a coil can be calculated as:

2
μN A
L=
l

Where:
L = Self inductance (H)
µ = Permeability (Wb/Am)
N = Number of turns in coil
A = Area encircled by the coil
l = length of the coil

The mutual inductance between two coils is illustrated in Fig. 2

Fig. 2: Mutual Inductance*

The mutual-inductance for a coil can be calculated as:

μ N 1 N2 A
M=
l

Where, N1 and N2 are number of turns in respective coils.

If the self-inductances of both the coils are known, the mutual inductance can be calculated as:

M =k √ L1 L2

Where k is called the coefficient of coupling, which indicates the loss due to leakage.

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 2
Generally, the amount of inductive coupling that exists between the two coils is expressed as a
fractional number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates zero or no coupling, and 1 indicating full or
maximum coupling. In other words, if k = 1 the two coils are perfectly coupled, if k > 0.5 the two
coils are said to be tightly coupled and if k < 0.5 the two coils are said to be loosely coupled.

2.2 Measurement of self and mutual inductances

The self-inductance of any coil can be easily measured using LCR meter by hooking up both ends of
the coil to the equipment. However, measurement of mutual inductance between two coils is little
tricky.

In order to measure the mutual inductance between two coils, they need to be connected in either of
the four methods as given below and use the corresponding equation to obtain the M.

Cumulative series: When the coils are connected in cumulative series (the negative of first coil is
connected to the positive of second coil), the equivalent inductance is measured as:
Leq =L1+ L2 +2 M

Differential series: When the coils are connected in differential series (the negative of first coil is
connected to the negative of second coil), the equivalent inductance is measured as:
Leq =L1+ L2 −2 M

Cumulative parallel: When the coils are connected in cumulative parallel (the positives are
connected and together and negatives are connected together), the equivalent inductance is measured
as:
2
L1 L2−M
Leq =
L1 + L2−2 M

Differential parallel: When the coils are connected in differential parallel (the positive of first coil
is connected to negative of second coil and vice versa), the equivalent inductance is measured as:
2
L1 L2−M
Leq =
L1 + L2 +2 M

2.3 Polarity of transformer (Dot convention)

In the ac power transmission or distribution systems, we often need to increase or decrease the
voltage, such job can be handled by the transformer. In the single phase power supply system,
paralleling a new transformer is required, when the load exceeds the VA rating of existing
transformer. The new transformer should be paralleled according to the polarity or dot marks of
winding. Also, the polarity or dot marks should be known, when the single phase transformers are
connected together to form a three-phase bank.

The polarity or dot marks actually means the same phase or reversed phase, since transformers are
used in ac systems. If the phases of the sinusoid of primary and secondary windings are same, they
are called negative pole transformers. If they differ by 180 0, the transformer is positive pole. AC
method is widely used to find the polarities in transformers.

2.4 Measurement of polarity of transformer (Finding the dot marks)

There are several methods that can be used to find the dot marks, but the most popular and easy
method is the ac method as shown in Figure 1. If the transformer is negative pole, the phase
difference of voltages is zero and the voltage V3 shown by the voltmeter will be the difference of V1
and V2. On the other hand, if V3 is the sum of V1 and V2, the transformer is positive pole.

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 3
3. Equipment List
Equipment Quantity
LCR Meter 1
Single-phase autotransformer, 1kW, 240 V 1
Single-phase transformer, 1 kW or 50 W, 220/110 V or 230/115 V 1
Digital Multimeter 3

4. Schematic Diagram

Fig. 2

5. Procedure

5.1 Inductor Coil Design and Fabrication

1. Collect two insulated copper wires from the lab at equal length and gauge.
2. Measure the inductance of any of the straight wire using LCR meter and enter in Table 1.
3. Using a hollow pvc pipe or cylindrical pencil as the coil former, make two coils as shown in
Fig. 1. Make sure each turns are close to each other as possible, you may use any
nonmagnetic fasteners for making the coil tight. Also, make sure the insulation is not
damaged, else it’ll make short circuit in the coil.
4. Carefully remove the insulation at both ends of the coil for inductor measurement and
electrical connection.
5. Calculate the self-inductance values of both coils using the formula given in Theory and
enter in Table 1. Show the calculations.
6. Measure the self-inductance values of both coils using the inductance meter and calculate the
percentage deviation from theoretical value. Enter the values in Table 1.
7. Calculate the mutual-inductance value using the formula given in Theory and enter in Table
1. Show the calculations.
8. Connect the two coils in series and measure the mutual-inductance using the inductance
meter. Enter the value in Table 1.
9. Calculate the coupling coefficient of the coils using the calculated and measured values of
self and mutual inductances. Enter the value in Table 1.

5.2 Transformer Polarity

1. Connect the wires according to Fig 2. Apply 30-50% of rated voltage to the primary.
2. Read the values of V1, V2 and V3 and record in Table 2. Judge whether it’s + or -.
3. Using the measured values of primary and secondary voltage, calculate the turns ratio of the
given single phase transformer. Record the value in Table 2.

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 4
6. Measurements & Results (20%)

Table 1:
Quantity Calculated Measured % Error
Lac

Lcoil1

Lcoil2

Table 2:
Sl. #: V1 V2 V3 Polarity Turns Ratio
1

7. Calculations (20%)

8. Discussion (50%)

Include the answers to the following questions (but not limited to) in your discussion, but please
don’t include the questions. Your discussion must have an introduction and conclusion too which
carries 5% weightage each.

1. Why there is an error in calculated and measured value of Inductance (5%)

2. Why the coupling coefficient of the two coils is low (5%)
3. Why do you need to find the polarity of the transformer (10%)
4. Explain with principle any other two methods which can be used to find the polarity of a transformer.
(10%)
5. What makes the polarities different, how can the polarities affect the transformer performance?
(10%)

9. References (5%)

References include any outside reading you have done and must be cited in discussion. You have to
use the IEEE style of referencing as given below.

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 5
 [1] A. Beagles, S. Beck, L. Cross, A. Garrard and J. Rowson, "Guidance for Writing Lab
Reports," University of Sheffield

*Courtesy: https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html 6