Transformers

Electrical ransformer is a static electrical machine which transforms electrical power from one
circuit to another circuit, without changing the frequency. Transformer can increase or decrease
the voltage with corresponding decrease or increase in current
Working Principle OrTransformer
Core
Fla

E1 E2 Lcad

Prirasy
Coil
Secondary
Cod

The basic principle behind working of a transformer is the phenomenon of mutual inducion
between two windings linked by common magnetic flux. Basically a transformer consists of two
inductive coils; primary winding and secondary winding. The coils are electrically separated but
magnetically linked to each other. When, primary winding is connected to a source of alternating
voltage, alternating magnetic flux is produced around the winding. The core provides magnetic
path for the flux, to get linked with the secondary winding. Most of the flux gets linked with the
secondary winding which is called as useful flux' or main 'flus', and the flux which does not get
linked with secondary winding is called as leakage flux. As the flux produced is alternating (the
direction of it is continuously changing), EMF gets induced in the secondary winding according
to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. This emf is called 'mutually induced emf, and the
frequency of mutually induced emf is same as that of supplied emf. If the secondary winding is
closed circuit, then mutually induced current flows through it, and hence the electrical energy is
transferred from one circuit (primary) to another circuit (secondary).
The self-induced EMF El in Primary Winding is given by:
E= 4.44fN ¢
Similarly, the mutually-induced EMF e2 in Secondary Winding is given by:
E,= 4.44 fN,,
Where, fis the supply frequency. and mis the maximum Aus.
These equations (Equations vi and vii) are known as EMF equations of the Transformer

Dividing equation vii by cquation vi,

 4.44fN,9 V

E, 4.44fN,V

K
E,
This Ratio is known as the Transformer Ratio (K).

Basic Construction Of Transformer

Exploslon Vent

A Conservator Tank
Primary lerminal

Secondary terninal

Duchholz's Relay
Transformef core

Traasformet
Windings -Breather

Cooling tube

Troasformer Taak
>lasulating Oll

Transformer Core
The transformer core is mainly used for two purposes: Provide mechanical support for the entire
transformer and provide a path for the flow of magnetic flux.
The core is built up of soft iron or silicon steel laminations to provide a low reluctance path to
the magnetic flux. The steel used should have high silicon content and be treated with heat to
have better permeability and low hysteresis loss.
The laminations are insulated from each other by a coat of varnish or by an oxide layer. These
laminations reduce the eddy current loss. The thickness of the laminations varies from 0.35 mm
to 0.5 mm.
The laminations in the form of strips called stampings are joined together and pivoted to avoid
any air gaps between the corc. Various types of stampings like 'E' shaped, 'T' shaped, "L' shapcd
and 'U' shapcd stampings are used for thc construction of transformer.

Windings
The transformer has two windings: primary winding and secondary winding. The primary
winding is connected to the power supply and the secondary winding is connected to the load.
The winding connectcd to the high voltage circuit is called high voltage(rV) winding. The
winding connected to the low voltage circuit is called low voltage(LV) winding,
The windings are wound over the core depending on the type of core used. In a core-type
transformer, the windings are wound around the two legs of the core. In ashell-type transformer,
the windings are wound on the central leg of the three-legged transformer core.
The windings are made of solid or stranded copper. Proper insulation is to be given to the
windings to prevent it from short-circuiting. For huge power transformers, cloth or paper
insulation is provided. Varnish coating is used as insulation for small-range transformers.

Transformer tank and insulating oil

The transformer core and winding arangement are immersed in a tank containing insulating oil.
The tank gives protection to the core and windings. Cooling tubes are welded with the tank for
cooling purposes.
The insulating oil act as an insulation medium for core and windings. It is also used for
absorbing the heat in the windings and core.

Oil conservator
The transformer tank is connected through a pipe to a small tank called the
conservator. The
Conservator is designed to act as a reservoir for the transformer oil.

An increase in temperature causes the oil in the transformer to expand.

The conservator provides
space for this expansion of the oil. The main function of the oil conservator is to keep the
transformer tank completely filled with oil at all conditions.

Breuther

Breather is a part of a large-sized transformer. During the change in temperaturc inside the tank,
the oil expands and contracts.For example, when the temperature goes down, it will
to contract. So, atmospheric air gets absorbed inside a transformer tank. Breather
make the oil
consists of
silica gel, which prevents any atmospheric moisture from entering the tank from the outside
world. AIlthe moisture gets absorbed by the silica gel.

Cooling Tubes
The heat is produced in the windings and core due to copper loss in the
and cddy current loss in thc transformer corc. This heat has to be conductors, hysteresis
transformer efficiently.The cooling tubes are used to remove the heat dissipated
to operate the
from the transformer oil
and tank. Through this cooling tube, coolants in the form of oil or air are
transformer. The cooling method may be natural or forced cooling, which dependspassed
on
inside a
the size of
a transfomer.

Types Of Transformers
Transformers can be classified on different basis, 1like types of construction, types of cooling etc.
(A) On the basis of construction, transformers can be classified into two
types as; (1) Core type
transformer and (ii) Shell type transformer, which are described below.
L.V. Insulation
L.V. Winding
/H.V lnsulution
1.V, Winding

ecaie.cU
Core type Shell type
(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 cach layer is insulated
from cach 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.
(1i) 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.
3. Isolation transformer: Voltage remains the same

(C) On the basis of type of supply

1. Single phase transformer
2. Threc phasc transfoner

(D) On the basis of their use

1. Power transformer: Used in transmission network, high rating
2. Distribution transformer: Used in distribution nctwork,comparatively lower rating than that
of powcr transformers.
3. Instrument transformer: Used in relay and protection purpose in different instruments in
industries
Current transformer (CT)
Potential transformer (PT)
(E) On the basis of cooling employed
1. Oil-flled self cooled type
2. Oil-filled water cooled type
3. Air blast type (air cooled)
(F) Based on number of windings:
1.Two winding transformer
2. Six winding transformer
2. Autotransformer

Applications of Transformers
Power generation: Transformers are used in power plants to increase the voltage of the
electricity generated by the plant before it is sent to the grid.
Transmission and distribution: Transformers are used in the transmission and distribution
of electricity to increase or decrease the voltage of electricity as it is sent fom power
plants to homes and businesses.
Lighting: Transformers are used in lighting systems to decrease the voltage of electricity
before it is sent to light bulbs.
Audio systems: Transformers are used in audio systems to increase or decrease the
voltage of electricity before it is sent to speakers.
Electronic equipment: Transformers are used in a variety of electronic devices, including
computers, TVs, radios, and cell phones.