Transformer-Its Working, Construction, Types, and Uses

3/8/2021 Transformer-Its working, construction, types, and uses
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Transformers — Its
Working, Construction,
Types, and Uses
electrical transformer magnetization current step-down transformer
step-up transformer transformer Mar 16, 2020
Transformers are electrical devices that convert the voltage to a higher or

lower value while ideally keeping the power constant.
They are an integral part of an electrical system and their application can
be observed in almost all areas of electrical engineering ranging from
the electrical power systems to common household appliances.
With the development of AC power sources, the need for transformers

was also born. In the early times, DC power transmission was
done resulting in greater losses and poor efficiency.
https://www.allumiax.com/blog/transformers-its-working-construction-types-and-uses 1/13
However, stepping up the transmission voltages using a transformer, this

problem was solved. An increase in voltage is accompanied by a
decrease in current to keep the power constant in a transformer.
And with power losses being directly proportional to the square of the
current, results in a decrease in current by a factor of 10, consequently
reducing losses by a factor of 100. Indeed, without transformers, we
would not have been able to use electric power as we use it now.
That is why we generate electricity at voltages of up to 11 to 25 kV and

then step up them to 132,220 or 500 kV for transmission with minimum
losses and then we later step down the voltage for safe residential and
commercial use.
“ One of AllumiaX's recent initiatives is a corporate
sponsorship for the GeneralPAC by AllumiaX platform which

provides tutorials for power systems protection, automation
and controls. Here, you will find the video series
of Transformers. In this series they will be going over
the Introduction to the Delta Wye Transformer
Connection, Introduction to Wye Wye Transformer
Connection, Introduction to Delta Wye Transformer Connection
and Circulating Current and Voltages, Open Phase Condition in
Transformer Analysis, Difference Between Core Form and Shell
Form Power Transformers .
Construction of a transformer
A transformer consists mainly of a core, windings and a tank, however,
bushings, breathers, radiators, and conservators are also present in some
transformers.
Core: A transformer core is made of soft iron or silicon steel which

provides a low reluctance path (magnetic field lines can easily pass
through them).
Transformer cores are laminated to reduce eddy current losses, the

laminations are usually 2.5 mm to 5 mm thick and are insulated from
each other and the windings by a coating of oxide, phosphate or varnish.
The Core is constructed with the laminations in different shapes such as

E, L, I, C and U.
In shell-type transformers, the core surrounds or covers the windings like

a shell.
In core-type transformers, the windings are wrapped around the two

limbs or rectangles of the core.
Windings:
A single-phase 2 winding transformer has generally 2 windings, primary
and secondary windings which are made from high quality stranded
copper. The windings are coiled around the core and have completely no
electrical contact with each other.
They can also be called High voltage and Low voltage windings
respectively, with the high voltage winding having greater insulation
than the low voltage winding.
Working principle:
The basic operating principle of a transformer is the work of mutual
induction between the primary and secondary windings which are linked
by a common magnetic flux through the transformer core. The core
provides a path of low reluctance for the magnetic flux to pass through.
By BillC at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
A transformer has a primary winding and secondary winding as

discussed above. The winding connected to the source can be
considered as a primary winding and the current it is carrying can be
considered to have a magnetic field of its own.
This magnetic field is created across the core and is changing directions
due to alternating currents, and now according to Faraday's law of
electromagnetic induction:
‘ The Rate of change of flux linkage with respect to time is
directly proportional to the EMF induced in a conductor or coil
This change in the magnetic field induces a voltage on the secondary coil
which is proportional to the number of turns on the windings. This can
be further understood by the following equation:
E = NdΦdt
Where :
E = induced EMF
N = the number of turns
dΦ = change in flux
dt = change in time
Transformer turns ratio:

Both the windings on a transformer I.e. primary and secondary have a
specific number of turns. The ratio of the number of turns on the primary
winding to the number of turns on the secondary winding is known as
the turns ratio.
Turns ratio = NPNS

Where :
NP = Primary winding turns
NS = Secondary winding turns
Ideal Transformer:
An ideal transformer is a transformer which gives a power output that is

exactly equal to the power input. This means that it does not have any
type of loss.
Ideal transformers do not exist and are only used to simplify transformer
calculations. Their voltage ratio can be modeled by these simple
equations:
VPVS = NPNS
Where :
VP = Primary side voltage
VS = Secondary side voltage
And power is given by:
Pin = Pout
And
Pin = VP IP cosθP
Pout = VS IS cosθS
Or
VP IP = VS IS
Where :
Pin = input power
Pout = output power
cosθ = input power factor
In other words, an ideal transformer will have 100% efficiency due to no

power losses.
We can suppose that an ideal transformer will have zero winding

resistance, no leakage flux, and no copper or core losses.
Equivalent circuit of an ideal

transformer:
The equivalent circuit of an ideal transformer will not model any
resistance nor any reactance because all types of losses present are
considered to be non-existent. So, what we get is a very simplified circuit
diagram.
How an Ideal Transformer is different

from a Real Transformer?
In actuality, we have transformers that consist of some power losses;
hence the output power is never equal to the input power of the
transformer.
Real transformers will have some value of winding resistance, will have
leakage flux and will also be having copper and core losses which we will
be discussing below.
Magnetization current:
This is the current required to produce flux in a transformer core (or
magnetize it).
It can be observed that when a transformer is given an AC supply while

making an open circuit at the secondary, a small current will still flow
through the primary side.
This current consists of the magnetization current(im) and core-loss

current(ih+e).
Some important points about magnetization current are that:
1. It is not pure sinusoidal and will have higher frequency

components once the core starts to saturate.
2. Once the core reaches its maximum flux, then a small increase
influx will require a very high magnetization current.
The core loss current compensates for the hysteresis and eddy current
losses in the core.
The sum of magnetization current and core loss current is then known as
transformer excitation current.
iex = im + ih+e
Losses:
A transformer is a static device and does not has any rotating part, so it
has no rotational losses. However, it does have the following electrical
losses:
1. Core or Iron losses

2. Copper losses
Core Losses:
Core losses are called iron losses because they are related or are a
consequence of the iron transformer core.
They can be broken down into 2 parts.
1. Hysteresis Loss
2. Eddy Current Losses
Hysteresis Loss:
Any ferromagnetic material can be considered to have many small
magnetic domains (small permanent magnets) that point in random
directions. When an external magnetic field is applied to the iron, these
domains align themselves in the direction of the field.
However, as the AC current changes its direction, the magnetic field also
changes its direction and the magnetic domains must also change their
directions in accordance with the magnetic field.
Some magnetics domains will align but some will require further energy
to align them. This energy required for the re-orientation of the
magnetic domains during each cycle of an alternating current is known
as Hysteresis Loss.
Eddy Current Losses:

The alternating flux in the transformer core links with the secondary
windings and induces a voltage on it according to faraday's law.
It is also likely that this alternating flux will link with other conducting
parts of the transformer such as the iron core and iron casing or body.
This alternating flux will then induce localized voltages in these parts,
which will then result in swirls of current to flow within them. These
currents are known as Eddy currents.
These currents cause energy losses due to the resistivity of the core or
conducting part on which they originate hence energy is dissipated as
heat.
Both hysteresis and eddy current losses result in the heating of the
transformer core.
Copper Losses:
The primary and secondary windings of the transformer will always have
some value of resistance of their own and a flow of current through this
resistance will always result in energy losses.
Because the windings are made of copper, the energy or heat losses in
them are known as copper losses.
Copper losses can be given by:
Pcu = I2R
So, the greater the magnitude of the current, the greater will be the
copper losses. That is why these losses are also known as variable losses
as they are load-dependent.
Leakage Reactance:
The primary and secondary windings produce their own flux, which is
linked together with each other, this is known as mutual flux.
However, not all the magnetic flux between the primary and secondary
winding is linked.
Some flux produced by the primary winding will not link with the
secondary winding, while some amount of flux produced by the
secondary winding will not link with the primary winding.
This flux which links with only one of the windings instead of linking with
both is known as leakage flux.
The windings being inductive in nature, this leakage flux will produce a
self-reactance or impedance in the windings which are known as leakage
reactance.
This leakage reactance will cause voltage drops in the primary and
secondary windings.
Transformer Equivalent Circuit:

An equivalent circuit of a transformer is a simplified representation of a
transformer comprising of the resistances and reactances.
An equivalent circuit helps us in performing transformer calculations as

basic circuit analysis can now be applied to a transformer.
Resistor RP and Resistor RS:

These resistors model the resistive copper losses in a transformer and are
easily represented.
XM:
As we have mentioned earlier that the excitation or no-load current is

equal to the sum of magnetization and core loss current.
So, the magnetization current can be modeled by the reactance

XM connected across the primary voltage source.
RC:
The core losses consisting of eddy current losses and hysteresis losses
can be modeled by resistance RC connected across the primary voltage
source
Xm and Rc are known as the excitation branch.
XP and XS:
Xp is the leakage reactance at the primary winding while XS is the leakage

reactance at the secondary winding.
Referring to primary and

secondary sides:
The equivalent circuit shown above is an accurate representation of a

transformer. However, to solve practical transformer circuits, it is
necessary to convert the entire circuit to a single voltage level.
This is done by referring the circuit to its primary or secondary side.
To the primary side:

To refer or convert the circuit to the primary side we first find the value
of a constant ''a''.
Where a = NpNs
Now that we have found 'a', we can convert the secondary sides
resistance Rs and reactance Xs to the primary side by multiplying them
both by a2.
RS' = RS x a2
XS' = XS x a2
The secondary voltages Vs is multiplied by 'a', while the secondary

current Is is divided by 'a'.
V 'S = VS x a
And
I 'S = ISa
To the secondary side:

Given the value of constant 'a', we divide the values of primary side
resistance and reactance by a2.
The same will be done for XM and RC.
RP' = RPa2
XP' = XPa2
And
RC' = RCa2
XM' = XMa2
The primary current will be multiplied by 'a', while the primary voltage
will be divided by 'a'.
I 'S = IS x a
And
V 'S = VSa
Once we have referred our values to one particular side, either primary
or secondary, we can then move the excitation branch to the front and
add the Resistances and Reactances in series together as shown in the
circuit diagrams.
Efficiency:
Transformer efficiency is the ratio of transformer output power to the
input power.
It is given by
η = POUTPIN X 100%
Or
η = POUTPOUT + PLOSS X 100%
Where :
Pin = input power
Pout = output power
PLOSS = power losses
As the output power will always be less than the input power,
transformer efficiency will always lie between 0-100% while an ideal
transformer will have an efficiency of 100%.
To calculate the transformer efficiency from an equivalent circuit we just

add the copper losses and core losses to the efficiency equation to get
the following equation:
η = POUTPOUT + Pcu + Pcore X 100%
Voltage Regulation:
It is also important to know that because a transformer has series
impedances within it, it will have voltage drops across them as well. This
will result in varying output voltage with the varying load even if the
input voltage is kept constant.
The quantity that compares the output voltage at no load to the output
voltage at full load is known as voltage regulation.
It can be calculated from the following equation:
VR = VS.NL – VS.FLVS.FL X 100%

Where :
VS.NL = Output voltage at No Load
VS.FL = Output voltage at Full Load
It should be noted that an ideal transformer will have a voltage

regulation of 0%.
Transformer types and their

applications
Hello there! On a related topic, we previously wrote a blog about Types
of Transformer. If this peaks your interest, check it out and let us know
what you think
Step-Up Transformer:
These transformers increase the lower voltage level on the primary side
to a higher voltage value on the secondary side. In this case, the
secondary winding has a greater number of turns than the primary one.
These are mainly used in generating stations where the generated

voltage of about 11 kV is stepped up to 132 kV or more for transmission.
Step-Down Transformer:
Step down transformers reduces the high voltage at the primary side to a
lower voltage value on the secondary side. In this case, the primary
winding has a greater number of turns.
Step down transformers are used at grid stations to decrease the high
transmission voltages to a suitable lower value for distribution and
utilization. They can also be found on our mobile chargers.
Other types include Power transformers, Distribution transformers, Core

type transformers, Single and three phase transformers, Indoor and
outdoor transformers. You may check our previous blog focusing
on transformer types and their applications.
Limitations of a transformer:
It is also important to note here that a transformer will only operate in
AC. This is because a Direct Current (DC) will produce a constant
magnetic field instead of a changing magnetic field and hence no emf
will be induced in the secondary winding.
This concludes our topic of transformers. We hope that this blog was
helpful and gave you valuable information on the topic. Feel free to
suggest or ask any questions you might have in the comments section
below. Thank you.
© 2021 by AllumiaX, LLC. All rights Reserved.

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3/8/2021 Transformer-Its working, construction, types, and uses

(206) 552-8235 | support@allumiax.com

Engineering Services Training & Education Blogs

Resources About & Contact Login

Transformers are electrical devices that convert the voltage to a higher or

With the development of AC power sources, the need for transformers

However, stepping up the transmission voltages using a transformer, this

That is why we generate electricity at voltages of up to 11 to 25 kV and

“ One of AllumiaX's recent initiatives is a corporate

sponsorship for the GeneralPAC by AllumiaX platform which

Core: A transformer core is made of soft iron or silicon steel which

Transformer cores are laminated to reduce eddy current losses, the

The Core is constructed with the laminations in different shapes such as

In shell-type transformers, the core surrounds or covers the windings like

In core-type transformers, the windings are wrapped around the two

By BillC at the English language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

A transformer has a primary winding and secondary winding as

considered to have a magnetic field of its own.

‘ The Rate of change of flux linkage with respect to time is

directly proportional to the EMF induced in a conductor or coil

N = the number of turns

Transformer turns ratio:

Turns ratio = NPNS

NP = Primary winding turns

NS = Secondary winding turns

An ideal transformer is a transformer which gives a power output that is

VP = Primary side voltage

VS = Secondary side voltage

And power is given by:

Pin = input power

Pout = output power

cosθ = input power factor

In other words, an ideal transformer will have 100% efficiency due to no

We can suppose that an ideal transformer will have zero winding

Equivalent circuit of an ideal

How an Ideal Transformer is different

It can be observed that when a transformer is given an AC supply while

This current consists of the magnetization current(im) and core-loss

Some important points about magnetization current are that:

1. It is not pure sinusoidal and will have higher frequency

1. Core or Iron losses

They can be broken down into 2 parts.

Eddy Current Losses:

Copper losses can be given by:

Transformer Equivalent Circuit:

An equivalent circuit helps us in performing transformer calculations as

Resistor RP and Resistor RS:

As we have mentioned earlier that the excitation or no-load current is

So, the magnetization current can be modeled by the reactance

Xm and Rc are known as the excitation branch.

Xp is the leakage reactance at the primary winding while XS is the leakage

Referring to primary and

The equivalent circuit shown above is an accurate representation of a

This is done by referring the circuit to its primary or secondary side.

To the primary side:

The secondary voltages Vs is multiplied by 'a', while the secondary

To the secondary side:

The same will be done for XM and RC.

η = POUTPOUT + PLOSS X 100%

Pin = input power

Pout = output power

PLOSS = power losses

To calculate the transformer efficiency from an equivalent circuit we just