4.5.

6
Transformer
The transformer
A transformer is a device
that is used to change one
alternating voltage level to
another.

circuit symbol
Structure of a transformer
A transformer consists of at least two coils of wire
wrapped around a laminated iron core.

PRIMARY COIL SECONDARY COIL

of Np turns of Ns turns

PRIMARY SECONDARY
VOLTAGE Vp VOLTAGE Vs
laminated iron core
Identify which of the following is step-up
transformer and step-down transformer?
Step-up transformers
In a step-up transformer the voltage
across the secondary coil is greater
than the voltage across the primary
coil.

The secondary turns must be greater

than the primary turns.

Use: To increase the voltage output

from a power station from 25 kV (25
000 V) to up to 400 kV.
Step-down transformers
In a step-down transformer the voltage
across the secondary coil is smaller than the
voltage across the primary coil.

The secondary turns must be smaller than

the primary turns.

Use: To decrease the voltage output from

the mains supply from 230V to 18V to
power and recharge a lap-top computer.
How transformer work
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9QGEzSKF30
 How transformer work?

• Transformer only work with alternating current

(a.c.).
• The primary coil has alternating current flowing
through it. It is thus an electromagnet, and
produces an alternating magnetic field.
• The core transports this alternating field around
to the secondary coil.
• Now the secondary coil is a conductor in a
changing magnetic field. A current is induced in
the coil.
• If the secondary coil has only few turns, the
e.m.f induced across it is small. If it has a lot of
turns, the e.m.f. will be large.
The transformer equation
The voltages or potential differences across the primary
and secondary coils of a transformer are related by the
equation:

primary voltage = primary turns

secondary voltage secondary turns

Vp = Np
Vs Ns
Question 1
Calculate the secondary voltage of a transformer that has a primary
coil of 1200 turns and a secondary of 150 turns if the primary is
supplied with 230V.

primary voltage = primary turns

secondary voltage secondary turns

230 / Vs = 1200 / 150

230 / Vs = 8
230 = 8 x Vs
230 / 8 = Vs
Secondary voltage = 28.8 V
Question 2
Calculate the number of turns required for the primary coil of a
transformer if secondary has 400 turns and the primary voltage
is stepped up from 12V to a secondary voltage of 48V.

primary voltage = primary turns

secondary voltage secondary turns

12 / 48 = Np / 400
0.25 = Np / 400
0.25 x 400 = Np
Primary has 100 turns
Complete: Answers
PRIMARY SECONDARY
Voltage Turns Voltage Turns
230 V 1000 11.5 V 50
230 V 500 46 VV
46 100
230 V 200 920 V 800
9V 120 72 V 960
 A simple transformer

Primary voltage Secondary No. of turns on No. of turns on Step up or

V1 voltage primary n1 secondary n2 step down?
V2

12V 24V 100 ? ?

400V 200V 20 ? ?

25,000V 50,000V 1,000 ? ?

23V 230V 150 ? ?

 A simple transformer

Primary voltage Secondary No. of turns on No. of turns on Step up or

V1 voltage primary n1 secondary n2 step down?
V2

12V 24V 100

200 up
400V 200V 20
10 down
25,000V 50,000V 1,000
2000 Up
23V 230V 150
1500 Up
Transformers and the National Grid
The National Grid is the system of cables used to
deliver electrical power from power stations to
consumers.

The higher the voltage used, the greater is the

efficiency of energy transmission.

Lower voltages result in higher electric currents and

greater energy loss to heat due to the resistance of the
cables.
At power stations the output voltage of the generators is
stepped up by transformers from 25kV to 132kV.
The voltage may be further increased to up to 400 kV for
transmission over long distance pylon lines.
The voltage is reduced in stages by step-down
transformers to different levels for different types of
consumer.
The lowest level is 230V for domestic use. The final step-
down transformer will be at sub station within a few
hundred metres of each group of houses.
Question 1
Why is electrical energy transmitted over the National
Grid in the form of alternating current?
• Transformers are needed to change voltage levels.
• Transformers only work with alternating current.
 Question 2
Choose appropriate words to fill in the gaps below:
Transformers are used to change one ___________
alternating voltage
level to another. They do not work with ____________current.
direct

Step-up transformers _________

increase the voltage because their
___________
secondary coil has more turns than the primary.
Transformers are used in the __________
National Grid. The _______
25 kV
output of a power station is increased to up to _______.
400 kV A high
voltage reduces the ________
energy lost to heat due to the _________
resistance
of the power lines.
WORD SELECTION:
energy direct National secondary resistance
increase 400 kV alternating 25 kV
 Transmission of electricity

400 000 V 132 000 V

Power 33 000 V

station
Transformer Transformer
(step-up) sub-station
(step-down)

Light Heavy
Farms
industry industry

Schools 132 000 V

230 V 11 000 V 33 000 V

Homes

Shops, Transformer Transformer Transformer

offices sub-station sub-station sub-station
(step-down) (step-down) (step-down)
 Transmission of electricity

400 000 V 132 000 V

Power 33 000 V

station
Transformer Transformer

The network of pylons and cables that

(step-up) sub-station
(step-down)

carry electricity across the country is

known as the National Grid
Light Heavy
Farms
industry industry

Schools 132 000 V

230 V 11 000 V 33 000 V

Homes

Shops, Transformer Transformer Transformer

offices sub-station sub-station sub-station
(step-down) (step-down) (step-down)
 Transmission of electricity

400 000 V 132 000 V

Power 33 000 V

station
Transformer
(step-up) Power is transmitted through the
Transformer
sub-station
cables at high voltage so that the
(step-down)

current is reduced, less heat is

Farms
Light
industry
produced, and thinner,
Heavy
industry
lighter and
cheaper cables can be used.
Schools 132 000 V

230 V 11 000 V 33 000 V

Homes

Shops, Transformer Transformer Transformer

offices sub-station sub-station sub-station
(step-down) (step-down) (step-down)
Why is electrical power transmitted in the
grid at high voltage?

• Reducing the amount of thermal energy lost in the transmission cable

• Lower power loss in transmission cables
• Lower currents in cables so thinner/cheaper cables can be used
The End