Sub-Topic: THE TRANSFORMER, POWER TRANSMISSION AND THE INDUCTION COIL

Objectives: By the end of the lesson students should be able to: i. define a transformer ii.
distinguish between step up and step down transformer iii. calculate the efficiency of a
transformer. Iv. Discuss power transmission and the induction coil
Content:
A transformer is an electrical device for stepping up or down, an alternating voltage.
Structure
 It consists of two separate sets of coils, the primary coil and secondary coil.
 The primary coil is the input windings of wire and the secondary coil is the output
winding of wires.
 The coils are wound round a laminated soft iron core, which acts to increase and
concentrate the magnetic flux within the core.
Principle of Operation
When an a.c. e.m.f. (EP) is applied at the terminal of the primary coil, an alternating magnetic
flux is produced in the iron core which links the secondary coil. An alternating e.m.f. (E s) of
the same frequency as that of EP is induced in the secondary coil by mutual inductance.
Es depends on EP and on the ratio of the number of turns in each coil as shown below;
Es/EP = Ns/NP OR Vs/VP = Ns/NP
Where, Ep = applied emf in the primary coil, Es = induced emf in the secondary coil, Ns = No.
of turns in the secondary coil, NP = No. of turns in the primary coil, V s and Vp are the output
and input voltages respectively.
Applying the law of conservation of energy to an ideal transformer with 100% efficiency, the
power developed in the secondary coil equals that in the primary coil.
P=IV or IE
Ps = IsVs OR IsEs and Pp = IpVp OR IpEp, Ps = Pp
IsEs = IpEp OR IsVs = IsVs
Hence, Es/EP = IP/IS
Es/EP = Ns/NP = IP/IS
Efficiency of a Transformer
output power power ∈secondary coil
Efficiency of a transformer = input power x 100 % = power ∈ primary coil x 100 %
= IsVs / IPVP x 100 %
Types of Transformer
1. Step-up Transformer: This is that which increases the size of the emf/voltage applied
to it through its primary coil. To achieve this, Ns must be > Np and Is< Ip.
 Principle of Operation
- When the primary coil is connected to an a.c. source, the a.c. passing through
the coil sets up an alternating magnetic flux in the soft iron core.
- The secondary coil is linked by the changing flux, which induces an emf in the
secondary coil.
- Since Ns > NP, this makes the induced emf in the secondary coil (V s or Es)
greater than the induced emf in the primary coil (VP or EP).
2. Step-down transformer: This is that which reduces the size of the emf/voltage applied
to it through its primary coil. To achieve this, Ns must be < Np and Is> Ip.

Principle of operation
- When the primary coil is connected to an a.c. source, the a.c. passing through
the coil sets up an alternating magnetic flux in the soft iron core.
- The secondary coil is linked by the changing flux, which induces an emf in the
secondary coil.
- Since Ns < NP, this makes the induced emf in the secondary coil/output voltage
(Vs or Es) less than the induced emf in the primary coil/input voltage (VP or EP).
Turns Ratio
This is the ratio of Ns to Np.
Turns Ratio = Ns/Np
For step-up transformer, Ns/Np > 1
For step-up transformer, Ns/Np < 1
Energy Losses in Practical Transformers
1. Eddy Current: Energy is lost in the form of heat in the soft iron core due to eddy
current.
It is minimized by laminating the soft iron core.
2. Hysteresis Loss: This is energy lost due to reversing the magnetization of the core,
when the core is made to go through a cycle of magnetization during each alternating
cycle of the primary current.
It is minimized by the use of soft iron cores.
3. I2R (or Heat) Loss: This is the energy in the form of heat (I 2R) due to the resistance of
the primary and secondary coils.
It is minimized by using thick wires or low resistance coils.
4. Magnetic Flux leakage: This arises because not all the lines of induction due to current
in the primary coil pass entirely through the iron core to the secondary coil.
It is minimized by efficient core design.
Calculations
1. If a transformer is used to light a lamp rated at 60W, 220V from a 4400V a.c supply,
calculate the; i. ratio of the number of turns of primary coil to the secondary coil in
the transformer ii. current taken from the mains circuit if the efficiency of the
transformer is 95%. (WAEC, 1992, 2007)
Solution
i. EP/Es = Np/Ns = 4400/220 = 20/1
Therefore, Np : Ns = 20:1
output power power ∈secondary coil
ii. Efficiency of a transformer = input power x 100 % = power ∈ primary coil x 100 %
= IsVs / IPVP x 100 %
60
95 = Is x 4400 x 100 % , Is = 0.0144A
2. A transformer with a primary coil 800 turns and a secondary coil of 50 turns has its
primary coil connected to a 240V a.c. mains. If the current passing through the
primary coil is 0.5A, calculate the; i. potential difference across the secondary ends.
ii. current passing through the secondary coil, assuming no power losses. iii. power
in the coil if 10% of that in the primary coil is lost. (NECO, 2009)
Solution
i. Ns/NP = Vs/Vp, 50/800 = Vs/240, Vs = 15V
ii. Ns/NP = IP/IS, 50/800 = 0.5/Is, Is = 8A
iii. Pp = 10/100 (IpVp) = 10/100 (0.5 x 240) = 12W (power loss in the primary coil)
Power loss in secondary coil = 90/100 (IsVs) = 0.9 (8 x 15) = 108W
 3. A transformer has 300 turns of wire in the primary coil and 30 turns in the
secondary coil. If the input voltage is 100V, the output voltage is? (JAMB, 1981)
Solution
Ns/NP = Vs/Vp, 30/300 =Vs/100, Vs = 10V

THE INDUCTION COIL: This is an electrical device capable of producing a very high
intermittent e.m.f. by electromagnetic induction from a low voltage d.c. source e.g. a battery.

Structure: It consists of:

 A primary coil, made up of a few turns of insulated thick copper wire, wound on a
[laminated soft iron
 Secondary coil overlapping the primary coil. It is made of a large number of turns of
insulated thin copper wire. The ends of this coil are connected to an adjustable spark
gap created by one fixed and one adjustable brass rods.
 In front of the soft iron core of the primary coil is a make-and-break-device consisting
of a soft iron armature carried on a light brass spring to which is attached a platinium
contact with adjustable screw.
 The primary circuit is completed with a key and battery.
Principle of Operation
 When the key is closed/press, the core becomes magnetized due to the inflow of
current through the primary coil.
 The soft iron armature is attracted by the magnetized core, thereby causing a break in
the circuit at the contact point. As a result, the magnetic field through the core and the
primary coil collapses rapidly.
 By means of spring, the armature flies back and remakes contact with the adjustable
screw again due to demagnetization of the core.
 The circuit is completed again and the process is repeated rapidly.
  This action causes rapid changes in the magnetic flux through the primary coil, which
induces a rapidly changing e.m.f. (a.c. e.m.f.) in the secondary coil
 Because the number of turns in the secondary coil is far greater than those in the
primary coil, a large e.m.f., large enough to cause a spark across the gap is produced
in the secondary coil.
The capacitor (C) is connected between the armature and the adjustable screw because;
i. To control/reduce sparking at the platinum contacts (which otherwise wears off the
contact point) due to the back e.m.f. generated in the primary coil.
ii. It promotes rapid decay of the magnetic flux at the break of the primary circuit, which
helps to increase the secondary e.m.f.
Uses
It is used in;
i. Motor car ignition system
ii. The operation of x-ray tubes
iii. The investigate of high voltages
iv. The study of electric discharge through gases
v. Merse radio transmitter.