Transformer (Single Phase)

3.1 Introduction
“A Transformer is a static electromagnetic energy conversion device, which transfers electrical energy
from one electrical circuit to another electrical circuit, without any change in supply frequency”.
The medium of transfer of energy is magnetic field.
In general some of the important applications of Transformer are:
 For increasing or decreasing voltage and/or current level.
 For isolating one circuit from another circuit.
 For isolating DC while permitting the flow of AC between the two circuits.
 For matching the impedance of source and its load for maximum power transfer in electronics and
control circuits.
An elementary transformer consists of a soft Iron or silicon steel core and two winding placed on it. The
windings are insulated from the core as well as from each other.

Fig 3.1

3.2 Construction
According to the construction transformers are of two types namely Core type and Shell type. The
difference between these two types of transformers is by the manner in which the windings are wound
around the magnetic core.
Beside other parts, the two essential parts of a transformer are:
 Magnetic Core
 Primary and Secondary windings

3.2.1 Magnetic Core

The Magnetic Core is stack of thin silicon steel laminations (Fig 3.2). In order to reduce the eddy current
losses in the core these laminations are insulated from each other by thin layer of varnish.

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 Fig 3.2

For reducing the core losses nearly all transformer have their magnetic core made from cold-rolled grain-
oriented silicon steel (C.R.G.O.). The vertical portions of the core are usually called as Limbs or Legs and
the top and bottom portion are called Yoke.

3.2.2 Primary and Secondary Windings

In Core type transformer the winding surround a considerable part of the steel core (Fig 3.5).
For a given output and voltage ratings, core type transformer requires less iron but more conductor
material.

Fig 3.5 Fig 3.6

In case of shell type transformer, sandwich type windings are used. The high voltage and low voltage
windings are split in to a number of sections where each high voltage section lies between two low
voltage sections. Such type of sandwich windings is shown in Fig 3.6 above.

3.3 Working Principle

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A Transfer is based on the working principle of “Mutual Induction”. When an alternating voltage (V 1 ) is
applied across the primary side of the transformer, a current (I 1 ) flows in the primary winding. This
Primary current (I 1 ) produces the magnetic flux ( φ ) in the Transformer core, as the current in the primary
coil is alternating the magnetic flux set up in the transformer core will also be alternating in nature, that is,
its magnitude and direction will change with time.

As per Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction, a statically self induced e.m.f is set up in the primary
coil given by
dφ
e1 = − N1 (3.0l)
dt
Where, N 1 is the number of turns in the primary coil and φ is the alternating flux linking the primary coil.
The induced e.m.f in the primary coil is nearly equal and opposite to the applied voltage V 1 .

As the leakage of flux has been assumed to be negligible, the same magnetic flux, which is alternating in
nature, links with each and every turn of the secondary coil. As such, a statically mutual-induced e.m.f is
setup in the secondary coil, the magnitude of which, as per Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic Induction,
is given by
dφ
e2 = − N 2 (3.02)
dt
Where N 2 is the number of turns in the secondary coil and φ is the common alternating flux linking the
secondary coil.
If the load circuit is complete, the mutually induced e.m.f in the secondary coil will circulate the current
in the load circuit.

3.4 E.M.F. Equation

When an alternating voltage is applied across the primary of the transformer, a flux is established in the
transformer core.
The main flux ø established in the core is alternating in nature. Hence, an e.m.f is induced in the primary
winding of the transformer, which is given by
dφ
e1 = − N1 (3.0l)
dt
Where N 1 represents the number of turns in the primary.
The main flux φ can be expressed as
φ = φm cos ωt (3.03)
Where, φm is the maximum value of the main flux. Substituting equation (3.03) in equation (3.01) we get
d
e1 = − N1 (φm cos ωt ) (3.04)
dt
Or e1 = N1ωφm sin ωt (3.05)
The induced e.m.f E 1 is maximum when sin ωt = 1 then
E1,max = N1ωφm (3.06)
Hence, the r.m.s value of the induced e.m.f in the primary is given by
E N ωφ N 2πfφm
E1,rms = 1,max = 1 m = 1 (3.07)
2 2 2
Or E1,rms = 4.44 fφm N1 Volts (3.08)

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Where f is the frequency of supply in Hz,
Similarly, e.m.f induced in the secondary winding with N 2 turns is given by
E2,rms = 4.44 fφm N 2 Volts (3.09)
On comparing equation (3) and (4) it is clear that the induced e.m.f in primary winding E 1 (as well as in
secondary winding E 2 ) lags the main flux φ by 90o.
On dividing equation (3.09) by equation (3.08) we get
E2 N 2
= =K (3.10)
E1 N1
V2 E2 N 2 I1 1
Also = = = =K= (3.11)
V1 E1 N1 I 2 a
Where a = Turn Ratio
K = Transformation Ratio

3.5 Phasor Diagram

While drawing the Phasor diagram following points need to be considered.

 As the flux φ is constant and links with both the winding, it is considered as reference vector.
 The induced e.m.f always opposes the cause due to which it comes in to existence. Hence the
Induced e.m.f in primary winding, E 1 opposes the input voltage V 1 and hence V1 = − E1 .
 The Induced e.m.f in primary winding, E 1 and the Induced e.m.f in secondary winding, E 2 both
have same direction.
 While deriving the expression for the induced voltage, it is clear from equation (3.03) and (3.05)
φ = φm cos ωt (3.03)
e1 = N1ωφm sin ωt (3.05)
that induced e.m.f, E 1 and E 2 lags the flux φ by an angle π/2.

3.5.1 Case-I Transformer on No-Load

Consider a transformer in which

 No Winding Resistance.
 No Leakage Reactance.
 No Core Loss.
 Secondary Side Opens.
The circuit diagram is shown in Fig 3.7. The equations for primary and secondary sides can be written as
follow:

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 Fig 3.7

 The primary current (denoted by I o ) is no load current, as secondary side is open circuited. Hence
I1 = I 0 (3.12)
 The secondary current (denoted by I 2 ) is Zero, as secondary side is open circuited
I2 = 0 (3.13)
 From equation (3.03) and (3.05)
φ = φm cos ωt (3.03)
e1 = N1ωφm sin ωt (3.05)
it is clear that induced e.m.f lags the flux φ by an angle π/2.
Induced e.m.f in primary winding opposes the input voltage V 1 and hence
V1 = − E1 (3.14)
 Induced e.m.f in secondary winding, E 2 , acts as a source for the secondary side circuit and the
secondary terminal voltage, V 1 (which is basically the voltage drop across the Load), will be equal
to the secondary induced e.m.f as secondary is open circuited.
E2 = V2 (3.15)
 No-load current I o is in phase with flux, φ as there are no core losses.
Hence the Phasor Diagram will be (Fig 3.8)

Fig 3.8

is shown in Fig 3.11. The equations for primary and secondary sides can be written as follow:

Fig 3.11

 The secondary current is Zero, as secondary side is open circuited

I2 = 0 (3.13)
 (E 1 ,E 2 lags φ by 90 )
o

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  Induced e.m.f in primary winding opposes the input voltage V 1 and as the resistance of the
primary side is included hence primary side equation will become
V1 = I 0 R1 + (− E1 ) (3.16)
 As secondary is open circuited.
E2 = V2 (3.15)
 No-load current I o now will be not in phase with flux, φ as the core losses will now be
considered.
The primary no load current (I o ), along with the production of main flux ( φ ), is also responsible
for the core losses. So the No-Load primary input current is not wholly reactive (i.e., not at 90°
behind V 1 ) but lags it by an angle φo (<90o).
Hence the primary no load current (I o ) has two components:
(i) One is in phase with V 1 . This is known as active or working or iron loss component I ω
because it mainly supplies the Iron loss (and plus a small quantity of primary copper Loss).
I ω = I o cos φo (3.17)
(ii) The other component is in quadrature with V 1 (in phase with the main flux φ ). It is known as
magnetizing component I µ because its function is to sustain the alternating flux in the core. It
is watt less.
I µ = I o sin φo (3.18)
Hence No-load primary current will now be
I o = I µ + Iω (3.19)
Or I 0 = I π2 + I ω2 (3.20)
Hence the Phasor Diagram will be (Fig 3.12)

Fig 3.12

The following points should be noted carefully:

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 The no-load primary current I o is very small as compared to the full-load primary current, I 1 . It is
about 1% of the full-load current.
 As I o is very small, the no-load primary copper Loss is negligibly small which means that no-load
primary input is practically responsible for the Iron loss and flux generation in the transformer.
 Again, the Phasor ( I 0 R1 ) is a voltage drop across Resistance; hence the current and the voltage
related to this Phasor will be in phase. That is the reason the Phasor ( I 0 R1 ) is drawn always parallel
to the current Phasor ( I 0 ) and in the same direction as that of Phasor ( I 0 ) .