ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Electrical Circuits 2 Manual

ACTIVITY 5A

TRANSFORMERS: TRANSFORMER WINDINGS

5A.1 Program Outcomes (POs) Addressed by the Activity

b. ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
d. ability to function on multidisciplinary teams
e. ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
g. ability to communicate effectively

5A.2 Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity, the student shall be able to:
a. identify the parts of a transformer
b. measure the resistance of a transformer
c. determine the connections of primary and secondary windings

5A.3 Objectives of the Activity

The objectives of this activity are to:
1. determine the coil resistance of a transformer by using a multimeter.

2. study the connections of primary and secondary windings.

5A.4 Principle of the Activity

You were previously showed that an inductor has an inherent resistance based in the
wave from which it is made. The same is true for transformer windings. This resistance
can be determined from the resistance measurements of a multimeter placed across each
winding. However, an open circuit will exist between the two windings because no
electrical connection exist between the primary and secondary.

A special type of transformer called an auto transfer does have a direct connection
between the primary and secondary windings. In fact, an autotransformer consists of one
continuous winding. This single winding act as both primary and secondary.

The amount of resistance in each winding depends on the number of turns (length), the
wire gauge, and the material composition of the wire. If both windings are made of the
same wire (which is not always the case), then the winding with the most turns usually
has the higher resistance.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
 Although a transformer tap may appear anywhere along a winding, many transformers
are tapped at the center. A center-tapped winding evenly halves the number of turns. If
the wire on both sides of a center tap is of the same gauge, the tap will also have the coil
resistance of the winding; therefore, the resistance on both sides of the tap will be about
equal.

5A.5 Materials/Equipment

1 – F. A. C. E. T. Based Unit
2 – AC1 FUNDAMENTALS Circuit Board
2 – 15Vdc Power Supply
1 – Oscilloscope, dual trace
1 – Generator, sine wave
1 – Multimeter

5A.6 Procedure/s

1. Locate the symbol for transformer T1 in the TRANSFORMER circuit block on the AC 1
FUNDAMENTALS circuit board. What type of core is indicated by the symbol?
______________________________________________________________________________

2. Is the secondary of transformer T1 tapped? _________________________________________

3. Measure and record the primary resistance (RP) of transformer T 1 with a multimeter. The
primary is the winding on the left. Place the multimeter probes at leads 1 and 2, shown in figure
5.1-1. RP = _____________Ω

Figure 5.1-1

4. Measure and record the secondary resistance (R S) of transformer T with a multimeter. The
secondary winding is the winding on the right. Place the multimeter probes at leads 3 and 4,

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
shown in Figure 5.1-1. Judging from the resistance measurements of the two windings, which
winding has more turns (assuming that both are made from the same type of wire), the primary
or secondary?
____________________________________________________________________

5. Measure the resistance between the primary and secondary windings with a multimeter (leads
1 and 3 or 2 and 4, shown in Figure 5.1-1). Does an open circuit exist between the primary and
secondary windings? ____________________________________________________________

Does an electrical connection exist between them? ___________________________________

R13 = _________ Ω, R24 = _______ Ω

6. Measure and record the resistance from tap to the top lead of the secondary winding (R S1) of
transformer T1. Place the multimeter probes at leads 3 and 5, shown in Figure 5.1-1.
RS1= ________ Ω

7. Measure and record the resistance from the top to the bottom lead of the secondary winding
(RS2) of transformer T1. Place the multimeter probes at leads 4 and 5, shown in Figure 5.1-1.
Based on the resistor measurements taken in this step and in step 6, and assuming the entire
secondary winding is made of the same wire type, is the tap located near the top, center or
bottom of the secondary winding?
__________________________________________________________ RS2 = _________ Ω

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5A.7 Activity Report

Section: Date Performed:

Course Code: Date Submitted:
Course Title:
Instructor:
Group No.: Activity No.:
Group Members: Signature:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

5A.7.1 Calculations

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5A.7.2 Conclusion/s: Write at least three (3) conclusions.

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS
5A.7.3 Rating (See Attached Rubric)

ACTIVITY 5: TRANSFORMERS