TERM PAPER

BASIC ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS

ECE131

Topic: Transformers and their types

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mr. Greesh Kumar Singh Aditi Sharma
Deptt. Of Electronics RK6001A01
11001839
K6001
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude for the many helpful comments and suggestions I have received
over the last few days regarding the expository and critical aspects of my term paper, and especially
for those comments which bear directly on my various arguments for the central thesis statement.
Most importantly, I would like to thank my teacher GREESH KUMAR SINGH for his supervision,
and especially for his commitment to guiding me through my paper, as well as for the time he has
spent reading the various drafts of this paper. His critical commentary on my work has played a major
role in both the content and presentation of my discussion and arguments in this term paper.
CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. History
3. The Components of a Transformer
4. Basic Operation of a Transformer
5. Types of Transformers
• Power Transformers
• Autotransformers
• Audio-Frequency Transformers
• Radio-Frequency Transformers
• Impedance-Matching Transformers
• Polyphase Transformers
• Leakage Transformers
• Resonance Transformers
• Audio Transformers
• Instrument Transformers
6. Applications
7. References Cited
INTRODUCTION

A transformer is a device in which two circuits are coupled by a magnetic field that is linked to both.
There is no conductive connection between the circuits, which may be at arbitrary constant potentials.
Only changes in one circuit affect the other. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a
varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field through
the secondary winding. This varying magnetic field induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) or
"voltage" in the secondary winding. This effect is called mutual induction. The circuits often carry at
least approximately sinusoidal currents, and the effect of the transformer is to change the voltages,
while transferring power with little loss. The magnetic field coupling the circuits can be in air, but is
usually in a ferromagnetic material, the core, in which the field can be thousands of times greater than
it would be in air, making the transformer efficient and small. The transformer is an honorary
electrical "machine" in which the flux changes occur by variation in currents with time, instead of by
motion.

Most transformers with iron cores can be considered as ideal when we use them. An ideal transformer
has no losses, an aim that is closely attained in practice, so the energy transfer from the primary circuit
to the secondary circuit is perfect. The diagram represents such a transformer, showing the core with
magnetic flux φ, the primary winding of N1 turns, and the secondary winding of N2 turns. The
reference directions for the voltages and currents at the terminals are shown. Currents entering the
dotted terminals produce flux in the same direction, the direction shown. The current and voltage
ratios are equal to the turns ratio. This means that the power factor (cosine of the phase angle), and the
power, are the same at input (primary) and output (secondary).

The diagram shows the usual schematic way to represent a transformer. In an actual transformer, the
windings are wound on top of each other, not on separate legs, to reduce leakage flux. In the usual
shell-type transformer, both primary and secondary are on one leg, and are surrounded by the core. A
core-type transformer has windings covering the core legs.

A real transformer becomes hot because of losses, and the output voltage may vary with load even
when the primary voltage is held constant.

The mutual flux φ is the means of transfer of energy from primary to secondary, and links both
windings. In an ideal transformer, this flux requires negligibly small ampere-turns to produce it, so the
net ampere-turns, primary plus secondary, are about zero. When a current is drawn from the secondary
in the positive direction, ampere-turns decrease substantially. This must be matched by an equal
increase in primary ampere-turns, which is caused by an increase in the current entering the primary in
the positive direction. In this way, the back-emf of the primary (the voltage induced in it by the flux φ)
equals the voltage applied to the primary.
HISTORY

The phenomenon of electromagnetic induction was discovered independently by Michael

Faraday and Joseph Henry in 1831. However, Faraday was the first to publish the results of his
experiments and thus receive credit for the discovery. The relationship between electromotive
force (EMF) or "voltage" and magnetic flux was formalized in an equation now referred to as
"Faraday's law of induction":

Where is the magnitude of the EMF in volts and ΦB is the magnetic flux through the circuit
(in webers).

Faraday performed the first experiments on induction between coils of wire, including winding a pair
of coils around an iron ring, thus creating the first toroidal closed-core transformer.

THE COMPONENTS OF A TRANSFORMER

Two coils of wire (called windings) are wound on some type of core material. In some cases the coils
of wire are wound on a cylindrical or rectangular cardboard form. In effect, the core material is air and
the transformer is called an AIR-CORE TRANSFORMER. Transformers used at low frequencies,
such as 50 hertz and 400 hertz, require a core of low-reluctance magnetic material, usually iron. This
type of transformer is called an IRON-CORE TRANSFORMER. Most power transformers are of the
iron-core type. The principle parts of a transformer and their functions are:
• The CORE, which provides a path for the magnetic lines of flux.
• The PRIMARY WINDING, which receives energy from the ac source.
• The SECONDARY WINDING, which receives energy from the primary
winding and delivers it to the load.
• The ENCLOSURE, which protects the above components from dirt, moisture,
and mechanical damage.

BASIC OPERATION OF A TRANSFORMER

In its most basic form a transformer consists of:
• A primary coil or winding.
• A secondary coil or winding.
• A core that supports the coils or windings.

The primary winding is connected to an ac voltage source. The magnetic field (flux) builds
up (expands) and collapses (contracts) about the primary winding. The expanding and contracting
 magnetic field around the primary winding cuts the secondary winding and induces an alternating
voltage into the winding. This voltage causes alternating current to flow through the load. The voltage
may be stepped up or down depending on the design of the primary and secondary windings.

Figure (1). - Basic transformer action.

TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS

A wide variety of transformer designs are used for different applications, though they share several
common features. Important common transformer types include:

• Power Transformers
Power transformers are used to supply voltages to the various circuits in electrical equipment. These
transformers have two or more windings wound on a laminated iron core. The number of windings and
the turns per winding depend upon the voltages that the transformer is to supply. Their coefficient of
coupling is 0.95 or more.
We can usually distinguish between the high-voltage and low-voltage windings in a power transformer
by measuring the resistance. The low-voltage winding usually carries the higher current and therefore
has the larger diameter wire. This means that its resistance is less than the resistance of the high-
voltage winding, which normally carries less current and therefore may be constructed of smaller
diameter wire.

The typical power transformer has several secondary windings, each providing a different voltage. The
schematic symbol for a typical power-supply transformer is shown in figure (2). For any given voltage
across the primary, the voltage across each of the secondary windings is determined by the number of
turns in each secondary. A winding may be center-tapped like the secondary 350 volt winding shown
in the figure. To center tap a winding means to connect a wire to the center of the coil, so that between
this center tap and either terminal of the winding there appears one-half of the voltage developed
across the entire winding. Most power transformers have colored leads so that it is easy to distinguish
between the various windings to which they are connected. Usually, red is used to indicate the high-
voltage leads, but it is possible for a manufacturer to use some other colors.
 Figure (2). - Schematic diagram of a typical power transformer.

There are many types of power transformers. They range in size from the huge transformers weighing
several tons-used in power substations of commercial power companies-to very small ones weighing
as little as a few ounces-used in electronic equipment.

• Autotransformers
It is not necessary in a transformer for the primary and secondary to be separate and distinct windings.
Figure (3) is a schematic diagram of what is known as an AUTOTRANSFORMER. Note that a single
coil of wire is "tapped" to produce what is electrically a primary and secondary winding. The voltage
across the secondary winding has the same relationship to the voltage across the primary that it would
have if they were two distinct windings. The movable tap in the secondary is used to select a value of
output voltage, either higher or lower than E p, within the range of the transformer. That is, when the
tap is at point A, Es is less than Ep; when the tap is at point B, Es is greater than E p.
 Figure (3). - Schematic diagram of an autotransformer.

Audio-Frequency Transformers
Audio-frequency (AF) transformers are used in (AF) circuits as coupling devices. Audio-frequency
transformers are designed to operate at frequencies in the audio frequency spectrum (generally
considered to be 15 Hz to 20 kHz).
They consist of a primary and a secondary winding wound on a laminated iron or steel core. Because
these transformers are subjected to higher frequencies than are power transformers, special grades of
steel such as silicon steel or special alloys of iron that have a very low hysteresis loss must be used for
core material. These transformers usually have a greater number of turns in the secondary than in the
primary; common step-up ratios being 1 to 2 or 1 to 4. With audio transformers the impedance of the
primary and secondary windings is as important as the ratio of turns, since the transformer selected
should have its impedance match the circuits to which it is connected.

Radio-Frequency Transformers
Radio-frequency (RF) transformers are used to couple circuits to which frequencies above 20,000 Hz
are applied. The windings are wound on a tube of non-magnetic material, have a special powdered-
iron core, or contain only air as the core material. In standard broadcast radio receivers, they operate in
a frequency range of from 530 kHz to 1550 kHz. In a short-wave receiver, r-f transformers are
subjected to frequencies up to about 20 MHz - in radar, up to and even above 200 MHz.

Impedance-Matching Transformers
For maximum or optimum transfer of power between two circuits, it is necessary for the impedance of
one circuit to be matched to that of the other circuit. One common impedance-matching device is the
transformer.
To obtain proper matching, you must use a transformer having the correct turns ratio. The number of
turns on the primary and secondary windings and the impedance of the transformer have the following
mathematical relationship

Because of this ability to match impedances, the impedance-matching transformer is widely used in
electronic equipment.
Polyphase Transformers
For three-phase supplies, a bank of three individual single-phase transformers can be used, or all three
phases can be incorporated as a single three-phase transformer. In this case, the magnetic circuits are
connected together, the core thus containing a three-phase flow of flux. A number of winding
configurations are possible, giving rise to different attributes and phase shifts. One particular poly
phase configuration is the zigzag transformer, used for grounding and in the suppression
of harmonic currents.

Leakage Transformers

A leakage transformer, also called a stray-field transformer, has a significantly higher leakage
inductance than other transformers, sometimes increased by a magnetic bypass or shunt in its core
between primary and secondary, which is sometimes adjustable with a set screw. This provides a
transformer with an inherent current limitation due to the loose coupling between its primary and the
secondary windings. The output and input currents are low enough to prevent thermal overload under
all load conditions—even if the secondary is shorted.

Leakage transformers are used for arc welding and high voltage discharge lamps (neon lamps and cold
cathode fluorescent lamps, which are series-connected up to 7.5 kV AC). It acts then both as a voltage
transformer and as a magnetic ballast.

Other applications are short-circuit-proof extra-low voltage transformers for toys or doorbell
installations.

Resonant Transformers

A resonant transformer is a kind of leakage transformer. It uses the leakage inductance of its secondary
windings in combination with external capacitors, to create one or more resonant circuits. Resonant
transformers such as the Tesla coil can generate very high voltages, and are able to provide much
higher current than electrostatic high-voltage generation machines such as the Van de Graaff
generator. One of the applications of the resonant transformer is for the CCFL inverter. Another
application of the resonant transformer is to couple between stages of a super heterodyne receiver,
where the selectivity of the receiver is provided by tuned transformers in the intermediate-frequency
amplifiers.

Audio Transformers

Audio transformers are those specifically designed for use in audio circuits. They can be used to block
radio frequency interference or the DC component of an audio signal, to split or combine audio
signals, or to provide impedance matching between high and low impedance circuits, such as between
a high impedance tube (valve) amplifier output and a low impedance loudspeaker, or between a high
impedance instrument output and the low impedance input of a mixing console.

Such transformers were originally designed to connect different telephone systems to one another
while keeping their respective power supplies isolated, and are still commonly used to
interconnect professional audio systems or system components.

Being magnetic devices, audio transformers are susceptible to external magnetic fields such as those
generated by AC current-carrying conductors. "Hum" is a term commonly used to describe unwanted
signals originating from the "mains" power supply (typically 50 or 60 Hz). Audio transformers used
for low-level signals, such as those from microphones, often include shielding to protect against
extraneous magnetically coupled signals.

Instrument Transformers

Instrument transformers are used for measuring voltage and current in electrical power systems, and
for power system protection and control. Where a voltage or current is too large to be conveniently
used by an instrument, it can be scaled down to a standardized, low value. Instrument transformers
isolate measurement, protection and control circuitry from the high currents or voltages present on the
circuits being measured or controlled.

A current transformer is a transformer designed to provide a current in its secondary coil proportional
to the current flowing in its primary coil.

Voltage transformers (VTs), also referred to as "potential transformers" (PTs), are designed to have an
accurately known transformation ratio in both magnitude and phase, over a range of measuring circuit
impedances. A voltage transformer is intended to present a negligible load to the supply being
measured. The low secondary voltage allows protective relay equipment and measuring instruments to
be operated at a lower voltages.

Both current and voltage instrument transformers are designed to have predictable characteristics on
overloads. Proper operation of over-current protective relays requires that current transformers provide
a predictable transformation ratio even during a short-circuit.
APPLICATIONS
A major application of transformers is to increase voltage before transmitting electrical energy over
long distances through wires. Wires have resistance and so dissipate electrical energy at a rate
proportional to the square of the current through the wire. By transforming electrical power to a high-
voltage (and therefore low-current) form for transmission and back again afterward, transformers
enable economic transmission of power over long distances. Consequently, transformers have shaped
the electricity supply industry, permitting generation to be located remotely from points
of demand. All but a tiny fraction of the world's electrical power has passed through a series of
transformers by the time it reaches the consumer.

Transformers are also used extensively in electronic products to step down the supply voltage to a
level suitable for the low voltage circuits they contain. The transformer also electrically isolates the
end user from contact with the supply voltage.

Signal and audio transformers are used to couple stages of amplifiers and to match devices such
as microphones and record players to the input of amplifiers. Audio transformers
allowed telephone circuits to carry on a two-way conversation over a single pair of wires.
A balun transformer converts a signal that is referenced to ground to a signal that has balanced
voltages to ground, such as between external cables and internal circuits.

The principle of open-circuit (unloaded) transformer is widely used for characterization of soft
magnetic materials, for example in the internationally standardized Epstein frame method.

REFERENCES CITED

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformer

http://www.sayedsaad.com/fundmental/index_transformer.htm

http://www.chooseindia.com/engineering/Inside-Transformers.htm

http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/electricitytransformers.htm