Module 5:

Electrical Machine and Transformer

Dr. Sushma Kamlu

Module-5(Class-12)
 Transformer
• Definition of Transformer
• A transformer is a static machine used for transforming
power from one circuit to another without changing
frequency. This is a very basic definition of transformer.
Since, there is no rotating or moving part, so a
transformer is a static device. Transformer operates on an
ac supply. A transformer works on the principle of mutual
induction.

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 Transformer – Working Principle
• The main principle of operation of a transformer is mutual inductance between two
circuits which is linked by a common magnetic flux. A basic transformer consists of
two coils that are electrically separate and inductive, but are magnetically linked
through a path of reluctance. The working principle of the transformer can be
understood from the figure below.
As shown above the electrical transformer has
primary and secondary windings. The core
laminations are joined in the form of strips in
between the strips you can see that there are some
narrow gaps right through the cross-section of the
core. These staggered joints are said to be
‘imbricate’. Both the coils have high mutual
inductance. A mutual electro-motive force is
induced in the transformer from the alternating flux
that is set up in the laminated core, due to the coil
that is connected to a source of alternating voltage.

Module-5(Class-12)
 Transformer – Working Principle
• Most of the alternating flux developed by this coil is linked with the other coil and
thus produces the mutual induced electro-motive force. The so produced electro-
motive force can be explained with the help of Faraday’s laws of Electromagnetic
Induction as
• e=M*dI/dt
• If the second coil circuit is closed, a current flows in it and thus electrical energy is
transferred magnetically from the first to the second coil.
• The alternating current supply is given to the first coil and hence it can be called as
the primary winding. The energy is drawn out from the second coil and thus can be
called as the secondary winding.

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 Types of Transformers
• Types by Design
• The types of transformers differ in the manner in which the primary and secondary coils are
provided around the laminated steel core. According to the design, transformers can be
classified into two:
• 1. Core- Type Transformer
• In core-type transformer, the windings are given to a considerable part of the core. The
coils used for this transformer are form-wound and are of cylindrical type. Such a type of
transformer can be applicable for small sized and large sized transformers. In the small
sized type, the core will be rectangular in shape and the coils used are cylindrical. The
figure below shows the large sized type. You can see that the round or cylindrical coils
are wound in such a way as to fit over a cruciform core section. In the case of circular
cylindrical coils, they have a fair advantage of having good mechanical strength. The
cylindrical coils will have different layers and each layer will be insulated from the other
with the help of materials like paper, cloth, micarta board and so on. The general
arrangement of the core-type transformer with respect to the core is shown below. Both
low-voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) windings are shown.
Module-5(Class-12)
 Types of Transformers
• 1. Core- Type Transformer

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 Types of Transformers
• 2. Shell-Type Transformer
• In shell-type transformers, the core surrounds a considerable portion of the windings. The
comparison is shown in the figure below.

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 E.M.F Equation of a Transformer
Let,
• NA = Number of turns in primary
• NB = Number of turns in secondary
• Ømax = Maximum flux in the core in webers = Bmax X A
• f = Frequency of alternating current input in hertz (HZ)
As shown in figure above, the core flux increases from its zero value to
maximum value Ømax in one quarter of the cycle , that is in ¼ frequency
second.
Therefore, average rate of change of flux = Ømax/ ¼ f = 4f ØmaxWb/s
Now, rate of change of flux per turn means induced electro motive force in volt.
Therefore, average electro-motive force induced/turn = 4f Ømaxvolt
If flux Ø varies sinusoidally, then r.m.s value of induced e.m.f is obtained by
multiplying the average value with form factor.
Form Factor = r.m.s. value/average value = 1.11
Therefore, r.m.s value of e.m.f/turn = 1.11 X 4f Ømax = 4.44f Ømax
Now, r.m.s value of induced e.m.f in the whole of primary winding
= (induced e.m.f./turn) X Number of primary turns
Therefore, E-A = 4.44f NAØmax = 4.44fNABmA
Similarly, r.m.s value of induced e.m.f in secondary is
• E-B = 4.44f NB Ømax = 4.44fNBBmA, In an ideal transformer on no load, VA = EA and VB = EB , where VB is
the terminal voltage Module-5(Class-12)
 Voltage Transformation Ratio (K)
• From the above equations we get
• EB/ EA = VB/ VA = NB/NA = K
• This constant K is known as voltage transformation ratio.
• (1) If NB>NA , that is K>1 , then transformer is called step-up transformer.
• (2) If NB<1, that is K<1 , then transformer is known as step-down transformer.
• Again for an ideal transformer,
• Input VA = output VA
• VAIA = VBIB
• Or, IB/IA = VA/VB = 1/K
• Hence, currents are in the inverse ratio of the (voltage) transformation ratio.

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 Applications of a transformer
• Transformers are used in most electronic circuits. A transformer has only 3 applications;
1. To step up voltage and current.
2. To Step down voltage and current
3. To prevent DC – transformers can pass only Alternating Currents so they totally prevent DC
from passing to the next circuit.

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 Autotransformer
• An autotransformer is a kind of electrical transformer where primary and
secondary shares same common single winding. So basically it’s a one winding
transformer.
• Autotransformer Theory

In an auto transformer, one single winding is

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 Autotransformer
• The winding AB of total turns N1 is considered as primary winding. This winding is tapped from
point ′C′ and the portion BC is considered as secondary. Let’s assume the number of turns in
between points ′B′ and ′C′ is N2.
• If V1 voltage is applied across the winding i.e. in between ′A′ and ′C′.
Voltage per turn in this winding = V1
N1
• Hence, the voltage across the portion BC of the winding, will be,
V1
V2   N2
N1
V2 N 2
  cons tan t  k
V1 N1

• As BC portion of the winding is considered as secondary, it can easily be understood that

Module-5(Class-12)
 Autotransformer
• Copper Savings in Auto Transformer
• Now we will discuss the savings of copper in auto transformer compared to conventional two
winding transformer.
We know that weight of copper of any winding depends upon its length and cross-sectional
area. Again length of conductor in winding is proportional to its number of turns and cross-
sectional area varies with rated current.
So weight of copper in winding is directly proportional to product of number of turns and
rated current of the winding.
• Therefore, weight of copper in the section AC proportional to, ( N1  N2 ) I1
• and similarly, weight of copper in the section BC proportional to, ( I 2  I1 ) N2
• Hence, total weight of copper in the winding of auto transformer proportional to,
( N1  N 2 ) I1  N 2 ( I 2  I1 )
 N1 I1  N 2 I1  N 2 I 2  N 2 I1
 2 N1 I1  2 N 2 I1
As
N1 I1  N 2 I 2
 2( N1 I1  N 2 I1 ) Module-5(Class-12)
 Autotransformer
• In similar way it can be proved, the weight of copper in two winding transformer is
proportional to, N1I1  N2 I 2
• Hence 2N1I1
• Let’s assume, Wa and Wtw are weight of copper in auto transformer and two winding
transformer respectively,
• Hence, Wa 2( N1 I1  N 2 I1 ) N1I1  N 2 I1 N 2 I1 N2
   1  1  1 k
Wtw 2( N1I1 ) N1I1 N1I1 N1
Wa  (1  k )Wtw

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 Autotransformer
• Advantages of using Auto Transformers
1. For transformation ratio = 2, the size of the auto transformer would be approximately 50%
of the corresponding size of two winding transformer. For transformation ratio say 20
however the size would be 95 %. The saving in cost of the material is of course not in the
same proportion. The saving of cost is appreciable when the ratio of transformer is low, that is
lower than 2. Thus auto transformer is smaller in size and cheaper.
2. An auto transformer has higher efficiency than two winding transformer. This is because of
less ohmic loss and core loss due to reduction of transformer material.
3. Auto transformer has better voltage regulation as voltage drop in resistance and reactance of
the single winding is less.

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 Autotransformer
• Disadvantages of using Auto Transformers
1. Because of electrical conductivity of the primary and secondary windings the lower voltage
circuit is liable to be impressed upon by higher voltage. To avoid breakdown in the lower
voltage circuit, it becomes necessary to design the low voltage circuit to withstand higher
voltage.
2. The leakage flux between the primary and secondary windings is small and hence the
impedance is low. This results into severer short circuit currents under fault conditions.
3. The connections on primary and secondary sides have necessarily needs to be same, except
when using interconnected starring connections. This introduces complications due to
changing primary and secondary phase angle particularly in the case of delta/delta connection.
4. Because of common neutral in a star/star connected auto transformer it is not possible to earth
neutral of one side only. Both their sides should have their neutrality either earth or isolated.
5. It is more difficult to maintain the electromagnetic balance of the winding when voltage
adjustment tappings are provided. It should be known that the provision of tapping on an auto
transformer increases considerably the frame size of the transformer. If the range of tapping is
very large, the advantages gained in initial cost is lost to a great event.
Module-5(Class-12)
 Autotransformer
• Applications of Auto Transformers
1. Compensating voltage drops by boosting supply voltage in distribution systems.
2. Auto transformers with a number of tapping are used for starting induction and synchronous
motors.
3. Auto transformer is used as variac in laboratory or where continuous variable over broad
ranges are required.

Module-5(Class-12)