Transformer

Electrical power transformer is a static device which transforms electrical energy from one circuit to another without any direct electrical connection and with the help of mutual induction between two windings. It transforms power from one circuit to another without changing its frequency but may be in different voltage level.

Working Principle of Transformer

The working principle of transformer is very simple. It depends upon Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction. Actually, mutual induction between two or more winding is responsible for transformation action in an electrical transformer.

Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction

According to these Faraday’s laws,
“Rate of change of flux linkage with respect to time is directly proportional to the induced EMF in a conductor or coil”.

Basic Theory of Transformer

Say you have one winding which is supplied by an alternating electrical source. The alternating current through the winding produces a continually changing flux or alternating flux that surrounds the winding. If any other winding is brought nearer to the previous one, obviously some portion of this flux will link with the second. As this flux is continually changing in its amplitude and direction, there must be a change in flux linkage in the second winding or coil. According to Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, there must be an EMF induced in the second. If the circuit of the later winding is closed, there must be an current flowing through it. This is the simplest form of electrical power transformer and this is the most basic of working principle of transformer.

• Where:
•   V_P  –  is the Primary Voltage
•   V_S  –  is the Secondary Voltage
•   N_P  –  is the Number of Primary Windings
•   N_S  –  is the Number of Secondary Windings
•   Φ (phi)  –  is the Flux Linkage

The winding which takes electrical power from the source, is generally known as primary winding of transformer.The winding which gives the desired output voltage due to mutual induction in the transformer, is commonly known as secondary winding of transformer

Main Parts of Transformer

The three main parts of a transformer are,

1. Primary Winding of transformer – which produces magnetic flux when it is connected to electrical source.
2. Magnetic Core of transformer – the magnetic flux produced by the primary winding, that will pass through this low reluctance path linked with secondary winding and create a closed magnetic circuit.
3. Secondary Winding of transformer – the flux, produced by primary winding, passes through the core, will link with the secondary winding. This winding also wounds on the same core and gives the desired output of the transformer.