Class 12 Physics Investigatory Project

Investigating the Relations in a Self-Designed Transformer

Name: ____________________

Class: 12

Subject: Physics

School: ____________________
 Certificate
This is to certify that Omm prakash parida a student of
class xii(sc.),has successfully completed the
investigatory project entitled "To investigate the
relation between the ratio of (i) input and output
voltage and (ii)no of turns in the secondary and
primary coil of a Self-Designed Transformer" is an
original work carried out by the student under the
guidance of the physics teacher Mr. Anshuman
Mohanty.
Name of the Student:
Class: 12
Roll no:
Date:

Signature of Principal Signature of

teacher
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to
my physics teacher, Mr. Anshuman Mohanty sir,
for his valuable guidance, support, and
encouragement throughout this project. I am also
thankful to Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Jagatsinghpur for providing me the resources and
opportunity to complete my investigatory project
on To investigate the relation between the ratio of
(i) input and output voltage and (ii)no of turns in
the secondary and primary coil of a Self-Designed
Transformer.
 Signature of
teacher

Content
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8. Diagram
9. Procedure
10. Observation
11. Energy loss
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Introduction
The transformer is a device used for converting a low alternating
voltage to a high alternating voltage or a high alternating voltage
into a low alternating voltage. It is a static electrical device that
transfers energy by inductive coupling between its winding circuits.
Transformers range in size from a thumbnail-sized coupling
transformer hidden inside a stage microphone to huge units
weighing hundreds of tons used in power plant substations or to
interconnect portions of the power grid. All operate on the same
basic principles, although the range of designs is wide. While new
technologies have eliminated the need for transformers in some
electronic circuits, transformers are still found in many electronic
devices. Transformers are essential for high-voltage electric power
transmission, which makes long-distance transmission economically
practical. A transformer is most widely used device in both low and
high current circuit. In a transformer, the electrical energy transfer
from one circuit to another circuit takes place without the use of
moving parts. A transformer which increases the voltages is called a
step-up transformer. A transformer which decreases the A.C.
voltages is called a step-down transformer. Transformer is,
therefore, an essential piece of apparatus both for high and low
current circuits.
 Material Required
 Iron Rod
 Voltmeter
 Ammeter
 Copper wire

Principle
The electric transformer works on the fundamental principle of
electromagnetic induction, a concept first discovered by Michael
Faraday in the 19th century. The transformer consists of two coils of
wire, known as the primary and secondary windings, which are
usually wound around a common magnetic core. When an
alternating current (AC) flows through the primary winding, it
generates a changing magnetic field around the coil. According to
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, this changing magnetic
field induces an electromotive force (EMF) or voltage in the
secondary winding. The key principle here is that the transformer
relies on the mutual induction between the primary and secondary
windings through the magnetic flux linkage.
 Construction
A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core made of
laminated sheets, well insulated one another two & and & are
wound on the same core, but are well insulated with each other.
Note that the both the coils are insulated from the core, the source
of alternating e.m.f is connected to , the primary coil and a load
resistance R is connected to , the secondary coil through an open
switch S. thus there can be no current through the sec. coil so long
as the switch is open. For an ideal transformer, we assume that the
resistance of the primary & secondary winding is negligible. Further,
the energy loses due to magnetic the iron core is also negligible. For
operation at low frequency, we may have a soft iron. The soft iron
core is insulating by joining thin iron strips coated with varnish to
insulate them to reduce energy losses by eddy currents. The input
circuit is called primary. And the output circuit is called secondary.
 Theory
The central theory is:Vs/Vp=Ns/Np
Where:
Vp = Input (primary) voltage
Vs = Output (secondary) voltage
Np= Number of turns in primary coil
Np= Number of turns in secondary coil
 Working
A Transformer based on the Principle of mutual induction according to this
principle, the amount of magnetic flux linked with a coil changing, an e.m.f is
induced in the neighbouring coil that is if a varying current is set-up in a
circuit induced e.m.f. is produced in the neighbouring circuit. The varying
current in a circuit produce varying magnetic flux which induces e.m.f. in the
neighbouring circuit.

The transformer consists of two coils. They are insulated with each other by
insulated material and wound on a common core. For operation at low
frequency, we may have a soft iron. The soft iron core is insulating by joining
thin iron strips coated with varnish to insulate them to reduce energy losses
by eddy currents. The input circuit is called primary. And the output circuit is
called secondary.

Efficiency
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of output power to the input power i.e.

Thus, in an ideal transformer, where there is no power losses, η = 1. But in actual practice, there are many
power losses; therefore, the efficiency of transformer is less than one.
Diagram

Procedure
1. Take thick iron rod and cover it with a thick paper and wind a large
number of turns of thin Cu wire on
2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and wound relatively
smaller number of turns (say 20) of thick copper wire on it. This
constitutes the secondary coil. It is a step-down transformer.
3. Connect p1,p2 to A.C main and measure the input voltage and current
using A.C voltmeter and ammeter respectively.
4. Similarly, measure the output voltage and current through s1 and s2
5. Now connect s1 and s2 to A.C main and again measure voltage and
current through primary and secondary coil of step up transformer.
6. Repeat all steps for other self-made transformers by changing number of
turns in primary and secondary coil.

Observation
 1. We will find that ratio of and across the two coils is equal to the ratio of
number of turns in the coil P to that in the coil S. i.e., Vp/Vs = Np/Ns
—————- (1)
2. The coil P (to which AC voltage is applied) is called the primary and coil S
(in which AC is induced) is called the secondary.
3. Since coil S is placed very close to the coil P, the power in the primary is
transferred into the secondary through mutual induction.
4. It is clear from equation 1, that by appropriate choice of the turn ratio
i.e., Np/Ns, we can obtain a higher voltage or lower voltage in S
compared to that in P.

Energy Loss
In practice, the output energy of a transformer is always less than the input
energy, because energy losses occur due to a number of reasons as explained
below.

 Loss of Magnetic Flux: The coupling between the coils is seldom

perfect. So, whole of the magnetic flux produced by the primary coil is
not linked up with the secondary coil.

 Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of lamination, Eddy currents are
produced. The magnitude of eddy current may, however be small. And a
part of energy is lost as the heat produced in the iron core.

 Copper Loss: In practice, the coils of the transformer possess

resistance. So, a part of the energy is lost due to the heat produced in
the resistance of the coil.

 Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil tapes the iron core
through complete cycle of magnetization. So, Energy is lost due to
 hysteresis.

 Magneto restriction: The alternating current in the Transformer may

be set its parts in to vibrations and sound may be produced. It is called
humming. Thus, a part of energy may be lost due to humming.

Conclusion
 The output voltage of the transformer across the secondary coil depends
upon the ratio (Ns/Np) with respect to the input voltage.

 There is a loss of power between input and output coil of a transformer.