Q1.

Explain single-phase transformer construction and working principle

along with a well-labelled diagram?
• A single-phase transformer is a type of transformer which operates on single-phase
supply. It is most commonly used to increase (‘step up’) or decrease (‘step down’)
voltage levels between circuits.
• A transformer is a passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy from one
circuit to another through the process of electromagnetic induction.
• A transformer is a device which converts magnetic energy into electrical energy. It
consists of two electrical coils called as a primary winding and secondary winding. The
primary winding of a transformer receives power, while the secondary winding delivers
power. A magnetic iron circuit called “core” is commonly used to wrap around these
coils.

Principle of Single-Phase Transformer:

The transformer works on the principle of Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction and
mutual induction. There are usually two coils – primary coil and secondary coil – on the
transformer core. When an AC voltage is applied to the primary winding, it produces a
changing magnetic flux in the core. This changing flux induces a voltage in the secondary
winding according to Faraday’s Law:
𝑑Φ
𝐸 = −𝑁
𝑑𝑡
Where:
• 𝐸= induced emf (voltage)
• 𝑁= number of turns
 • Φ= magnetic flux

Overall, a transformer carries out the following operations:

• Transfer of electrical energy from one circuit to another
• Transfer of electrical power through electromagnetic induction
• Electric power transfer without any change in frequency
• Two circuits are linked with mutual induction

Construction of a Single-phase Transformer:

• Core:
1) The core acts as a support to the winding in the transformer. It also provides a
low reluctance path to the flow of magnetic flux. The winding is wound on the
core.
2) Made of laminated soft iron or silicon steel to reduce eddy current losses.

3) Provides a path for magnetic flux.

• Windings:
1) Windings are the set of copper wires wound over the transformer core. Copper
wires are used because high conductivity of copper minimises the loss in a
transformer.
2) There are mainly two types of windings: primary windings and secondary
windings.

• Primary winding: connected to the AC supply.

• Secondary winding: connected to the load.

3) Both are insulated from each other but magnetically linked through the core.

• Insulation Agents
1) Insulation is necessary for transformers to separate windings from each other
and to avoid short circuits.
2) The following are used as insulation mediums in a transformer:
Insulating oil
Insulating tape
Insulating paper
Wood-based lamination

3) The tank contains transformer oil for cooling and insulation.

Working Principle:

1. AC supply is given to the primary winding.

2. Alternating current produces an alternating magnetic flux in the core.
 3. This varying flux links the secondary winding and induces an emf in it.
4. The magnitude of the secondary voltage depends on the turn’s ratio or
transformation ratio.

Turns Ratio Formula

𝑉1 𝑁1
=
𝑉2 𝑁2

Where:

• 𝑉1 , 𝑉2 = primary and secondary voltages

• 𝑁1 , 𝑁2 = number of turns in primary and secondary

Types of Single-Phase Transformers:

1. Step-Up Transformer → 𝑉2 > 𝑉1

(Increases voltage, decreases current)
2. Step-Down Transformer → 𝑉2 < 𝑉1
(Decreases voltage, increases current)

Q2. What is transformation ratio?

Ans- Transformation ratio is denoted by “k”
K= N2/N1=V2/V1= I1/I2 (1- for primary and 2- for secondary)
Case 1: If N2 > N1, K>1, it is called a step-up transformer.
Case 2: If N2< N1, K<1, it is called a step-down transformer.

Q3. What are the different types of transformers?

1) Based on Voltage Levels
Commonly used transformer types, depending on the voltage, are classified as follows:
Step-up Transformer: They are used between the power generator and the power grid. The
secondary output voltage is higher than the input voltage.
Step-down Transformer: These transformers are used to convert high-voltage primary supply
to low-voltage secondary output.
2) Based on the Winding Arrangement
Autotransformer: It will have only one winding wound over a laminated core. The primary
and secondary share the same coil
3) Based on Core construction
The transformers are broadly classified into following two types:
Core Type Transformer: Core type transformer consists of a single magnetic circuit.
Shell type transformer: A shell type transformer consists of two magnetic circuits.
Q4. What is the main difference between Core-type and Shell-type transformers?

[Link]. CORE TYPE SHELL TYPE

1. In a core type transformer, the windings In a shell type transformer, the magnetic
surround the core of transformer. core surrounds the windings of the
transformer.
2. Core type transformer consists of a single A shell type transformer consists of two
magnetic circuit. magnetic circuits.

3. A core type transformer has cylindrical A shell type transformer has sandwich
winding). winding.

4. Core transformer has more copper loss. The copper loss in a shell type
transformer is comparatively less.
5. The losses are more in core type The losses are less in shell type
transformer. transformer.
6. Maintenance is easy Maintenance is difficult.
7. Easy in design and construction Complex in design and construction.
8. Used for high voltage application like Used for low voltage application like
power transformers, autotransformers transformers in an electronic circuit.

Q5. What is efficiency of transformer?

Ans- Efficiency (𝜂) is the ratio of output power to input power:

Output Power
𝜂= × 100
Input Power

Typical efficiency: 95–98%

Q6. What are the advantages and application of single-phase transformer?

Ans- Applications of single-phase transformer:

• Power distribution systems

• Voltage regulation in domestic supply

• Battery chargers

• Welding machines

• Electronic devices (adapters, inverters, etc.)

Advantages

• High efficiency
• Simple construction
• Reliable and long-lasting
• Requires little maintenance

Q6. What are the different types of losses in transformer?

There are two main categories of losses:

1. Core (Iron) Losses

2. Copper (Winding) Losses

And sometimes we also include minor losses like stray and dielectric losses.

1. Core (Iron) Losses: These occur in the transformer core due to alternating magnetic flux.
They are constant losses (independent of load).
• The symbol Pi to represent the iron loss. The iron loss consists of hysteresis loss (Ph)
and eddy current loss (Pe). Thus, the iron loss is given by the sum of the hysteresis
loss and eddy current loss,
i.e., Iron loss, Pi=Hysteresis loss (Ph) + Eddy current loss (Pe).
Ph = khfBm1.6 ⋅⋅⋅(1)

Pe= keBm2f2t2 ⋅⋅⋅(2)

• kh is a proportionality constant whose value depends upon the volume and quality of
the material of core.
• ke is a proportionality constant which depend on the volume and resistivity of material
of the core.
• f is the frequency of the alternating flux in the core.
• Bm is the maximum flux density in the core.
• ‘t’ is the thickness of each core lamination.

(A) Hysteresis Loss:

• Loss of energy due to continuous magnetization and demagnetization of the transformer
is called hysteresis loss.
• Hysteresis loss in a transformer can be minimized by using soft magnetic materials
for the core like permalloy or silicon iron.

(B) Eddy current Loss:

• Energy loss in a metallic plate when kept in a time-varying magnetic field causes eddy
current loss.
• It can be minimized by using a laminated iron core in the transformer.

2. Copper Loss/ variable losses: Occur due to the resistance of primary and
secondary windings. These depend on the load current, so they are variable losses.

• Copper loss occurs in the form of heat energy lost due to the resistance of the
copper coils used in the windings of a transformer.
• Copper loss can be minimized by using thicker conductors or low-resistance
copper/aluminium windings.
3. Stray Loss:
• The occurrence of stray losses is due to the presence of leakage field.
• The percentage of these losses are very small as compared to the iron and
copper losses so they can be neglected.
4. Dielectric Loss:
• The power loss occurs in insulating materials like oil, solid insulation of the
transformer, etc. is known as dielectric loss.
 • The dielectric loss is significant only in transformers working on high voltages.
• Although, in practice, the stray loss and dielectric loss are very small, constant
and may be neglected.

Total losses in transformer = Constant losses + Variable losses

Q7. Transformer Efficiency:
• The ratio of the output power to the input power in a transformer is known as
efficiency of transformer. The transformer efficiency is represented by Greek letter Eta
(η).
Efficiency, η=Output Power /Input Power
For a practical transformer, the input power is given by,
Input power = Output power + Losses
η=V2I2cosϕ2 / V2I2cosϕ2+ Pi+ Pc
Condition for Maximum Efficiency:
For a given transformer, we have,
Output power = V2I2cosϕ2
The total copper loss is given by,
Pcu=I22R2
Therefore, the transformer efficiency is given by,
η=V2I2cosϕ2 / V2I2cosϕ2+ Pi+ I22Ro2