Construction of Transformer and its

working Principle
ByAbragam Siyon SingUpdated onJuly 20, 2025

The transformer is a static device in its construction and the

principle behind the working of transformer is Faraday’s law of
Electromagnetic Induction. In this article, let us learn about
the construction and working of transformers.

Table of Contents

 What is a transformer?
 Construction of Transformer
 Transformer Core
 Windings
 Transformer tank and insulating oil
 Oil conservator
 Breather
 Cooling Tubes
 Buchholz Relay
 Explosion vent
 Working Principle of Transformer
 FAQs

What is a transformer?
The transformer transfers the electrical power from one circuit to
the other circuit without the change in frequency. The transfer
happens based on the mutual induction between the two circuits that
are linked by a magnetic flux.

A transformer has two inductive coils that are electrically separated

from each other but are magnetically linked through a path for the
flow of magnetic flux.

Transformers vary in different sizes and ranges. It ranges from small

transformers used in the communication system to giant transformers
used in the High voltage transmission system.

The output voltage of a transformer can be increased or decreased,

with a proportional change in the current ratings. Accordingly, there
are two types of transformers: Step up transformer and step down
transformer.

In a step-up transformer, the input voltage is stepped up to a high

output voltage. The number of turns in the primary coil is less than
the secondary coil in the step-up transformer. When the output
voltage is lower than the input side, it is called a step-down
transformer. It has more turns in the primary coil than the secondary
coil.

Based on the construction and application of a transformer, there are

also several other types of transformers. It includes shell type
transformer, core type transformer, power transformer, distribution
transformer.
 Construction of Transformer
The construction of transformer is very simple for the small-sized
transformer. It consists of a transformer core, primary and
secondary windings. For a high range of power transformers, the
core and windings are placed in a transformer tank with additional
accessories.

The main components involved in the construction of transformer are

as follows

 Transformer core
 Primary and Secondary windings
 Insulating Oil
 Transformer tank
 Oil conservator
 Breather
 Cooling tubes
 Buchholz Relay
 Explosion Vent
 Components of a
Transformer

Transformer Core
The transformer core is mainly used for two purposes: Provide
mechanical support for the entire transformer and provide a path for
the flow of magnetic flux.

The core is built up of soft iron or silicon steel laminations to provide

a low reluctance path to the magnetic flux. The steel used should have
high silicon content and be treated with heat to have better
permeability and low hysteresis loss.

The laminations are insulated from each other by a coat of varnish or

by an oxide layer. These laminations reduce the eddy current loss. The
thickness of the laminations varies from 0.35 mm to 0.5 mm.

The laminations in the form of strips called stampings are joined

together and pivoted to avoid any air gaps between the core. Various
types of stampings like ‘E’ shaped, ‘I’ shaped, ‘L’ shaped and ‘U’
shaped stampings are used for the construction of transformer.
Based on the type of core used there are three types: core type
transformer, shell-type transformer and Berry type transformer.

Windings
The transformer has two windings: primary winding and secondary
winding. The primary winding is connected to the power supply and
the secondary winding is connected to the load.

The winding connected to the high voltage circuit is called high

voltage(HV) winding. The winding connected to the low voltage circuit
is called low voltage(LV) winding.

The windings are wound over the core depending on the type of core
used. In a core-type transformer, the windings are wound around the
two legs of the core. In a shell-type transformer, the windings are
wound on the central leg of the three-legged transformer core.
The windings are made of solid or stranded copper. Proper insulation
is to be given to the windings to prevent it from short-circuiting. For
huge power transformers, cloth or paper insulation is provided.
Varnish coating is used as insulation for small-range transformers.
Transformer tank and insulating oil
The transformer core and winding arrangement are immersed in a
tank containing insulating oil. The tank gives protection to the core
and windings. Cooling tubes are welded with the tank for cooling
purposes.

The insulating oil act as an insulation medium for core and windings.
It is also used for absorbing the heat in the windings and core.

Oil conservator
The transformer tank is connected through a pipe to a small tank
called the conservator. The Conservator is designed to act as a
reservoir for the transformer oil.

An increase in temperature causes the oil in the transformer to

expand. The conservator provides space for this expansion of the oil.
The main function of the oil conservator is to keep the transformer
tank completely filled with oil at all conditions.

Breather
Breather is a part of a large-sized transformer. During the change in
temperature inside the tank, the oil expands and contracts.

For example, when the temperature goes down, it will make the oil to
contract. So, atmospheric air gets absorbed inside a transformer tank.
This process is similar to breathing in human beings and so-called as
a breather.
Breather consists of silica gel, which prevents any atmospheric
moisture from entering the tank from the outside world. All the
moisture gets absorbed by the silica gel.

Cooling Tubes
The heat is produced in the windings and core due to copper loss in
the conductors, hysteresis and eddy current loss in the transformer
core. This heat has to be dissipated to operate the transformer
efficiently.

The cooling tubes are used to remove the heat from the transformer
oil and tank. Through this cooling tube, coolants in the form of oil or
air are passed inside a transformer. The cooling method may be
natural or forced cooling, which depends on the size of the
transformer.

Buchholz Relay
Buchholz Relay is an important part of the construction of
transformer. Buchholz Relay is a device used to protect the
transformer from faults occurring inside the tank. It is a gas and oil
actuated relay. The relay is placed between the transformer tank and
the conservator.

Whenever a fault like a failure of insulation or damage to the core

takes place, it results in the production of excess heat. This heat will
decompose the oil and produce bubbles. These bubbles flow in the
upward direction towards the conservator and get collected in the
relay. The production of bubbles depends on the intensity of faults.

The bubble thus produced inside a transformer tank will activate the
relay and give an alarm signal, indicating that there was a fault inside
the tank. This will enable the operating person to disconnect the
supply to the transformer.
Explosion vent
The transformer has an explosion vent to prevent any damage to the
transformer tank caused by the excessive pressure generated inside
the transformer.

If an explosion occurs in a transformer due to an internal fault, then

the blast of the explosion will be allowed to escape through the
explosion vent, rather than causing the transformer’s tank to explode.

Working Principle of Transformer

The Transformer works on the principle of Faraday’s Law of
Electromagnetic Induction. When the primary winding is
connected to the AC supply, a current starts to flow through the
primary winding.

Since this winding is linked to the magnetic core, the current through
the primary coil produces an alternating flux Φ in the core. Since this
flux is alternating in nature and it is also linked with the secondary
winding, so a mutually induced emf is induced in the secondary coil.

When a load is connected to the secondary winding, a current starts

to flow in the winding. Thus the energy is transferred from the
primary to the secondary side by means of electromagnetic induction.
This transfer is achieved without a change in frequency.

The flux Φ produced in the iron core links not only with the secondary
winding but also with the primary winding and produces a self-
induced emf in the primary coil itself. This induced emf opposes the
applied voltage as per Lenz’s Law and so, this emf is sometimes called
Back emf.
Construction of Transformer and its working Principle