Viren Maharaj

Pre- Engineering
Name: Viren Maharaj
Partners Name: Gerald Marcano
Date Experiment Performed: 29th February, 2016
Date Report Due: 29th February, 2016
Date Submitted: 7th March, 2016

TITLE
Eds

INTRODUCTION
One of the main reasons that alternating AC voltages and currents are used in our
homes and workplaces is that AC supplies can be easily generated at a convenient
voltage, transformed (hence the name transformer) into much higher voltages and
then distributed around the country using a national grid of pylons and cables over
very long distances. The reason for transforming the voltage to a much higher level
is that higher distribution voltages implies lower currents for the same power and
therefore lower I2R losses along the networked grid of cables. These higher AC
transmission voltages and currents can then be reduced to a much lower, safer and
usable voltage level where it can be used to supply electrical equipment in our
homes and workplaces, and all this is possible thanks to the basic Voltage
Transformer.
A Typical Voltage Transformer

The Voltage Transformer can be thought of as an

electrical component rather than an electronic
component. A transformer basically is very simple
static (or stationary) electro-magnetic passive
electrical device that works on the principle of
Faradays law of induction by converting electrical
energy from one value to another. The transformer
does this by linking together two or more electrical
circuits using a common oscillating magnetic circuit
which is produced by the transformer itself. A
transformer operates on the principals of electromagnetic induction, in the form of
Mutual Induction. Mutual induction is the process by which a coil of wire
magnetically induces a voltage into another coil located in close proximity to it.
Then we can say that transformers work in the magnetic domain, and
transformers get their name from the fact that they transform one voltage or
current level into another.
Transformers are capable of either increasing or decreasing the voltage and current
levels of their supply, without modifying its frequency, or the amount of Electrical
Power being transferred from one winding to another via the magnetic circuit. A
single phase voltage transformer basically consists of two electrical coils of wire,
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one called the Primary Winding and another called the Secondary Winding. For
this experiment the primary side of the transformer will be defined as the side
that usually takes power, and the secondary as the side that usually delivers
power. In a single-phase voltage transformer, the primary is usually the side with
the higher voltage. These two coils are not in electrical contact with each other but
are instead wrapped together around a common closed magnetic iron circuit called
the core. This soft iron core is not solid but made up of individual laminations
connected together to help reduce the cores losses. The two coil windings are
electrically isolated from each other but are magnetically linked through the
common core allowing electrical power to be transferred from one coil to the other.
When an electric current passed through the primary winding, a magnetic field is
developed which induces a voltage into the secondary winding as shown.
Single Phase Voltage Transformer

In other words, for a transformer there is no direct electrical connection between

the two coil windings, thereby giving it the name also of an Isolation Transformer.
Generally, the primary winding of a transformer is connected to the input voltage
supply and converts or transforms the electrical power into a magnetic field. While
the job of the secondary winding is to convert this alternating magnetic field into
electrical power producing the required output voltage as shown.
Transformer Construction (single-phase)

Where:
VP - is the Primary Voltage
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Pre- Engineering
VS - is the Secondary Voltage
NP - is the Number of Primary Windings
NS - is the Number of Secondary Windings
(phi) - is the Flux Linkage
Notice that the two coil windings are not electrically connected but are only linked
magnetically. A single-phase transformer can operate to either increase or decrease
the voltage applied to the primary winding. When a transformer is used to
increase the voltage on its secondary winding with respect to the primary, it is
called a Step-up transformer. When it is used to decrease the voltage on the
secondary winding with respect to the primary it is called a Step-down transformer.
However, a third condition exists in which a transformer produces the same voltage
on its secondary as is applied to its primary winding. In other words, its output is
identical with respect to voltage, current and power transferred. This type of
transformer is called an Impedance Transformer and is mainly used for impedance
matching or the isolation of adjoining electrical circuits. The difference in voltage
between the primary and the secondary windings is achieved by changing the
number of coil turns in the primary winding (NP) compared to the number of coil
turns on the secondary winding ( NS ).
As the transformer is basically a linear device, a ratio now exists between the
number of turns of the primary coil divided by the number of turns of the secondary
coil. This ratio, called the ratio of transformation, more commonly known as a
transformer turns ratio, (TR). This turns ratio value dictates the operation of the
transformer and the corresponding voltage available on the secondary winding. It is
necessary to know the ratio of the number of turns of wire on the primary winding
compared to the secondary winding. The turns ratio, which has no units, compares
the two windings in order and is written with a colon, such as 3:1 (3-to-1). This
means in this example, that if there are 3 volts on the primary winding there will be
1 volt on the secondary winding, 3 volts-to-1 volts. Then we can see that if the ratio
between the number of turns changes the resulting voltages must also change by
the same ratio, and this is true.
Transformers are all about ratios. The ratio of the primary to the secondary, the
ratio of the input to the output, and the turns ratio of any given transformer will be
the same as its voltage ratio. In other words, for a transformer: turns ratio =
voltage ratio. The actual number of turns of wire on any winding is generally not
important, just the turns ratio and this relationship is given as:
A Transformers Turns Ratio

Assuming an ideal transformer and the phase angles: P S

Viren Maharaj
Pre- Engineering
Note that the order of the numbers when expressing a transformer turns ratio value
is very important as the turns ratio 3:1 expresses a very different transformer
relationship and output voltage than one in which the turns ratio is given as: 1:3.
With the understanding of what Transformers are and the knowledge of Step-Up and
Step-Down Transformers, the aim of this experiment will be to study the electrical
characteristics of a single phase mains transformers.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS
Apparatus
As stated from the Lab Manual
Method
As stated from the Lab Manual
Diagram
As depicted from the Lab Manual
Precautions
1. It was ensured that the circuit was correctly connected and that the polarity
was correct.
2. The ammeter was correctly connected in series to determine the current
flowing through the circuit.
3. The voltmeter was connected in parallel to determine the voltage across the
circuit.
4. The transformer was tightened so that when the circuit was turned on the bar
for the core material would not vibrate and be removed due to the current
flowing through it.

RESULTS
All tables of results are attached to the end of this report

ANALYSIS:
Part 1
1. Which core configuration gives the maximum transfer of electromagnetic
effect to the secondary coil? Develop a theory to explain the differences
between configurations.
Answer: The construction of a simple two-winding transformer consists of
each winding being wound on a separate limb or core of the soft iron form
which provides the necessary magnetic circuit. This magnetic circuit, know
more commonly as the transformer core is designed to provide a path for
the magnetic field to flow around, which is necessary for induction of the
voltage between the two windings. However, this type of transformer
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Pre- Engineering
construction were the two windings are wound on separate limbs is not very
efficient since the primary and secondary windings are well separated from
each other. This results in a low magnetic coupling between the two windings
as well as large amounts of magnetic flux leakage from the transformer itself.
But as well as this O shapes construction, there are different types of
transformer construction and designs available which are used to overcome
these inefficiencies producing a smaller more compact transformer.
2. From your data in table 1.2, for a primary having a constant number of turns,
graph the resulting output voltage versus the number of turns in the
secondary. What type of mathematical relationship exists between numbers
of turns of wire and the resulting output voltage? Is the data ideal? Why or
why not?
Answer:

This graph shows the relation between the output voltage and number of
turns for the 200 Primary Coil Transformer configuration.

Viren Maharaj
Pre- Engineering

This graph shows the relation between the output voltage and number of
turns for the 3200 Primary Coil Transformer configuration.
These results show that for different configurations there exist a relationship
between the output voltage and number of turns of the secondary coil. It
shows that the Output Voltage is directly proportional to the Number of
Secondary Coils. This data is ideal because it relates experimental to
theoretical results.
3. Consider further improvements to your transformer. What additional changes

might you make to increase the transfer from one coil to the other?
Answer: The construction of a simple two-winding transformer consists of
each winding being wound on a separate limb or core of the soft iron form
which provides the necessary magnetic circuit. This magnetic circuit, know
more commonly as the transformer core is designed to provide a path for
the magnetic field to flow around, which is necessary for induction of the
voltage between the two windings. However, this type of transformer
construction were the two windings are wound on separate limbs is not very
efficient since the primary and secondary windings are well separated from
each other. This results in a low magnetic coupling between the two windings
as well as large amounts of magnetic flux leakage from the transformer itself.
But as well as this O shapes construction, there are different types of
transformer construction and designs available which are used to overcome
these inefficiencies producing a smaller more compact transformer.
The efficiency of a simple Transformer Construction can be improved by
bringing the two windings within close contact with each other thereby
improving the magnetic coupling. Increasing and concentrating the magnetic
circuit around the coils may improve the magnetic coupling between the two
windings, but it also has the effect of increasing the magnetic losses of the
transformer core. As well as providing a low reluctance path for the magnetic
field, the core is designed to prevent circulating electric currents within the
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Pre- Engineering
iron core itself. Circulating currents, called eddy currents, cause heating
and energy losses within the core decreasing the transformers efficiency.
These losses are due mainly to voltages induced in the iron circuit, which is
constantly being subjected to the alternating magnetic fields setup by the
external sinusoidal supply voltage. One way to reduce these unwanted power
losses is to construct the transformer core from thin steel laminations.
Another method of increasing efficiency is to increase the diameter of the
core to increase voltage.
In all types of transformer construction, the central iron core is constructed
from of a highly permeable material made from thin silicon steel laminations
assembled together to provide the required magnetic path with the minimum
of losses. The resistivity of the steel sheet itself is high reducing the eddy
current losses by making the laminations very thin. These steel transformer
laminations vary in thicknesss from between 0.25mm to 0.5mm and as steel
is a conductor, the laminations are electrically insulated from each other by a
very thin coating of insulating varnish or by the use of an oxide layer on the
surface.

Part 2
1. Calculate the quantities asked for in Table 2.2. Note the suggestion at the bottom of
the page. If you were able to carry out the modification in step 7, a separate data
table should be constructed.
Answer: Did not do E-shaped configuration.
2. What relationship exists between the output current and the input current for
different coils given a constant load resistance? How does varying the load resistance
change the output current/input current relationship for a given combination of coils?
Is the effect the same for all combinations? Elaborate and make an educated
hypothesis on why your experiment behaved the way it did.
Answer: There are 4 laws at work simultaneously. All of them must apply, namely,
Ohm's law, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, and the conservation of energy law. A
transformer cannot output more power than inputted, due to CEL (conservation of
energy law). Right off the bat, it should be obvious that the secondary power, which
is Isec*Vsec must equal the primary power, I pri*Vpri, minus losses. Faraday's law, FL,
relates the magnetic flux density, B, to the voltage, V, and the frequency, f. Ampere's
law, AL, relates the magnetic field intensity, H, to the current, I. Also, B and H are
interrelated through the permeability mu, which is analogous to Ohm's law (for
magnetics). Ohm's law, OL, relate the current and voltage at the secondary with the
load resistance. Most transformers are driven at their primary by an independent
power source which is generally a "constant voltage" source. The voltage source
magnitude, V, frequency, f, and primary turns number, N p, and the core area, A,
determine the magnetic flux density, B, per FL. This magnetic flux almost completely
links, or couples into the secondary winding. Since the core area is the same, as well
as the frequency, only the number of turns differs, N s. Just as FL describes the
relation between Vp, f, A, and Np, it holds equally for Vs, f, A, and Ns. Again, f and A

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Pre- Engineering
don't change, so that the ratio of volts to turns cannot change. Hence V p/Np = Vs/Ns,
since B, f, & A remain constant. When current is drawn by loading the secondary, a
magneto-motive force, mmf, occurs, which tends to counter the existing core flux,
which tends to reduce the voltage. But, by definition, the primary power source is a
constant voltage type, which will supply whatever current needed to maintain a fixed
voltage value. The primary current increases to a value needed to maintain the core
flux. AL describes the relation. For a given secondary current, I s, and Ns, a magnetic
field intensity, H, is given by AL. In the primary an equal and opposite H, or mmf if
you will, must exist. Since H is almost equal in the primary and secondary, N p*Ip =
Ns*Is. Since the volt per turn ratio must be the same on each side, the winding with
higher turns has a higher voltage, or emf. Since the amp-turns product must be the
same on both sides, the winding with the higher turns has the lower current, or mmf.
It can't be any other way, as the CEL would be breached.
3. The ideal voltage gain is equal to the number of turns in the secondary divided by the
number of turns in the primary. How did the actual voltage gain (V out / Vin) compare to
the ideal?
Answer: The actual voltage gain was similar to the ratio of secondary coils divided
by the primary coils. As seen in Table 1.2 for the U-Shaped Configuration the ratios
were nearly identical with minor differences in the voltage ratios due to slight losses
within the circuit.
4. Ideally, transformers convert alternating current from one voltage to another with
very little power loss (almost 100% efficient). Looking at your power gain (P out / Pin),
how did your transformers do compare to ideal transformers?
Answer: Observing the results for the 200 Primary coil configuration if P=IV then
Pprimary = Iprimary * Vprimary
Pprimary = 2.8 * 6.0
Pprimary = 19.04 Joules
PSecondary = Isecondary * Vsecondary
PSecondary = 12.2 *12.2
PSecondary = 148.84 Joules
The Power input and Power output are both highly different in this case and followed
for other results. This was due to the faulty ammeter and voltmeter which showed
fluctuations in the experiment. No consistent trend was seen in the results as a
constant voltage increase or voltage decrease and hence these fluctuations made
determining the transformers power efficiency difficult.
5. What combination of voltage and current is gained by having few coils of wire in the
secondary? (step 6).
Answer: If voltage is doubled in the secondary, current is halved in the secondary.
Conversely, if voltage is halved in the secondary, current is doubled in the secondary. In
this manner, all the power delivered to the primary by the source is also delivered to the
load by the secondary (minus whatever power is consumed by the transformer in the
form of losses). It is with this understanding that confirms the inability to determine the
power efficiency as in the question previously.

DISCUSSION
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Viren Maharaj
Pre- Engineering
As stated in the Data Analysis Section Part 1 the purpose of the core in a
transformer as well as improvements to increase efficiency have been stated and
therefore to not have repetition it has been left out of the Discussion.
The most important uses and application of Transformer are:

It can rise or lower the level of level of Voltage or Current (when voltage increases,
current decreases and vice versa because P =V x I, and Power is same) in an AC
Circuit.
It can increase or decrease the value of capacitor, an inductor or resistance in an AC
circuit. It can thus act as an impedance transferring device.
It can be used to prevent DC from passing from one circuit to the other.
it can isolate two circuits electrically.

Transformer is the main reason to transmit and distribute power in AC instead of DC,
because Transformer not work on DC so there are too difficulties to transmit power in DC. in
the DC Transition and distribution, the level of voltage Step up by Buck and Boost Converter
but it is too costly and not suitable economically.
The main application of Transformer is to Step up (Increase) or Step down (Decrease) the
level of Voltage.
in other words, Increase or decries the level of Current, while Power must be same.
Transformers are among the most common of electrical devices found in power plants,
substations, electrical, and electronic equipment. Just about every electrical device makes
use of transformers in one way or another. From hulking substations near a city's edge to the
familiar electrical connects near our houses, electrical engineers and designers (and
electronics designers, too) make use of transformers in a variety of ways. Power Plants use
transformers to either step down or step up the voltage depending on the required supply.
The power plant outputs voltages of approximately 800kV and uses various step down
transformers to deliver 120V to the household plugs we use for watching television, cooking
bathing, etc. They also use step up transformers to increase the voltage where it may be
required as in a large developed are, industrial estate or building complex.
In this experiment it was seen that the transformer used did in fact work as a step up and
step down transformer. In Table 1.2it was seen that when the primary coils were less than
the secondary coils the transformer stepped up or increased the voltage as in the 200
Primary: 3200 Secondary (which gave an increase from 6V to 98.6V) while for the 3200
Secondary to 200 Secondary it stepped down the voltage from 6:0.324.
Sources of Error

1. Electrical and magnetic interference from equipment and personnel.

2. Human and Parallax Error.
3. Faulty ammeter and voltmeter
Methods of Improvement
1. Using a power supply that would not blow the fuses of the meters when left on for a
long period of time.
2. Using a wider range of values (resistances, primary and secondary coils,) would see
more accurate readings.
3. Using multiple configurations of the transformer as in E-shape as well as the U-shape
configurations

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Pre- Engineering
Difficulties Encountered
1. Determining small readings due to the capabilities of the meters.
2. Leaving on the circuit for a long period of time caused the fuses in the meters to
blow.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded that the experiment showed how transformers can be used to step up or
step down current and voltage in different circuits under different loads. The transformers
however had varying results due to faulty ammeters and voltmeters giving discrepancies in
the results.Due to this Source of Error no trends could have been seen in the results.
However, research on transformers did provide detailed characteristics of a single phase
mains transformer.

REFERENCES
Muncaster, Roger. 1993. A-Level Physics Fourth Edition. Cheltenham, United
Kingdom: Newlson Thornes Ltd.
Physics, Department of. n.d. Preliminary Engineering Laboratory Manual 2015-2016.
Serway, Raymond A., and John W. Jewett, Jr. 2010. Physics for Scientist and
Engneers with Modern Physics Eighth Edition. Belmont, CA: Mary Finch.

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