TRANSFORMER: Single Phase Transformer, Constructional Details, Core-type and Shell-type Construction, Core, Insulating Oil, Tank and Conservator, Principle of Operation, E.M.F. Equation of a Transformer, Voltage Ratio, Current Ratio and Volt-Ampere Rating

TRANSFORMER

The transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to another electrical circuit. The two circuits may be operating at different voltage levels but always work at the same frequency. Basically transformer is an electro-magnetic energy conversion device. It is commonly used in electrical power system and distribution systems. It can change the magnitude of alternating voltage or current from one value to another. This useful property of transformer is mainly responsible for the widespread use of alternating currents rather than direct currents i.e., electric power is generated, transmitted and distributed in the form of alternating current. Transformers have no moving parts, rugged and durable in construction, thus requiring very little attention. They also have a very high efficiency as high as 99%.

Single Phase Transformer

A transformer is a static device of equipment used either for raising or lowering the voltage of an a.c. supply with a corresponding decrease or increase in current. It essentially consists of two windings, the primary and secondary, wound on a common laminated magnetic core as shown in Fig. The winding connected to the a.c. source is called primary winding (or primary) and the one connected to load is called secondary winding (or secondary). The alternating voltage V1 whose magnitude is to be changed is applied to the primary.

Depending upon the number of turns of the primary (N1) and secondary (N2), an alternating e.m.f. E2 is induced in the secondary. This induced e.m.f. E2 in the secondary causes a secondary current I2. Consequently, terminal voltage V2 will appear across the load.

If V2 > V1, it is called a step up-transformer.

If V2 < V1, it is called a step-down transformer.




Constructional Details

Depending upon the manner in which the primary and secondary windings are placed on the core, and the shape of the core, there are two types of transformers, called

(a) Core type

(b) Shell type.

Core-type and Shell-type Construction

In core type transformers, the windings are placed in the form of concentric cylindrical coils placed around the vertical limbs of the core. The low-voltage (LV) as well as the high- voltage (HV) winding are made in two halves, and placed on the two limbs of core. The LV winding is placed next to the core for economy in insulation cost. Figure shows the cross- section of the arrangement. In the shell type transformer, the primary and secondary windings are wound over the central limb of a three-limb core as shown in Figure. The HV and LV windings are split into a number of sections, and the sections are interleaved or sandwiched i.e. the sections of the HV and LV windings are placed alternately.

Core-type and Shell-type Construction
Core-type and Shell-type Construction




Core

The core is built-up of thin steel laminations insulated from each other. This helps in reducing the eddy current losses in the core, and also helps in construction of the transformer. The steel used for core is of high silicon content, sometimes heat treated to produce a high permeability and low hysteresis loss. The material commonly used for core is CRGO (Cold Rolled Grain Oriented) steel. Conductor material used for windings is mostly copper. However, for small distribution transformer aluminum is also sometimes used.

The conductors, core and whole windings are insulated using various insulating materials depending upon the voltage.

Insulating Oil

In oil-immersed transformer, the iron core together with windings is immersed in insulating oil. The insulating oil provides better insulation, protects insulation from moisture and transfers the heat produced in core and windings to the atmosphere.

The transformer oil should possess the following qualities:

(a)High dielectric strength,

(b)Low viscosity and high purity,

(c)High flash point, and

(d)Free from sludge.

Transformer oil is generally a mineral oil obtained by fractional distillation of crude oil.

Tank and Conservator

The transformer tank contains core wound with windings and the insulating oil. In large transformers small expansion tank is also connected with main tank is known as conservator. Conservator provides space when insulating oil expands due to heating. The transformer tank is provided with tubes on the outside, to permits circulation of oil, which aides in cooling. Some additional devices like breather and Buchholz relay are connected with main tank. Buchholz relay is placed between main tank and conservator. It protect the transformer under extreme heating of transformer winding. Breather protects the insulating oil from moisture when the cool transformer sucks air inside. The silica gel filled breather absorbs moisture when air enters the tank. Some other necessary parts are connected with main tank like, Bushings, Cable Boxes, Temperature gauge, Oil gauge, Tapings, etc.

Principle of Operation

When an alternating voltage V1 is applied to the primary, an alternating flux ϕ is set up in the core. This alternating flux links both the windings and induces e.m.f.s E1 and E2 in them according to Faraday’s laws of electromagnetic induction. The e.m.f. E1 is termed as primary e.m.f. and E2 is termed as secondary e.m.f.

Note that magnitudes of E2 and E1 depend upon the number of turns on the secondary and primary respectively.

If N2 > N1, then E2 > E1 (or V2 > V1) and we get a step-up transformer.

If N2 < N1, then E2 < E1(or V2< V1) and we get a step-down transformer.

If load is connected across the secondary winding, the secondary e.m.f. E2 will cause a current I2 to flow through the load. Thus, a transformer enables us to transfer a.c. power from one circuit to another with a change in voltage level.

The following points may be noted carefully

(a)The transformer action is based on the laws of electromagnetic induction.

(b)There is no electrical connection between the primary and secondary.

(c)The a.c. power is transferred from primary to secondary through magnetic flux.

(d)There is no change in frequency i.e., output power has the same frequency as the input power.

(e)The losses that occur in a transformer are:

(a)core losses—eddy current and hysteresis losses

(b) copper losses—in the resistance of the windings

In practice, these losses are very small so that output power is nearly equal to the input primary power. In other words, a transformer has very high efficiency

E.M.F. Equation of a Transformer

Consider that an alternating voltage V1 of frequency f is applied to the primary as shown in Fig. The sinusoidal flux ϕ produced by the primary can be represented as:

ϕ=ϕm sinωt

When the primary winding is excited by an alternating voltage V1, it is circulating alternating current, producing an alternating flux ϕ.

ϕ – Flux

ϕm – maximum value of flux ,

N1 – Number of primary turns ,

N2 – Number of secondary turns

f – Frequency of the supply voltage

E1 – R.M.S. value of the primary induced e.m.f ,E2 – R.M.S. value of the secondary induced e.m.f

The instantaneous e.m.f. e1 induced in the primary is –

E.M.F. Equation of a Transformer
E.M.F. Equation of a Transformer




The flux increases from zero value to maximum value ϕm in 1/4f of the time period that is in 1/4f seconds.

The change of flux that takes place in 1/4f seconds = ϕm – 0 = ϕm webers

Voltage Ratio





Voltage transformation ratio is the ratio of e.m.f induced in the secondary winding to the e.m.f induced in the primary winding.

This ratio of secondary induced e.m.f to primary induced e.m.f is known as voltage transformation ratio

1. If N2>N1 i.e. K>1 we get E2>E1 then the transformer is called step up transformer.

2. If N2< N1 i.e. K<1 we get E2< E2 then the transformer is called step down transformer.

3. If N2= N1 i.e. K=1 we get E2= E2 then the transformer is called isolation transformer or 1:1 Transformer.




Current Ratio

Current ratio is the ratio of current flow through the primary winding (I1) to the current flowing through the secondary winding (I2). In an ideal transformer –

Apparent input power = Apparent output power.

V1I1 = V2I2




Volt-Ampere Rating

i)The transformer rating is specified as the products of voltage and current (VA rating).

ii)On both sides, primary and secondary VA rating remains same. This rating is generally expressed in KVA (Kilo Volts Amperes rating)



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