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Transformer Basics

Voltage Transformer Basics

One of the main reasons that we use alternating AC voltages and currents in our homes and workplace’s 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.

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 Faraday’s 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 (http://www.electronics-
tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-inductance.html).

A Typical Voltage Transformer

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 (http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-Electronic-Principles-
Technology-John/dp/0415662850?tag=basicelecttut-20) being transferred from one winding to another via the magnetic
circuit.

A single phase voltage transformer basically consists of two electrical coils of wire, one called the “Primary Winding” and
another called the “Secondary Winding”. For this tutorial we will define the “primary” side of the transformer 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 core’s 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
VS - is the Secondary Voltage
NP - is the Number of Primary Windings
NS - is the Number of Secondary Windings
Φ (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 transformers “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 volt. 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: ΦP ≡ ΦS

Note that the order of the numbers when expressing a transformers 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.

Transformer Basics Example No1

A voltage transformer has 1500 turns of wire on its primary coil and 500 turns of wire for its secondary coil. What will be
the turns ratio (TR) of the transformer.

This ratio of 3:1 (3-to-1) simply means that there are three primary windings for every one secondary winding. As the
ratio moves from a larger number on the left to a smaller number on the right, the primary voltage is therefore stepped
down in value as shown.

Transformer Basics Example No2

If 240 volts rms is applied to the primary winding of the same transformer above, what will be the resulting secondary
no load voltage.

Again confirming that the transformer is a “step-down transformer as the primary voltage is 240 volts and the
corresponding secondary voltage is lower at 80 volts.

Then the main purpose of a transformer is to transform voltages at preset ratios and we can see that the primary
winding has a set amount or number of windings (coils of wire) on it to suit the input voltage. If the secondary output
voltage is to be the same value as the input voltage on the primary winding, then the same number of coil turns must
be wound onto the secondary core as there are on the primary core giving an even turns ratio of 1:1 (1-to-1). In other
words, one coil turn on the secondary to one coil turn on the primary.
If the output secondary voltage is to be greater or higher than the input voltage, (step-up transformer) then there must
be more turns on the secondary giving a turns ratio of 1:N (1-to-N), where N represents the turns ratio number.
Likewise, if it is required that the secondary voltage is to be lower or less than the primary, (step-down transformer)
then the number of secondary windings must be less giving a turns ratio of N:1 (N-to-1).

Transformer Action
We have seen that the number of coil turns on the secondary winding compared to the primary winding, the turns ratio,
affects the amount of voltage available from the secondary coil. But if the two windings are electrically isolated from
each other, how is this secondary voltage produced?

We have said previously that a transformer basically consists of two coils wound around a common soft iron core.
When an alternating voltage ( VP ) is applied to the primary coil, current flows through the coil which in turn sets up a
magnetic field around itself, called mutual inductance, by this current flow according to Faraday’s Law of
electromagnetic induction. The strength of the magnetic field builds up as the current flow rises from zero to its
maximum value which is given as dΦ/dt.

As the magnetic lines of force setup by this electromagnet

expand outward from the coil the soft iron core forms a path
for and concentrates the magnetic flux. This magnetic flux
links the turns of both windings as it increases and decreases
in opposite directions under the influence of the AC supply.

However, the strength of the magnetic field induced into the

soft iron core depends upon the amount of current and the
number of turns in the winding. When current is reduced,
the magnetic field strength reduces.

When the magnetic lines of flux flow around the core, they pass through the turns of the secondary winding, causing a
voltage to be induced into the secondary coil. The amount of voltage induced will be determined by: N.dΦ/dt (Faraday’s
Law), where N is the number of coil turns. Also this induced voltage has the same frequency as the primary winding
voltage.

Then we can see that the same voltage is induced in each coil turn of both windings because the same magnetic flux
links the turns of both the windings together. As a result, the total induced voltage in each winding is directly
proportional to the number of turns in that winding. However, the peak amplitude of the output voltage available on
the secondary winding will be reduced if the magnetic losses of the core are high.

If we want the primary coil to produce a stronger magnetic field to overcome the cores magnetic losses, we can either
send a larger current through the coil, or keep the same current flowing, and instead increase the number of coil turns
( NP ) of the winding. The product of amperes times turns is called the “ampere-turns”, which determines the
magnetising force of the coil.

So assuming we have a transformer with a single turn in the primary, and only one turn in the secondary. If one volt is
applied to the one turn of the primary coil, assuming no losses, enough current must flow and enough magnetic flux
generated to induce one volt in the single turn of the secondary. That is, each winding supports the same number of
volts per turn.

As the magnetic flux varies sinusoidally, Φ = Φmax sinωt, then the basic relationship between induced emf, ( E ) in a coil
winding of N turns is given by:

emf = turns x rate of change

emf = turns x rate of change

Where:
ƒ - is the flux frequency in Hertz, = ω/2π
Ν - is the number of coil windings.
Φ - is the flux density in webers

This is known as the Transformer EMF Equation. For the primary winding emf, N will be the number of primary turns,
( NP ) and for the secondary winding emf, N will be the number of secondary turns, ( NS ).

Also please note that as transformers require an alternating magnetic flux to operate correctly, transformers cannot
therefore be used to transform or supply DC voltages or currents, since the magnetic field must be changing to induce
a voltage in the secondary winding. In other words, transformers DO NOT operate on steady state DC voltages, only
alternating or pulsating voltages.

If a transformers primary winding was connected to a DC supply, the inductive reactance of the winding would be zero
as DC has no frequency, so the effective impedance of the winding will therefore be very low and equal only to the
resistance of the copper used. Thus the winding will draw a very high current from the DC supply causing it to overheat
and eventually burn out, because as we know I = V/R.

Transformer Basics Example No3

A single phase transformer has 480 turns on the primary winding and 90 turns on the secondary winding. The
maximum value of the magnetic flux density is 1.1T when 2200 volts, 50Hz is applied to the transformer primary
winding. Calculate:

a). The maximum flux in the core.

b). The cross-sectional area of the core.

c). The secondary induced emf.

Electrical Power in a Transformer

Another one of the transformer basics parameters is its power rating. Transformers are rated in Volt-amperes, ( VA ),
or in larger units of Kilo Volt-amperes, ( kVA ). In an ideal transformer (ignoring any losses), the power available in the
secondary winding will be the same as the power in the primary winding, they are constant wattage devices and do not
change the power only the voltage to current ratio. Thus, in an ideal transformer the Power Ratio is equal to one (unity)
as the voltage, V multiplied by the current, I will remain constant.

That is the electric power at one voltage/current level on the primary is “transformed” into electric power, at the same
frequency, to the same voltage/current level on the secondary side. Although the transformer can step-up (or step-
down) voltage, it cannot step-up power. Thus, when a transformer steps-up a voltage, it steps-down the current and
vice-versa, so that the output power is always at the same value as the input power. Then we can say that primary
power equals secondary power, ( PP = PS ).

Power in a Transformer
Where: ΦP is the primary phase angle and ΦS is the secondary phase angle.

Note that since power loss is proportional to the square of the current being transmitted, that is: I2R, increasing the
voltage, let’s say doubling ( ×2 ) the voltage would decrease the current by the same amount, ( ÷2 ) while delivering the
same amount of power to the load and therefore reducing losses by factor of 4. If the voltage was increased by a factor
of 10, the current would decrease by the same factor reducing overall losses by factor of 100.

Transformer Basics – Efficiency

A transformer does not require any moving parts to transfer energy. This means that there are no friction or windage
losses associated with other electrical machines. However, transformers do suffer from other types of losses called
“copper losses” and “iron losses” but generally these are quite small.

Copper losses, also known as I2R loss is the electrical power which is lost in heat as a result
of circulating the currents around the transformers copper windings, hence the name.
Copper losses represents the greatest loss in the operation of a transformer. The actual
watts of power lost can be determined (in each winding) by squaring the amperes and
multiplying by the resistance in ohms of the winding (I2R).

Iron losses, also known as hysteresis is the lagging of the magnetic molecules within the
core, in response to the alternating magnetic flux. This lagging (or out-of-phase) condition is
due to the fact that it requires power to reverse magnetic molecules; they do not reverse
until the flux has attained sufficient force to reverse them.

Their reversal results in friction, and friction produces heat in the core which is a form of (http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
power loss. Hysteresis within the transformer can be reduced by making the core from Transformers-Rotating-
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The intensity of power loss in a transformer determines its efficiency. The efficiency of a Electrical Transformers and
transformer is reflected in power (wattage) loss between the primary (input) and secondary Rotating Machines
(http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
(output) windings. Then the resulting efficiency of a transformer is equal to the ratio of the Transformers-Rotating-
power output of the secondary winding, PS to the power input of the primary winding, PP Machines-
Stephen/dp/1111039135?
and is therefore high. tag=basicelecttut-20)
List Price: $163.95
An ideal transformer is 100% efficient because it delivers all the energy it receives. Real (http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
transformers on the other hand are not 100% efficient and at full load, the efficiency of a Transformers-Rotating-
Machines-
transformer is between 94% to 96% which is quiet good. For a transformer operating with a Stephen/dp/1111039135?
constant voltage and frequency with a very high capacity, the efficiency may be as high as tag=basicelecttut-20)
98%. The efficiency, η of a transformer is given as: Price: $114.37
(http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
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tag=basicelecttut-20)
You Save: $49.58
(http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
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(http://www.amazon.com/Electrical-
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Price Disclaimer

where: Input, Output and Losses are all expressed in units of power.

Generally when dealing with transformers, the primary watts are called “volt-amps”, VA to differentiate them from the
secondary watts. Then the efficiency equation above can be modified to:

It is sometimes easier to remember the relationship between the transformers input, output and efficiency by using
pictures. Here the three quantities of VA, W and η have been superimposed into a triangle giving power in watts at the
top with volt-amps and efficiency at the bottom. This arrangement represents the actual position of each quantity in the
efficiency formulas.

Transformer Efficiency Triangle

and transposing the above triangle quantities gives us the following combinations of the same equation:
Then, to find Watts (output) = VA x eff., or to find VA (input) = W/eff., or to find Efficiency, eff. = W/VA, etc.

Transformer Basics Summary

Then to summarise this transformer basics tutorial. A Transformer changes the voltage level (or current level) on its
input winding to another value on its output winding using a magnetic field. A transformer consists of two electrically
isolated coils and operates on Faraday’s principal of “mutual induction”, in which an EMF is induced in the transformers
secondary coil by the magnetic flux generated by the voltages and currents flowing in the primary coil winding.

Both the primary and secondary coil windings are wrapped around a common soft iron core made of individual
laminations to reduce eddy current and power losses. The primary winding of the transformer is connected to the AC
power source which must be sinusoidal in nature, while the secondary winding supplies power to the load.

We can represent the transformer in block diagram form as follows:

Basic Representation of the Transformer

The ratio of the transformers primary and secondary windings with respect to each other produces either a step-up
voltage transformer or a step-down voltage transformer with the ratio between the number of primary turns to the
number of secondary turns being called the “turns ratio” or “transformer ratio”.

If this ratio is less than unity, n < 1 then NS is greater than NP and the transformer is classed as a step-up transformer. If
this ratio is greater than unity, n > 1, that is NP is greater than NS, the transformer is classed as a step-down
transformer. Note that single phase step-down transformer can also be used as a step-up transformer simply by
reversing its connections and making the low voltage winding its primary, and vice versa as long as the transformer is
operated within its original VA design rating.

If the turns ratio is equal to unity, n = 1 then both the primary and secondary have the same number of windings,
therefore the voltages and currents are the same for both windings.
This type of transformer is classed as an isolation transformer as both the primary and secondary windings of the
transformer have the same number of volts per turn. The efficiency of a transformer is the ratio of the power it delivers
to the load to the power it absorbs from the supply. In an ideal transformer there are no losses so no loss of power
then Pin = Pout.

In the next tutorial to do with Transformer Basics, we will look at the physical Construction of a Transformer
(http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-construction.html) and see the different magnetic
core types and laminations used to support the primary and secondary windings.

« Negative Feedback Systems (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/systems/negative-feedback.html) | Transformer

Construction (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-construction.html) »

Other Good Tutorials in this Category

Multiple Winding Transformers (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/multiple-winding-
transformers.html)

The Autotransformer (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/auto-transformer.html)

The Current Transformer (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/current-transformer.html)

Three Phase Transformers (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/three-phase-transformer.html)

Transformer Basics (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html)

Transformer Construction (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-construction.html)

Transformer Loading (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-loading.html)

Tags: AC Circuits (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/tag/ac-circuits)

Electromagnetism (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/tag/electromagnetism)

Power Device (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/tag/power-device) Transformer (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/tag/transformers)

133 Responses to “Transformer Basics”

Older comments (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-
8#comments)

riya verma
Why the primary & secondary wdg of a transformer are wound on the top of each othe?.
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10890#respond)
February 4th, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10890)

Wayne Storr (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws)

Reduce transformer size and increase magnetic efficiency.
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10893#respond)
February 4th, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10893)

Anand kumar
Written in a precise manner without leaving any basic concept.
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10877#respond)
February 2nd, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10877)

Anil mishra
sir what is basic mean of mutual induction ,, how can be understand as transformer.
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10869#respond)
February 1st, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10869)

Wayne Storr (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws)

Mutual Inductance is explained here: Mutual Inductance (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/inductor/mutual-
inductance.html)
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10870#respond)
February 1st, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10870)

sparkly 277
 Wonderful and informative article! I am a commercial electrician with 8 years experience but lack real “formal”
training. Everything I have learned I have learned on the job. I recently be gain studying the technical aspects for
my journeyman certificate and found this to be by far the best article on transformer basics yet. It covers all
essential information in a short to the point piece. Thanks for keeping it simple!
Reply (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html?replytocom=10837#respond)
January 29th, 2016 (http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/transformer-basics.html/comment-page-9#comment-10837)

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