3.

6 An ideal Transformer:
An ideal transformer is shown in the adjacent figure. Current passing through the primary coil creates a magnetic
field. The primary and secondary coils are wrapped around a core of very high magnetic, such as iron, so that
most of the magnetic flux passes through both the primary and secondary coils. If a load is connected to the
secondary winding, the load current and voltage will be in the directions indicated. (each will be alternating
current in practice).

Properties of Ideal transformer:

i) The losses are zero ( No iron loss, No copper loss). Hence efficiency is 100%.
ii) The primary and secondary winding resistances are zero (R1=R2=0).
iii) The leakage flux is zero. Therefore, the leakage reactance of primary winding and secondary winding
are zero (X1 = X2 = 0).
iv) The primary induced emf E1 is same as the external voltage applied to the primary, V1. This is because
primary winding resistance and leakage reactance are zero. Hence E1=V1
v) Similarly secondary voltage V2 is same as the secondary induced emf E2. This is because secondary
winding resistance and leakage reactance are zero. Hence V2 = E2
vi) V1I1 = V2I2 (Power supplied by primary = Power transferred to load)
vii) The voltage regulation is zero.
viii) All the flux produced by the primary winding is coupled with secondary winding.

Working of an Ideal Transformer:

A small magnetizing current Im will flow in the primary winding when it is connected to the alternating
voltage source, V1. This magnetizing current lags behind the supply voltage, V1 by 90° and produces the flux ϕ,
which induces the primary and secondary emfs E1 & E2. These emfs lag behind the flux, ϕ by 90°. The magnitude
of primary induced emf E1 and supply voltage V1 is the same, but are 180° out of phase.
3.7 E.M.F. Equation of Transformer:
There are two methods to derive the emf equation of transformer.
1) Analytical method 2) Graphical method

1) E.M.F. Equation of Transformer with analytical method:

The primary winding draws a current when it is connected to an alternating voltage source. This primary
sinusoidal current produces a sinusoidal flux u that can be expressed as

Instantaneous emf induced in the primary winding is,

Instantaneous emf induced in the secondary winding is,

Now considering instantaneous emf induced in primary winding

Comparing this equation with, e1 = Em1 sin (ωt – Ø )

The maximum value of e1 is,
in volt
Hence, the rms value of the primary emf is,

Therefore, …………..(1) in volt

Above eqn (1) represents the E.M.F. equation of transformer for primary winding.
Similarly, we can derive,
…………(2) in volt
Above eqn (2) represents the E.M.F. equation of transformer for secondary winding.
Where, E1 = Induced emf in primary winding in volt
E1 = Induced emf in secondary winding in volt
f = Frequency of supply in Hz
Φm= maximum value of the flux linking both the winding in Wb
N1 = No. of turns on primary winding
N2 = No. of turns on secondary winding
Substituting Φm = Bm ×A in eqn (1) & (2) becomes
E1 = 4.44f BmAN1………(3) in volt
E2 = 4.44f BmAN2………(4) in volt
Where, Bm = Maximum flux density linking both winding in tesla or Wb/m2
A= The cross sectional area of the core in m2
2) E.M.F. Equation of Transformer with Graphical method:

From eqn (1) & (2), he wave

E1/N1 = 4.44 f Φm……..(5)
& E2/N2 = 4.44 f Φm……..(6)
Hence, E1/N1= E2/N2 =Et ( called as EMF per turn) = 4.44 f Φm
Dividing eqn (2) by (1), we get E2/E1 = N2/N1 …………(7)

Note that:In practice, it is not possible to have an ideal transformer. However, the concept of an ideal transformer
is very useful in developing step by step , the theory of the practical transformer.
Although ideal transformer cannot be physically realized, yet its study provides a very powerful tool in
the analysis of a practical transformer. In fact, practicaltransformers have properties that approach very close to
an ideal transformer
In ideal transformer, V1I1 = V2I2 , E1=V1 , V2=E2 ( propertis of ideal transformer)
Therefore, V2/V1 = I1/I2 & V2/V1 = E2/E1
V2/V1 = E2/E1 = I1/I2 ………..(8)
Different ratios in transformer:
i)Transformation Ratio (K):
It is defined as ratio of secondary voltage to primary voltage. or
It is defined as ratio of secondary turns to primary turns.
K= V2/V1 = E2/E1 = N2/N1= I1/I2 ………………………*****
The above equation is called as the equation of transformation ratio of the transformer.
ii) Voltage ratio ( V1/V2): It is defined as ratio of primary voltage to secondary voltage.
iii) Current ratio (I1/I2) : It is defined as ratio of primary current to secondary current.
iv) Turns ratio (N1/N2): It is defined as ratio of primary turns to secondary turns.

Note that: a) If K > 1, trasformer is step up.

b) If K < 1, transformer is step down.
c) If K = 1, transformer is one to one (isolation)

Numericals on above topics

1) A 3 kVA, 220/110 V transformer has 500 turns on its primary. Find its transformation ratio and secondary
turns.
Solution: Transformation ratio K = V2/V1 = 110/220 = ½.
Secondary turns N2 = K× N1 = (½) x 500 = 250 turns.

2) A 3300/250V, 50 Hz single phase transformer is built on a core having an effective cross sectional area of
125 cm2 and 70 turns on the low voltage winding. Calculate:
i) The value of max. flux density.
ii) Number of turns on high voltage windings.

3) A single phase 230V, 50Hz transformer has 300 turns on its primary side and 750 turns on its secondary side,
the maximum flux density in the core is 1Wb/m2, calculate:
(i) The net cross sectional area of the core,
(ii) The emf induced in the secondary side.
Solution:
4) A 3300/230V, 50Hz single phase transformer is to be operated at a maximum flux density of 1.2Wb/m2 in the
core. The effective cross sectional area of the transformer is 150cm2. Calculate suitable values of primary and
secondary turns.
Solution:

5) The maximum flux density in the core of a 250V/3000V 50 Hz 1-phase transformer is 1.2 Wb/m2. If the emf
per turn is 8 V, determine area of the core, primary & secondary turns.

Solution: Et = 8 volts, Øm = Et / (4.44 f) = 8 / (4.44 x 50) = 0.036 Wb.

Area of core = A = Øm / Bm = 0.036/1.2 = 0.03 m2
E1 = V1 = 250 V & E1 = V2 = 3000 V
Primary turns N1 = E1/ Et = 250/8 = 32
Secondary turns N2 = E2/Et = 3000/8 = 375
3.8 Ideal Transformer on No-Load:

Consider an ideal transformer on No load i.e., secondary is open-circuited as shown in above Fig.(i).
Under such conditions, the primary is simply a coil of pure inductance. When an alternating voltage V 1 is applied
to the primary, it draws a negligibly small magnetizing current Im (or Iµ) which lags behind the applied voltage
by 90°. This alternating current Im (or Iµ) produces an alternating flux which is proportional to and in phase
with it. The alternating flux links both the windings. This fluxinduces e.m.f. E1 in the primary to counter
balance applied voltage V1 and e.m.f. E2 in the secondary by mutual induction.
The primary e.m.f. E1 is, at every instant, equal to and in opposition to V1 (Lenz’s law). Both e.m.f.s E1
and E2 lag behind flux by 90°. However, their magnitudes depend upon the number of primary and secondary
turns.
Above Fig.(ii) shows the phasor diagram of an ideal transformer on No- load. Since flux is common to
both the windings, it has been taken as the reference phasor. As per the e.m.f. equation, the primary e.m.f. E 1 and
secondary e.m.f. E2 lag behind the flux by 90°. Note that E1 and E2 are in phase. But E1 is equal to V1 and 180°
out of phase with it.

3.9 Ideal Transformer on Load:

Let us connect a load ZL across the secondary of an ideal transformer as shown in above Fig. The
secondary e.m.f. E2 will cause a current I2 to flow through the load.
I2 = E2/ZL = V2/ZL
If we consider a general case of an inductive load having a lagging p.f.(cos Ø2), obviously the current I2
lags V2 by an angle Ø2. According to Lenz’s Law, the direction of secondary current I2 should be such that the
secondary mmf (N2I2) is opposite to mutual flux  in the core i.e. demagnetising effect. The secondary mmf
(N2I2) being opposite to flux  tends to reduce the alternating mutual fluxAny reduction inØ would reduce E1.
'
For an ideal transformer, V1 = - E1. The increased difference between V1 and E1 causes additional current I2 to
flow through the primary in order to neutralise the demagnetizing effect of secondary mmf (N 2I2). In this manner,
I2 causes the primary to take more current, I2', in addition to Iµ such that
I2' N1 = I2N2
Therefore, I2' = (N2/N1)I2 I2' = KI2
 Any change in the secondary current is immediately reflected by a corresponding automatic change in the
primary current so that core flux remains constant.
In the above expression I2' is called the load component of primary current I1. It is thus seen that core
flux in an ideal transformer remains constant and is independent of the load current.
Hence transformer is a constant flux machine.
Thus when the ideal transformer is on load, the primary current I1 is the phasor sum I2’ and magnetizing
current Im (or Iµ) as shown in the following phasor diagram.

3.10 Concept of Practical Transformer:(when we say “transformer” then it is “practical

transformer”)
A practical transformer differs from the ideal transformer in many respects. The practical transformer has
(1) iron losses (2) winding resistances and (3) magnetic leakage, giving rise to leakage reactances.
1) Iron losses: Since the iron core is subjected to alternating flux, there occurs eddy current and
hysteresis loss in it. These two losses together are known as iron losses or core losses. The iron losses depend
upon the supply frequency, maximum flux density in the core, volume of the core etc. It may be noted that
magnitude of iron losses is quite small in a practical transformer.
Iron losses (Pi) are also known as core losses or fixed losses. These are further divided into Eddy current loss
and hysteresis loss.
2 2 2
i) Eddy current loss = KEBm f T
where, KE is eddy current constant, Bm is the maximum value of the flux density, f is the frequency of
magnetic reversals; T is thickness of core in m.
1.67
ii) Hysteresis loss = KHBm fV
Where KH is Hysteresis constant, Bm is the maximum flux density, f is the frequency of magnetic reversals
and V is the volume of the core in m3

(ii) Winding resistances: Since the windings consist of copper conductors, it immediately follows that
both primary and secondary will have winding resistance. The primary resistance R1 and secondary resistance R2
act in series with the respective windings as shown in Fig below. When current flows through the windings, there
will be power loss as well as a loss in voltage due to IR drop. This will affect the power factor and E1 will be less
than V1 while V2 will be less than E2.
Copper losses (Pcu): These are also known as Variable losses. The total power loss taking place in the
winding resistances of a transformer is known as the copper loss.
F.L. Cu loss = Primary Cu loss + Secondary Cu loss
Pcu = I12R1+ I22R2
I1 & I2 are full load primary current & secondary current respectively
R1 & R2 are resistances of primary & secondary winding respectively.

(iii) Leakage reactances: Both primary and secondary currents produce flux. The flux Ø which links both the
windings is the useful flux and is called mutual flux. However, primary current would produce some flux Ø
which would not link the secondary winding. Similarly, secondary current would produce some flux Ø that would
not link the primary winding. The flux such as Ø1 or Ø2 which links only one winding is called leakage flux. The
leakage flux paths are mainly through the air as shown in following figure.

The effect of these leakage fluxes would be the same as though inductive reactance were connected in
series with each winding of transformer that had no leakage flux. In other words, the effect of primary leakage
flux Ø1 is to introduce an inductive reactance X1 in series with the primary winding as shown in above fig.
Similarly, the secondary leakage flux Ø2 introduces an inductive reactance X2 in series with the secondary
winding.
There will be no power loss due to leakage reactance. However, the presence of leakage reactance in the
windings changes the power factor as well as there is voltage loss due to IX drop.

Note: Although leakage flux in a transformer is quite small (about 5% of Ø) compared to the mutual flux Ø, yet it
cannot be ignored. It is because leakage flux paths are through air of high reluctance and hence require
considerable e.m.f. It may be noted that energy is conveyed from the primary winding to the secondary winding
by mutual flux Ø which links both the windings.

3.11 Transformer Rating is in kVA:

The life of insulation of transformer depends upon temperature. Temperature rise results from losses of
transformer. The copper loss of transformer depends on the current and the iron loss depends on the voltage.
Hence total transformer losses depend on volt-amperes and not on phase angle between voltage and current. The
losses are independent of load power factor.
To prevent transformer from damage due to temperature rise, it is highly essential to limit the losses. The
limiting values are referred as rating. To limit the losses, the operating voltage & current must be maintained
within limits. Hence transformer rating is in kVA.