PHYSICS

INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
(Step-Down Transformer)

(SESSION: 2024-2025)

AMITY INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOL

Under the Supervision of : Submitted By:

Arun Kumar Jha Sir Sambandh
(PGT Physics) XII-C
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that SAMBANDH MOHAPTRA,
student of Class XII-C,
Amity International School, Saket Delhi has
completed the project titled Step-Down
Transformer during the academic year 2024-
2025 towards partial fulfillment of credit for the
Physics practical evaluation of CBSE 2025, and
submitted satisfactory report, as compiled in the
following pages, under my supervision.

Principal: Physics Lecturer:

Divya Bhatia Arun Kumar Jha Sir
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my
physics mentor Mr. ARUN KUMAR JHA SIR for his vital
support, guidance and encouragement, without which
this project would not have come forth. I would also like
to express my gratitude to the other staff of the
Department of Physics for their support during the
making of this project.
 CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 OBJECTIVES
 PRINCIPLE
 CONSTRUCTION
 THEORY
 EFFICIENCY
 CIRCUIT DAIGRAM
 ENERGY LOSSES IN
TRANSFORMER
 USES
 APPLICATIONS
 PRECAUTIONS
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
TRANSFORMER
The transformer is a device used for converting a low
alternating voltage to a high alternating voltage or a high
alternating voltage into a low alternating voltage.

A transformer which increases the A.C. voltage is

called a “Step up transformer.’

A transformer which decreases the A.C. voltage is

called a “Step down transformer”
A STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

A step-down transformer is one whose secondary voltage

is less than its primary voltage. It is designed to reduce
the voltage from the primary winding to the secondary
winding. This kind of transformer “step down” the voltage
applied to it

As a step-down unit, the transformer convert high-

voltage, low- current power into low-voltage, high-current
power.
OBJECTIVE

Prepare a project on “STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER.”

PRINCIPLE

A Transformer is based on the principle of mutual

induction. According to this principle, ‘When the amount
of magnetic flux linked with a coil changing, an e.m.f. is
induced in the neighboring coil.’

Working of a transformer core

 CONSTRUCTION

 A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core made

of laminated sheets, well insulated from one another. Two

coils P1 & P2 and S1 & S2 are wound on the same core, but

are well insulated with each other. Note that the both the

coils are insulated from the core. The source of alternating

e.m.f. is connected to P1P2, the primary coil and a load

resistance R is connected to S1S2, the secondary coil through

an open switch S. Thus there can be no current through the

secondary coil as long as the switch is open.

 For an ideal transformer, we assume that the resistance of

the primary & secondary winding is negligible. Further, the
energy loses due to the magnetic iron core is also negligible.
 THEORY
When an alternating e.m.f. is supplied to the primary coil P 1P2,
an alternating current starts flowing in it. The alternating current
in the primary coil produces a changing magnetic flux, which
induces alternating voltage in the primary as well as in the
secondary coil. In a good transformer, whole of the magnetic flux
linked with primary coil is also linked with the secondary coil,
then the induced e.m.f. induced in each turn of the secondary
coil is equal to that induced in each turn of the primary coil.
Thus if Ep and Es be the instantaneous values of the e.m.f.’s
induced in the primary coil and the secondary coil and Np and
Ns are the number of turns of the primary and secondary coils of
the transformer and

dфь / dt = rate of change of flux in each turn of

the coil

At this instant, we have

Ep = -Np dфь/dt----------------------------- (i)

Es = -Ns dфь/dt------------------------------ (ii)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by dividing

(ii) by (i), we get

Es / Ep = - Ns / Np------------------------(iii)

As Ep is the instantaneous value of back e.m.f. induced in the

primary coil P1, so the instantaneous current in primary coil is

due to the difference (E – Ep ) in the instantaneous values of the

applied and back e.m.f. Further if R p is the resistance of P1P2

coil, then the instantaneous current I p in the primary coil is given

by

Ip = (E – Ep) / Rp

(E – Ep) = Ip Rp

When the resistance of the primary is small, Rp Ip can be

neglected so therefore

E – Ep = 0 or

Ep = E Thus back e.m.f. = input e.m.f.

Hence equation (iii) can be written as

Es / Ep = Es / E = output e.m.f / input e.m.f = Ns / Np

=K

Where K is constant, called turn or transformation ratio.

In a step down transformer:-

Es < E so K < 1, hence Ns < Np

If Ip = value of primary current at the same instant

t And Is = value of sec. current at this instant, then

Input power at the instant t = E p Ip

And Output power at the same instant =
E s Is
If there are no losses of power in the transformer, then

Input power = Output power

E p Ip = E s Is

Es / Ep = Ip / Is = K
 EFFICIENCY
Efficiency of a transformer is defined as the ratio of

output power to the input power. i.e.

η = output power / input power =Es Is / Ep Ip

Thus in an ideal transformer, where there is no power

losses, η = 1. But in actual practice, there are many
power losses, therefore the efficiency of transformer is
less than one.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
 ENERGY LOSSES
Following are the major sources of energy loss in a
transformer:

1. Copper loss is the energy loss in the form of heat in the

copper coils of a transformer. This is due to joule heating
of conducting wires.

2. Iron loss is the energy loss in the form of heat in the

iron core of the transformer. This is due to formation of
eddy currents in iron core. It is minimized by taking
laminated cores.

3. Leakage of magnetic flux occurs in spite of best

insulations. Therefore, rate of change of magnetic flux
linked with each turn of S1S2 is less than the rate of
change of magnetic flux linked with each turn of P1P2.

4. Hysteretic loss is the loss of energy due to repeated

magnetization and demagnetization of the iron core when
A.C. is fed to it.

5. Magneto striation i.e. humming noise of a

transformer.
 USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all A.C. operations:-

1· In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator,

computer, air conditioner etc.

2. In the induction furnaces.

3. A step down transformer is used for welding

purposes.

4. A step down transformer is used for obtaining

large current.

5. In transmission of A.C. over long distance.

 APPLICATIONS
1. A major application of transformer is to increases voltage
before transmitting electrical energy over long distance
through wires. Wires have resistance and so dissipate
electrical energy at a rate proportional to the square of the
current through the wire. By transforming electrical power to
a high-voltage (and there for low- current) form for
transmission and back again afterward, transformers enable
economical transmission of power over long distance.

2. Transformer are also used extensively in electronic products

to step down the supply voltage to a level suitable for the low
voltage circuits they contain.

3. The transformer also used electrically isolates the end user

from contact with the supply voltage.

4. Transformer range in size from a thumbnail-sized coupling

transformer hidden inside a stage microphone to huge unit
weighing hundreds of tons used in power stations, or to
interconnect portions of power grids. All operate on the same
basic principles, although the range of designs is wide.
5. While new technologies have eliminated the need for
transformers in some electronic circuits, transformers are
still found in nearly all electronic devices designed for
household (“mains”) voltage. Transformer are essential for
high-voltage electrical power transmission, which makes
long-distance transmission economically practical.

6. Single and audio transformer are used to couple stages of

amplifier and to match devices such as microphones and
record players to the input of the amplifiers. Audio
transformer allowed telephone circuit to carry on a two-way
conservation over a single pair of wires. A balun transformer
converts a single that is referenced to ground to a signal that
has balanced voltage to ground, such as between external
cables and internal circuits.
 PRECAUTIONS

1. The loss of power in the transmission lines is I2 R, where I is

strength of current and R is the resistance of wires. To reduce
the power loss, a.c. is transmitted over long distance at
extremely high voltages. This reduces I in the same ratio.

2
Therefore, I R becomes negligibly low.

2. Permeability of magnetic material of transformer core must be

high.

3. Oiling in transformer provides insulation as well as cooling.

4. The transformer core must be laminated to minimize loss of

energy due to eddy currents.

5. Safety from high voltage is maintained.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Physics textbook for class XII , 1st Edition NCERT

(2007).

2. Concepts of Physics, H.C.VERMA, 1ST Edition,

Bharti Bhawan(1993).
3. Fundamentals of Physics , David Halliday, Robert
Resnick and Jearl walker, 7th Edition, Wiley-
India(2004)
4. Practical physics for class XII, J.S.Jaiswaland
Dr.Rajendra Singh ,3rd Edition ,Laxmi
Publications(2009).