PHYSICS

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
(Step-Down Transformer)

(SESSION: 2024-2025)

SURYABADAN VIDYAPEETH
(BASANTPUR)
Under the Supervision of Submitted By:
MR ______ Sir
CHANDRAMAULI
( Physics) Class:- XII

CERTIFICATE
 This is to certify that CHANDRAMAULI UPADHYAY,
student of Class XII,SURYABADAN
VIDYAPEETH,BASANTPUR has completed the project titled
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

_____________
_______________
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my physics

mentor______________ 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.

(CHANDRAMAULI UPADHYAY)
 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OBJECTIVES
3. PRINCIPLE
4. CONSTRUCTION
5. THEORY
6. EFFICIENCY
7. CIRCUIT DAIGRAM
8. ENERGY LOSSES IN TRANSFORMER
9. USES
10. APPLICATIONS
11. PRECAUTIONS
12. 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.’
 CONSTRUCTION

A transformer consists of a rectangular shaft iron core made of

laminated sheets, well insulated from one another. Two coils P 1 & 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 P 1P2, 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 E p 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 Rp is the resistance of P1P2 coil, then the

instantaneous current Ip 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 = Ep Ip

And Output power at the same instant = Es Is

If there are no losses of power in the transformer, then

Input power = Output power

Ep Ip = Es 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
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. Consequently, transformers have shaped the electrical
supply industry, permitting generation to be located remotely from
points of demand. All but a tiny fraction of the world’s electrical
power has passed through a series of transforms by the time it
reaches the consumer.

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.

The transformer also used electrically isolates the end user from
contact with the supply voltage.

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. 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.

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. Therefore, I 2R
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 ,3 rd
Edition ,Laxmi Publications(2009).