Transformer

Transformers may have mulitple windings, but must have at least two. The Primary is the higher voltage, often
denoted H. The secondary is the lower voltage (higher amperage) winding, often denoted X.
CommentThe above answer is only true for a step-down transformer. The general answer is straightforward: the
primary winding is the winding connected to the supply, while the secondary winding is the winding connected to
the load. This applies to ANY transformer.
Principle of Transformers
A transformer is a device that changes (transforms) and alternating potential difference (voltage) from one value
to another value be it smaller or greater using the principle of electromagnetic induction.
A transformer consists of a soft iron coil with two coils wound around it which are not connected to one another.
These coils can be wound either on separate limbs of the iron core or be arranged on top of each other.
The coil to which the alternating voltage is supplied is called the primary coil or primary winding. When an
alternating potential difference is supplied the resulting alternating current in the primary coil produces a changing
magnetic field around it. This changing field induces an alternating current in the secondary coil. The size of the
induced voltage resulting from the induced current in the secondary coil depends on the number of turns in the
secondary coil.
The relationship between the voltage and the number of turns in each coil is given by:


Transformers can be of two types:
Step-up Transformer
On a step-up transformer there are more turns on the secondary coil than the primary coil. The induced voltage
across the secondary coil is greater than the applied voltage across the primary coil or in other words the voltage has
been stepped-up.
Step-down Transformer
A step down transformer has less turns on the secondary coil that the primary coil. The induced voltage across the
secondary coil is less the applied voltage across the primary coil or in other words the voltage is stepped-down.
Transformers are very efficient. If it is assumed that a transformer is 100% efficient (and this is a safe assumption as
transformers may be up to 99% efficient) then the power in the primary coil has to be equal to the power in the
secondary coil, as per the law of conservation of energy.
Power in primary coil = Power in secondary coil
Remember, power = potential difference x current
Thus,
Primary coil p.d. x primary coil current = Secondary coil p.d. x secondary coil current
V
P
x I
P
= V
S
x I
S

So if the potential difference is stepped up by a transformer then the current is stepped down by roughly the same
ratio. In the case of the potential being stepped down by the transformer then the current is stepped up by the same
ratio.
DC core Saturation
it is a condition where the flux does not increase as magnetizing force (Ampere-Turns) increases. Air and vacuum
core devices do not saturate. Saturation does not occur suddenly. What happens is that the B/H curve gradually
starts to flatten out.
Seen in some magnetic materials, saturation is the state reached when an increase in applied external magnetic field
H cannot increase the magnetization of the material further, so the total magnetic flux density B levels off. It is a
characteristic particularly of ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, nickel, cobalt and their alloys