Losses in Transformer
As the electrical transformer is a static device, mechanical loss in transformer normally does not
come into picture. We generally consider only electrical losses in transformer. Loss in any
machine is broadly defined as difference between input power and output power.
When input power is supplied to the primary of transformer, some portion of that power is used
to compensate core losses in transformer i.e. Hysteresis loss in transformer and Eddy
current loss in transformer core and some portion of the input power is lost as I
2
R loss and
dissipated as heat in the primary and secondary windings, because these windings have some
internal resistance in them. The first one is called core loss or iron loss in transformer and the
later is known as ohmic loss or copper loss in transformer. Another loss occurs in transformer,
known as Stray Loss, due to Stray fluxes link with the mechanical structure and winding
conductors.
Copper Loss in Transformer
Copper loss is I
2
R loss, in primary side it is I
1
2
R
1
and in secondary side it is I
2
2
R
2
loss, where I
1
& I
2
are primary & secondary current of transformer and R
1
& R
2
are resistances of primary &
secondary winding. As the both primary & secondary currents depend upon load of transformer,
copper loss in transformer vary with load.
Core Losses in Transformer
Hysteresis loss and eddy current loss, both depend upon magnetic properties of the materials
used to construct the core of transformer and its design. So these losses in transformer are fixed
and do not depend upon the load current. So core losses in transformer which is alternatively
known as iron loss in transformer can be considered as constant for all range of load
Hysteresis Loss in Transformer
he magnetic core of transformer is made of Cold Rolled Grain Oriented Silicon Steel. Steel is very good
ferromagnetic material. This kind of materials are very sensitive to be magnetized. That means,
whenever magnetic flux would pass through, it will behave like magnet. Ferromagnetic substances have
numbers of domains in their structure. Domains are very small regions in the material structure, where
all the dipoles are paralleled to same direction. In other words, the domains are like small permanent
magnets situated randomly in the structure of substance. These domains are arranged inside the
material structure in such a random manner, that net resultant magnetic field of the said material is
zero. Whenever external magnetic field or mmf is applied to that substance, these randomly directed
domains get arranged themselves in parallel to the axis of applied mmf. After removing this external
mmf, maximum numbers of domains again come to random positions, but some of them still remain in
their changed position. Because of these unchanged domains, the substance becomes slightly
magnetized permanently. This magnetism is called " Spontaneous Magnetism". To neutralize this
magnetism, some opposite mmf is required to be applied. The magneto motive force or mmf applied in
the transformer core is alternating. For every cycle due to this domain reversal, there will be extra work
done. For this reason, there will be a consumption of electrical energy which is known as Hysteresis loss
of transformer.
What is Eddy Current Loss ?
In transformer, we supply alternating current in the primary, this alternating current produces
alternating magnetizing flux in the core and as this flux links with secondary winding, there will
be induced voltage in secondary, resulting current to flow through the load connected with it.
Some of the alternating fluxes of transformer; may also link with other conducting parts like
steel core or iron body of transformer etc. As alternating flux links with these parts of
transformer, there would be a locally induced emf. Due to these emfs, there would be currents
which will circulate locally at that parts of the transformer. These circulating current will not
contribute in output of the transformer and dissipated as heat. This type of energy loss is called
eddy current loss of transformer. This was a broad and simple explanation of eddy current loss.
The detail explanation of this loss is not in the scope of discussion in that chapter.
