2023-2024

Physics
Investigatory
Project
On
Transformers

Submitted By :-

H.ABU SALEEM

Class : XII
 Certificate
This is to certify that H.ABU SALEEM

student of Class XII,SMBM National Public School, has

completed the project titled ‘‘Transformers’’ during
the academic year 2023-2024 towards partial
fulfilment physics practical examination conducted by
AISSCE and submitted satisfactory report, as
compiled in the following pages, under my supervision.
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my special thanks of
gratitude to my teacher who gave
me the golden opportunity to do this wonderful
project on the topic Transformers, which also
helped me in doing a lot of Research and I came
to know about so many new things I am really
thankful to them.
Secondly I would also like to thank my parents
and friends who helped me a lot in finalizing this
project within the limited time frame.

Index
01) Introduction
 02) Objective
03) Principle
04) Construction
05) Theory and Working
06) Efficiency
07) Energy Losses
08) Apparatus
09) Circuit Diagram
10) Procedure
11) Uses of Transformer
12) Sources of Error
13) Conclusion
14) Precautions
15) Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

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. It is a
static electrical device that transfers energy by inductive
coupling between its winding circuits. Transformers range in
size from a thumbnail-sized coupling transformer hidden
inside a stage microphone to huge units weighing hundreds
of tons used in power plant substations or to interconnect
portions of the power grid. 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
many electronic devices. Transformers are essential for
high-voltage electric power transmission, which makes long-
distance transmission economically practical. A transformer
is most widely used device in both low and high current
circuit. In a transformer, the electrical energy transfer
from one circuit to another circuit takes place without the
use of moving parts. A transformer which increases the
voltages is called a step-up transformer.
A transformer which decreases the A.C. voltages is called a
step-down transformer.

Transformer is, therefore, an essential piece of

apparatus both for high and low current circuits.

Close-up of single-phase pole mount transformer.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relation between the ratio of –
1. Input and output voltage.
2. Number of turnings in the secondary coil and primary coil of a
self made transformer.
 PRINCIPLE

It is based on the principle of mutual induction

that is if a varying current is set-up in a circuit
then induced e.m.f. is produced in the
neighbouring circuit. The varying current in a
circuit produce varying magnetic flux which
induces e.m.f. in the neighbouring circuit.
 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 s1 s2, the secondary coil

through an open switch S. thus there can be no current

through the sec. coil so 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 magnetic the iron core is also negligible.

For operation at low frequency, we may have a soft iron.

The soft iron core is insulating by joining thin iron strips

coated with varnish to insulate them to reduce energy

losses by eddy currents. The input circuit is called primary.

And the output circuit is called secondary.

An ideal voltage step-down transformer. The secondary current arises from the action of the secondary
EMF on the (not shown) load impedance.

The ideal transformer as a circuit element

 THEORY AND WORKING

When an altering e.m.f. is supplied to the primary coil p 1p2,

an alternating current starts falling in it. The altering

current in the primary produces a changing magnetic flux,

which induces altering voltage in the primary as well as in

the secondary. In a good-transformer, whole of the

magnetic flux linked with primary is also linked with the

secondary, and then the induced e.m.f. induced in each turn

of the secondary is equal to that induced in each turn of the

primary.

Thus if Ep and Es be the instantaneous values of the e.m.f.’s

induced in the primary and the secondary and N p and Ns are

the no. of turns of the primary 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 (1)

Es = -Ns Dфь/dt (2)

Since the above relations are true at every instant, so by
dividing 2 by 1, we get

E s / Ep = - N s / Np (3)

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 – E p ) in the instantaneous values
of the applied and back e.m.f. further if R p is the resistance
o, p1p2 coil, then the instantaneous current Ip in the
primary coil is given by

I =E – Ep / Rp

E – E p = Ip R p

When the resistance of the primary is small, R p Ip can be

neglected so therefore

E – Ep = 0 or Ep = E

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

Hence equation 3 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 up transformer

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

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 I s

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

Input power = output power or

E p Ip = Es I s Or

Es / E p = Ip / I s = K

In a step up transformer

As k > 1, so Ip > Is or Is < Ip

I.e. current in sec. is weaker when secondary voltage is

higher. Hence, whatever we gain in voltage, we lose in

current in the same ratio. Similarly it can be shown, that in

a step down transformer, whatever we lose in voltage, we

gain in current in the same ratio.

Thus a step up transformer in reality steps down the

current & a step down transformer steps up the current.

BASIC IDEA OF STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

BASIC IDEA OF STEP UP TRANSFORMER

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.

ENERGY LOSSES
In practice, the output energy of a transformer is always
less than the input energy, because energy losses occur due
to a number of reasons as explained below.
1. Loss of Magnetic Flux: The coupling between the coils is
seldom perfect. So, whole of the magnetic flux produced by
the primary coil is not linked up with the secondary coil.
2. Iron Loss: In actual iron cores in spite of lamination,
Eddy currents are produced. The magnitude of eddy current
may, however be small. And a part of energy is lost as the
heat produced in the iron core.
3. Copper Loss: In practice, the coils of the transformer
possess resistance. So a part of the energy is lost due to
the heat produced in the resistance of the coil.
4. Hysteresis Loss: The alternating current in the coil
tapes the iron core through complete cycle of
magnetization. So Energy is lost due to hysteresis.
5. Magneto restriction: The alternating current in the
Transformer may be set its parts in to vibrations and sound
may be produced. It is called humming. Thus, a part of
energy may be lost due to humming.

Apparatus
Iron Rod, Voltmeter, Ammeter, Copper Wire.
 Circuit Diagram

Procedure

1.Take thick iron rod and cover it with a thick paper and
wind a large number of turns of thin Cu wire on thick
paper (say 60). This constitutes primary coil of the
transformer.
2. Cover the primary coil with a sheet of paper and
wound relatively smaller number of turns (say 20) of thick
copper wire on it. This constitutes the secondary coil. It
is a step down transformer.

3. Connect p1, p2 to A.C main and measure the input

voltage and current using A.C voltmeter and ammeter
respectively.

4. Similarly, measure the output voltage and current

through s1and s2.

5. Now connect s1and s2to A.C main and again measure

voltage and current through primary and secondary coil
of step up transformer.

6. Repeat all steps for other self made transformers

by changing number of turns in primary and secondary
coil.
 USES OF TRANSFORMER
A transformer is used in almost all a.c. operations

● In voltage regulator for T.V., refrigerator, computer,

air conditioner etc.

● In the induction furnaces.

● A step down transformer is used for welding purposes.

● A step down transformer is used for obtaining large

current.

● A step up transformer is used for the production of X-

Rays and NEON advertisement.

● Transformers are used in voltage regulators and

stabilized power supplies.

● Transformers are used in the transmissions of a.c. over

long distances.

● Small transformers are used in Radio sets, telephones,

loud speakers and electric bells etc.

 Sources of Error

1. Values of current can be changed due to heating effect.

2. Eddy current can change the readings.

Conclusion
1. The output voltage of the transformer across the
secondary coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/Np) with respect to
the input voltage

2. The output voltage of the transformer across the

secondary coil depends upon the ratio (Ns/N p) with respect to
the input voltage

3. There is a loss of power between input and output

coil of a transformer.

Precautions
1. Keep safe yourself from high voltage.

2. While taking the readings of current and voltage the A.C

should remain constant.

A Big Transformer
 Bibliography

⮚ NCERT Textbook Class 12

⮚ NCERT Physics Lab Manual Class 12

⮚ Google Website