Transformers & Their Principle
Transformers are capable of receiving AC power at one voltage and delivering it at another voltage without changing the frequency. In this way, they help achieve better transmission efficiency, while transferring the power over longer distances. We will go through the working and construction of a three-phase transformer, starting from its simplest form. The basic working principle of a transformer is simple, Electromagnetic induction. According to this principle, a varying magnetic flux associated with the loop will induce an electromotive force across it.
Such a fluctuating magnetic field can easily be produced by a coil and alternating EMF system. A current-carrying conductor produces a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field produced by a coil will be as shown in the figure. With the fluctuating nature of the alternating current, the magnetic field associated with the coil will also fluctuate. This magnetic flux can be effectively linked to a secondary winding, with the help of a core made up of a ferromagnetic material. This fluctuating magnetic field will induce an EMF in the secondary coils due to electromagnetic induction. the net EMF induced across the winding will be the sum of the individual EMF induced in each turn. Since the same magnetic flux is the EMF per turn for both the primary and secondary coils will The EMF per turn for the primary coil is related to the applied input voltage. As a result the induced EMF at the secondary coil. This simply means that fewer turns in the secondary than in the primary one can lower the voltage. For the reverse case, one can increase the voltage. But since energy is conserved, the primary and secondary currents have the following relationship: Three-phase transformers use three such single-phase transformers, but with a slightly different coil configuration. Here the primary and secondary coils sit concentrically. Two more such windings are employed in a three-phase Transformer with high power ratings generally employ a special kind of winding known as a Disc type winding, where separate disk windings are connected in series through outer and inner crossovers.
The low voltage windings are connected in a delta configuration. And the high voltage linings are connected in a star configuration. Thus the line voltage further rises this also means that from a three-phase step-up transformer we can draw four output wires, three-phase power wires, and one neutral. High-voltage insulated bushings are required to bring out the electrical energy. The core of the transformer is made of thin insulated steel Such steel laminations are stacked together as shown to form three-phase limbs. The purpose of thin laminations is to reduce the low voltage winding that usually sits near the core. Various kinds of energy loss happen while transferring power from the primary to the secondary coil.
All these energy losses are dissipated as heat. So usually, the transformer is immersed in a cooling coil to dissipate the heat. The coil dissipates the heat via natural convection. Oil in the tank will expand as it absorbs the heat. A conservator tank helps to accommodate this volume change.
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