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A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy from one circuit to another by the mechanism of electromagnetic induction. In most cases, energy transmission necessitates a change in voltage and current. Transformers are used to raise or reduce the voltage of alternating current.
Transformers are widely used. Some transformers are many floors high, such as those found at power plants, while others are tiny enough to fit in the palm of your hand and be used with a video camera charging cradle. The function of any transformer, regardless of its size or shape, is to convert electrical power from one kind to another.
Transformers come in a wide variety and configurations:
Power Transformer
Instrument Transformers
Isolation Transformers
Auto Transformers
Distribution Transformers
Potential Transformers
Current Transformers.
Parts of AC Transformer
Transformers are used to increase or decrease voltage levels. Transformers transmit electrical energy from one circuit to another circuit by electromagnetic induction. The structure of a transformer consists of numerous separate components, each of which contributes to the overall performance of the transformer in its unique manner. Except for more than 50 KVA, almost every transformer contains insulating materials, core, windings, and transformer oil.
The different components of a transformer may include:
1. Core: The windings are held in place by the core of the transformer. The core is made up of soft iron, which helps to decrease Eddy current and hysteresis losses while also providing a low resistance channel for magnetic flux passage. Copper loss is directly proportional to the core diameter of the transformer, whereas iron loss is inversely proportional.
2. Conservator: The transformer oil is stored in the conservatory, with an airtight iron cylindrical drum installed above the transformer. It features a top vent and is only half-full with oil to allow temperature fluctuations. However, the main tank is full of oil, connected to the conservatory through a conduit.
3. Cooling Tubes: The transformer oil is cooled using cooling tubes. Oil may circulate naturally or artificially inside the transformer. When the oil temperature rises, hot oil rises, and cold oil falls naturally in natural circulation; however, an endless pump is utilised in forced circulation.
4. Insulating materials: Primary and secondary windings and the transformer core are isolated using insulating materials like paper and cardboard due to their high conductivity and flexibility. High conductivity reduces the quantity of copper required while also lowering losses. Furthermore, high ductility allows conductors to be easily bent into tight windings around the core, reducing copper use and winding volume.
5. Breather: The breather is a silica gel-filled cylindrical container that keeps the air entering the tank dry. This is because moisture may disrupt the insulation and produce internal defects when the insulating oil interacts with it. The breather keeps moisture out of the air. The silica crystals in the breather absorb moisture from the air as it travels through them.
6. Windings: Windings are made up of many copper coil turns, which are bundled together and joined to make a full winding. The input-output supply or the voltage range may be used to wind the coils. Primary and secondary windings, which are the windings to which the input and output voltages are applied, are included in supply windings. Depending on their voltage range, windings may be categorised as high or low voltage.
7. Transformer oil: The core and the coils insulate and cool the oil. The core and windings must be completely immersed in mineral oil.
8. Tap Changer: Tap changers are used to compensate for voltage changes within the transformer. Onload and offload tap changers exist. Onload tap changers allow tapping to be altered without disconnecting the transformer from the supply; however, offload tap changers need the transformer to be detached.
9. Buchholz Relay: The Buchholz Relay detects flaws in the transformer by being installed above the connecting line that travels from the main tank to the conservator tank. It is powered by gases generated by transformer oil breakdown during internal problems. As a result, this gadget detects internal flaws in the transformer, allowing it to be protected.
10. Explosion Vent: The boiling oil in the transformer is ejected by the explosion vent during internal faults, preventing the transformer from exploding. This is usually positioned above the conservator tank’s level.
How Ac Transformers Work
Transformers do not create electricity; instead, they use magnetic coupling to transmit electricity from one AC circuit to another AC circuit. The magnetic flux created in the transformer by current flowing through the windings, also known as coils, is channelled into the core of the transformer.
Working Principle of AC Transformer
A transformer aids in the transmission of electricity through an electrical grid. The kind of electricity transmitted is known as alternating current (AC). It is very common to use this to change the voltage supply without changing the frequency of AC in the circuits that use it.
Transformers function on the mechanism of electromagnetic induction and mutual induction. A transformer works on mutual inductance between two or more coils that are inductively linked together. It has two windings close together. They are linked by magnetic induction. Between the windings, there is no path for electricity to pass. The primary winding receives the sine wave voltage to power it. The secondary winding does the job of feeding the load.
The alternating current in the primary winding causes the alternating flux of the core to grow by speeding it up. There is a lot of this flux and EMFs that connect the secondary winding to the first one. The magnetic field helps in the moving of energy from one part of the circuit to the other.
Conclusion
Transformers are used to step-up or step-down the voltage of alternating current. The function of any transformer, regardless of its size or shape, is to convert electrical power from one kind to another. Transformers transmit electrical energy from one circuit to another circuit by electromagnetic induction. Transformers come in a wide variety and configurations, such as power transformers, instrument transformers, distribution transformers etc.
