Transformer Calculations
- The transformer equation is:
- Where:
- Ns = number of turns in the secondary coil
- Np = number of turns in the primary coil
- εs = output voltage from the secondary coil (V)
- εp = input voltage in the primary coil (V)
There are two types of transformers:
- Step-up transformer (increases the voltage of the power source) where Ns > Np
- Step-down transformer (decreases the voltage of the power source) where Np > Ns
- For an ideal transformer, there is no electrical energy lost and it is 100% efficient
- This means the power in the primary coil equals the power in the second coil;
- Where:
-
- Ip = current in the primary coil (A)
- Is = output current from the secondary coil (A)
Worked Example
A step-down transformer turns a primary voltage of 0.5 kV into a secondary voltage of 100 V. Calculate the number of turns needed in the secondary coil if the primary coil contains 3000 turns of wire.
Step 1: List the known quantities
-
- Primary voltage, εp = 0.5 kV = 0.5 × 103 V
- Secondary voltage, εs = 100 V
- Number of turns in the primary coil, Np = 3000 turns
Step 2: Write down the transformer equation
Step 3: Rearrange for number of turns in the secondary coil
Step 4: Substitute in the values
= 600 turns