Induced e.m.f.

(electromotive force) and

the Transformer
Introduction

 Remember that a current travelling

through a coil can produce a magnetic
field (solenoid!!).
 Question:
– Can a magnetic field produce an
electric current?
 The answer is YES!
 A magnetic field can cause an electric
current (it’s called magnetic induction),
BUT the magnetic field must be
changing.
Magnetic Flux

 Magnetic flux, represented by the

Greek letter Φ (phi), is a measure of
quantity of magnetism, taking into
account the strength and the extent of
a magnetic field. The SI unit of
magnetic flux is the weber
 It is in the discussion of objects like
transformers and solenoids.
Induced e.m.f.
 When a conductor is moved so that it
interacts with a magnetic field, an
e.m.f (electromotive force) is induced
in the conductor. If the conductor is in
a closed loop, an induced current
flows.
 The conductor must be placed at an
angle to the magnetic field. There is 0
e.m.f. if the coil is parallel to the field.
The Induced e.m.f.

 The magnitude of the induced e.m.f. is

dependent on the motion of the
moving magnet.
 The direction of the induced e.m.f. is
dependent on the direction of motion
of the conductor and the magnetic
field.
The Magnitude of the
e.m.f.
 The magnitude of the e.m.f. is
determined from Faraday’s law.
 Faraday’s law states that:
The magnitude of the induced
e.m.f. is directly proportional to the
rate of change of magnetic flux.
The Magnitude of the
e.m.f.
 Therefore, the e.m.f. can be
increased by:
– Increasing the speed of the magnet and
conductor
– The strength or intensity of the magnetic
field.
– The area the conductor takes up.
– The number of turns on the coil, if one is
used.
The Direction of the e.m.f.

 Fleming’s Right hand rule is used

to predict the direction of the induced
e.m.f. (current) if a wire cuts a
magnetic field.
 First finger – Field
 thuMb – Motion
 seCond finger – induced Current
The A.C. Generator
 This is a machine that is used to
convert kinetic (mechanical) energy
into electrical energy.
 It generates an alternating current.
 Again here, a coil is located within a C-
shaped magnet, which is connected to
slip rings and brushes.
 Coils are rotated within a magnetic
field and this induces an e.m.f.
The A.C. Generator
 How it works?
– By using Fleming's right
hand rule: We see that
there is an induced
current in the coils.
– The slip rings don’t have a
gap (unlike commutators)
and these carry the
induced e.m.f.
A.C. Output – The e.m.f is alternating
because of the slip rings.
– Maximum V (+/-) occurs
when the coil is vertical.
The A.C. Generator
 The Transformer
 This is a device used to change the
voltage of an alternating supply
without changing the frequency.
 A transformer is made up 2 coils of
insulated copper wound on a soft iron
core.
 The core is made up of “laminates” of
the iron which are electrically, but not
magnetically, insulated from each
other.
 Why Transformers?
 Transformers are mainly used to transfer
electrical energy using a.c.
 When transferring the energy, the
transformer can change the voltage to a
larger or smaller value.
 By transmitting in high voltages less
electrical energy is wasted.
 Transformers are mainly used to change
high voltages, transmitted across large
distances, into lower, safe voltages for
everyday applications
THE TRANSFORMER
 THE TRANSFORMER
How it works:
• The transformer is
based on
electromagnetic
induction.
• When an alternating
voltage is applied to the
primary coil, the
resulting a.c. produces a
changing magnetic field
in the core (solenoid).
• The changing magnetic
field induces an e.m.f.
in the secondary coil.
• Remember nothing is
conducted across the
core.
The Transformer

 The magnitude of the induced e.m.f is

dependent on :
– The alternating voltage applied in the
primary coil and
– The number of turns in the primary, Np,
and secondary coils, Ns.
Features of a Transformer

 It has an efficiency usually better than

99%.
 Efficiency = output power × 100%
input power
 The high efficiency is due to the fact
that nothing moves in a transformer,
i.e. no friction.
NB: Power = IV
Causes of power loss in Designs to reduce power loss
transformers

Heating effect of current in Thick copper wire with low

wires of primary coils resistance, thus less heat
generated
Heating effect of induced Lamination of the iron core
e.m.f. in secondary coils

Use of energy in the Using a soft iron so that it is

magnetizing of the iron core easily magnetized and de-
and the constant reversing magnetized
of this magnetization

Reduced e.m.f in secondary The core is designed to use

coil due to some of the all of magnetic field
magnetic field dissipating. produced to get maximum
induced e.m.f.
Types of transformers

 There is the step-up and step-down

transormer.
 In the step-up, there is more turns in
the secondary coil, Ns > Np. This
means that the output voltage, Vs, is >
the input voltage, Vp.
 In the step-down, Ns < Np. Also, Vs <
Vp.
The Ideal Transformer

 For an ideal transformer:

– Input power = output power
– Pout = Pin
– Input is in the primary coil, output is in
the secondary coil.
– Therefore: Ps = Pp
– i.e. IsVs = IpVp Ip
Vs
– Rearranging we get: 
Vp Is
The Ideal transformer

 It is also seen that:

 Vs I p N s where Ns / Np is
 
V p I s N p called the turns-
ratio.
 If all of the ratio above is > 1 it is a
step-up transformer.
 If all of the ratio above is < 1 it is a
step-down transformer.