Principle of operation

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another circuit. A varying current in the primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field generated through the secondary winding. This varying magnetic field induces a varying electromotive force (EMF) in the secondary winding. This effect is called mutual induction.

In an ideal transformer, the induced voltage in the secondary winding (Vs) is in proportion to the primary voltage (Vp), and is given by the ratio of the number of turns in the secondary (Ns) to the number of turns in the primary (Np) .

Types of Transformer
1- On the basis of number of turns of primary
and secondary winding. (i)-Step up transformer (ii)-Step down transformer

2- On the basis of supply

(i)-Single phase transformer (ii)-Three phase transformer

Construction
The most important parts of transformer are windings(coils) and the core.

Laminated steel coreThe material used for core is silicon steel because of its high permeability and low magnetic reluctance.

WindingsThere are two types of windings

1-Concentric cylinder type winding:

The cylindrical coils are placed in concentric way around the same limb with the low voltage winding placed inside and high voltage winding placed outside it with proper insulation between windings.

2-Sandwiched type winding:

Here high voltage and low voltage windings are divided into number of small coils and these small windings are interleaved.

3-Transformer Tank:
The whole assembly of large size transformer is placed in a sheet metal tank. Inside the the tank transformer is immersed in oil which act as a insulstor as well as coolent.

4-Conservator:
It is a empty space provided above the oil level. When the oil temperature increases it expands and air will sucked inside the conservator.This process is called breathing of transformer.

5-Breather:
The apparatus through which breathing of the transformer takes place is called as Breather. To reduce the moisture content of this air some drying agent such as silica gel is used in breather.

6-Buccholz Relay:
There is a pipe connecting the tank and conservator. On this pipe a protective device called Buccholz relay is mounted.

When the transformer is about to faulty and draws large current ,the oil becomes very hot and different type of gases are liberated. The buccholz relay opereted by these gases and gives an alarm to the operator.If the fault continues,then the relay will trip off the main circuit breaker to protect the transformer.