A transformer is an electrical device that transfers energy from one circuit to another purely by magnetic coupling .

INVENTION
The principle behind the operation of a transformer, electromagnetic induction was discovered independently by Michael Faraday and Joseph Henry in 1831. However, Faraday was the first who publish the results of his experiments and this receive credit for the discovery.The relationship between electromotive force (EMF) or "voltage" and magnetic flux was formalized in an equation now referred to as "Faraday's law of induction": .

BASIC PRINCIPLES

The transformer may be considered as a simple two-wheel 'gearbox' for electrical voltage and current. The primary winding is analogous to the input shaft and the secondary winding to the output shaft. In this comparison, current is equivalent to shaft speed, voltage to shaft torque. In a gearbox, mechanical power (speed multiplied by torque) is constant (neglecting losses) and is equivalent to electrical power (voltage multiplied by current) which is also constant.

CONSTRUCTION a) Cores : -steel cores -air cores -solid cores -toroidal cores

b)Windings
e)Coolant

c)Insulation

d) Shielding

f)Terminals g)Enclosure

TRANSFORMER DESIGNS
Autotransformers An autotransformer has only a single winding, which is tapped at some point along the winding. Polyphase transformers For three-phase power, three separate single-phase transformers can be used, or all three phases can be connected to a single polyphase transformer Resonant transformers A resonant transformer is one that operates at the resonant frequency of one or more of its coils. A current transformer is designed to provide a current in its secondary which is accurately proportional to the current flowing in its primary. Voltage transformers Voltage transformers (also known as potential transformers) are used in the electricity supply industry to measure accurately the voltage being supplied. Pulse transformers A pulse transformer is a transformer that is optimised for transmitting rectangular electrical pulses (that is, pulses with fast rise and fall times and a constant amplitude). RF transformers For radio frequency use, transformers are sometimes made from configurations of transmission line, sometimes bifilar or coaxial cable, wound around ferrite cores. Audio transformers Traditionally, in the valve amplifier, the function of the output transformer was to convert the low alternating current music signal (that had been imposed on top of the high-voltage direct current from the plate electrode of the final output tube) into a useable high-current/low-voltage level for conversion by the loudspeakers.

Uses of transformers

Electric power transmission over long distances. High-voltage direct-current HVDC power transmission systems Large, specially constructed power transformers are used for electric arc furnaces used in steelmaking. Rotating transformers are designed so that one winding turns while the other remains stationary. A common use was the video head system as used in VHS and Beta video tape players. These can pass power or radio signals from a stationary mounting to a rotating mechanism, or radar antenna. Sliding transformers can pass power or signals from a stationary mounting to a moving part such as a machine tool head. An example is the linear variable differential transformer, Some rotary transformers are precisely constructed in order to measure distances or angles. Usually they have a single primary and two or more secondaries, and electronic circuits measure the different amplitudes of the currents in the secondaries, such as in synchros and resolvers. Small transformers are often used to isolate and link different parts of radio receivers and audio amplifiers, converting high current low voltage circuits to low current high voltage, or vice versa. Balanced-to-unbalanced conversion. A special type of transformer called a balun is used in radio and audio circuits to convert between balanced circuits and unbalanced transmission lines such as antenna downleads. A balanced line is one in which the two conductors (signal and return) have the same impedance to ground: twisted pair and "balanced twin" are examples. Unbalanced lines include coaxial cables and strip-line traces on printed circuit boards. A similar use is for connecting the "single ended" input stages of an amplifier to the high-powered "push-pull" output stage.

Bibliography

Daniels, A.R. (1985). Introduction to Electrical Machines, Macmillan. Heathcote, MJ (1998). J&P Transformer Book, 12th ed., Newnes. Hindmarsh, J. (1984). Electrical Machines and their Applications, 4th ed., Pergamon. Shepherd,J; Moreton,A.H; Spence,L.F. (1970). Higher Electrical Engineering, Pitman Publishing.

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