• In reality, transformers are not 100% energy efficient
  • This means their power output is less than the power input

   

• For an ideal (100% efficient) transformer, there is no electrical energy and power loss:

Power in = Power out

IpVp?=?IsVs

• Where:
  • Ip?= current in the primary coil (A)
  • Vp?= voltage in the primary coil (V)
  • Is?= output current from the secondary coil (A)
  • Vs?= output voltage from the secondary coil (V)

   

• This is from the power equation:

P = IV

• The ideal transformer equation can also be written as:

• Where:
  • Np?= number of turns in the primary coil
  • Ns?= number of turns in the secondary coil

   

• The efficiency of a transformer is the?ratio?of the power out to the power in:

• This efficiency is given as a?decimal
  • To find this as the percentage, multiply by 100

   

• Eddy currents are a key source of energy loss in a transformer, which makes them unlikely to be 100% efficient
• They arise from:
  • A changing magnetic field (and flux) from the alternating current or voltage
  • Which creates a changing magnetic field in the core that acts?against?the field that induced them
  • An e.m.f is therefore induced
  • A current flows, as the core is made from a conducting material

   

• The current also dissipates energy by generating heat in the wires
• Eddy currents are reduced by:
  • Laminating?the iron core with layers of insulation
  • Having a core made from a?high resistivity?metal

   

Eddy currents in a solid v laminated core

• ?Laminating the core consists of building it with thin layers of metal, instead of a solid metal
  • The eddy currents are therefore reduced?significantly

   

• The laminations are?insulated?from each other, so the current doesn't flow between them