Transformer Calculations (Oxford AQA IGCSE Physics)
Revision Note
Written by: Dan Mitchell-Garnett
Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll
Transformer Calculations
The output potential difference across the secondary coil of a transformer depends on:
The number of turns on the primary and secondary coils
The input potential difference across the primary coil
The transformer equation
The transformer equation can be used to calculate the potential difference across each coil:
Where:
Vp = potential difference across the primary coil measured in volts (V)
Vs = potential difference across the secondary coil measured in volts (V)
np = number of turns in the primary coil
ns = number of turns in the secondary coil
The equation above can be flipped upside down to give:
The equations above show that:
The ratio of the potential differences across the primary and secondary coils of a transformer is equal to the ratio of the number of turns on each coil
Step-up transformer
A step-up transformer increases the potential difference of a power source
A step-up transformer has more turns on the secondary coil than on the primary coil (ns > np)
The number of turns increases from primary to secondary
So the potential difference increases from primary to secondary
Step-down transformer
A step-down transformer decreases the potential difference of a power source
A step-down transformer has fewer turns on the secondary coil than on the primary coil (ns < np)
The number of turns decreases from primary to secondary
So the potential difference decreases from primary to secondary
Worked Example
A transformer has 20 turns on the primary coil and 800 turns on the secondary coil. The input potential difference across the primary coil is 500 V.
(a) Calculate the output potential difference
(b) State what type of transformer this is
Answer:
Part a)
Step 1: List the known quantities
Number of turns in the primary coil, np = 20
Number of turns in the secondary coil, ns = 800
Potential difference across the primary coil, Vp = 500 V
Step 2: Write the transformer equation from the equation sheet
The transformer equation on the equation sheet is given as
Flipping this equation with the secondary coil's variables on the top will make rearranging this equation much easier
Step 3: Rearrange for Vs
The equation with secondary potential difference as the subject is:
Step 4: Substitute the known quantities
Part b)
Step 1: Determine if the potential difference has increased or decreased
The potential difference across the primary coil is 500 V
The potential difference in the secondary coil is 20 000 V
Therefore, the potential difference has increased from primary to secondary
Step 2: State whether the transformer is step-up or step-down
The potential difference has increased
So this is a step-up transformer
Examiner Tips and Tricks
When you are using the transformer equation, there will be less rearranging to do in a calculation if the variable which you are trying to find is on the numerator (top line) of the fraction.
The Ideal Transformer Equation
An ideal transformer would be 100% efficient
Although transformers can increase the voltage of a power source, due to the law of conservation of energy, they cannot increase the power output
If a transformer is 100% efficient:
The equation to calculate electrical power is:
Where:
P = power in watts (W)
V = potential difference in volts (V)
I = current in amps (A)
Therefore, if a transformer is 100% efficient then:
Where:
Vp = potential difference across primary coil in volts (V)
Ip = current through primary coil in Amps (A)
Vs = potential difference across secondary coil in volts (V)
Is = current through secondary coil in Amps (A)
The equation above could also be written as:
Where:
Ps = output power (power produced in secondary coil) in watts (W)
Worked Example
A transformer in a travel adapter steps up a 115 V ac mains electricity supply to the 230 V needed for the hair dryer. A current of 5 A flows through the hairdryer.
Assuming that the transformer is 100% efficient, calculate the current drawn from the mains supply.
Answer:
Step 1: List the known quantities
Voltage in primary coil, Vp = 115 V
Voltage in secondary coil, Vs = 230 V
Current in secondary coil, Is = 5 A
Step 2: Write the equation linking the known values to the current from the supply, Ip
Step 3: Rearrange the equation to make Ip the subject
Step 4: Substitute int he known values to calculate
Step 5: Calculate a value for Ip and include the correct unit
Turn Ratio
It is the ratio of turns on the primary coil to turns on the secondary coil that determine the change in potential difference
This can be shown by the transformer equation
The right-hand side of the equation is the turn ratio
The change in potential difference in the transformer can be determined without knowing the number of turns in each coil, as long as the ratio of turns is known
If the ratio is increased, the change in potential difference is also increased by the same factor
The turns ratio is selected to produce the required output potential difference from a given input potential difference
Worked Example
A step-down transformer is connected to a supply of 0.16 kV. The primary coil has 32× more turns than the secondary coil.
Calculate the output potential difference.
Answer:
Step 1: List the known quantities
Potential difference across the primary coil, Vp = 0.16 kV
Number of turns on primary coil = np
Number of turns on secondary coil = ns
Step 2: Convert kV into V
There are 1000 V in 1 kV
Step 3: Write an expression relating the numbers of turns
There are 32 times more turns on the primary coil than on the secondary coil
Step 4: Write down the transformer equation
From the equation sheet:
Flip the equation to find secondary potential difference
Step 5: Substitute in the expression relating number of turns
Step 6: Rearrange for potential difference across the secondary coil
Step 7: Substitute in the potential difference across the primary coil
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