Transformer

Applications of Transformers

Uses and Applications of Transformers

The operation principle of all kinds of transformers designed for different applications are the same e.g. electromagnetic induction whereas the applications of transformers are different based on the system requirements. The main application of a transformer is to step-up or step-down the level of voltage or current in power plant generation stations, receiving end substations and distributing the electrical power to the consumer units for demotic and industrial applications.     

The main purpose of an electrical transformer is to step-up (increase) or step-down (decrease) the level of AC voltage while the power and frequency is constant. The customized level of voltages are used to transmit and distribute electric power to the end users e.g. residential and commercial.

Keep in mind that the DC power transmission has some advantages over AC power transmission but the initial cost of DC transmission is too much high, for this reason, AC transmission is preferred over DC (which is costly and not suitable economically) in most cases as changing the values of voltage is easily done by transformer, (keep in mind that a transformer can’t be operated on DC) where buck and boost converters are used to change the level of DC voltage according to the needs of the systems.

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High frequency reactors and chocks based on low noise and small size transformers are also used in UPS, CVCF (Constant Voltage Constant Frequency), VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency), railway car auxiliary power supply and dispersed power sources. The shunt reactors (single winding per phase) is also used to absorb and compensate the reactive power in cables and high voltage long transmission lines which leads to increase the efficiency of the transformer, overall power and energy systems.

High frequency transformers are used in medical X-ray power supply, welding machines and high frequency power supply equipment.

Rotary transformers are used for high speed motor & generator, axial gap motor/generator and high pole number motors and generators.

Instrument transformers are also widely used in the electrical systems and networks. For example, CT (current transformer) is used to measure the current of another circuit and monitor the high voltage lines across power grids. On the other hand, PT (voltage or potential transformer) are used to step-down the high level of primary current and voltage to the lower level of voltage and current as output in the power system. In addition, autotransformer are used for compensation of the voltage drop in the distribution transformers, starting induction and synchronous motors, to achieve continuous variable output voltage and mostly, to interconnect many systems operating at different voltage levels. At last but not least, yoke shunt / tank shield or magnetic shunt transformers are used to reduce stray losses in the tank of large size transformers.

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General Applications of Transformers

The most important applications of transformer are:

  • It can rise or lower (step-up or step-down) the level of AC voltage or current (when voltage increases, current decreases and vice versa because  P = V x I, where power is constant at both input and output sides). This setup is used in both power transformers and distribution transformers for transmission and distribution of the electric power in a power system for further utilization and applications.
  • It can increase or decrease the value of capacitor, an inductor or resistance in AC circuits i.e. a transformer thus acts as an impedance transferring device.
  • It can be used to prevent DC from passing from one circuit to the other. In other words, they are used as ripple filters which compensate for the pulsating DC.
  • It can be used to electrically isolate two electric circuits

Application of Transformer in a Power System:

A power transformer steps-up the level of voltage at the generation side before transmission and distribution. For example, it increases the generated voltage in power plants from 7200kV-12kV to 33kV, 66kV, 220kV or even more up to 400+ kV for power transmission to the distribution centers.

In the distribution centers, the distribution transformer steps-down the level of voltage for commercial and domestic use of electricity. For example, it decreases the level of voltage from 11kV to 230V single phase and 400V three phase (UK and IEC). In the US and Canada, the utility transformer steps-down the level of voltage from 2700V to 120V, 240V (most common residential via center-tapped transformer), 208V, 277V and 480V in the US and Canada.

Finally, autotransformers, shunt-reactors, current transformers and potential transformers, are also used in a typical power system. Additionally, transformers are also used for impedance matching.

Click image to enlarge

Applications of Transformers - Application of Transformer

In the given fig above (from left to right)

  1. A 100MVA, 165kV power transformer installed in a substation – Columbia, Mississippi. It’s known to be the the world first flexible large power transformer manufactured by GE research.
  2. A 100kVA, 11kV & 230V400V Pole-mounted 3-Phase distribution transformer to provide single-phase & three-phase supply to the consumer units – UK.
  3. USA – A 25kVA, 7.2kV & 120/240V Pole-mounted distribution transformer with center-tapped secondary winding used to provide “split-phase” power for residential & light commercial service – USA.

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32 Comments

  1. Nice post! It is very interesting.

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Thanx Dear

  2. Anonymous says:

    this we already know<br />

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      But everyone dont know.

    2. Anonymous says:

      Dear Anonymous.. if u know any further information u post it in the comment…<br />This is very useful information

  3. Anonymous says:

    thank you for simplifying things :)<br />It is really good for students just started studying electrical engineering!

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Most Welcome Dear

  4. Anonymous says:

    Thanks for your works

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Welcome Dear

  5. Thanks for your contribution, this information&#39;s are very helpful.

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Welcome Dear

  6. Anonymous says:

    thanks for your information<br />

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Welcome Dear

  7. syra ranchong says:

    this help me a lot for my presentation thanks :)

    1. Electrical Technology says:

      Welcome Dear

      1. joel parde says:

        is there transformer having an input with 12volts while the output has 0v,3v,6v,9v and 12v.. the sequence of that is DC to AC ?? plss response as soon as possible.. ??

  8. Anonymous says:

    What is buck and boost???

  9. Anonymous says:

    can we convert ac into dc using transformer?

  10. Anonymous says:

    hi. how can i cite this page? thanks :)

  11. Thanks diz rilly helped mi a lot am greatful

  12. joel parde says:

    mam/sr. can i ask something ? is there a transformer having an input 12v while the output has 0v upto 12v. that sequence is DC to AC so i mean the transformer can provide the AC output? because my source having 12VDC.

  13. Venugopal Rao Electrical Technician. says:

    Dear Sir, Kindly upload another models of single phase transformers (Step down) and its inside pictorial view, different disigns like iron core type and other core types also to know the pople about the valuable transformers how the connectivity to input and out put also. increase the subject deeply which the different transformers are using in the field of electronics (SMPS circuits) ans as well as in audio circuits.
    Thanking You Sir.

  14. LINDOKUHLE says:

    IT IS SO INERESTING. IT STIMULATES MY CURIOUSITY AND EAGER TO LEARN AND KNOW MORE.

  15. nikitanikita naruka says:

    Thank you for helping me

  16. Pradeep Kumar says:

    Transformers have lot of advantages that can work on an AC circuit to optimize the flow or current or voltage levels. Moreover they are the best alternatives to conventional circuits that are devoid of the usage of magnetic induction principle to control the voltage flow.

  17. Thanks for your kind information about transformer it is really helped me

  18. abraham mafuta says:

    thank you.this was helpfull

  19. Roger Gupta says:

    it helped me a lot in completing my project.thank’s a lot

  20. Ernest London says:

    I didn’t realize that a transformer could actually increase or decrease the value of a capacitor. That seems like it could be really important for an electrical system. I see a lot of pole mounted transformers around, and I have always been curious what they do. Thanks for the information!

  21. Umar Abdullahi says:

    Good day sir’s I was so happy and gland of what I found on this my research,what I found from u will help me a lot on my further education by god grace. I greet u, may Almighty Allah grant u and protect u in ur future.

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