Losses in a Transformer

The power losses in a transformer are of two types:

  1. Core or Iron Losses (Pi)
  2. Copper Losses (Pc)

(i) Core or Iron Losses (Pi):

Iron or core losses consist of: Pi

$$ P_i = \text{Hysteresis loss} + \text{Eddy current loss}
\quad = \text{Constant losses} $$

These can be determine by open circuit test .

  • These occur in the Transformer core due to the alternating flux.

Hysteresis Loss:

  • Hysteresis Loss: $$ Khf \mathrm{B}_{m}^{1.6} watt/m^{3} = Khf\mathrm{B}_{m}^{1.6}V $$

where:

  • Kh​ = Hysteresis coefficient or Steinmetz constant
  • f= frequency or no of cycles of magnetizing
  • Bm​ = maximum flux density in the magnetic material
  • V = volume of magnetic material

Eaddy Current Loss:

  • Eaddy Current Loss:

$$ Khf ^{2}\mathrm{B}_{m}^{2}t^{2}watt/m^{3} = Khf ^{2}\mathrm{B}_{m}^{2}t^{2}V $$

where:

  • Ke =coefficient of the eddy current
  • f= frequency of reversal of the magnetic field
  • Bm​ = maximum flux density in the magnetic material
  • V = volume of magnetic material
  • T=Thickness of material / Lamination

* The hysteresis loss can minimized by using Still of high silicon content , Where as eddy current loses can reduce by using core of thin Laminations

Minimization of Hysteresis Loss and Eddy Current Loss:

  • Hysteresis loss → reduced by using steel with high silicon content
  • Eddy current loss → reduced by using thin laminations in the core

(ii) Copper Losses (Pc):

These occur in both the primary and secondary windings due to ohmic resistance.
They are variable losses and can be determined by the short-circuit test.

Total Copper Loss

$$ P_c = I_1^2 R_1 + I_2^2 R_2
\ $$

$$
= I^2 R_{eq} \quad \text{(referred to secondary)} $$

 Total Loss in a Transformer:

$$ P_{i}+P_{c} = Constant losses + Variable Losses $$

Efficiency of a Transformer

$$ Efficiency (\eta) =\frac{Output Power}{Input Power}$$

$$ =\frac{Output Power}{output Power Losses} $$

$$=\frac{Output Power}{output Power + Copper loss+core loss}$$

$$=\frac{Output Power}{output Power +P_{c}+P_{i}}$$

Full load Efficiency =

$$ (\eta)_{FL} = \frac{Full Load V_{a}\ast P_{f}}{(Full Load V_{a}\ast P_{f})+P_{c}+P_{i}}$$

Condition for Maximum Efficiency:

         $$ Output Power = V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2} $$

If R02 is the total resistance of the transformer reffed to secondary then,

Total copper loss (Pc)

$$ P_c = I_2^2 R_{02}
\ $$

$$Total Loss =P_{i}+P_{c}$$

Therfore,

Transformer efficiency (ɳ)

$$ =\frac{Output Power}{Input Power} $$

$$= \frac{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}}{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}+P_{c}+P_{i}} $$

$$ = \frac{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}}{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}+I_2^2 R_{02}+P_{i}} $$

$$ \frac{\frac{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}}{I_{2}}}{\frac{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}+I_2^2 R_{02}+P_{i}}{I_{2}}} $$

$$ \frac{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}}{V_{2}I_{2}cos\phi_{2}+\frac{P_{i}}{I_{2}}+I_{2}R_{02}} $$

V2 si  is approximately constant.for two loads, of give power factor, efficiency depends upon load current I2. So, numerator is constant and the efficiency to be maximum, the denominator should be minimum.

                      $$ \frac{d(V_{2}cos\phi_{2}+\frac{P_{i}}{I_{2}}+I_{2}R_{02})}{dI_{2}} $$

$$\Rightarrow
\frac{0+(-\frac{P_{i}}{I_{2}})+1.R_{02}}{1}=0 $$

$$\Rightarrow
-\frac{P_{i}}{I_{2}^{2}}=-R_{02}$$

$$\Rightarrow
P_c = I_2^2 R_{02}
\ $$

            Core loss = copper loss (Proved).

            Hence,

efficiency of a transformer will be maximum when copper losses are equal to constant core losses.

Output KVA for maximum efficiency =$$ Full Load KVA \sqrt{\frac{Iron Loss}{Full Load Copper Loss}}$$

Types of Losses in Transformer

1. Hysteresis Loss (Ph):

Ph = Kh f Bm1.6 Ve

2. Eddy Current Loss (Pe):

Pe = Ke f2 Bm2 t2 V

3. Copper Loss (Pc):

Pc = I12 R1 + I22 R2

or (referred to secondary):

Pc = I12 R01 + I22 R02

4. Total Losses:

Total Losses = Pi + Pc

Total Losses = Constant Losses + Variable Losses

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