<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
v S ( t ) = N S d Φ d t .

Combining the last two equations, we have

v S ( t ) = N S N P v P ( t ) .

Hence, with appropriate values for N S and N P , the input voltage v P ( t ) may be “stepped up” ( N S > N P ) or “stepped down” ( N S < N P ) to v S ( t ) , the output voltage. This is often abbreviated as the transformer equation    ,

V S V P = N S N P ,

which shows that the ratio of the secondary to primary voltages in a transformer equals the ratio of the number of turns in their windings. For a step-up transformer    , which increases voltage and decreases current, this ratio is greater than one; for a step-down transformer    , which decreases voltage and increases current, this ratio is less than one.

From the law of energy conservation, the power introduced at any instant by v P ( t ) to the primary winding must be equal to the power dissipated in the resistor of the secondary circuit; thus,

i P ( t ) v P ( t ) = i S ( t ) v S ( t ) .

When combined with [link] , this gives

i S ( t ) = N P N S i P ( t ) .

If the voltage is stepped up, the current is stepped down, and vice versa.

Finally, we can use i S ( t ) = v S ( t ) / R S , along with [link] and [link] , to obtain

v P ( t ) = i P [ ( N P N S ) 2 R S ] ,

which tells us that the input voltage v P ( t ) “sees” not a resistance R S but rather a resistance

R P = ( N P N S ) 2 R S .

Our analysis has been based on instantaneous values of voltage and current. However, the resulting equations are not limited to instantaneous values; they hold also for maximum and rms values.

A step-down transformer

A transformer on a utility pole steps the rms voltage down from 12 kV to 240 V. (a) What is the ratio of the number of secondary turns to the number of primary turns? (b) If the input current to the transformer is 2.0 A, what is the output current? (c) Determine the power loss in the transmission line if the total resistance of the transmission line is 200 Ω . (d) What would the power loss have been if the transmission line was at 240 V the entire length of the line, rather than providing voltage at 12 kV? What does this say about transmission lines?

Strategy

The number of turns related to the voltages is found from [link] . The output current is calculated using [link] .

Solution

  1. Using [link] with rms values V P and V S , we have
    N S N P = 240 V 12 × 10 3 V = 1 50 ,

    so the primary winding has 50 times the number of turns in the secondary winding.
  2. From [link] , the output rms current I S is found using the transformer equation with current
    I S = N P N S I P

    such that
    I S = N P N S I P = ( 50 ) ( 2.0 A ) = 100 A .
  3. The power loss in the transmission line is calculated to be
    P loss = I P 2 R = ( 2.0 A ) 2 ( 200 Ω ) = 800 W .
  4. If there were no transformer, the power would have to be sent at 240 V to work for these houses, and the power loss would be
    P loss = I S 2 R = ( 100 A ) 2 ( 200 Ω ) = 2 × 10 6 W .

    Therefore, when power needs to be transmitted, we want to avoid power loss. Thus, lines are sent with high voltages and low currents and adjusted with a transformer before power is sent into homes.

Significance

This application of a step-down transformer allows a home that uses 240-V outlets to have 100 A available to draw upon. This can power many devices in the home.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Check Your Understanding A transformer steps the line voltage down from 110 to 9.0 V so that a current of 0.50 A can be delivered to a doorbell. (a) What is the ratio of the number of turns in the primary and secondary windings? (b) What is the current in the primary winding? (c) What is the resistance seen by the 110-V source?

a. 12:1; b. 0.042 A; c. 2.6 × 10 3 Ω

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Practice Key Terms 4

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, University physics volume 2. OpenStax CNX. Oct 06, 2016 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col12074/1.3
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'University physics volume 2' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask