Dr. D. K.

Lal
Department of Electrical Engineering
VSSUT, Burla
Losses in a Transformer
The power losses in a transformer are of two types, namely;
1. Core or Iron losses 2. Copper losses
1. Core or Iron losses: These are hysteresis and eddy-current losses resulting
from alternations of magnetic flux in the core. It may be emphasized here that
the core-loss is constant for a transformer operated at constant voltage and
frequency as are all power frequency equipment.
2. Copper losses: This loss occurs in winding resistances when the transformer
carries the load current
NOTE: The above losses appear in the form of heat and produce (i) an increase
in temperature and (ii) a drop in efficiency.

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(i) Core or iron losses (Wi)
This is the power losses that occurs in the iron part of the
transformer due to the alternating flux in the core.
These losses are further classified into two types, such as Hysteresis
losses and Eddy current losses.
(a) Hysteresis losses: Due to alternating flux setup in the magnetic
core of the transformer, it undergoes a cycle of magnetization and
demagnetization resulting a loss of energy which is called as hysteresis
losses.

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(b) Eddy current losses: The alternating flux linking the core in a
transformer will induced an e.m.f in the core, called eddy e.m.f. Due
to this eddy e.m.f an eddy current is being circulated in the core.
This eddy current circulation dissipates some losses in the resistance
of the core called eddy current power losses in the form of heat.

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NOTE: Since transformers are connected to constant-frequency, constant
voltage supply, both f and Bm are constant. Hence, core or iron losses are
practically the same at all loads. Hence,
Wi=Hysteresis losses + Eddy current losses = Constant losses.

NOTE: The hysteresis loss can be minimized by using steel of high

silicon content whereas eddy current loss can be reduced by using
core of thin laminations.

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(ii) Copper losses (Wcu)
Copper losses is the power (I2R) wasted in the form of heat due to
resistance of the primary and secondary windings.

From the above equation, it is clear that the copper losses depend
upon the load current and is proportion to the square of the load
current hence called the variable losses.
Thus, for a transformer total loss
WT= Wi+Wcu = Constant losses + Variable losses
It may be noted that in a transformer, copper losses account for
about 90% of the total losses.

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Solved Problem-9: In a transformer the core losses is found to be 60W at 40Hz
frequency and 100W at 60Hz frequency; both the losses being measured at same
maximum flux density. Find the hysteresis and eddy current losses at 50 Hz.
Solution: Given that

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Solved Problem-10: The core losses for a given single phase transformer is
found to be 2000W at 50Hz. Keeping the flux density constant, the frequency
at the supply is raised to 75Hz resulting in core losses of 3200W. Find
separately hysteresis and eddy current losses at both the frequencies.
Solution: Given that

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Efficiency of a Transformer
Like any other electrical machine, the efficiency of a transformer is
defined as the ratio of output power (in watts or kW) to input power
(watts or kW) i.e.

In practice, open-circuit and short-circuit tests are carried out to find

the efficiency,

NOTE: The losses can be determined by transformer tests.

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Condition for Maximum Efficiency
Output power = V2I2 cosϕ2
If R02 is the total resistance of the transformer referred to secondary, then,

For a load of given power factor, efficiency depends upon load current I2.
Hence, the efficiency to be maximum the denominator should be minimum i.e.

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i.e., Iron losses = Copper losses
Hence efficiency of a transformer will be maximum when copper losses
are equal to constant or iron losses.
From above, the load current I2 corresponding to maximum efficiency is:

NOTE: In a transformer, iron losses are constant whereas copper losses are
variable. In order to obtain maximum efficiency, the load current should be such
that total Cu losses become equal to iron losses.

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 Output kVA corresponding to Maximum Efficiency

NOTE: The value of kVA at which the efficiency is maximum, is independent of power
factor of the load.
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All-Day Efficiency
All-day efficiency is of special importance for those transformers
whose primaries are never open-circuited but the secondary carry
little or no load much of the time during the day.
The ratio of output in kWh to the input in kWh of a transformer over
a 24-hour period is known as all-day efficiency i.e.:

NOTE: Efficiency of a transformer means commercial efficiency

unless stated otherwise.

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Another method
(i) Condition for maximum efficiency

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Hence the efficiency of a transformer will be maximum when
copper losses are equal to iron losses

(ii) Efficiency at any desired load

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Solved Problem-11: A 200 kVA, 1-phase transformer has an
efficiency of 98% at full load. If the maximum efficiency occurs at ¾
full load, calculate the (i) iron losses, (ii) copper losses at full load,
and (iii) efficiency at half full load. Assume a p.f of 0.8 at all loads.
Solution: Given that

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Solved Problem-12: A 50kVA transformer on full load has a copper loss of
600W and iron losses of 500W. Calculate the maximum efficiency and the
load at which it occurs. Assume load p.f.=1.
Solution: Given that

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Solved Problem-13: The efficiency of a 200 kVA, single phase transformer is
98% when operating at full load, 0.8 p.f. lagging. The iron losses in the
transformer is 2000W. Calculate the,
(i) Full load copper losses
(ii) Half-full load copper losses
Solution: Given that

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Solved Problem-14: The efficiency of a 400 kVA, single phase transformer is
98.77% when operating at full load, 0.8 p.f. lagging and 99.13% at half load
and unity p.f. Calculate the (i) Iron losses (ii) Full load copper losses
Solution: Given that kVA rating =400kVA, (Losses=Wi+x2Wc)

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Any Queries?

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