INDUCTOR AND TRANSFORMER

A. Inductor
Inductors are basically a coil of wire that may or may not be wrapped around a
core. Inductors resist a rapid change in the current flow through them because of the
effects of the magnetic field they create as that current flows. Because of this property,
they are often used in filtering in power supplies. Inductors are also used in radios and
other turned circuits to form what is called a tank circuit. A tank circuit is basically a
type of oscillator. Some inductors have a variable value. This is accomplished by using
a screw to move the core in and out of the coil. These types of inductors are usually
used in radios. Inductor value is measured in Henrys (H) or more commonly
microhenrys (μH).

Classification of inductors
a. Fixed inductor
b. Variable inductor

Schematic symbol for (A) fixed inductor, (B) variable inductor

Different types of inductors

Actual picture of different types of inductors

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 Inductor A is an inductor designed for high power environment, it has a ferrite
core which give it a greater inductance ability which makes it perfect for power
supplies with a need for precise outputs.

Inductor B is an air core inductor which offers little inductance in a circuit but
does have a thick coil, this is a good example of something that you would find
in TV set or computer monitor.

Inductor C is a device with an inductance rating specified on its outer rings. Due
to a thin coil and compact size, it is only suitable for such devices such as hand
held radios and such devices with low power consumption.

As you noticed on Inductor C it look like a resistor with usually green coated
body, but the color coding and reading of this is the same as resistor but the units
is in micro henry (μH) or 10-6 Henry (for four-bond only).

Inductor D is a device that has a variable core for precision tuning for such
devices as radio frequency discriminating. As you might also noticed, the coils
are very thin few which means that the situation in where this device can be in
are very limited.

Inductor E on the other hand is built much like Inductor D in a way that it has a
variable core but the coil windings are much thicker and are able to withstand a
greater amount of power. This device would be suitable for such devices like low
consumption power-supplies.

Inductor Connections

Inductors in Series

The equivalent inductance of series

connected inductors is equivalent to the
sum of all inductances (unit in Henry, H).

LT = L1 + L2 + L3 + . . .

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 Inductors in parallel

The equivalent inductance of parallel

connected inductors is computed as,

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LT = 1 1 1
+ + + ...
𝐿1 𝐿2 𝐿3

Note:
The process of computing the values of inductance (unit in Henry, H) is the same as
computing the values for resistors.

Standard Inductor Values

B. Transformer
Transformers are a type of inductor made up of two or more coils usually wound
on some type of form. This form (or core) is usually made up of iron, due to its magnetic
properties. When current flows though one winding, a magnetic field is created. When
the current is cut off, that field collapses. Any time there is a variation in the magnetic
field, electricity I induced (or transferred to) in the other coil(s). for this reason,
transformer work on an AC voltage or pulsing DC voltage only. Depending on the ratio
of the wires between the primary winding and the secondary winding, the voltage can
either be steppe up, down, or remain the same. More wire on the secondary side
causes the voltage to be stepped up and current stepped down (a step up
transformer). Less wire on the secondary causes the voltage to be stepped down and
current up (a step down transformer). When there are equal amounts of wire on each
side of the transformer, it becomes an isolation transformer. These isolate one section
of a circuit from another, since there is no direct electrical connection.

Transformer (A) Schematic symbol, (B) actual picture

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 One of the winding called the primary winding and the other is called the
secondary winding. It is usually the primary is connected to the electric current source
side and secondary to the load side. When changing current source (AC source)
supplied to the primary, it results to a changing magnetic field common to both
windings and the result is the transfer from the primary to the secondary winding
.
Type of Transformers
a. Auto Transformer – Utilize one coil that acts as its primary winding and
a part or proportion, acts as secondary winding (step down), or the whole
coil as secondary winding and a part of it act as the primary winding
(step-up). In this type of transformer, the current of the power source is
carried through secondary winding.

b. Isolation Transformer – it is not directly connected to the main power

source, thus reducing the change of electric shock to the user. Another
advantage is isolated secondary winding is that if any DC is present in
the primary winding, it is automatically blocked at the form of winding.

(A) Auto Transformer, (B) Isolation Transformer

Parts of a Transformer
1. Primary winding – This refers to the input of the transformer where the
main power source connected.

2. Secondary winding – This is the output side of the transformer where

the load is connected.

3. Core – It is a metal or magnetic material placed inside the winding of the

transformer to intensify the induction process of the transformer.

4. Bobbin – Usually made of plastic materials, used to support the primary

and secondary windings.

Parts of a Transformer

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How Transformer are Constructed

There are several materials needed to build a power transformer.

The core is made of thin sheet of silicon steel. It is cut into two shapes.
One resembles a big letter E and the other a big letter I. Letters E and I are
laid facing each other. Another layer is placed on top of the first one with letter
E on top I facing the opposite direction.

In practice the layers can be done single double or even more. One
reason why it is arranged in alternate direction is to hold the pieces together. A
clamp is needed to keep the core tight to prevent vibration and also for mounting
transformer.

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Methods of Winding
There are two methods of winding. First, the primary ad the secondary
coils are wound one over the other. Usually the primary is done first and the
secondary is placed over it. In some transformers the secondary is the inner
and the primary is the outer coil. Second, the coils are housed separately. The
primary is on one side and the secondary occupies the other. Anyhow, both
methods work perfectly well.

It is a matter of choice for the builder of a transformer.

Plastic bobbin

Calculating Power Transformer

(A) (B)
The center leg of E and thickness measurements play an important role
in calculating transformer specification. In figure A the span of the center leg is
measured in inches. The shaded portion leg in figure b is the thickness. It is
also measured in inches. The size of the core determines the wattage and the
number of turns per volt.

The following specifications should be determined in calculating a power

transformer.
1. Wattage of the transformer;
2. Size of core (center leg and thickness);
3. Number of turns per volt;
4. Size of wire.

To facilitate the calculation, here are two tables which provide the data
needed in the computation.

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 Table 1
Watts Center leg Thickness Turns per volt
1–4W 1/2 ½-¾ 18 – 20
5 – 7.5 W 5/8 5/8 – ¾ 13 – 15
7.5 – 12 W ¾ ¾ -1 10 – 11
12 – 18 W 7/8 7/8 – 1 8
18 – 20 W 1 1 7
20 – 25 W 1 1/8 1 1/8 5–6
30 – 75 W 1 1/8 1½-1¾ 4.4
75 – 120 W 1 1/8 1¾-2 4 – 4.2
120 – 180 W 1¼ 1½-2 3 – 3.4
200 – 260 W 1½ 1¾-2 2.6 – 2.8
260 – 300 W 1½ 2½-3 2.2 – 2.4
300 – 375 W 1½ 3–3½ 1.8 – 2
375 – 500 W 1½ 3½-4 1.6
500 – 750 W 1½ 4½ 1.2
750 – 1000 W 1½ 5 1

Table 2
Size of Wire Size of Wire
Current Current
AWG AWG
40 .0141 25 .457
39 .0179 24 .578
38 .022 23 .723
37 .028 22 .917
36 .037 21 1.16
35 .045 20 1.46
34 .06 19 1.84
33 .07 18 2.31
32 .09 17 2.93
31 .114 16 3.69
30 .144 15 4.66
29 .181 14 5.87
28 .229 13 7.42
27 .289 12 9.35
26 .363 11 11.8

The power formula P = E x I is used to determine the wattage of a

transformer. Where E represent voltage, I represent current, P represent power
(watts)

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 The transformer we are going to compute specifies 12 volts output with
750 mA current. Converting milliamperes to ampere will give us 0.75A.
Multiplying voltage by current give us wattage or power.

12 x 0.75 = 9 watts

After having solved for the wattage of the transformer, which is 9 watts,
look at table 1, where 9 watts is listed. Follow the table horizontally and pick up
the data for the center leg, thickness and turns per volt.

Center leg – ¾
Thickness – ¾
Turns per volt – 10

The next step is to compute for the number of turns for the primary and
secondary coils respectively. The number of turns per volt in the primary is
equal to the number of turns per volt in the secondary.

Primary coil – 220 volts

Secondary coil – 12 volts
Number of turns (primary) = 220 x 10 = 2200 turns
Number of turns (secondary) = 12 x 10 = 120 turns

Having computed for the number of turns in the primary and secondary
coils, determine the sizes of wire for these coils in the next step. Before
computing for the gauge or size of wire, we must find out the current capacities
of wires and their corresponding sizes. This data is provided in table 2.

The power formula is used again in solving for the currents of wires in
the primary and secondary. Dividing watts over voltage give us current of the
wire:

P
I=
E

9W
I secondary = = 0.75 A
12 V

9W
I primary = = 0.04 A
220 V

After having solved for the currents of wires pick up the corresponding
sizes of wires from table 2. Choose the closest current listed in the table.

Size of wire (primary) – #35

Size of wire (secondary) – #23

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 In case of a multi-voltage secondary, the highest voltage should be taken
for computation. If the transformer has multiple secondary coils, the wattage of
each coil is computed and then summed up. In other words, the wattage of the
primary is equal to the total wattage of all secondary coils.

If the secondary coil is only center-tapped, half of the wattage and

current is taken to compute for the wattage of that coil (see figure below).

In a step down voltage transformer the wattage is given so you can

immediately use table 1 to obtain the necessary data. The size of wire is
determined using the same procedure as in the power transformer.

C. Inductor/Transformer Troubles

Like other devices, inductors also run into various problems. The most common
is that of an open winding. Acting as a power source its characteristics are similar to
a conductor, the inductor can be checked through continuity check, using an
ohmmeter.

Another possible trouble is a short circuit across the primary and secondary
windings. This occurs when excessive current flows in the primary winding, thus
burning it out. Since both windings utilize the same bobbin, it is possible that the
insulation coating for both windings will get burned out, thus causing a short circuit.

D. Reminders

1. Inductance is the property of a circuit to oppose any change in the current

flowing through it.

2. AC current that flows through the coil produces induced voltage.

3. Transformer operates without direct connection with respect to primary and

secondary winding.

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 QUIZ ON INDUCTOR AND TRANSFORMER

Direction: Write your answer in an A4 size bond paper. Write only the answer in your
paper. It can be hand written or computerized. You can submit by sending to my email
address: [email protected] or thru my facebook account (Ted Muncada) or
personal delivery.

Test I. Fill in the blanks.

1. ____________ an electronic device basically a coil of wire that may or may not
be wrapped around a core.
2. Inductor value is measured in ________.
3. ____________ are a type of inductor made up of two or more coil usually wound
on some type of form.
4. When current flows through one winding, ___________ is created.
5. ____________ is a transformer that not directly connected to the main power
source, thus reducing the chance of electric shock to the user.

Test II. Identify the following:

1. A part of transformer where the power source is connected.

2. Give at least two inductor standard values.
3. A part of transformer usually made of plastic materials, used to support the
primary and secondary windings.
4. Give the inductor/transformer troubles.
5. It is a metal or magnetic material placed inside the winding of transformer to
intensify the induction process of the transformer.

Test III. Problem Solving. Compute the following and show your solution.

1. Make a power transformer design of a 12 volts output with 2.5 A current, by

determining the following specifications:
a. Wattage of the transformer;
b. Size of core;
c. Number of turns of primary & secondary windings; and
d. Sizes of wires to be used in primary & secondary windings.

Prepared by:

THADDEUS L. MUNCADA, MAEd

Asst. Professor I

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