A single-phase transformer operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. Here's a breakdown of its working principle:
1. **Electromagnetic Induction:** When an alternating current (AC) flows through the primary winding (input coil) of the transformer, it creates an alternating magnetic field around it. This magnetic field is concentrated in a core made of ferromagnetic material, which enhances the efficiency of the magnetic flux.
2. **Magnetic Flux:** The alternating magnetic field produced by the primary winding induces a magnetic flux in the core. This flux is a time-varying magnetic field that links both the primary and secondary windings (output coil) of the transformer.
3. **Induced Voltage:** According to Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction, a time-varying magnetic flux passing through the secondary winding induces an electromotive force (EMF) or voltage in the secondary winding. The voltage induced in the secondary winding depends on the number of turns in the secondary coil relative to the number of turns in the primary coil.
4. **Turns Ratio:** The voltage ratio between the primary and secondary windings is determined by the turns ratio, which is the ratio of the number of turns in the primary coil to the number of turns in the secondary coil. If \( N_p \) and \( N_s \) are the number of turns in the primary and secondary coils respectively, and \( V_p \) and \( V_s \) are the primary and secondary voltages, then:
\[
\frac{V_s}{V_p} = \frac{N_s}{N_p}
\]
This equation shows that the voltage is stepped up or stepped down based on the turns ratio.
5. **Power Conservation:** Ideally, the power input to the transformer (in the primary coil) is equal to the power output (in the secondary coil), minus losses. Thus:
\[
V_p \cdot I_p = V_s \cdot I_s
\]
where \( I_p \) and \( I_s \) are the currents in the primary and secondary coils respectively. The efficiency of a transformer is high, but it is not 100% due to losses like core losses (hysteresis and eddy current losses) and copper losses (resistance in the windings).
In summary, a single-phase transformer uses electromagnetic induction to transfer electrical energy between its primary and secondary windings, altering voltage and current levels according to the turns ratio while aiming to maintain power conservation.