What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Electrical Transformer

There are many different applications for transformers in electrical distribution systems and circuits. An electrical transformer distributes, transmits, and controls electrical energy within a circuit or piece of equipment. Transformers come in a variety of different types that can be used for a variety of different purposes. When compared with other electrical components, there are many advantages and disadvantages of transformers.

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There are both advantages and disadvantages of transformers in electrical systems and networks. So let’s first look at what are the benefits of transformers.

Pros of Electrical Transformers

A transformer has a number of advantages that make it ideal for electrical distribution systems and circuits, including being simple to operate and durable.

Transformers are advantageous in electrical circuits and systems for the following reasons:

Simple Working Principle

A transformer’s working principle is simple to understand. They essentially consist of a winding, two windings, or more windings with different numbers of turns around a magnetic core. Step-up and step-down transformers are made possible by varying the number of turns across one winding. The transformer is one of the easiest electrical components to understand.

Step up or Step down Voltage

In electrical distribution systems, transformers are extremely important because they can step down high voltage levels at substations so voltage can be supplied to houses at a safe level. Transformers make it very easy to operate different components of a circuit with varying voltage levels.

The cost of transformers is relatively low

Voltage transmission, distribution, and electrical isolation are all carried out by transformers, which are relatively inexpensive components. Small transformers integrated into electrical circuits are low-cost components. However, transformers that are larger and used for electrical distribution are more expensive. This is the biggest pro of electrical transformers.

Multiply electrical tapping points

Different voltage levels can be drawn from multiple tapping points on some transformers. A circuit that includes components that operate at different voltage levels can benefit from this. Electrical tapping points are typically based on the incoming supply voltage or the primary winding voltage. Hence it is possible to adjust the voltage level for other components on a 230V primary winding by tapping points of 220V, 210V, and 100V.

Possible to Connect In Reverse

It is possible to use some transformers in two different ways. Some transformers can be reverse-connected, so they can be used as step-down or step-up transformers. You can always verify this information by asking the electrical transformer or, in some cases, by reviewing the supporting documentation.

There are no moving parts in Transformers

Electromagnetic induction transfers energy across the windings of transformers without any moving mechanical parts. Generally in machinery or electrical circuits, transformers typically feature no moving parts that can wear out over time and require little maintenance.

Efficient Components

A transformer is an energy-efficient electrical device around 97% of the time. It is high for an electrical component because there is often a variety of energy losses, including heat, sound, and vibration.

Transformers Are Crucial for Distribution Systems

Electrical distribution systems rely heavily on transformers. They are highly efficient electronic devices that transmit electrical power over long distances by boosting voltage. Increasing the power allows long distances to be covered with low losses. In our homes, offices, and places of work, the power can be stepped down once it arrives at the distribution side.

Multiple Applications

There is a wide range of applications for transformers.  A transformer supplies power to components, controls circuits, distributes electricity, and supplies power and current.

Electrical Isolation

A transformer transfers energy across its windings using electromagnetic induction. Additionally, a transformer has no physical electrical connections between its windings. This isolates its circuits electrically.

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Electrical Transformer Cons

In electrical circuits and systems, transformers also have certain drawbacks and disadvantages. So let’s discuss some of the disadvantages transformers have.

Old Technology

There are many electrical machines and networks that use transformers. They still follow the old way of working. However future networks will require more intelligent transformers.

Bulky and Take Up a Lot of Space

In electrical panels and machinery, transformers tend to be quite large and bulky. Generally, they take up quite a bit of space.

Some Transformers Require Regular Maintenance

In addition, larger transformers require frequent maintenance due to their surroundings. Transformers can fail if exposed to water, oil, or dust. A good preventative maintenance program can extend the lifetime of a transformer. Contact your electrical transformer manufacturer to know more.

Used With AC Voltage Only

Transformers are unable to pass DC. As a result, they support systems with AC voltage only. This is one of the major electrical transformer cons.

Final Word

In most electrical networks and equipment, transformers play an extremely important role despite their drawbacks. Transformers are essential to everyday tasks such as charging your cell and laptop. It is evident that the pros of electrical transformers outweigh the few electrical transformer cons. Electrical distribution systems will certainly continue to use transformers for many years to come.

Electric Power Inc. is a manufacturer of transformers with custom and standard designs. We build dry-type transformers which are up to 500kVA in voltages and belong to the 600V class. We are one of the foremost electrical transformer manufacturers in Mississauga, ON, Canada.

A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electrical energy from an alternating current circuit to one or more other circuits, also used primarily to increase or decrease voltage. A transformer is made of two electrically isolated coils that work on the Faraday principle of mutual induction. During this process, an emf is induced in the secondary coil of the transformer by a change in the magnetic flux flowing in the primary coil winding.

To avoid wastage of energy in a transformer, a magnetic field is created between the transformer core primary and secondary coil, which directs the path of current flowing. The electrons start moving when the magnetic field is created within the secondary coil, resulting in the creation of an electric current through electromotive force.

Advantages of AC Transformers

Some of the advantages of AC transformers are as follows:

1. Isolation and Productivity: The conventional transformer has a simple design based on efficiency. In addition, it also provides galvanic isolation, as the two windings do not have any electrical connection between. It also transfers all the energy to a transformer in the process of magnetic coupling. 

The basic structure of conventional transformers has remained the same over the past decades, but advances in material technology have resulted in higher saturation densities and lower hysteresis losses in transformers, resulting in an efficiency of about 97 per cent for even very efficient transformers.

2. Power Transmission and Distribution: AC transformers are considered to be one of the most important components of the power system, which includes power generation, transmission and distribution. Transformers have made it possible to distribute electric power over large distances at a reasonable cost. 

Power transformers provide highly efficient and long-distance power transmission, which helps to step up the voltage to a higher level on the output. The distribution system is used by distribution transformers to step down high voltage.

3. Stepping Voltage and Current Up and Down: Transformers are important components in both power distribution and power electronic systems. They can reduce the high voltage in transmission at substations as well as increase the amount of current required by the end-users.
4. Efficiency in Terms of Costs: For voltage level change and isolation, a conventional transformer is a great alternative to a low-cost, high-efficiency transformer that does not have a high overall transformer cost.
5. Wide Range of Applications: The efficiency of the different types of transformers, regarding power, distribution, potential, and isolation, is almost the same. They all work on the same concept, although they have different applications. 
6. Reversed Linked: Typically AC transformers can be reverse linked, which means the same transformer can be wired as step-up or step-down, depending on how it is installed by the manufacturer. The manufacturer must allow and specify this reversibility capability.

Disadvantages of AC Transformer

AC transformers have a few flaws. Some of the disadvantages of AC transformers are discussed below:

1. Cooling is Required: In a transformer, high temperatures severely reduce the lifespan of the insulating materials used in the windings. A transformer’s capacity is increased by increasing its cooling rate. As a result, maintenance of the cooling system, such as the fans, radiators, heat exchangers, and oil pumps, is vital.
2. Works only in Alternating Current (AC): Because a transformer does not pass DC, it can be used to prevent the DC voltage on an amplifier stage output from impacting the bias of the next amplifier. Between amplifier stages, the AC signal is connected through the transformer.
3. Transformer Losses: Transformers are electrical machines that are widely used in transmission and distribution systems to step up and step down voltage levels. Even if they operate at very high efficiencies, there is a potential for loss due to the high volt-ampere value ​​and the number of transformers installed in the power system. Iron losses are particularly important among the losses because the transformer is constantly energised, which consumes significant energy in the core, as well as the load losses that occur when the transformer is overloaded
4. Large size: Transformers are large and heavy and require a lot of space. There have been extensive studies to reduce the size and weight of transformers. Since transformers directly transform the voltage, it sends undesirable voltage sags, dips, and frequency variations to the output.
5. Power Quality is Poor: Transformers have a limited voltage regulation where additional flexible AC transmission systems are needed to control power quality.
6. Voltage Drops and Frequency Shifts: The voltage at the output in a transformer is also a direct representation of the voltage at the input, in which any undesirable input such as voltage dip or frequency variation can be observed at the output. Due to this losses like voltage drops and frequency shifts are seen.

Conclusion

Transformers are used for a wide range of applications. A transformer, for example, is frequently used to reduce the voltage of conventional power circuits in order to operate low-voltage devices and to raise the voltage from electric generators in order to transmit power over long distances. Transformers play a significant role in our daily lives since they adjust the alternating current and deliver a consistent amount of electricity to the device. This ensures smooth operation and long life not only of a device but also of the transformer.