Ideal Transformer

Ideal transformers are the hypothetical transformers used for explanation purposes in electrical engineering. These transformers do not exist in real and they are just imaginary concepts. In terms of ideal transformers, it is said that:

Input power = Output Power

The form of transformer in which there is no loss of power is termed as ideal transformer. It has no core losses, copper losses, or any other losses in the transformer. The efficiency of the ideal transformers is supposed to be 100%.


Ideal Transformer

Difference between Ideal Transformer and Practical Transformer

Transformers use the concept of electromagnetic induction to transmit electrical energy between two or more circuits. There are two types of transformers which are Ideal Transformer and Practical Transformer. We will discuss the operational differences between an ideal and practical transformer in this article.

Table of Content

  • What is a Transformer?
  • Ideal Transformer
  • Ideal Transformer Characteristics
  • Practical Transformer
  • Practical Transformers Characteristics
  • Ideal Transformer Vs Practical Transformer

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What is a Transformer?

The electrical circuit uses a transformer as a device to adjust the AC voltage level. Without affecting the frequency, the level of the AC voltage will fluctuate between increasing and decreasing....

Ideal Transformer

Ideal transformers are the hypothetical transformers used for explanation purposes in electrical engineering. These transformers do not exist in real and they are just imaginary concepts. In terms of ideal transformers, it is said that:...

Key Characteristics of an Ideal Transformer

The primary and secondary windings are perfectly coupled through the magnetic core with no magnetic leakage and thus it is assumed as the perfect magnetic coupling.Inside the core it is assumed that there is no eddy current loss or no hysteresis loss.The core of the ideal transformers has infinite magnetic permeability.In an ideal transformer, the magnetizing current is assumed to be zero.The winding of the ideal transformer have no resistance which allow zero power loss....

Practical Transformer

These transformers are not hypothetical and they are used in real life for day to day uses. The real-world transformers that we encounter on a daily basis are referred to as practical transformers....

Key Characteristics of an Practical Transformers

Because of winding resistance there is power loss in practical transformers in form of heat energy.All the flux generated in the primary coil is not linked with the secondary coil and because of this there is flux leakage.In practical transformer there are both core loss as well as hysteresis loss is observed.In the practical transformers there is finite permeability.The core material requires a certain amount of magnetomotive force (MMF) to establish the magnetic flux, leading to additional losses....

Differences Between Ideal Transformer and Practical Transformer

Feature Ideal Transformer Practical Transformer Losses In Ideal Transformer there is no loss Zero Loss Yes there is a loss in practical transformers. Copper loss (I2*R) in windings, Core loss (hysteresis & eddy current) Efficiency 100% (all input power transferred to output) Less than 100% (energy lost as heat) Winding Resistance Zero (no voltage drop across windings) Finite resistance (voltage drop proportional to current) Leakage Flux None (all magnetic flux links both windings) Some flux leaks through air, not linking both windings Core Permeability Infinite (requires minimal magnetizing current) Finite permeability (needs magnetizing current for flux) Voltage Regulation Zero (output voltage perfectly proportional to input) Greater than zero (output voltage varies slightly with load) Current Regulation Perfect (output current perfectly proportional to input) Not perfect (current ratio affected by leakage flux) Power factor Remains constant throughout the transformer Can change slightly due to losses and leakage flux Heat Generation None Heat generated due to copper and core losses Sound No sound produced Humming sound due to magnetostriction in the core Weight and Size Lighter and smaller due to no need for large core Heavier and larger to accommodate core losses and leakage flux Cost Lower (theoretical concept) Higher due to additional materials and design considerations Maintenance Not required May require periodic maintenance to check for overheating etc. Applications Theoretical concept for understanding basic principles Real-world applications in power transmission & distribution Equations Vp/Vs = Np/Ns & IpNp = IsNs (valid for all conditions) Ideal transformer equations require phasors for practical use...

Conclusion

In this article we have gone through the major difference between the Ideal Transformer and Practical Transformer with its operation. In Ideal Transformer there is no loss, i.e., Zero Loss but there is a loss in practical transformers. So, this is the major difference between them....

Difference between Ideal Transformer and Practical Transformer – FAQs

Why are ideal transformers important even though they don’t exist?...

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