In a transformer, there are two sets of windings known as the primary winding and the secondary winding. These windings are typically made of copper wire and are coiled around a common magnetic core.
Primary Winding:
The primary winding is the first set of coils through which the alternating current (AC) flows from the power source. When an AC voltage is applied to the primary winding, it creates an alternating magnetic field in the transformer's core. The primary winding is responsible for inducing a magnetic flux in the core, which, in turn, links with the secondary winding and induces a voltage in it.
Secondary Winding:
The secondary winding is the second set of coils through which the output voltage is induced. When the alternating magnetic field from the primary winding links with the secondary winding, it induces a voltage across the secondary winding. The voltage induced in the secondary winding depends on the turns ratio between the primary and secondary windings, as well as the frequency of the input AC.
The ratio of the number of turns in the primary winding to the number of turns in the secondary winding determines the transformation ratio of the transformer. This ratio governs how much the input voltage is stepped up or down to produce the output voltage. Transformers are essential devices in electrical power systems, as they allow efficient voltage transformation for transmission and distribution of electricity.