Transformer Construction and Configuration

Who invented the transformer?

Electric transformers were invented by William Stanley in the United States in 1885, and it is also said that the transformer was invented by Michael Faraday in 1831 in Britain.

Definition of Transformer

If we look at the definition of Transformer above then we will find that it is a device that either step-up the voltage or step-down, that is, according to the corresponding decrease and increase of current.

The transformer is actually an electromagnetic energy conversion device. Or,


There is a device, in which the energy which is received is converted into primary winding first in magnetic energy and then it is reconverted again into secondary energy in electric energy.

Transformer configuration

Now let us know about the Transformer's Parts.

Although transformers have many parts but the most prominent of them are three parts,

1. Primary Winding of Transformer;
2. Transformer's Magnetic Core;
3. Secondary Winding of Transformer.

Primary winding

This is the primary winding that produces magnetic flux when it is connected to an electric source.

Transformer's Magnetic Core

The magnetic flux generated in this primary winding is passed through a low reluctance path which is linked to the secondary winding and it creates a closed magnetic circuit.

Secondary Winding of Transformer

The flux that occurs in the primary winding is passed through the core which is done with the secondary winding. This winding is also wrapped in the same core and it also produces the required output of the transformer.

The core of the transformer is used to provide a controlled path to the magnetic flux that is generated by the current in the transformer that is flowing through the windings, also called coils.

Transformer major parts

A Basic Transformer has four primary parts. Which consists of Input Connection, Output Connection, Windings or Coils and Core

Transformer Input Connection:

The input side of the transformer is also called the primary side because the main electrical power that is changed is connected to this point.

Transformer Output Connection:

The output side or secondary side of the transformer is the part where electrical power is sent to the load. Depending on the load requirement, incoming electric power is either increased or reduced.

Transformer Windings:

Transformers have two windings, one is primary winding and the other is the secondary winding.

The primary winding is the coil that draws power from the source.


The secondary winding is the coil that delivers energy to the load is transformed or changed voltage. Often these two coils are subdivided into many coils so that the creation of flux can be reduced.

Transformer Core:

The transformer core is used to provide a controlled path to the magnetic flux that is generated in the transformer.

This core is usually not a solid bar of steel, but rather a group of many thin laminated steel sheets or layers. It is designed because it can reduce or completely eliminate heating.


Transformers typically use one of the two cores described below:

Core Type and Shell Type:

These two types are different from each other in the way their primary and secondary coils are wrapped around the steel core.

Read more about Core Type and Shell Type Transformer in-

Core Type and Shell Type Transformer Basic and their application ranges.