What are the main losses in a transformer?

Prepare for the Electronics Technician E-5 Advancement Exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to succeed!

Transformers are critically important components in electrical systems, and understanding their losses is essential for optimizing their performance and efficiency. The main types of losses in a transformer include copper loss, eddy-current loss, and hysteresis loss.

Copper loss occurs due to the resistance in the windings of the transformer when current flows through them, which generates heat. This loss can be minimized by using conductors with lower resistance, such as copper.

Eddy-current loss arises from circulating currents induced in the core material due to changing magnetic fields. These currents flow in loops and result in power losses, primarily due to the resistive heating of the material. This effect is more pronounced in thicker core materials, so laminated cores are often used to mitigate this loss.

Hysteresis loss is related to the magnetic properties of the core material. As the magnetic field is alternated, the core material experiences friction at the molecular level, leading to energy dissipation as heat. The amount of hysteresis loss depends on the material's magnetic properties, such as its permeability and the frequency of operation.

In this context, the presence of copper loss, eddy-current loss, and hysteresis loss encompasses the primary sources of energy losses in transformers, making this the correct choice. Other options

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