Final answer:
Losses occur when the magnetic field links to another part of the transformer instead of the secondary winding. This is known as stray loss or leakage loss. The construction of transformers includes two coils wound on a ferromagnetic core, and to minimize losses, transformers are designed with laminated cores to reduce eddy currents.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a transformer, losses occur when the magnetic field links to another part of the transformer instead of the secondary winding. This is known as stray loss or leakage loss. It happens because the magnetic field may not be perfectly confined to the core, and some of the magnetic flux may escape and couple with other parts of the transformer, leading to energy losses.
A typical construction of a transformer includes two coils wound on a ferromagnetic core. The primary coil creates a magnetic field that is mostly confined to the core, and this magnetic field is transmitted to the secondary coil. However, due to imperfections in the construction, some of the magnetic field may not be confined to the core and could link to other parts of the transformer, causing losses.
To minimize these losses, transformers are designed with laminated cores to reduce eddy currents. Eddy currents are induced currents that flow in the core and can cause energy losses. The lamination of the core helps to break up the path of the eddy currents and reduces their magnitude, thus reducing losses.