Transformer Interview Questions
Transformer Interview Questions
A. A transformer is a static electrical apparatus designed to convert alternating current from one voltage to
another .It transforms electrical energy from one circuit to another without any direct electrical connection,
with the help of mutual induction between to windings. It can be designed to step up or step down
voltages.
Q. Explain the working principle of Transformer?
A. Working principle of Transformer is based on Faradays Laws of Electromagnetic Induction. If an alternating
current is applied to an electric coil, there will be an alternating flux surrounding that coil. Now if we bring
another coil near the first one, there will be an alternating flux linkage with that second coil. As the flux is
alternating, there will be obviously a rate of change of flux linkage with respect to time in the second coil.
Therefore emf will be induced in it as per Faradays laws electromagnetic induction.
Q. How do you classify transformers based on construction?
A. Based on construction transformers are of two types. They are distinguished from each other based on
merely the manner by which primary and secondary windings are placed around the core.
1. Core type: In these windings surround considerable part of the core.
2. Shell type: In these core surrounds considerable part of windings.
Another recent development is wound core type or spiral core.
Q. What is an isolation transformer?
A. An isolation transformer also referred to as insulating transformer, is one where the primary and secondary
windings are separate.
Q. What is exciting current?
A. Exciting current, when used in connection with transformers, is the current or amperes required for
excitation. The exciting current on most lighting and power transformers varies from approximately 10% on
small sizes of about 1 KVA and smaller to approximately .5% to 4% on larger sizes of 750 KVA. The exciting
current is made up of two components, one of which is a real component and is in the form of losses or referred
to as no load watts; the other is in the form of reactive power and is referred to as KVAR.
Q. What are taps and when are they used?
A. Taps are provided on some transformers on the high voltage winding to correct for high or low voltage
conditions, and still deliver full rated output voltages at the secondary terminals. The standard ASA and NEMA
designation for taps are ANFC (above normal full capacity) and BNFC (below normal full capacity).
Q. In a Tap changing transformer on which side is the tap connected, primary side or secondary side?
A. Tapings are always connected to high voltage winding side, because of low current. If we connect tapings to
low voltage side, sparks will produce while tap changing operation due to high current.
Q. What is an ideal transformer?
A. Transformer having an overall efficiency of 100 per cent is called an ideal transformer.
Q. Explain about the losses in Transformer?
A. As the Transformer is a static device mechanical losses do not come into picture. Transformer losses have
two sources-copper loss and core loss.
Copper losses are caused by the resistance of the wire (I2R). In primary side it is I12R1 and in secondary side it
is I22R2 loss, where I1 & I2 are primary & secondary currents of transformer and R1 & R2 are resistances of
primary & secondary winding. As the both primary & secondary currents depend upon load of transformer,
copper losses vary with load.
Core losses are caused by eddy currents and hysteresis in the core.
Eddy current losses: In transformer we supply alternating current in the primary, this alternating current
produces alternating magnetizing flux in the core and as this flux links with secondary winding there will be
induced voltage in secondary, resulting current to flow through the load connected with it. Some of the
alternating fluxes of transformer may also link with other conducting parts like steel core or iron body of
transformer etc. As alternating flux links with these parts of transformer, there would be an locally induced
emf. Due to these emfs there would be currents which will circulate locally at that parts of the transformer. This
type of energy loss is called eddy current loss of transformer.
Hysteresis losses: The magnetic core of transformer is made of Silicon Steel, Steel is very good ferromagnetic
material. The domains are arranged inside the material structure in such a manner, that net resultant magnetic
field of the said material is zero. Whenever external magnetic field or mmf is is applied to that substance, these
randomly directed domains arrange themselves in parallel to the axis of applied mmf. After removing this
external mmf, maximum numbers of domains again come to random positions, but some few of them still
remain in their changed position. Because of these unchanged domains the substance becomes slightly
magnetized permanently. This magnetism is called Spontaneous Magnetism. To neutralize this magnetism
some opposite mmf is required to be applied. For this reason, there will be a consumption of electrical energy
which is known as Hysteresis loss of transformer.
Hysteresis loss is constant for a particular voltage and current. Eddy-current loss, however, is different for each
frequency passed through the transformer.
Q. Why the transformer ratings are in kva?
A. Since the power factor of transformer is dependent on load we only define VA rating and does not include
power factor .In case of motors, power factor depend on construction and hence rating of motors is in KWatts
and include power factor.
Q. Is copper loss affected by change in power factor?
A. Yes. Copper loss varies inversely with power factor.It depends on current in primary and secondary windings.
It is known that current required is higher when power factor is lower
Q. How do we minimize eddy current loss?
A. By laminating the core we can minimize eddy current loss.
Q. What current flows in the transformer primary when its secondary is open?
A. When the secondary is open, there is no current in the secondary of the transformer. The primary takes a
small current I0) from the source called no-load current which has a magnetizing component (I0 sin0)
producing the magnetic flux and a working component (I0 cos0) supplying real power for iron losses.
Q. What is the difference between delta-delta, delta-star transformer?
A. Delta-delta transformer is used at generating station or a receiving station for Change of Voltage (i,e)
generally it is used where the Voltage is high & Current is low whereas Delta-star is a distribution kind of
transformer where from secondary star neutral is taken as a return path and this configuration is used for Step
down voltage phenomena.
Q. What is the function of transformer oil?
A. Transformer Oil serves mainly two purposes
1. It acts as liquid insulation in electrical power transformer
2. It dissipates heat of the transformer i.e acts as coolant. In addition to these, this it serves other two other
purposes, it helps to preserve the core and winding as these are fully immersed inside oil and also prevents
direct contact of atmospheric oxygen with cellulose made paper insulation of windings, which is susceptible to
oxidation.
During 1970s, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)s were often used as a dielectric fluid since they are not
flammable. But, They are toxic, and under incomplete combustion, can form highly toxic products such as
furan.
Presently, non-toxic, stable silicon-based or fluoridated hydrocarbons are used. Combustion-resistant
vegetable oil-based dielectric coolants and synthetic pentaerythritol tetra fatty acid (C7, C8) esters are also
becoming increasingly common as alternatives to naphthenic mineral oil.
Q. What is Class in insulation?
A. Insulation class was the original method used to distinguish insulating materials operating at different
temperature levels. Letters were used for different designations. Letter classifications have been replaced by
insulation system temperatures in degrees Celsius.
Q. If we give 2334 A, 540V on Primary side of 1.125 MVA step up transformer, then what will be the Secondary
Current, If Secondary Voltage=11 KV?
A. As we know the Voltage & current relation for transformer-V1/V2 = I2/I1
We Know, VI= 540 V; V2=11KV or 11000 V; I1= 2334 Amps.
By putting these value on Relation540/11000= I2/2334
So,I2 = 114.5 Amps
Q. What is voltage ratio of a transformer?
A. Voltage ratio is the ratio of the voltage between the line terminals of one winding to that between the line
terminals of another winding at no load.
Q. Explain the operation of variable frequency transformer?
A. A variable frequency transformer is used to transmit electricity between two asynchronous alternating
current domains. It is a double fed electric machine resembling a vertical shaft hydroelectric generator with a
three-phase wound rotor, connected by slip rings to one external ac power circuit. A direct-current torque
motor is mounted on the same shaft. Changing the direction of torque applied to the shaft changes the
direction of power flow; with no applied torque, the shaft rotates due to the difference in frequency between
the networks connected to the rotor and stator. Thus it acts as a continuously adjustable phase shifting
transformer. It allows control of the power flow between two networks.
Q. What will happen if DC supply is given on the primary of a transformer?
A. Mainly transformer has high inductance and low resistance. In case of DC supply there is no inductance, only
resistance will act in the electrical circuit. So, high electrical current will flow through primary side of the
transformer. Due to this the coil and insulation will burn out.
Q. Why Delta Star Transformers are used for Lighting Loads?
A. For lighting loads, neutral conductor is must and hence the secondary must be star winding.This lighting load
is always unbalanced in all three phases. To minimize the current unbalance in the primary we use delta
winding in the primary. So delta / star transformer is used for lighting loads.
Q. What are the types of cooling systems it transformers?
A. 1. ONAN (oil natural, air natural)
2. ONAF (oil natural, air forced)
3. OFAF (oil forced, air forced)
4. ODWF (oil direct, water forced)
5. OFAN (oil forced, air forced)
Q. What is the significance of vector grouping in Power Transformers?
A. Every power transformer has a vector group listed by its manufacturer. Fundamentally it tells you the
information about how the windings are connected (delta or wye) and the phase difference between the
current and voltage.
Example: DYN11 means Delta primary, Wye Secondary and the current is at 11 o clock referred to the voltage.
Q. What is meant by regulation in a transformer?
A. Voltage regulation in transformers is the difference between the no load voltage and the full load voltage.
This is usually expressed in terms of percentage.
Example: A Transformer delivers 100 volts at no load and the voltage drops to 95 volts at full load,
The regulation capacity varies depending on the size and the application for which they are used.
Q. Can a Single Phase Transformer be used on a Three Phase source?
A. Any single phase transformer can be used on a three phase source by connecting the primary leads to any
two wires of a three phase system, regardless of whether the source is three phase 3-wire or three phase 4
wire. The transformer output will be single phase.
Q. Can Transformers develop Three Phase power from a Single Phase source?
A. NO. Phase converters or phase shifting devices such as reactors and capacitors are required to convert single
phase power to three phase.
Q. Can Single Phase Transformers be used for Three Phase applications?
A. Yes. Three phase transformers are sometimes not readily available whereas single phase transformers can
generally be found in stock. Three single phase transformers can be used in delta connected primary and wye
or delta connected secondary. They should never be connected wye primary to wye secondary, since this will
result in unstable secondary voltage. The equivalent three phase capacity when properly connected of three
single phase transformers is three times the nameplate rating of each single phase transformer.
Example: Three 10 K VA single phase transformers can be used to accommodate a 30 KVA three phase load.
Q. What is polarity, when associated with a transformer?
A. Polarity is the instantaneous voltage obtained from the primary winding in relation to the secondary
winding. Transformers 600 volts and below are normally connected in additive polarity that is, when tested
the terminals of the high voltage and low voltage winding on the left hand side are connected together. This
leaves one high voltage and one low voltage terminal unconnected. When the transformer is excited, the
resultant voltage appearing across a voltmeter will be the sum of the high and low voltage windings. This is
useful when connecting single phase transformers in parallel for three phase operations. Polarity is a term used
only with single phase transformers.
Q. What is meant by impedance in transformers? Why is it important?
A. Impedance is the current limiting characteristic of a transformer and is expressed in percentage. It is used for
determining the interrupting capacity of a circuit breaker or fuse employed to protect the primary of a
transformer.
Q. What is tertiary winding? What is Three Winding Transformer? What are its advantages?
A. In some high rating transformers, one winding, in addition to the primary and secondary winding, is used.
This is known as Tertiary Winding of Transformer. Because of this third winding, the transformer is called Three
Winding Transformer.
Advantages:
1. It reduces the unbalancing in the primary due to unbalancing in three phase load.
2. It redistributes the flow of fault current
3. To supply an auxiliary load in different voltage level in addition to its main secondary load.(station lighting
and power)
4. As the tertiary winding is connected in delta formation in 3 winding transformer, it assists in limitation of
fault current in the event of a short circuit from line to neutral.
Q. Can the transformers be used at higher frequencies than rated frequency?
A. Yes. Transformers can be used at higher frequencies than rated frequency. However as the frequency
increases voltage regulation decreases.
Q. EMF equation of the transformer?
A. E = 4.44mfN Volts.
If E1 & E2 are primary and secondary emfs and N1 & N2 are primary and secondary turns then,
Voltage ratio= E1/E2 and
Turns ratio of transformer = N1/N2
E1/E2 = N1/N2
Q. Explain about the open and short circuit tests on transformer?
A. Open circuit test (No load test) and short circuit test (full load test) are performed on a transformer to
determine
(i) Equivalent circuit of transformer
(ii) Voltage regulation of transformer
(iii) Efficiency of transformer.
The power required for these tests on transformer is equal to the power loss occurring in the transformer.
Open circuit test on transformer is used to determine core losses in transformer and parameters of shunt
branch of the equivalent circuit of transformer.
Short Circuit test on transformer is used to determine copper loss in transformer at full load and parameters of
approximate equivalent circuit of transformer.
Q. What are the advantages of parallel operation of transformers?
A. 1) To maximize electrical power system efficiency: Generally electrical power transformer gives the
maximum efficiency at full load. If we run numbers of transformers in parallel, we can switch on only those
transformers which will give the total demand by running nearer to its full load rating for that time.
2) To maximize electrical power system availability: If numbers of transformers run in parallel we can take
shutdown any one of them for maintenance purpose. Other parallel transformers in system will serve the load
without total interruption of power.
3) To maximize power system reliability. If any one of the transformers in a parallel system, is tripped due to
fault other parallel transformers is the system will share the load hence power supply may not be interrupted.
4) To maximize electrical power system flexibility: Always there is a chance of increasing or decreasing future
demand of power system. If it is predicted that power demand will be increased in future, there must be a
provision of connecting transformers in system in parallel to fulfill the extra demand because it is not
economical from business point of view to install a bigger rated single transformer by forecasting the increased
future demand as it is unnecessary investment of money. Again if future demand is decreased, transformers
running in parallel can be removed from system to balance the capital investment and its return.
Q. What are the Conditions for parallel operation of transformers?
A. a) Same voltage ratio of transformer: If two transformers of different voltage ratio, are connected in parallel
with same primary supply voltage, there will be a difference in secondary voltages. If they are connected to
same bus, there will be a circulating current between secondaries and therefore between primaries too. As the
internal impedance of transformer is small, a small voltage difference may cause sufficiently high circulating
current causing unnecessary extra I2R loss.
b) Same percentage impedance: impedance of transformers running in parallel are inversely proportional to
their MVA rating
c) Same polarity: Polarity of all transformers run in parallel should be same otherwise huge circulating current
flows in the transformer but no load will be fed from these transformers.
d) Same phase sequence: If they are not in same phase sequence, during the cycle, each pair of phases will be
short circuited.
Q. Explain about auto transformer?
A. It is type of transformer with only one winding a portion of which is shared by both primary and secondary.
Advantages:
It is used where transformation ratio differs little from unity.
As it contains only one winding, it uses less copper and hence cheaper.
Its efficiency is more when compared with the conventional one.
Its size is relatively very smaller.
Voltage regulation of auto transformer is much better.
Lower cost
Low requirements of excitation current.
Less copper is used in its design and construction
In conventional transformer the voltage step up or step down value is fixed while in auto transformer, we can
vary the output voltage as per out requirements and can smoothly increase or decrease its value as per our
requirement.
Q)During No load why the power factor of the transformer is very low ?
A. Current flowing through the transformer consists of two components. Magnetizing current (Im) which is in
quadrature (900) to the applied voltage and in phase current which is in phase to the applied voltage. During
no load condition most of the excitation current drawn by the transformer from the primary winding is to
magnetize the path. Hence excitation current drawn by the transformer during no load condition mostly
consists of magnetizing component of current which is used to provide magnetic field in transformer circuits
(Inductive nature). Therefore as the nature of the load is inductive, hence the power factor of transformer
during no load condition will by in the order of 0.1 to 0.2
Maximum Percentage of
Loading
100%
92%
85%
78%
Instead of ordering custom built transformers to operate in ambient higher than 40 C, it is more economical to
use a standard transformer of a larger KVA rating.
Q. WHAT is ZIG ZAG Grounding Transformer
ANSWER: Three Single Phase Transformers can be connected to have a three phase Zig Zag Transformer. This
system can be used for either grounding or developing a fourth WIRE from a three phase neutral. An example
would be to change a 480 V three phase three wire system to a 480Y/277 V three phase four wire
system
Q. At what power maximum efficiency of power transformer and distribution transformer is designed
Maximum efficiency of the transformer is attained at certain load factor () when core losses of transformer is
equal to the copper losses.
PCore loss = 2 X PCopper loss
From the above equation for particular load factor () maximum efficiency of a transformer is designed when
core loss is equal to copper loss. For a transformer core losses remain same irrespective of the load and copper
losses varies based on the loading. For a transformer maximum efficiency is designed for particular load factor
when core and copper losses are same. Core loss for a transformer is designed based on the application of
transformer so that both core losses and copper losses will be same
For power transformer delivering bulk power employed in generating stations and other substations power it
deliver will not vary round the clock and delivers full load. Hence power transformers are designed to have
maximum power at full load. Whereas power deliver capacity of distribution transformers which deliver power
vary with time duration of the day. Hence distribution transformers are designed to have maximum efficiency
at 50% of the rated full load
Q. What are the conditions for parallel operation of two transformers ?
Transformers which are to be operated parallel should have to satisfy the following conditions:
Polarities of both the transformers should be same else lead to short circuit
Voltage rating of the both primary and secondary of the two transformers operating in parallel should be
same
Per unit impedance of the transformers should be same
Phase displacement of transformers should be same
Phase sequence of two transformers should be same
1. How is magnetic leakage reduced to a minimum in commercial transformers?
By interleaving the primary and secondary windings.
Q. Mention the factors on which hysteresis loss depends?
(i) Quality and amount of iron in the core
(ii) Flux density and
(iii) Frequency.
Q3. What advantage has the star connection over the delta connection ?
A. Each star connection transformer is wound for only 57.7% of line voltage . In hv transmission,
this admits of much smaller transformer being built for high voltage than possible with delta
connection, because of less insulation.
Q4. How to connect two single phase transformer to give three phase o/p from a three phase I/p
?