Auto Transformer

The primary and secondary windings of a two winding transformer have induced emf in them
due to a common mutual flux and hence are in phase. The currents drawn by these two windings
are out of phase by 180. This prompted the use of a part of the primary as secondary. This is
equivalent to fusing the secondary turns into primary turns. The fused section need to have a
cross sectional area of the conductor to carry (I 2I1) ampere! This ingenious thought led to the
invention of an auto transformer. Fig. 28 shows the physical arrangement of an auto transformer.
Total number of turns between A and C are N 1. At point B a connection is taken. Section AB has
N2 turns. As the volts per turn, which is proportional to the flux in the machine, is the same for
the whole winding,
U1 : U2 = N1 : N2 (76)
For simplifying analysis, the magnetizing current of the transformer is neglected.

N1
U1

N2 U
2

Figure 28: Autotransformer - Physical Arrangement

When the secondary winding delivers a load current of I 2 ampere the demagnetizing ampere
turns is I2 N2 . This will be countered by a current I 1 flowing from the source through the N1 turns
such that,
I1 N1 = I2 N2 (77)
A current of I1 ampere flows through the winding between B and C . The current in the winding
between A and B is (I2 I1) ampere. The cross section of the wire to be selected for AB is
proportional to this current assuming a constant current density for the whole winding. Thus
some amount of material saving can be achieved compared to a two winding transformer. The
magnetic circuit is assumed to be identical and hence there is no saving in the same. To quantify
the saving the total quantity of copper used in an auto transformer is expressed as a fraction of
that used in a two winding transformer as,
copper in auto transformer ( N 1 N 2 ).I 1 N 2 .( I 2 I 1 )
. . . . . . 78
copper in two winding transformer N 1 .I 1 N 2 .I 2
2.N 2 .I 1
1
N 1 .I 1 N 2 .I 2
But N 1 I 1 N 2 .I 2
 2.N 2 .I 1 N2
The ratio 1 1
2.N 1 .I 1 N1
This means that an auto transformer requires the use of lesser quantity of
copper given by the ratio of turns. This ratio therefore denotes the savings in
copper. As the space for the second winding need not be there, the window
space can be less for an auto transformer, giving some saving in the
lamination weight also. The larger the ratio of the
voltages, smaller is the savings. As T2 approaches T1 the savings become
significant. Thus auto transformers become ideal choice for close ratio
transformations. The savings in material is obtained, however, at a price. The
electrical isolation between primary and secondary. has to be sacrificed.

Figure 29: Two Winding Transformer used as auto transformer

If we are not looking at the savings in the material, even then going in for the auto transformer
type of connection can be used with advantage, to obtain higher output. This can be illustrated as
follows. Fig. 29 shows a regular two winding transformer of a voltage ratio V1 : V2, the volt
ampere rating being V1I1 = V2I2 = S. If now the primary is connected across a supply of V1 volt
and the secondary is connected in series addition manner with the primary winding, the output
voltage becomes (V1 + V2) volt. The new output of this auto transformer will now be
V V
I 1 .(V1 V2 ) I 2 .V2 .(1 1 ) S .(1 1 ) (81)
V2 V2
I
.V1 .( I 1 I 2 ) S .(1 2 ) (82)
I1
Thus an increased rating can be obtained compared to a two winding transformer with the same
material content. The windings can be connected in series opposition fashion also. Then the new
output rating will be
V V
I 2 .(V1 V2 ) I 2 .V2 .( 1 1) S .( 1 1) (83)
V2 V2
The differential connection is not used as it is not advantageous as the cumulative connection.
11.1 Equivalent circuit
 Figure 30: Kirchoffs Law Application to auto transformer

As mentioned earlier the magnetizing current can be neglected, for

simplicity. Writing the Kirchoffs equation to the primary and secondary of
Fig. 30 we have

U1 = E1 + I1(r1 + jxl1) (I2 I1)(r2 + jxl2) (84)

Note that the resistance r1 and leakage reactance xl1 refer to that part of the
winding where only the primary current flows. Similarly on the load side we
have,

E2 = V2 + (I2 I1)(r2 + jxl2) (85)

The voltage ratio V1 : V2 = E1 : E2 = T1 : T2 = a where T1 is the total turns of

the primary.

Then E1 = aE2 and I2 = aI1

multiplying equation(84) by a and substituting in (83) we have

V1 = aV2 + a(I2 I1)(r2 + jxl2) + I1(r1 + jxl1) (I2 I1)(r2 + jxl2)

= aV2 + I1(r1 + jxl1 + r2 + jxl2 ar2 ajxl2) + I2(ar2 + jaxl2 r2 jxl2)
= aV2 + I1(r1 + jxl1 + r2 + jxl2 + a2r2 + ja2xl2 ar2 ajxl2 ar2 jaxl2)
= aV2 + I1(r1 + r2(1 + a2 2a) + jxl1 + xl2(1 + a2 2a))
= aV2 + I1(r1 + (a 1)2r2 + jxl1 + (a 1)2xl2)
(86)

Equation (85) yields the equivalent circuit of Fig. 31 where Re = r1 + (a

1)2r2 and Xe = xl1 + (a 1)2xl2.
 Figure 31: Equivalent Circuit of auto transformers

The magnetization branch can now be hung across the mains for
completeness. The above equivalent circuit can now be compared with the
approximate equivalent circuit of a two winding case Re = r1 + a2r2 and Xe =
xl1 + a2xl2. Thus in the case of an auto transformer total value of the short
circuit impedance is lower and so also the percentage resistance and
reactance. Thus the full load regulation is lower. Having a smaller value of
short circuit impedance is sometimes considered to be a disadvantage. That
is because the short circuit currents become very large in those cases. The
efficiency is higher in auto transformers compared to their two winding
counter part at the same load. The phasor diagram of operation for the auto
transformer drawing a load current at a lagging power factor angle of _2 is
shown in Fig. 32. The magnetizing current is omitted here again for simplicity.

Figure 32: Phasor Diagram of Operation of an autotransformer

From the foregoing study it is seen that there are several advantages in
going in for the
autotransformer type of arrangement. The voltage/current transformation
and impedance conversion aspects of a two winding transformer are retained
but with lesser material (and hence lesser weight) used. The losses are
reduced increasing the efficiency. Reactance is reduced resulting in better
regulation characteristics. All these benefits are enhanced as the voltage
ratio approaches unity. The price that is required to be paid is loss of
electrical isolation and a larger short circuit current (and larger short circuit
forces on the winding).

Auto transformers are used in applications where electrical isolation is not a

critical requirement. When the ratio V2 : V1 is 0.3 or more they are used with
advantage. The normal applications are motor starters, boosters or static
balancers.

Figure 33: Variable Secondary Voltage Arrangement

Another wide spread application of auto transformer type of arrangement is

in ob-
taining a variable a.c. voltage from a fixed a.c. voltage supply. Here only one
winding is used
as in the auto transformer. The secondary voltage is tapped by a brush
whose position and hence the output voltage is variable. The primary
conductor is bared to facilitate electrical contact Fig. 33. Such arrangement
cannot exploit the savings in the copper as the output voltage is required
right from zero volts upwards.
The conductor is selected based on the maximum secondary current that
could be drawn as the output voltage varies in practically continuous
manner. These are used in voltage stabilizers, variable d.c. arrangements
(with a diode bridge) in laboratories, motor starters, dimmers etc.