NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS

International Journal of Research Publications in Engineering and Technology [IJRPET]

ISSN: 2454-7875
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4, Apr.-2017
POWER TRANSFORMER TAP SWITCHING USING SEMICONDUCTOR
DEVICES
MR. PRAMOD PRAKASH ADASUR
M.E. Scholar, Department of Electronics, Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Warananagar

PROF. D. G. CHOUGULE
Department of Electronics, Tatyasaheb Kore Institute of Engineering and Technology, Warananagar

ABSTRACT: arrangement connected through the arc contacts. This is

The device used to provide the constant load further developed in a single deflector resistor and then
voltage from the power transformer is known as in reverse pair of parallel thyristors which are connected
"Tap changer". The input of the power transformer through a series of mechanical switching contacts.
therefore fluctuates to provide a constant secondary Instead of using oil-immersed contact and
processing of the power transformer as needed for complicated mechanical drive, a vacuum switch and bi-
charging. The change to the conventional mechanical stable electromechanical actuator were used. These
column is used to change the faucet. The mechanical vacuum switches had the advantages of high power
sliding mechanism has complex mechanisms of gear handling capability and long life, thus, suitable for the
selectors, deflectors and switches. If you are using a use of the selector. The proposed diverter, consisting of
mechanical gearbox slider, you will experience arc two solid-state switches, was to be connected between
problems and delays, but it also requires the each of the selector output leads and in parallel with
maintenance. To avoid problems that occur in the those two solid-state switches. A faster form of GTO
chin tap changer mechanical, the design of the tap assisted tap changer with the advantage of reduced
changer's chin by using semiconductor devices. DIAC transformer outages. The speed of the intended vacuum
and TRIAC are the devices used in switching switch moving is now controllable, since fatigue in the
semiconductor switching faucet. The operation of stainless steel bellows is the prime limitation, and
the switching devices is controlled by a reverts to fast operation during a system fault.
microcontroller. Two alternative ways of tap changer design have
KEYWORDS: Power transformer, switching, been proposed; fully electronic and electronically
semiconductor devices, etc. assisted. The electronic tap changer is based on thyristor
technology, while the electronically assisted tap changer
I. INTRODUCTION: attempts to maintain the mechanical essence of the
One of the major concerns of any power utility is standard tap changer, but with greater ease of
the quality of power supplied to customers as needed. maintenance by incorporating semiconductors to
These customers will have a case of continuity with a eliminate the contact arc. Fully electronic schemes are
minimum of disruption. The conventional problem inherently fast and maintenance free, but expansive to
switch was contributed to its mechanical structure of the build compared to their thyristor-assisted counterparts,
complicated gearing mechanisms of selectors, deflectors and do not address the problem of speed of operation
and switches. These provisions are slow in response and and mechanical reliability.
susceptible to being brought into contact with the state The excitation control method is satisfactory
of wear and deterioration of insulation oil, therefore only for relatively short lines. However, it is not suitable
requiring regular maintenance. for long lines, since the voltage at the alternator
The power changers of the load changer of the terminals will have to vary too much so that the voltage
changer are an essential part of any modern electrical at the far end of the line can be constant. Under such
system, since they allow maintaining the tensions to situations, the problem of voltage control can be solved
desired levels in spite of the changes of load. However, using other methods. An important method is the use of
even if the first charge shifters were developed at the the tap changer and is commonly used where the main
beginning of this century, modern versions have transformer is needed. In this method, several shots are
radically altered these drawings and, in essence, are a provided in the transformer secondary. The voltage drop
complex mechanical device. The power transformer on the line is supplied by changing the e.m.f. secondary
mechanical switches to charge during the tap change from the transformer through the adjustment of its
process. To solve this situation, a thyristor pair switches number of turns.
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 NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
International Journal of Research Publications in Engineering and Technology [IJRPET]
ISSN: 2454-7875
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4, Apr.-2017

A. OFF LOAD TAP-CHANGING TRANSFORMER: Figure 2 schematically illustrates a type of

transformer transmitted by the load switching. The
5

4
second is constituted by two equal parallel windings
PRIMARY
3

2
MOVABLE ARM
having similar connections 1a to 5a and 1b to 5b. Under
1 normal operating conditions, switches A, B and branches
with the same number are closed and each secondary
SECONDERY winding employs a total current means. Referring to Fig.
2, the secondary voltage will be maximum when the
Fig.1: Off load tap changing transformer switches a, b and 5a, 5b are closed. However, the
Fig.1 shows the arrangement in which several secondary voltage will be minimal when the switches A,
shots have been provided in the secondary. As the B and 1a, 1b are closed. Assume that the transformer
position of the tap is varied, the effective number of operates with the pickup position at 4a, 4b and wishes to
secondary turns varies and, therefore, the output voltage change its position to 5a, 5b. For this purpose, one of
of the secondary can be changed. Thus, with reference to switches A and B is opened, for example. This takes the
Fig. 1, when the movable arm contacts the stud 1, the secondary winding controlled by the switch. Now, the
secondary tension is minimal and when contacts the stud secondary winding controlled by the gate current switch
5, it is maximum. During the light charging period, the b total current is twice its rated capacity. Then the
voltage across the primary is not well below the intermediate connection winding disconnected changes
alternator voltage and the movable arm is placed on the from 5a and the switch is closed. Subsequently, b opens
pin 1. When the load increases, the voltage across the the switch to disconnect the winding thereof, the start
primary falls, but the voltage Secondary can be position of this winding is changed by 5b and then
maintained in the previous value by placing the movable switch b is closed. This changes the firing position
arm on a higher bolt. When a faucet is changed on this without interrupting the power supply.
type of transformer, the load is maintained and hence This method has the following disadvantages:
the name of the load change transformer.  During switching increases impedance
The main disadvantage of the circuit transformer and there will be an increase in
arrangement shown in Figure 1 is that it cannot be used voltage.
to change the load-taking. Let's assume for a moment  There are twice as many tappings as the voltage
that the change of take from position 1 to position 2 steps.
when the transformer is supplying the load. If the
contact with the stud 1 is broken before the stud 2 is C. SWITCHING PRINCIPLE:
contacted, a breakage occurs in the circuit and arcs The OLTC changes the proportion of a
occur. On the other hand, if contact with the stud 2 is transformer by adding curves or subtracting curves from
made before the contact with the stud 1 is broken; the the primary or secondary winding. Therefore, the
coils connected between these two sockets are short transformer is equipped with a regulation winding or
circuited and carry harmful heavy currents. For this connectors connected to the OLTC. The main
reason, the above circuit arrangement cannot be used to components of an OLTC are the contact systems for
change the tap on load. rupture and rupture currents, as well as transport
currents, transition impedances, gears, spring energy
B. ON-LOAD TAP-CHANGING TRANSFORMER: accumulators and a drive mechanism. Depending on the
In the supply system, the change of intake different winding devices and OLTC designs, selector
should normally be made in the load so that there is no switches and selector switches (reverse or coarse type)
interruption in supply. are used separately. The transition impedance in the
form of a resistor or reactor is constituted by one or
a

more units which are adjacent bridges of bridges for

b

transferring the load from one take to the other without

5a 5a

4a 4a

3a 3a
interruption or a significant change in the load current.
2a

At the same time, they limit the circulation current (IC)

2a
PRIMARY
1a 1a

for the period in which both taps are used. Typically, the
OLTC reactor type uses the jumper position as a service
SECONDARY position and therefore the reactor is designed for
continuous loading. The voltage between the indicated
Fig.2: On-load tap-changing transformer
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 NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
International Journal of Research Publications in Engineering and Technology [IJRPET]
ISSN: 2454-7875
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4, Apr.-2017
faucets is the phase voltage; normally it is between 0.8% The application of semiconductor or solid state
and 2.5% of the rated voltage of the transformer. device gets advantage of rapid response in designing tap
changer, compared to its conventional equivalent, almost
II. LITERATURE SURVEY: free maintenance-free and better performance in terms
The problem for the conventional tap of power quality [4].
changer contributes to its mechanical structure of
complicated gear selector, diverter and switch gears. III. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
These arrangements are slow in response and The main concern of this work is to design a
susceptible to the condition of contact wear and damage completely electronic shifts with a prototype built as the
of the insulating oil, so they require regular maintenance model of operation as shown in Figure 3. The triac is
[1]. used as a switching device to turn on the selected power
Earn during the mechanical change on the on- tap transformer. The step down transformer and opto-
load tap transformer power transformer faucet process. isolator connected between the input and output of the
To address this situation, Roberts and Ashman had microcontroller respectively isolating the high voltage
described the arrangement of the switches to switch the power transformer damage of the low voltage circuit
thyristor pairs of arcing contacts. It has been further microcontroller circuit.
developed for a single driver resistance and then to
reverse the parallel thyristor pair which is a set of
mechanical switch contacts [2] [3].

TRIAC

Output
voltage

HIGH
VOLTAGE
SUPPLY

POWER
TRANSFORMER
WITH TAPPINGS
STEP-DOWN
TRANSFORMER

OPTO-
COUPLER MICROCONT
ISOLATOR ROLLER Vref

Fig.3: Layout of prototype on-load electronic semiconductor tap-changer

The peak signal peak output detector of the used as a central processing control logic to process the
rectifier is detected and provides an equivalent constant input signal and produces an appropriate output signal
DC voltage and then filters any noise is filtered and according to the program loaded in the microprocessor.
further improves the signal so that it is free from The microcontroller acts as a trigger by injecting
undulations and within the true range of frequency. impulses to the selected TRIAC representing the
While the opto-isolator acts as an electrical insulator to appropriate taps. At any time, only a TRIAC is in its ON
protect the input of the microcontroller. Microcontroller status while others are OFF.
IV. TAP CHANGER DESIGN:

Fig.4: Block diagram of detailed on-load electronic semiconductor tap changer

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 NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
International Journal of Research Publications in Engineering and Technology [IJRPET]
ISSN: 2454-7875
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4, Apr.-2017
Fig.4 shows the block diagram of the detailed The result of project power transformer tap
semiconductor tap changer used in this work. Some switching using semiconductor devices in which
additional devices are inserted into the prototype to increasing voltage from 227 volt to 255 volt by
provide greater precision and security for the system. In increasing order, then gets output voltage 110 ±4V.as
the 120V / 6V transformer step down loop feedback per table 1.
prototype, rectifier, peak detector, filter and transistor
opto-isolator is incorporated. Its function is to convert B. FOR INPUT VOLTAGE DECREASING ORDER:
the voltage of the 120V AC line voltage to an acceptable Table 2: Project output voltage and tap depending on
DC level for the operation of the microcontroller and input voltage decreasing order
provide protection against microcontroller damage. The SR. INPUT PAST PRESENT OUTPUT
NO VOLTAGE TAP TAP VOLTAGE
rectifier converts the alternating voltage signal into
continuous voltage signal. As the output of the rectifier is 1 255 4 4 112
not constant but with ripples, the peak detector and filter
2 253 4 4 111
are used to get better signals. 3 248 4 4 109
The signal is first converted to digital value by 4 240 4 3 110
the analog to digital converter internally before the 5 235 3 3 108
microcontroller can process information. If the value is 6 233 3 3 107
10% or 10% lower than the nominal value, the 7 231 3 2 111
microcontroller will quickly change the tap settings to a 8 227 2 2 109
lower or higher value, respectively. The microcontroller
will continue to change the setting to keep the voltage The result of project power transformer tap
within the set value. switching using semiconductor devices in which
decreasing voltage from 255volt to 227 volt by
V. PROJECT RESULT: decreasing order, then gets output voltage 110 ±4V.as
per showing table 2.
C. THE RESULT CHECKING THROUGH BULB
LUMINOUS:

Fig. 5: Project Output voltage and present tap display on

LCD display.
As per role of project, getting 110 volt ac
output either variation in voltage of power transformer
primary side. Fig.5 shows Project Output voltage and
present tap display on LCD display.
Fig. 6: The result checking through bulb luminous.
At the time of project running input voltage
A. FOR INPUT VOLTAGE INCREASING ORDER:
changes by trimmer and visual checking of bulb
Table 1: Project output voltage and tap depending on
luminous and tap checking. When vary the input voltage
input voltage increasing order
SR. INPUT PAST PRESENT OUTPUT
minor luminous change occurs at the time of tap
NO VOLTAGE TAP TAP VOLTAGE switching due to ±4 volt tolerance at the output voltage.
1 227 1 1 114
2 231 1 2 111 VI. APPLICATIONS:
3 233 2 2 112 In sugar factory sugarcane is unloaded by crane.
4 235 2 2 113 Crane operates on constant AC 110 volt. The supply from
5 240 3 3 110 secondary power transformer is fluctuated, then
6 248 3 3 114 providing constant input voltage to the crane
7 253 3 4 111 semiconductor tap changer is use. Use the
8 255 4 4 112 semiconductor based tap changer to provide better
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 NOVATEUR PUBLICATIONS
International Journal of Research Publications in Engineering and Technology [IJRPET]
ISSN: 2454-7875
VOLUME 3, ISSUE 4, Apr.-2017
efficiency without maintenance. In surface mounting
techniques, if provide a constant 110 ACV to chip placer
machine then it create a vacuum as per requirement.
Semiconductor tap changer is used to provide constant
voltage then it removes the problem of placing
component on wrong place.

VII. CONCLUSION:
Any variation of the output voltage of the power
transformer will be detected by the microcontroller
which in term computes and executes necessary
command instruction to be passed on to the appropriate
TRIAC. The semiconductor tap changer will change the
tap position if the variation is out of the permissible
range 110±4VAC. Thus the voltage, the system could be
maintained at normal value. From the result, the
semiconductor tap changer could be associated as an
automatic electronic on load tap changer for power
transformer to improve the voltage regulation of the
system during variation of system voltage. Distinguished
characteristics of this semiconductor tap changer are fast
response and less negligible spark during tap changing
process. TRIAC devices as the switching device that had
eliminated all disadvantages of arching, contact wear
and maintenance that associated with conventional
mechanical tap changer.

REFERENCES:
1) Han Jiang, Roger Shuttle worth, Bmhar A. T. AI
Zahawi Xiaolin Tian and Andrew Power, “Fast
response GTO assisted novel tap changer,” IEEE
Transmissions on Power Deliwry, vol. 16, no. I, pp.
111-1 15, Jan.2001.
2) M. E. Robert sand, W. G. Ashman, “A thyristor assisted
mechanical on load tap changer,” in IEEE Conference
Publication 53, Power Thyristor and Their
Applications, pp. 185-192, 1969.
3) G. H. Cwke and K. T. Williams, ‘New thyristor assisted
diverter switch for on-load transformer tap changers,”
in IEEE Proceedings-B, vol. 139,no. 6, 507- 511,Nav.
1992.
4) R.C. Degeneff, “A new concept for solid-state on-load
tap changers,” in CIRED 97, IEE Conference
Publication No. 438, pp. 1.7.1-1.7.4, June1997.

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