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Transformer Tap Changer Working Principle

Tap changers are used in transformers to regulate the output voltage by varying the transformer's turns ratio. This is done by altering the number of turns in the primary winding, thereby changing the ratio of turns between the primary and secondary windings. Tap changers are generally installed on the high voltage side because the high voltage winding is easier to access and produces less sparks when tapped. By increasing the turns ratio, the secondary voltage decreases, and vice versa - decreasing the turns ratio increases the secondary voltage. This allows the tap changer to adjust the secondary voltage higher or lower to maintain a constant voltage as load conditions change.

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Rajesh Kumar Selvaraj
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8K views3 pages

Transformer Tap Changer Working Principle

Tap changers are used in transformers to regulate the output voltage by varying the transformer's turns ratio. This is done by altering the number of turns in the primary winding, thereby changing the ratio of turns between the primary and secondary windings. Tap changers are generally installed on the high voltage side because the high voltage winding is easier to access and produces less sparks when tapped. By increasing the turns ratio, the secondary voltage decreases, and vice versa - decreasing the turns ratio increases the secondary voltage. This allows the tap changer to adjust the secondary voltage higher or lower to maintain a constant voltage as load conditions change.

Uploaded by

Rajesh Kumar Selvaraj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Transformer Tap-

Changer
Why tap-changer is required in Transformer?

The transformer voltage at the load side desired to be constant or as close to the design value.
But the load voltage may vary according to current drawn by the load or supply voltage.

𝑉1 𝑁1
=
𝑉2 𝑁2
𝑉1
Therefore, 𝑉2 =
𝐾
Where, K=N1/N2

Based on above equation, to maintain constant secondary voltage/load voltage or as close to


desired value it is needed to change turn’s ratio. Secondary voltage-V2 and turns ratio-K of
transformer are inversely proportional to each other. The purpose of a tap changer is to
regulate the output voltage of a transformer. It does this by altering the number of turns in
one winding and thereby changing the turn’s ratio of the transformer.

Why Tap changer is generally provided on high voltage side?


- The HV Winding is generally wound over LV winding, hence it is easier to access HV
winding turns instead of LV winding.
- Current through HV winding is less compared to LV winding, hence there will be less
spark on HV side.

How Tap changer regulates the secondary or LV voltage?

From formula stated above, it is stated that if turns ratio increases; secondary voltage
decreases. Opposite for reverse case, if turns ratio decreases; secondary voltage increases.
Tap changer operation:

Figure attached here shows the tap changer on primary winding with tap changing interval of
2.5% per tap. With the help of this, we can understand the three condition of voltage
regulation.

1. In normal operation, tap changer will at 0% position i.e. on Tap no-3, to provide required
designed secondary voltage.
2. If load current decreases, there will be increase in supply voltage at secondary side, which
is not desirable. To decrease secondary voltage V2, we must increase K. K can be increased
by increasing no. of turns in primary winding i.e. N1 and same can be done by lowering the
tap position from Normal Tap.
3. If we take reverse condition, when load current increases. There will be decrease in
secondary voltage. To increase the secondary voltage, we must decrease K. K can be
decreased by decreasing no. of turns in primary winding i.e. N1 and same can be done by
increasing the tap position from Normal tap.

For example, we can take Transformer of 2 MVA. 11/0.433 kV with OLTC range of -5% to
+5% in steps of 5.
Tap position HV range Turns ratio LV Voltage
1 11550 105%
2 11275 102.5%
3 11000 100% 433 V
4 10725 97.5%
5 10450 95%

• CASE-1: Normal operation; Transformer will operate on normal tap i.e. tap position
no-3.

• CASE-2: Secondary voltage is increased to 105% of nominal voltage and transformer


is operating on Normal Tap position.
V2 = V1/K
1.05 x V2 = V1/K

Formula below shows how to decrease the secondary voltage to nominal and design
voltage,
V2 = V1/1.05 x K

Thus by increasing Turn’s ratio; we can get designed secondary voltage. However,
to increase turn’s ratio, we must increase primary winding turns as explained
earlier. Means Tap position should be lowered at Tap no. 1.

• CASE-3: Secondary voltage is decreased to 97.5% of nominal voltage and


transformer is operating on Normal Tap position.

V2 = V1/K
0.975 x V2 = V1/K

Formula below shows how to increase the secondary voltage to nominal and design
voltage,
V2 = V1/0.975 x K

Thus by decreasing Turn’s ratio; we can get designed secondary voltage. However,
to decrease turn’s ratio, we must decrease primary winding turns as explained
earlier. Means Tap position should be higher at Tap no. 4.

To increase the secondary voltage; decrease the turn’s ratio i.e. higher the tap
from Normal tap and by doing so decrease primary voltage.

In same way, to decrease the secondary voltage; increase the turn’s ratio i.e. lower
the tap from Normal tap and by doing so increase primary voltage.

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