TRANSFORMER

• The word ‘transformer’ comes from the word ‘transform’.

• Transformer is a device that changes AC electrical power at one voltage level into AC
electrical power at another voltage level through the action of magnetic field, without a
change in frequency.
• It can be either to step-up or step down.
• Transformers provide much needed capability of changing the voltage and current levels
easily.
They are used to step-up generator voltage to an appropriate voltage level for power
transfer and stepping down the transmission voltage at various levels for distribution and
power utilization.

As you know, the amount of power used by the load of an electrical circuit is equal to the current
in the load times the voltage across the load, or P = EI. If, for example, the load in an electrical
circuit requires an input of 2 amperes at 10 volts (20 watts) and the source is capable of delivering
only 1 ampere at 20 volts, the circuit could not normally be used with this particular source.
However, if a transformer is connected between the source and the load, the voltage can be
decreased (stepped down) to 10 volts and the current increased (stepped up) to 2 amperes.
Notice in the above case that the power remains the same. That is, 20 volts times 1 ampere equals
the same power as 10 volts times 2 amperes.
BASIC OPERATION OF A TRANSFORMER
In its most basic form a transformer consists of:

Refer to the transformer circuit in figure 1 as you read the following explanation: The primary
winding is connected to a 60 hertz ac voltage source. The magnetic field (flux) builds up (expands)
and collapses (contracts) about the primary winding. The expanding and contracting magnetic
field around the primary winding cuts the secondary winding and induces an alternating voltage
into the winding. This voltage causes alternating current to flow through the load. The voltage
may be stepped up or down depending on the design of the primary and secondary windings.
 Figure 1.—Basic transformer action.

The principle parts of a transformer and their functions are:

 The CORE, which provides a path for the magnetic lines of flux.
 The PRIMARY WINDING, which receives energy from the ac source.
 The SECONDARY WINDING, which receives energy from the primary winding and delivers it
to the load.
 The ENCLOSURE, which protects the above components from dirt, moisture, and
mechanical damage.

Two types of iron-core construction:

Hollow-Core Transformers
There are two main shapes of cores used in laminated-steel-core transformers. One is the
HOLLOW CORE, so named because the core is shaped with a hollow square through the center.
Notice that the core is made up of many laminations of steel. Figure 2 illustrates how the
transformer windings are wrapped around both sides of the core.

Figure 2.—Windings wrapped around laminations.

Shell-Core Transformers
The most popular and efficient transformer core is the SHELL CORE, as illustrated in figure 3. As
shown, each layer of the core consists of E- and I-shaped sections of metal. These sections are
butted together to form the laminations. The laminations are insulated from each other and then
pressed together to form the core.
 Figure 3.—Shell-type core construction.

TURNS AND VOLTAGE RATIOS

The total voltage induced into the secondary winding of a transformer is determined mainly by
the Ratio of the number of turns in the secondary to the number of turns in the primary, and by
the amount of voltage applied to the primary. Refer to figure 4. Part (a) of the figure shows a
transformer whose primary consists of ten turns of wire and who’s secondary consists of a single
turn of wire. You know that as lines of flux generated by the primary expand and collapse, they cut
both the ten turns of the primary and the single turn of the secondary. Since the length of the wire
in the secondary is approximately the same as the length of the wire in each turn in the primary,
emf induced into the secondary will be the same as the emf induced into each turn in the primary.
This means that if the voltage applied to the primary winding is 10 volts, the counter emf in the
primary is almost 10 volts.
Thus, each turn in the primary will have an induced counter emf of approximately one-tenth of
the total applied voltage, or one volt. Since the same flux lines cut the turns in both the secondary
and the primary, each turn will have an emf of one volt induced into it. The transformer in part (a)
of figure 4 has only one turn in the secondary, thus, the emf across the secondary is one volt.
Figure 4.—Transformer turns and voltage ratios.

The transformer represented in part (B) of figure 4 has a ten-turn primary and a two-turn
secondary. Since the flux induces one volt per turn, the total voltage across the secondary is two
volts. Notice that the volts per turn are the same for both primary and secondary windings. Since
the counter emf in the primary is equal (or almost) to the applied voltage, a proportion may be set
up to express the value of the voltage induced in terms of the voltage applied to the primary and
the number of turns in each winding. This proportion also shows the relationship between the
number of turns in each winding and the voltage across each winding.

TURNS AND CURRENT RATIOS

The number of flux lines developed in a core is proportional to the magnetizing force (IN AMPERE
TURNS) of the primary and secondary windings. The ampere-
magnetomotive force; it is defined as the magnetomotive force developed by one ampere of
current flowing in a coil of one turn. Since the flux is the same for both windings, the ampere-
turns in both the primary and secondary windings must be the same.

By dividing both sides of the equation by IPNS, you obtain:

Notice the equations show the current ratio to be the inverse of the turn’s ratio and the voltage
ratio.
This means, a transformer having less turns in the secondary than in the primary would step down
the voltage, but would step up the current.

TRANSFORMER RATING:

We know that, Transformer always rated in kVA. Below are the two simple formulas to find
the rating of Single phase and three phase Transformers.

Rating of Single Phase Transformer

Rating of Single Phase Transformer:
P = V x I.

Rating of a single phase transformer in kVA

kVA= (V x I) / 1000

Rating of a Three Phase Transformer

Rating of a Three Phase Transformer:
P = √3. V x I

Rating of a Three phase transformer in kVA

kVA = (√3. V x I) /1000

Look at the General nameplate rating of a 100kVAtransformer.

Rating of Transformer is 100kVA.

But Primary Voltages or High Voltages (H.V) is 11000 V = 11kV.

And Primary Current on High Voltage side is 5.25 Amperes.
Also Secondary voltages or Low Voltages (L.V) is 415 Volts
And Secondary Current (Current on Low voltages side) is 139.1 Amperes.

In simple words,
Transformer rating in kVA = 100 kVA
Primary Voltages = 11000 = 11kV
Primary Current = 5.25 A
Secondary Voltages = 415V
Secondary Current = 139.1 Amperes.

Now calculate for the rating of transformer according to

P=V x I (Primary voltage x primary current)
P = 11000V x 5.25A = 57,750 VA = 57.75kVA

Or P = V x I (Secondary voltages x Secondary Current)

P= 415V x 139.1A = 57,726 VA = 57.72kVA

Once again, we noticed that the rating of Transformer (on Nameplate) is 100kVA but according to
calculation…it comes about 57kVA…

The difference comes due to ignorance of that we used single phase formula instead of three
phase formula.

Now try with this formula

P = √3 x V x I
P=√3 Vx I (Primary voltage x primary current)
P =√3 x 11000V x 5.25A = 1.732 x 11000V x 5.25A = 100,025 VA = 100kVA
Or P = √3 x V x I (Secondary voltages x Secondary Current)
P= √3 x 415V x 139.1A = 1.732 x 415V x 139.1A= 99,985 VA = 99.98kVA

EXAMPLE 1:

Find the rating of transformer?

Consider the (next) following example.

Voltage (Line to line) = 208 V.
Current (Line Current) = 139 A

Now rating of the three phase transformer

P = √3 x V x I
P = √3 x 208 x 139A = 1.732 x 208 x 139
P = 50077 VA = 50kVA
EXAMPLE 2:

How to find primary and secondary side current of a 1500 kVA transformer (11kv/400v).

As we know
KVA = √3* V * I *1000
1500 = 1.7321 * 11000 * I
So
I = 1500* 1000 /1.7321/11000
I = 78.72 Amps
This is full load current of transformer
You can calculate current on 400 volts side.
11 KV voltage is phase to phase voltage.

EXAMPLE 3:

For 125kw load so how much rating of transformer is required.

kW = kVA x Cos (Ø) , Where Cos (Ø) = Pf…

Now Transformer rating in kVA = kW/Cos (Ø)
Now power factor (for instance P.f=0.9)
kVA = 125kW/0.9
kVA = 139kVA
For additional load in the future, 150kVA would be better than..