AIR UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER

ENGINEERING
EXPERIMENT NO 3

Lab Title:
Student Name: Reg. No:

Objective:

LAB ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)
Ability to Conduct
Experiment
Ability to assimilate the
results
Effective use of lab
equipment and follows the
lab safety rules

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

LAB REPORT ASSESSMENT:

Excellent Good Average Satisfactory Unsatisfactory

Attributes
(5) (4) (3) (2) (1)

Data presentation

Experimental results

Conclusion

Total Marks: Obtained Marks:

Date: Signature:
 EXPERIMENT 03

Characteristics of Single-Phase Transformers

PART 3.1: Transformer Polarity

Objectives
 To determine and use transformer polarities to properly connect /separate windings.
 Observe the voltages add (series-aiding) or subtract (series-opposing).

Equipment required

 EMS Workstation
 Single Phase Transformer Module
 Power Supply
 Connection Leads and Accessories
 Data Acquisition Module

Discussion

When the primary winding of a transformer is energized by an ac source, an alternating magnetic flux is
established in the iron core. This alternating flux links, or couples, the turns of each winding on the transformer
and induces ac voltages in the windings. Polarity might seem to be of minor importance for transformers since
they are ac devices. However, when two or more windings are connected together, their relative instantaneous
polarities have a significant effect on the resulting net voltage. If the voltage in one winding is at its maximum
positive peak when the voltage in another winding is at its maximum negative peak, i.e. they are 180o out
of phase, they will oppose each other and the resulting voltage will be the difference between the two. For
this reason, standards have been adopted for marking the polarity of transformer leads. In North American
standards, the high-voltage leads are identified H1 and H2, and low voltage leads are marked X1 and X2.
When H1 is instantaneously positive, X1 is also instantaneously positive. This system of marking allows
transformers to be properly connected so that winding voltages will add or subtract as desired. Other types
of markings are also used to identify the polarity of transformers, and transformer terminals could be marked
with dots, crosses, numerals, or other convenient symbols. In Figure 6 dots have been used in the schematic
drawing of a transformer and its windings.

Figure 1. Transformer Polarity Markings

When we speak of the polarity of transformer windings, we are identifying all terminals that have the
same polarity, either negative or positive, at any instant in time. The dots used in Figure 1 indicate that at
a given instant in time, when terminal 1 is positive with respect to terminal 2, then

terminal 3 is positive with respect to terminal 4, terminal 6 is positive with respect to terminal 5,
terminal 7 is positive with respect to terminal 8, terminal 10 is positive with respect to terminal 9.
Note that a terminal cannot be positive by itself, it can only be positive with respect to another terminal.
Therefore, terminals 1, 3, 6, 7 and 10 are all positive with respect
to terminals 2, 4, 5, 8 and 9 at any given instant in time.

When two dc cells or batteries are connected in series to obtain a higher output voltage, the positive
terminal of one battery must be connected to the negative terminal of the other. In the same manner, if
two transformer windings are to be connected in series so that their voltages add, the marked terminal of
one of the windings must be connected to the unmarked terminal of the other winding. Conversely, if two
transformer windings are to be connected in series so that their voltages subtract, the marked terminal of
one of the windings must be connected to the marked terminal of the other winding.
It is also very important to respect polarities when connecting transformer windings having the same
nominal voltage in parallel to share the current supplied to a load. Connecting transformer windings in
parallel with opposite polarities will cause a large current to flow in the windings. An exercise in the next
unit of this manual deals with parallel connections of transformers.
There are two methods for determining the polarity of a transformer, one using a dc source, the other an ac
source. In the dc method, a dc voltmeter is connected across the secondary winding and a small dc voltage is
applied to the primary. The direction in which the voltmeter pointer deflects when power is turned on will
indicate the polarity of the secondary winding. The pointer will deflect to the right if the secondary winding
terminal to which the voltmeter positive probe is connected has the same polarity as the primary winding
terminal to which the positive side of the source is connected. If it deflects to the left, the primary and
secondary terminals have opposite polarities. With the ac source method, an ac voltage is connected to
the primary winding which is temporarily connected in series with the secondary. The voltage across the
series combination will be less than the applied voltage if the two terminals that are interconnected have the
same polarity. If the voltage is greater, the interconnected terminals have opposite polarities. Figure 2
illustrates both methods of determining transformer polarity.

Figure 2. Methods for Determining Transformer Polarity.

Procedure
Caution!

High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make or modify any banana jack
connections with the power on unless otherwise specified!

1. Install the Power Supply, data acquisition module, and Single-Phase Transformer module in the EMS
Workstation.
2. Make sure that the main switch of the Power Supply is set to the O (OFF) position, and the voltage
control knob is turned fully ccw. Set the voltmeter select switch to the 4-N position, and then ensure the
Power Supply is connected to a three-phase wall receptacle.
3. Ensure that the POWER INPUT of the data acquisition module is connected to the main Power Supply,
and ensure the USB port cable from the computer is connected to the data acquisition module. Set the
24V-AC power switch to the I (ON) position. Open the LVDAC-EMS software and display the
Metering window.
4. Set up the transformer circuit in Figure 3, and connect terminals 1 and 5 together as shown. Note that
the ac input power in this circuit is connected at winding 3-4.

Figure 3. Transformer Windings Connected in Series.

5. Turn on the power and adjust the voltage control to set ES at exactly 50% of the rated voltage for winding
3-4. Note that the rated voltage is the sum of the intermediate winding voltages between terminals 3 and
4. Measure and record the voltages at transformer windings 1-2, 5-6, and 2-6. Note that E2-6 is obtained by
using the metering function E2 + E3.

E1-2 = V E5-6 = V E2-6 = V

6. Are the windings connected in series-aiding, or series-opposing?

Note: The voltage measured between terminals 2 and 6 is normally around

zero volts, meaning that the windings are connected so that the voltages
subtract from each other. Transformer polarity can be determined in this
manner because the voltage across two interconnected windings will be less
than the applied voltage when the interconnected terminals have the same
polarity.
7. Return the voltage control to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Disconnect terminals 1 and 5, and
connect terminals 1 and 6 together. Reverse connections to meter input E3. If this new connection is
series-aiding, what will be the value of E2-5 when the same voltage of step 5 is applied to winding 3-4?

8. Turn on the power and once again set ES at exactly 50% of the rated voltage for winding 3-4. Measure
and record the voltages at transformer windings 1-2, 5-6, and 2-5 indicated on the meters. Note that E2-
5 is obtained by using the metering function E2 + E3.

E1-2 = V E5-6 = V E2-5 = V

9. Is the value obtained for E2-5 the same as predicted in step 7? 󠄁 Yes 󠄁 No

10. Return the voltage control to zero, turn off the power supply and remove the connection between terminals
1 and 6. What are the two voltages which can be obtained across the series combination of windings 3-4 and
1-2 when the same voltage as that in step 8 is applied to winding 3-4?
11. Connect terminals 1 and 4 together, turn on the power and set ES at exactly 50% of the rated voltage for
winding 3-4. Measure and record the voltages at transformer windings 1-2, and 2-3 using meter inputs
E2 and E3. E1-2 = V E2-3 = V
12. Return the voltage control to zero and turn off the power supply. Disconnect terminals 1 and 4, and
connect terminals 1 and 3 together.
13. Interchange the connections at input E2 of the data acquisition module.
14. Turn on the power and set ES at exactly 50% of the rated voltage for winding 3-4. Measure and record the
voltage at transformer winding 2-4. E2-4 = V
15. How do the results of steps 11 and 14 compare with the predictions in step 10?

16. Which sets of terminals have the same polarity, 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 1 and 4, or 2 and 3?

17. Ensure that the Power Supply is turned off, the voltage control is fully ccw, and remove all leads and
cables.
PART 3.2: Transformer Regulation

Objectives
 To determine the voltage regulation of a transformer with varying loads
 Observe capacitive and inductive loading on transformer regulation
 Observe load regulation curves

Equipment required

 EMS Workstation
 Single Phase Transformer Module
 Power Supply
 Connection Leads and Accessories
 Data Acquisition Module
 Resistive, Capacitive and Inductive load

Discussion

The load on a large power transformer in a sub-station will vary from a very small value in the early hours
of the morning to a very high value during the heavy peaks of maximum industrial and commercial activity.
The transformer secondary voltage will vary somewhat with the load, and because motors, incandescent
lamps, and heating devices are all quite sensitive to voltage changes, transformer regulation is of considerable
importance. The secondary voltage also depends upon whether the power factor of the load is leading,
lagging, or unity. Therefore, it should be known how the transformer will behave (its voltage regulation)
when connected to a capacitive, an inductive, or a resistive load. Transformer voltage regulation in percent is
determined with the following formula:

where ENL is the no-load secondary voltage

EFL is the full-load secondary voltage

The result (a percentage value) obtained gives an indication of transformer behavior under load. The smaller
the voltage regulation percentage, the smaller the secondary voltage variation with load, and the better the
voltage regulation. Note that ENL is measured with the secondary winding open while EFL is measured
when nominal current flows in the secondary winding.

Several factors affect a transformer's operation. The resistance and inductive reactance of its windings cause
internal voltage drops that vary with the amount of current flowing in the windings. If the secondary is lightly
loaded, current through the winding resistance and reactance is small and the internal voltage drops are not
significant. As the load increases, current and internal voltage drops also increase. If a transformer were
perfectly ideal, its windings would have neither resistance nor inductive reactance to cause voltage drops.
Such a transformer would have perfect regulation under all load conditions and the secondary voltage would
remain absolutely constant. But practical transformer coils are made of real wire, and thereby, have
resistance and inductive reactance. Therefore, the primary and secondary windings have an overall
resistance R, and an overall reactance X. The simplified equivalent circuit of a practical transformer with a
1:1 turns ratio can be approximated by the circuit shown in Figure 4. The actual transformer terminals are
P1, P2 on the primary side, and S1, S2 on the secondary side.
 Figure 4. Simplified Equivalent Circuit of a Practical Transformer.

In this equivalent circuit, the practical transformer is shown to be made up of an ideal transformer in
series with an impedance consisting of R and X that represents the imperfections of the
transformer. When a load (Z) is connected to the secondary winding terminals (terminals S1 and
S2), a series ac circuit consisting of the secondary winding of the ideal transformer, R, X, and Z is
obtained. Analysis of this series ac circuit shows that when the load is either resistive or inductive,
the load voltage decreases continuously as the load increases (as the secondary current increases).
Furthermore, when the load is capacitive, the load voltage increases to a maximum as the load
increases from zero (no load condition), and then, the load voltage decreases as the load continues
to increase.

Procedure

CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make or

modify any banana jack connections with the power on unless
otherwise specified!

1. Install the Power Supply, data acquisition module, Single-Phase Transformer, Resistive Load,
Capacitive Load, and Inductive Load modules in the EMS Workstation.
2. Make sure that the main switch of the Power Supply is set to the O (OFF) position, and the voltage
control knob is turned fully ccw. Set the voltmeter select switch to the 4-N position, and then ensure the
Power Supply is connected to a three-phase wall receptacle.
3. Ensure that the POWER INPUT of the data acquisition module is connected to the main Power Supply,
and ensure the USB port cable from the computer is connected to the data acquisition module. Set the
24V - AC power switch to the I (ON) position. Open the LVDAC-EMS software and display the
Metering application.
4. Set up the transformer loading circuit shown in Figure 5. Ensure that all switches on the Resistive,
Capacitive, and Inductive Load modules are open, and connect meter inputs E1, E2, I1, I2 as shown in
the figure. Different load values will be used to examine how the secondary (load) voltage changes as
transformer loading changes.
 Figure 5. Transformer with a Variable Load.

5. Turn on the main Power Supply and adjust the main voltage control to obtain the value of ES given in
Figure 10. With no load on the transformer (all switches open on the load module), click the Record
Data button to enter the measurements for EPRI, IPRI, ESEC, and ISEC in the Data Table.
6. Adjust the switches on the Resistive Load module to successively obtain the resistance values given in
Table 1. For each resistance value, record the measurements as in step 5. When all data values have been
recorded, rotate the voltage control fully ccw, and turn off the Power Supply.

LINE
VOLTAGE R, XL, XC R, XL, XC R, XL, XC R, XL, XC R, XL, XC

V Ω Ω Ω Ω Ω

120 1 200 600 400 300 240

4400 2200 1467 1100 880

220
(100) (010) (110) (001) (101)

240 4800 2400 1600 1200 960

Table 1. Values for R, XL, and XC.

Paste the values of the Data Table here.

7. Display the Graph window, select E2 (ESEC) as the Y-axis parameter, and I2 (ISEC) as the X-axis
parameter. Make sure the line graph format and the linear scale are selected.
Paste the Graph here.
8. Observe the curve of secondary voltage versus current. What happens to the secondary voltage as the
resistive load increases, i.e. load resistance decreases?

9. Calculate the voltage regulation using the no-load (R=∞) and full-load (R =minimum value) output
voltages.

10. Use the Clear Data Table button in the Data Table window to clear the data, and then replace the Resistive
Load module in the circuit of Figure 5 with the Inductive Load module.

11. Turn on the main Power Supply and adjust the main voltage control to obtain the value of ES given in
Figure 5. With no load on the transformer (all switches open on the load module), click the Record Data
button to enter the measurements for EPRI, IPRI, ESEC, and ISEC in the Data Table.
12. Adjust the switches on the Inductive Load module to successively obtain the reactance values given in
Table 1. For each reactance value, record the measurements as in step 11. When all data values have
been recorded, rotate the voltage control fully ccw, and turn off the Power Supply.
Paste the values of the Data Table here.

13. Display the Graph window, select E2 (ESEC) as the Y-axis parameter, and I2 (ISEC) as the X-axis
parameter. Make sure the line graph format and the linear scale are selected.
Paste the Graph here.

14. Observe the curve of secondary voltage versus current. How does the secondary voltage vary as the
inductive load increases?

15. Use the Clear Data Table button in the Data Table window to clear the data, and then replace the Inductive
Load module in the circuit of Figure 5 with the Capacitive Load module.
16. Turn on the main Power Supply and adjust the main voltage control to obtain the value of ES given in
Figure 5. With no load on the transformer (all switches open on the load module), click the Record Data
button to enter the measurements for EPRI, IPRI, ESEC, and ISEC in the Data Table.
17. Adjust the switches on the Capacitive Load module to successively obtain the reactance values given
in Table 1. For each reactance value, record the measurements as in step 16. When all data values have
been recorded, rotate the voltage control fully ccw, and turn off the Power Supply.
Paste the values of the Data Table here.

18. Display the Graph window, select E2 (ESEC) as the Y-axis parameter, and I2 (ISEC) as the X-axis
parameter. Make sure the line graph format and the linear scale are selected.
Paste the Graph here.

19. Observe the curve of secondary voltage versus current. How does the secondary voltage vary as the
capacitive load increases?

20. What differences do you observe between the three load curves?

21. Ensure that the Power Supply is turned off, the voltage control is fully ccw, and remove all leads and
cables.

Conclusion:
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________