Auto-transformer connection and verification

Aim of the experiment: -

(i) To identify instantaneous polarities of a single phase transformer

(ii) To connect a 2-winding transformer as an Auto-Transformer and compare the kVA
capacities

Apparatus Required: -

Sl. Range / Rating Maker’s Maker’s No.

Name of item Quantity
No. Name
1 Single phase 1 1KVA, De DL 2093
transformer 220/24V, lorenzo
4.54A/40.5A
2 Single phase auto 1 4.05KVA, AE 205/D34485/4
Transformer 15A,
Output voltage-0-270V
3 Voltmeter 1 0-300V,MI MECO 10/11/012988
/222

Theory: -

Polarity test is conducted to identify the relative polarities of the two windings of a
transformer and put the corresponding ‘dot’ marks at the appropriate terminals.

The following steps are to be followed to perform the polarity test. Note that polarity test is
to be performed taking two coils at a time.

Step 1: Take the HV coil as primary reference coil (though any one of the two coils under
test can be taken as the reference).

Step 2: Connect one HV terminal to one LV terminal directly.

Step 3: Put a ‘dot’ mark on the other free terminal of HV as shown in Figure 3.1.

Step 4: Connect an AC voltmeter VT between this ‘dotted’ terminal of HV and the other
terminal of LV which is free. Set the range of this test voltmeter V T to be greater than the
summation of HV and LV voltage ratings. That is, if VHV is the voltage to be applied to HV,
and VLV is the voltage expected on LV as per the turns ration, then range of V T should be so
selected that VT> (VHV + VLV).

Step 5: Apply rated voltage (or lower) to the HV coil

Step 6: Measure the input reference voltage VHV, the test voltmeter voltage VT and the LV
voltage VLV.
 VT

H1
X1
A
C
VHV VLV

D
B X2
H2

Figure 3.1 Connection diagram for polarity test

Redrawing the connection diagram of Figure 3.1 in Figure 3.2, we see that the test voltmeter
reading will either be the summation of HV and LV voltages or may be difference of HV
and LV voltages depending on instantaneous polarities of the two coils.

For example, as shown in Figure 3.2 (a), if we observe that the test voltmeter reading is V T
= VHV + VLV, then the terminal D of LV must be having the same instantaneous polarity as
the terminal A of HV, so that the two voltages VHV and VLV are added together. Thus when
a ‘dot’ mark has already been put on terminal A, another ‘dot’ mark must be put on terminal
D of LV as shown in Figure 3.3 (a) indicating that these two terminals have same
instantaneous polarity. The connection of Figure 3.2 (a) is called “additive polarity”
connection.

H1 H1
A + A +
VHV VHV

B VT B VT
H2 - H2 -

X2 X2
+ -
D D
VLV VLV
C - C +
X1 X1

(a) (b)

Figure 3.2 Schematic diagram of polarity test (a) additive polarity connection (b)
subtractive polarity connection

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3.2 (b), if we observe that the test voltmeter reading
is VT = VHV - VLV, then the terminal D of LV must be having opposite instantaneous polarity
as the terminal A of HV, so that the output voltage V T is the difference between VHV and
VLV. Thus when a ‘dot’ mark has already been put on terminal A, another ‘dot’ mark must
be put on terminal C of LV as shown in Figure 3.3 (b) indicating that these two terminals
 have same instantaneous polarity. The connection of Figure 3.2 (b) is called “subtractive
polarity” connection.

A A
C C

D D
B B

(a) (b)

Figure 4.3 Dot markings to indicate respective polarity

Auto transformer connection:

Procedure:
1) Take a single phase 2-winding transformer
2) Connect it as both step up and step down auto-transformer both in additive as well as
subtractive polarity modes
3) Use a variac to give supply to the HV side, but be careful not to exceed the HV and LV
voltage ratings under any of the auto-transformer configurations
4) Measure input and output voltages of the auto-transformer configurations
5) Calculate input and output kVA with each configuration assuming rate current in the
secondary

A I1
C

(V1 -V2)
V2

B D

V1
Figure 4.4
Observation table:
(Repeat table for each of the auto-transformer configurations)

Configuration V1 V2 I1 I2 S1 S2 kVA
(Draw) ratio

INPUT
220V

OUTPUT

INPUT
220V

OUTPUT

OUTPUT

INPUT
220V

OUTPUT

INPUT
220V

INPUT
220V

OUTPUT
 INPUT
220V

OUTPUT

DISCUSSION: -

1. What is the drawback of auto-transformer?