Menschen für Menschen Foundation

Agro – Technical and Technology College

Electrical and Electronics Technology Department

Electrical Machine (EET 4323)

Chapter Two
Transformers

Prepared By Semret M. 2024 G.C.

 Out-lines

▪ Introduction about Transformers,

▪ Autotransformers,
▪ Inrush Current
▪ Harmonic
▪ Parallel Operation Transformers
▪ Multi winding Transformers,
▪ Design Aspects of Transformers.
 Introduction
▪ A transformer is a static device (have no moving part) that transfers electrical energy from one electrical
circuit to another electrical circuit through the process of electromagnetic induction with the same frequency.

▪ The transformer (Tf) has 2 or more stationary electrical circuits which are magnetically coupled together.

▪ Transformer is not an energy converting machine.

▪ The electric circuit which receives energy from the supply is called primary winding and the other circuit
which delivers electrical energy to load is called secondary winding.

▪ The most important tasks performed by transformers are:-

i. Changing V and I levels in electrical power systems,
ii. Matching source and load impedances for maximum power transfer in a circuit,
iii. Electrical isolation (isolating one circuit from another).
 Type of Transformer
Types of transformer based on the transformer's core
a. Core Type Transformer
b. Shell Type Transformer
c. Berry Type Transformer

Types of transformer based on voltage conversion

a. Step Up Transformer
b. Step Down Transformer

Types of transformer based on its purpose

a. Power Transformer
b. Distribution Transformer
c. Isolation Transformer
d. CT & VT Transformer

Transformer types based on the number of phases

a. Single Phase Transformer
b. Three Phase Transformer
 Ideal transformer
▪ An ideal transformer: is one that does not have any losses such as copper or core. The o/p
power of this transformer is equal to the i/p power. This transformer's efficiency is 100%,
which means there is no power loss within the transformer.
 Practical transformer
▪ Practical Transformer: The primary and secondary windings have finite resistance. It has a
certain amount of leakage flux, which means all the flux is not confined to the core.
Transformer losses
 Equivalent Circuit of Electrical Transformer
• An equivalent circuit of a transformer: is a graphical representation of a transformer circuit in which
the resistance and leakage reactance are imagined to be external to the winding. The exact
equivalent circuit of a transformer can be referred to as the primary or secondary side.

Where,
• V1 = Supply voltage to the primary winding
• V2 = Load voltage
• V1 = E 1 + I1 Z 1
• E2 = V 2 + I2 Z 2
 Autotransformers
▪ Auto-transformer is a one-winding transformer in which a part of the winding is common to both high-
voltage and low-voltage sides.

▪ In this transformer, the primary and secondary are not each other.

▪ Its theory and operation are similar to a two-winding transformer.

▪ In a step-down auto transformer, the primary voltage is greater than secondary voltage.

▪ The supply voltage is applied to the full winding ABC and the load is connected across the secondary
terminals BC.

Autotransformers: (a) step-down; (b) step-up.

Cont…
▪ The input voltage V1 is connected to the complete winding ac and the load RL is connected across the
winding bc.
▪ V2 is related to V1 as in conventional two-winding transformer, i.e.,
𝑁𝑏𝑐
𝑉2 = 𝑉1 …………………………………………(1.26)
𝑁𝑎𝑐
where 𝑁𝑏𝑐 and 𝑁𝑎𝑐 are the number of turns on the respective windings.
▪ The ratio of voltage transformation in an autotransformer is the same as that for an ordinary transformer,
𝑵 𝑽 𝑰
namely, 𝐤 = 𝒂𝒄 = 𝟏 = 𝟐 , k>1 for step down .………..………………(1.27)
𝑵𝒃𝒄 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟏

▪ Assuming that the transformer is 100% efficient, the power output is: 𝑷𝒐 = 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟐 ….….(1.28)

▪ Note: 𝑰𝟏 flows in winding ab, whereas (𝐼2 − 𝐼1 ) flows in winding bc. The resulting current flowing in winding
bc is always the arithmetic difference between 𝐼1 and 𝐼2 , since they are always opposite.
▪ Remember that the induced voltage in the primary opposes the primary voltage. As a result, the current caused
by the induced voltage flows opposite to the input current.
Cont…
▪ In an autotransformer, secondary I is this induced current, 𝑰𝟐 = 𝑰𝟏 + (𝑰𝟐 − 𝑰𝟏 )....(1.29)
𝑁𝑎𝑐
▪ Hence the ampere-turns due to section bc = (𝐼2 −𝐼1 )𝑁𝑏𝑐 = (𝑘𝐼1 − 𝐼1 )
𝑘
1
= 𝐼1 𝑁𝑎𝑐 (1− ) = 𝐼1 𝑁𝑎𝑏 = ampere-turns due to section ab.
𝑘
𝑁𝑎𝑐
where 𝑰𝟐 = 𝒌𝑰𝟏 and 𝑁𝑏𝑐 = .
𝑘
▪ Thus the ampere-turns due to sections bc and ab balance each other, a characteristic of all
transformer actions.
▪ From eqns. (1.28) and (1.29), 𝑷𝒐 = 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟐 = 𝑉2 (𝐼1 + (𝐼2 − 𝐼1 ))
= 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟏 + 𝑽𝟐 (𝑰𝟐 − 𝑰𝟏 )…………………………………(1.30)
▪ This indicates that the load P consists of 2 parts:-
▪ The first part is 𝑷𝒄 = 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟏 is the conducted power to the load through ab, and
▪ The second part is 𝑷𝒕𝒓 = 𝑽𝟐 (𝑰𝟐 − 𝑰𝟏 ) is the transformed power to the load through bc.
Cont…
𝑃𝑐 𝑉2 𝐼1 𝐼1 1
▪ The ratio of 𝑃𝑐 to 𝑃𝑜 is = = = and
𝑃𝑜 𝑉2 𝐼2 𝐼2 𝑘
𝑃𝑡𝑟 𝑉2 (𝐼2 −𝐼1 ) (𝐼2 −𝐼1 ) (𝑘−1)
▪ The ratio of 𝑃𝑡𝑟 to 𝑃𝑜 is = = =
𝑃𝑜 𝑉2 𝐼2 𝐼2 𝑘
𝑷𝒐 𝑃𝑜 (𝑘−1)
▪ Thus 𝑷𝒄 = and 𝑃𝑡𝑟 = with k>1 for step-down autotransformer.
𝒌 𝑘

Example 1.2: A standard 5kVA 2300/230V distribution transformer is connected as an

autotransformer to step down the voltage from 2530V to 2300V. The 230V winding is section
ab, the 2300V winding is bc. Compare the KVA rating of the autotransformer with that of the
original two-winding transformer. Also calculate Pc, Ptr, and the currents.
Cont….
Solution:
𝑺 5000
▪ The rated current in the 230V winding (in ab) is, 𝑰𝟏 = = = 21.74𝐴.
𝑽𝒂𝒃 230
𝑺 5000
▪ The rated current in the 2300V winding (in bc) is,(𝑰𝟐 −𝑰𝟏 ) = = = 2.174𝐴.
𝑽𝟐 2300
2530
▪ Therefore, 𝐼2 = 2.174 + 21.74 = 23.914𝐴,or 𝐼2 = 𝑘𝐼1 = ∗ 21.74 = 23.914𝐴, k = 1.1
2300
▪ The total power, 𝑷𝑻 = 𝑽𝟏 𝑰𝟏 = 𝑽𝟐 𝑰𝟐 = 2530 ∗ 21.74 = 2300 ∗ 23.914 = 55.002𝑘𝑉𝐴.
𝑷𝒐 55.002
▪ The conducted power is, 𝑷𝒄 = = = 50𝑘𝑉𝐴.
𝒌 1.1
(𝒌−𝟏) 1.1−1
▪ The transformed power is, 𝑷𝒕𝒓 = 𝑷𝒐 = 55 = 5𝑘𝑉𝐴.
𝒌 1.1
Cont….

Considering now the step-up transformer, the following reasons similar to those above.
𝑃𝑇 = 𝑉1 𝐼1 = 𝑉1 (𝐼2 + (𝐼1 − 𝐼2 ))
𝑷𝑻 = 𝑽𝟏 𝑰𝟐 + 𝑽𝟏 (𝑰𝟏 − 𝑰𝟐 ).……………………..…………(1.31)

▪ 𝑷𝒄 = 𝑽𝟏 𝑰𝟐 , and 𝑃𝑡𝑟 = 𝑉1 (𝐼1 − 𝐼2 )

𝑃𝑐 𝑉1 𝐼2 𝐼2 𝑃𝑡𝑟 𝑉1 (𝐼1 −𝐼2 ) (𝐼1 −𝐼2 )
▪ = = = 𝑘, and = = = (1 − 𝑘), with k < 1.
𝑃𝑇 𝑉2 𝐼1 𝐼1 𝑃𝑇 𝑉1 𝐼1 𝐼1
 Exercise
▪ In all applications using autotransformer it should be realized that the primary and secondary
circuits are not electrically isolated, since one input terminal is common with one output
terminal.
Exercise: Repeat the problem of Example 1.2 for a 2300V-to-2530V step-up connection.
 Advantages, Disadvantages & Application of Autotransformers.

✓Advantages:
• Less copper is used in for construction of its core,
• Low cost,
• Less size and
• More Efficiency

✓ Dis-advantages
• Not suitable for large percentage voltage reductions
• There is no insulation between supply and load so, there may be a chance of short circuit since they are
directly connected.

✓ Applications:
• Transform medium voltage, e.g. 132KV to 66 KV,
• Compensate the voltage drop in distribution cable,
• Used in induction motors, electric furnaces and electric locomotive for control (voltage stabilizer),
Difference Between Two Winding and Auto-transformer
 Inrush current
Transformer Inrush current

✓ Inrush current is described as the magnitude of instantaneous current drawn by a

line-frequency power transformer at the time the core is energized;

▪ it’s of short duration, often milliseconds.

✓ inrush current is a time-dependent phenomenon caused by a coincidental set of

circumstances that must occur simultaneously at the moment of switch on.

✓ Transformer inrush currents are drawn by the high saturation of the iron core during
the switching On of the transformer.
 Inrush current Cont….
❖When a Tf is taken off-line, a certain amount of residual flux remains in the core due to the properties
of the magnetic core material.
❖ The residual flux can be as much as 50 to 90% of the maximum operating flux, depending the type of core
steel.

❖ When V is re-applied to the Tf, the flux introduced by this source voltage builds upon that already
existing in the core.

❖ In order to maintain level of flux in the core: which can be well into the saturation range of the core steel
and the Tf can draw current well in excess of the transformer’s rated full-load current.

❖ Depending on the Tf design, the magnitude of this current inrush can be 3.5 to 40 times the rated full-load
current.
Inrush current Cont….
 Inrush current Cont….

❖The magnitude inrush current depends on the instantt of the voltage

wave at which the transformer is connected to supply:

1. when the transformer is switched on at the instant of zero input voltage the
inrush current is maximum.
2. when the transformer is switched on at the instant of maximum input
voltage the inrush current is minimum.
 Harmonics

• Harmonics: are a mathematical way of describing distortion to a voltage or currents

wave form with an integer multiples of the fundamental power frequency

• If the fundamental power frequency is 60 Hz, then the 2nd harmonic is 120 Hz, the

3rd is 180 Hz, etc.

• In modern test equipment today harmonics can be measured up to the 63rd harmonic.

• Harmonic frequencies from the 3rd to the 25th are the most common range of

frequencies measured in electrical distribution systems.

 Harmonics Cont…
Harmonics are caused by the by-product of modern electronic equipment such as,

❖ personal computers, laser printers, fax machines, telephone systems, radios, TVs, variable frequency drives,
Battery chargers, and any other equipment powered by switched-mode power supply (SMPS) equipment.

✓ These non-linear loads draw current in high amplitude short pulses.

➢ These current pulses create significant distortion in the electrical current and voltage wave shape.

➢ This is referred to as a harmonic distortion and is measured in Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).

The distortion travels back into the power source and can effect other equipment connected to the same source
 Parallel Operation Transformers
▪ Parallel operation Tf: mean two or more transformers are connected to the same supply
bus bars on the primary side and to a common bus bar/load on the secondary side.
▪ When electric power is supplied to a locality, a single transformer is installed, capable of
handling the required power demand.
▪ It may be preferable to install two or more Tf in parallel, instead of one large unit.
 Parallel Operation Tf Cont…
▪ Though two or more transformers may be expensive than one large unit, yet this scheme
posses certain advantages.

1. With two or more transformers, power system becomes more reliable.

✓ For instance if one transformer develops a fault, it can be removed and the other transformers can
maintain the flow of power, though at reduced load.

2. Transformers can be switched on or off, depending upon the power demand. In this
manner.
✓ The transformer losses decrease and the system becomes more economical and efficient in operation.
3. The cost of standby (or spare) unit is much less when two or more transformers are
installed.
▪ In any case, in the long run, electric power demand may become more than rated KVA
capacity of existing Tf. Under such circumstances, the need for extra transformer arises; the
extra unit must be connected in parallel.
 Parallel Operation Tf Cont…

▪ There are various conditions that must be fulfilled for the successful parallel operation of
transformers.

a) The transformer must have the same voltage ratios,

✓ i.e. with the primaries connected to the same voltage sources, the secondary voltage of all
transformers should be equal in magnitude.

b) The per unit (pu) leakage impedance of Tf based on their KVA rating must be equal.

c) The ratio of equivalent leakage reactance to equivalent resistance

✓ i.e. Xe/Re should be the same for all transformers.

d) The transformers should have the same polarity (strictly must be full filled).
 Parallel Operation Tf Cont…
➢ If the secondary terminals are connected with wrong polarities, large circulating currents will
flow and the transformers may get damaged.
➢ Condition (a) should be satisfied as accurately as possible.

Zero voltmeter reading indicates proper polarities.

If the voltmeter reads the sum of two secondary voltages, the

polarities are improper and can be corrected by reversing the
secondary terminals of any one of the transformers.
 Multi-Winding Transformers

▪ Transformers having three or more windings, known as multi winding transformers.

▪ They interconnects three or more circuits which may have different voltages.
▪ For these purposes a multi winding Tf costs less and is more efficient than an equivalent number of two-
winding transformers.
▪ Tf having a primary and multiple secondaries are frequently found in multiple-output dc power supplies for
electronic applications.
▪ Distribution transformers used to supply power for domestic purposes usually have two 120V secondaries
connected in series.
✓ Circuits for lighting and low-power applications are connected across each of the 120V windings,
✓ while electric ranges, domestic hot-water heaters, clothes-dryers, and other high-power loads are supplied with 240V
power from the series-connected secondaries.
▪ Similarly, a large distribution system may be supplied through a three-phase bank of multi winding
transformers from two or more transmission systems having different voltages.
 Design aspects of Transformers

▪ Reading Assignment.