ADELECT/ELENG12/
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS 2
TOPICS IN
TRANSFORMERS
1. Definition of transformers
2. Types and uses of transformers
3. General Transformer Voltage Equation
4. Ratio of Transformation
5. Equivalent Parameters of A Transformer in
Primary and Secondary Terms
6. Voltage Regulation of Transformers
DEFINITION
A passive electrical device that
transforms and transfers alternating
current energy from one circuit to
another through magnetic induction.
Electrical conversion can be in terms of
voltages and/or current.
A device consisting of two or more
circuits or winding coupled by a
common magnetic circuit
DEFINITION OF PARTS
DEFINITION OF PARTS
The two major parts of the transformer are the CORE and
WINDINGS.
1.CORES are made up of ferromagnetic materials usually silicon
steel because of its high permeability to reduce magnetizing current.
The core can be made with laminated steel (laminated or insulated
using non-conductive materials such as varnish), toroidal (copper
wire wrapped around a cylindrical core), solid cores (also made-up of
silicon steel usually used for instrument current transformers) and air
core. A new type of core is the AMORPHOUS STEEL CORE. This is
presently used for smaller distribution transformers due to its high
cost of production but the amorphous steel core boasts to have zero
losses. Making it cheaper in terms of total ownership cost.
For further readings on CORES see lecture 5
DEFINITION OF PARTS
2. WINDINGS. Made up of conductive materials
that induces magnetic induction from the
primary to the secondary side of the
transformer. Each turn of the windings is
individually insulated from each other to
ensure that the current travels throughout
every turn of the winding.
For further readings on windings see Lecture 5
DEFINITION OF PARTS
Other parts of the transformer are the
TERMINALS and the COOLING SYSTEM.
3. TERMINALS. Large transformers have heavy
bolted terminals, bus bars or high insulated
bushings made of polymers or porcelain.
Bushings are usually rated according to the
voltage level of the terminal to ensure that there is
enough creepage distance between phases.
For further readings on terminals see Lecture 5
DEFINITION OF PARTS
4. COOLING SYSTEM. Large transformers generate enough
heat and high temperatures that may damage the winding
insulation. To avoid the breakdown of the varnish, power
transformers (rated in several hundred kVA or MVA) are
cooled by natural convective cooling by the use of fans. This
is the FA or forced air rating of the transformers. Some power
transformers are immersed in highly refined mineral oils that
remain stable at transformer operating temperature. Increase
in oil temperature can be detected using Buchholz relays.
For further readings on cooling systems/coolant see Lecture 5
TYPES AND USES
There are many ways to classify the transformers. In
terms of the type of cores used, the two major types of
transformers are
1. Air-core transformers. Using air as the medium of
magnetic induction to transfer the electric energy between
circuits
2. Iron-Core Transformers. This is the more common
type of transformer using ferromagnetic material as core
to increase permeability and concentrate the path of the
magnetic flux in the circuit. Most common type of
ferromagnetic material used today is the silicone steel.
TYPES AND USES
In terms of the function in power transformers, the two major
types of transformers are
1. Step up transformers. The general function of this type
transformers is to increase (step-up) the transformer of the
input voltage from the primary side to the secondary side.
One of the most important use is in power generation plants
to increase voltage before transmission.
2. Step down Transformers. The general function of this
type transformers is to lower (step-down) the transformer of
the input voltage from the primary side to the secondary
side. One of the most important use is in power generation
plants to lower the voltage for safer distribution voltage.
TYPES AND USES
In terms of the type of cooling system in power
transformers, the major types of transformers are
1. Oil immersed transformers. This type of transformers
use oil as coolant. The whole core and winding
components are immersed mineral oil which act as
coolant and insulation.
2. Dry Type Transformers. The general function of this
type transformers is to lower (step-down) the transformer
of the input voltage from the primary side to the
secondary side. One of the most important use is in
power generation plants to lower the voltage for safer
distribution voltage.
TYPES AND USES
1. Autotransformers
2. Polyphase Transformers
3. Leakage Transformers
4. Resonant Transformers
5. Audio Transformers
6. Instrument Transformers
