TRANSFORMERS

VETRISELVI N
AP IN PHSYIOTHEARPY
SPT, PIMS
SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION
DEFINITION
TYPES
PRINCIPLE
CONSTRUCTION
WORKING
EDDY CURRENTS
EDDY CURRENTS USES
DEFINTION

• A transformer is a static electrical

device that transmits AC power from
one circuit to another at a constant
frequency, but the voltage level
may be changed, implying the
voltage can be increased or
decreased depending on the
requirement.
Types of Transformer

• Types of Transformer
• Transformer types based on Voltage Level

• There are primarily two types of Transformer based on

the operating voltage. The following are some of them:
Step-down Transformer:

• The primary voltage is converted to a lower voltage

across the secondary output using a step-down
transformer. The number of windings on the primary
side of a step-down transformer is more than on the
secondary side. As a result, the overall secondary-to-
primary winding ratio will always be less than one.
Step-down transformer are used in electrical systems
that distribute electricity over long distances and
operate at extremely high voltages to ensure minimum
loss and economical solutions. Step-down transformer
are used to change high-voltage into low-voltage
supply lines.
Step-up Transformer:

• The secondary voltage of a step-up transformer is

raised from the low primary voltage. Because the
primary winding has fewer turns than the secondary
winding in this sort of transformer, the ratio of the
primary to secondary winding will be greater than one.
Step-up transformer are frequently used in electronics
stabilizers, inverters, and other devices that convert
low voltage to a significantly higher voltage. A step-up
transformer is also used in the distribution of electrical
power. For applications connected to power
distribution, high voltage is necessary. In the grid, a
step-up transformer is used to raise the voltage level
prior to distribution.
 INTRODUCTION
• Transformer is the simplest device that is used to transfer
electrical energy from one alternating-current circuit to
another circuit or multiple circuits, through the process of
electromagnetic induction.
• A transformer works on the principle of electromagnetic
induction to step up or step down voltage. Transformer either
increases AC voltage (Step-up transformer) or decreases AC
voltage (Step-down transformer).
• Transformer which is normally utilized in the transmission and
distribution of alternating current power is fundamentally a
voltage control device.
• Transformer are used for a wide range of purposes, including
increasing the voltage from electric generators to enable long-
distance transmission of electricity and decreasing the voltage
of conventional power circuits to run low-voltage devices like
doorbells and toy electric trains.
Power is transmitted at higher voltages to load centers
stepping up the voltage of generation.
The transmitted power cannot be used directly at load
centers, as it is at a higher voltage.
Most of the consumer services are at LT level i.e. 400 or
415 V (phase to phase) or 230 or 240 V (phase to neutral).
Hence there is a need to step down the voltage in different
stages, before it reaches the consumers.
This stepping up and stepping down of voltages keeping
the transmitted power the same, except for little losses is
carried out by an equipment called transformer.
WHAT IS A TRANSFORMER?

It is an equipment which converts supply at one

AC voltage rating into supply at another voltage
rating, without changing the total apparent power
in KVA and without changing the frequency of the
system.
Michael Faraday is the father of transformer and his
law of magnetic induction led to the discovery of
transformer.
The law says : "EMF is induced in a closed conducting
circuit when the magnetic flux linked with that circuit
changes with time and EMF is proportional to the rate
of change of the magnetic flux.
BASIC PRINCIPLE
Transformer comprises a closed magnetic circuit called
core.
Two or more windings are placed on the core as per design
criteria.
The operating frequency in our country is 50 C/S. Core
provides a high permeability path to the magnetic circuit
besides supporting the winding.
When 50 C/S supply is given to a winding called primary
winding, it sets up an alternating magnetic flux of 50 C/S in
the core.
As the core provides high permeability path and as the
second winding is provided on the same core, the magnetic
flux linked with the secondary winding also alternates at the
same frequency of 50 C/S.
This alternating flux there, sets up an EMF in the
secondary winding as per the Faraday's law.
The EMF induced in the secondary winding is at the
same frequency as that of magnetic flux and primary
current.
However, its direction is opposite to the applied
voltage.
If a load is connected to the secondary winding, the
EMF drives a current.
The change in the voltage is accomplished by the
difference in the number of turns in the primary and
secondary windings.
The induced EMF has the same voltage per turn as the
primary winding (when secondary is without any
electrical load).
If N1 and N2 are number of turns in primary and secondary
winding, then when secondary is not connected to any
electrical load,
N1/ N2 = V1/V2 (V1 and V2 are voltages in primary and
secondary winding .
When corresponding currents are I1 and I2, as transferred
apparent power is the same,
KVA = I1 V1 = I2 V2
V1/ V2 = I2/ I1 = N1/ N2
Under ideal conditions, primary ampere turns are equal to
the secondary ampere turns.
I1N1 = I2N2
The transformer can be used only in Alternate Current
(AC) system but not in Direct Current (DC) system.
When DC supply of the same voltage is applied to the
transformer, a very high current will pass in it, as in the
DC system there won't be reactance and the resistance
is too small.
Unless there is a protective system, the transformer
will fail in a quick time due to the over current.
ADVANTAGES OF TRANSFORMER
a) It is a stationary equipment without any internal rotating
parts. Hence O & M cost would be less.
(b) The stationary nature facilitates high voltage insulation
and thus stepping up and stepping down of voltages.
(c) Its operational efficiency is very high ( up to 95% for
distribution and 99% for EHT transformers)
(d) Besides facilitating power supply at different voltages of
utilization, it can be used in metering and protection
systems of the network. It can also be used for earthing
of the neutral of a power transformer.
(e) Transformer is the most important and relatively a more
costlier equipment in distribution or sub- transmission.
(f) It is virtually a work horse.
 TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS
Main classification based on application :

• Power transformer : Transfer of power

• Distribution Transformer : Transfer of power

• Instrument Transformer : Measuring and protection

• Earthing Transformer : Earthing

• Rectifier Transformer : For providing controlled supply

suitable to process
Further classification of Power/Distribution
transformer - By Construction
a)As per core :
1. Core type 2. Shell type

b)As per phases:

1. Single phase 2. Three phase

c)As per number of windings:

1. Single winding
2. Two winding
3. Three winding
d) As per VOLTAGE – LT,HT,EHT,UHT
 LT- up to 650V
 HT- 11kV to 33kV
 EHT- 66kV to 400kV
 UHT- 765kV onwards

e) As per voltage ratio - Step up, Step down

f) As per Insulation - Dry type, Oil immersed, Gas filled

CONSTRUCTION
A transformer basically consist of :-

i.A magnetic core forming magnetic circuit

ii.Windings forming electrical circuits and

iii.Insulation, comprising transformer oil and solid

insulation consisting of paper, press board, wood etc.
MAGNETIC CORE
The transformer core is a closed magnetic circuit made up of thin
laminations of special electrical sheet steel (CRGO)
The main magnetic flux passes through the core

The function of the transformer core is to provide a high

permeability path to the magnetic circuit and to support the
transformer windings.
Core laminations are kept very thin (0.27mm)

Laminations are coated with insulation/ varnish (carlite coating)

to reduce Eddy currents and there by eddy current losses.
CRGO electrical steel with silicon content of approximately
3% is used for the core, the magnetic circuit of a
transformer.
Ideal shape for a core section is circle since wastage of
space is minimum.
A perfectly circular core involves making each lamination
of different dimensions which is very uneconomical.
Stepped core is made by laminations of varying width and
packet heights and assembled to approximate a circle
CORE TYPE AND SHELL TYPE
CONSTRUCTIONS
There are two types of configurations of the core

1. Core type and 2. Shell type.

The choice of the type of construction depends upon the
design and manufacturing practices.
The core type magnetic circuit has three or five limbs
placed vertically.
Two horizontal yokes, one at the top and the other at the
bottom, close the magnetic circuit.
CORE TYPE
In the core type construction, the windings encircle the core and
in the shell type construction, the core encircles the windings.
 The yoke has two branches and the magnetic flux leaving the
limb branches into two parts while entering the yoke
Core type transformers are easy to manufacture.

The HV and LV winding coils are manufactured independently

and are then inserted on the limbs.
The windings are spiral or helical and are placed concentrically
over the limbs.
SHELL TYPE
In Shell type construction, the LV and HV windings are
flat and Pan-cake type.
Shell type core has minimum cutting of leakage flux.
In shell type transformers, the cross-section of the
limb is twice that of the yoke.
The manufacturing process of shell type core is slower
and costlier than that of a core type.
The core type construction is commonly used in India
and Europe for small and large transformers.
SHELL TYPE
The shell type construction is preferred for small single
phase transformers all over the World.
However, it is preferred in U.S.A. for large transformers
also.
In 2-Limb construction, windings are placed on both the
limbs.
In 3-Limb single phase construction, single phase windings
are placed on the central limb only
LOSSES IN THE CORE
a. Hysteresis losses
b. Eddy current losses
 The hysteresis loss occurs continuously in the core of
a transformer because the core is subjected to
alternating magnetic flux of 50 Hz.
 This loss is reduced by using better grade CRGO steel
sheets.
Eddy currents

• An eddy current is a current set up in a conductor in

response to a changing magnetic field. They flow in
closed loops in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic
field. By Lenz law, the current swirls in such a way as
to create a magnetic field opposing the change; for this
to occur in a conductor, electrons swirl in a plane
perpendicular to the magnetic field.
EDDY CURRENTS

• Because of the tendency of eddy currents to oppose,

eddy currents cause a loss of energy. Eddy currents
transform more useful forms of energy, such as kinetic
energy, into heat, which isn’t generally useful.
Eddy Currents uses
• Eddy current is widely used in various fields. The most
important and widely applied uses are as follows:
• Induction Furnace – It’s a device used in the smelting
industries. The metal to be melted is placed in a rapidly
fluctuating high-induced current. The strong induced
currents produce a larger amount of heat, and the metal
melts. In this way, it’s used in the extraction of metals
from the ore.
• Induction Motor – The induction motor is rotated by
employing Eddy currents. It’s done when the induced
currents are exposed to the metallic rotor spinning in the
magnetic field. So, according to Lenz’s law, the relative
motion is reduced between the rotor and the field and
rotates in the direction of the magnetic field. Therefore,
the induction motor rotates.
• Energy Metre – In the energy metre, the armature coil
has an aluminium disc that rotates in the paired poles of
a permanent horseshoe magnet. Due to the braking
effect caused by the induced currents, the energy
consumed is proportional to the deflection.
• Electric Brakes – In electromagnetic trains, the
wheels of the train move in the air, and it can be
stopped by electromagnetic currents. The
opposite changing flux caused by the Eddy current
makes the train stop.
• Deadbeat Galvanometer – When the induced Eddy
current is passed in the coil, without any
oscillation, the pointer of the deadbeat
galvanometer rests in final equilibrium. This can
be done by electromagnetic damping with a large
Eddy current.
• Metal Identification – Detection of counterfeit
coins in the coin-operated machines and rejection
of the counterfeit coins are done by the Eddy
current. When the coin is inserted into the
machine, it gets into a stationary magnet, where
the eddy current is applied, and validation of the
coin takes place.
EDDY CURRENT AND EDL
When alternating magnetic flux flows through the iron
core, small e.m.f. is induced in the magnetic material itself
due to changes in its own flux linkage.
The e.m.f. induced causes circulating currents in the metal.

Such currents are called Eddy currents, which when

flowing through the metal, cause I2R loss in metal which
appear as heat.
Such losses are called Eddy Current Losses.
METHODS FOR MINIMIZING EDDY
CURRENT LOSSES
a. Laminated Core using thin sheets
b. Insulation of lamination
c. Use of material of high electrical resistivity
d. Use of Mitred joint
e. Reducing air gap
f. Continuous transposition of winding conductor .
g. By reducing thickness of laminations
 The eddy current loss is proportional to square of
thickness of laminations 't'.
By using amorphous metal of thickness 0.03mm, the core
losses are reduced to 30% from 100% when compared to
using CRGO laminations of 0.27 mm
WINDINGS

Windings are normally cylindrical in shape, since

circular coils offer great resistance to the radial
component of electromagnetic forces.
Windings of different types are used depending on their
rating.
HV and LV coils are placed concentrically with HV
winding on the out side.
A few important parameters governing the design
and operation of a transformer are discussed below:
1.Operating flux density :
A good CRGO core can have an operating flux density
of 1.6 to 1.7 tesla for sub-transmission power
transformers, 1.9 tesla for EHV transformer and 1.4
for distribution transformer as CRGO has a saturation
density of above 2 Tesla.
 Amorphous metal has saturation density at 1.56
tesla and as such, the distribution transformers
are designed for 1.4 tesla.
 Increase of flux density will improve voltage/
turn, thereby reducing number of turns and
copper losses.
 But it will increase no load losses.
2. Percentage Impedance:
 Impedance of a transformer is the voltage drop on
full load due to the resistance and leakage reactance.
 It is also the % of the primary terminal voltage
required to circulate full load current under short
circuit conditions of the secondary.
 With one winding shorted, voltage at rated
frequency is applied to the other winding raising it
to a value sufficient to circulate rated current.
 With one winding shorted, voltage at rated
frequency is applied to the other winding raising it
to a value sufficient to circulate rated current.
 That voltage is called impedance voltage.
% Impedance = Impedance voltage/Rated voltage x
100

 Distribution Transformer= 4 to 5%
 Power transformer at 132/ 33kV level = 6.5% to 14
 When induced voltages of primary and secondary
windings are in the same direction, the polarity of the
two windings is same. This is called subtractive
polarity.
 When the induced emfs are in opposite direction, the
polarity is called additive.
 By different combinations of internal connections of
windings and connection to terminals, different
polarities can be obtained
TRANSFORMER CONNECTIONS
1. Star/star Connection:
Advantages:
a) Voltage of each single phase unit connected to star/star bank
has only 57.7% of the line voltage reducing the voltage stress on
each phase.
 Hence they can be wound relatively for low voltage which
gives 1.732 times voltage between phases.
b) This connection permits earthing of neutral to carry unbalanced
currents.
 When earthed solidly it has several benefits.
 During a phase to earth faults in one phase, the voltage in
other two healthy phases (phase to phase) is only 80% of
the phase to phase current
c) Facilitates feeding of single phase loads and three phase loads.
Vector group or connection symbol of a transformer
denotes the method of connection of primary and secondary
windings and the phase angle divergence of secondary with
respect to primary
It is indicated in a short form, say ' Dy11'
First letter is a capital letter indicating the method of
connection of primary and second letter, a small letter,
indicates that of secondary
 Number indicates the phase angle difference of secondary
with respect to the primary in terms of clock position
DISADVANTAGES
Provides a path for 3rd harmonic currents
which increases losses, heats up insulation
and they will be interference with
communication

Magnetizing currents of each of three

windings will not be exactly identical
making it impossible to have perfectly
balanced voltages in all three phases.
2. Delta - Star
 Mainly used in distribution transformers

 Facilitates feeding single phase loads as well as 3 phase loads

 Third harmonic currents get suppressed due to passing through delta

winding
 DY11
 In this, 'D‘ indicates that transformer primary is Delta
connected and 'y' indicates that the secondary is star
connected.
 Number 11 indicates that secondary is at 11'o Clock
position with reference to the primary
 Vector group is one of the factors to be considered for
operating transformers in parallel.
 For three phase transformers testing of polarity is done by
exciting the windings from a 3 phase supply and taking
more voltage measurements.
 Primary and secondary windings on any one limb have
induced emfs that are in time phase.
 Different combination of internal connections and
connection to terminals produce different phase
divergence of secondary voltage.
TAP CHANGERS

 These are devices for changing the voltage of a

transformer.
 This is necessary to maintain bus voltages on the
secondary side at reasonable levels.
 The voltage change is obtained by changing number of
turns in the primary and secondary windings.
 Two types of tap changers are available:
1. Off Circuit Tap Changer :
 This is cheaper.
 Tap changing is effected when the transformer is off
 Off circuit tap changers are used where tap changing is
done once in a way as in the case of a Distribution
transformer and in some cases for Generator
Transformers.
 However, after each tap change, the transformer has to be
tested with suitable megger for proper continuity at the
new tap.
 Operating off load tap changer when transformer is in
service will lead to extensive damage.
 However an electro magnetic latch switch is provided to
prevent inadvertent operation.
2. On load tap changer :
 Here tap changing is done while transformer is in
service without interrupting loads, as in the case of a
power transformer.
 On load tap changer normally consists of transition
resistors which bridge the circuit between tapping
section during the tap changer operation.
COOLING ARRANGEMENTS

Oil serves two purpose :

(1) Insulation and (2) Cooling of winding.

 Controlling the temperature inside the transformer is
necessary to ensure longer life due to less thermal
degradation of the insulation.
 The heat generated in the transformer is transmitted to
atmosphere through oil.
Different types of cooling are available.

ONAN Type :
 Oil Natural And Air Natural.
 Heat is transferred from windings and core to the oil.
 The hot oil is circulated in radiators by natural means letting off the heat
to atmosphere
Oil Preservation System :
 Oil readily absorbs moisture.
 Presence of moisture reduces the dielectric strength of oil.
 The moisture entry can be (a) through oil coming into
contact with air (b) Leakages past gasket or and (c)
formation inside the transformer as apart of insulation
failure due to high temperature.
 Different methods are available to reduce contamination of
oil with moisture.
Silicagel breather :
 It is most commonly used and economical method of
limiting moisture content in air, so that oil in the
transformer comes into contact with fairly dry air.
 Silica gel breather is connected to the conservator tank.
 A silicagel breather consists of a cartridge packed with
silicagel desiccants and a small cup containing oil.
 Air is drawn into the conservator through oil cup and
breather where most of the moisture is absorbed.
Silicagel breather :
 Silicagel requires frequent reactivation to improve its
efficiency of absorption.
 A well maintained breather will dry the air down to
dew point below - 400C.
 Oil level shall be maintained in the cup to lessen air
ingress
CONSERVATOR
 It is provided on the top of the transformer to allow
expansion and contraction of oil due to load variations.
 This is connected to the transformer main tank through a
pipe called equalizer pipe.
 when the load on the transformer increases and temperature
raises, oil in the main tank expands and oil level increases.
 If there is no sufficient space for this expanded oil, the
transformer diaphragm or explosion vent will burst open.
 Provision of conservator permits oil expansion in the
conservator.
 Because of this, oil level in the main tank will be at constant
level.
 Conservator is also fitted with oil level gauge.
 Conservator shall not be completely filled with oil.
BUSHINGS

 Winding leads have to be brought outside the

transformers for giving connection.
 In order to provide safe clearance for the winding leads
from the body of the transformer, they are taken out
through bushings on both HV and LV side.
TYPES OF BUSHINGS
 Bushings are of 2 types:

a) Porcelain type used up to 36 kV level.

b) Condenser type bushing used on EHV transformers.

 In porcelain bushings, the leads are taken out through
hollow porcelain bushings, with the internal space
between bushing body and is filled up by insulated oil.
 The size of the bushings becomes bulky with the raise in
voltage ratings.
 Hence, these type of bushings are limited upto 36 kV.