Electrical Machines: Transformers

3.8

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

THREE PHASE TRANSFORMERS

Most of the electrical energy is generated and transmitted using a three-phase system that

involves several three-phase voltage transformations. For transforming three-phase power, either a
bank of three identical single-phase transformers suitably connected or one three-phase transformer
can be employed. Under conditions of balanced load and balanced voltages, with three identical
transformers in a given arrangement, each single-phase transformer will carry one third of the total
three-phase load.
A single three-phase transformer for a given rating when compared to a bank of three single
phase transformer weighs lesser, costs lesser, requires lesser floor space and has higher efficiency.
However, the cost of a spare standby three-phase transformer is much greater than that of a spare
single-phase transformer. When fault occurs in one phase of a three-phase transformer, the whole
three-phase transformer must be removed for repair. For example, suppose a manufacturing plant
absorbs 5000 kVA. To guarantee continued service we can install one three-phase 5000 kVA
transformer and keep a second one as a spare. Alternatively, we can install three single-phase
transformers each rated at 1667 kVA and have one spare single-phase transformers rated at 1667
kVA. The three-phase transformer option is more expensive (total capacity: 2 5000 = 10000 kVA)
than the single-phase option (total capacity: 4 1667 = 6667 kVA).
If a bank of three single-phase transformers is used it is assumed that the following
requirements are met:

All the three transformers in a three-phase transformer bank will have identical transformation
ratios and thus the same high and low rated voltages.

All the three transformers will have the same kilovolt-ampere (kVA) rating.

All the three transformers will be of the same construction, either core or shell.

All the three transformers will have the same winding resistances, reactances, and impedances.

All the three transformers will be labeled and polarity marked identically.

3.8.1

THREE PHASE SYSTEMS

For a balanced three phase system the relation between line and phase parameters are listed

below and shown in Fig 3.11a and Fig 3.11b for star and delta connections respectively. VPH and VL
refer to the phase and line voltages in a three-phase system respectively. IPH and IL refer to the
phase and line currents in a three-phase system respectively.

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

3.8.1.1

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

Star connection

In a balanced three phase star system the phase voltage of all the phases are equal in
magnitude and separated by 1200 in phase.

IA= IPH= IL

VA

VA

VPH
VAC

VAC

VL

1200
VC

VC

VB
Figure 3.11a

VB

Three phase star windings and the relevant phasor diagram

VPH = |VA| = |VB| = |VC|

(3.54)

Let the phase angles of the phasors VA, VB and VC be , and respectively. Then
- = - = - = 1200.
The line voltage between phases A and C is VAC = VA - VC

(3.55a)

3 V PH

(3.55b)

For a balanced system VL = |VAB| = |VBC| = |VCA| =

The phase current is equal to the line current

IPH= IL.

(3.55c)

The power of the balanced three circuit is given by

S in VA = 3 (VPH) (IPH) =

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3 (VL) (IL)

(3.55d)

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

3.8.1.2

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

Delta connection

In a balanced three phase delta system the phase voltage of all the phases are equal in
magnitude and separated by 1200 in phase. Further the line voltage is equal to the phase voltage.

3 IPH=IL

IAB
VA

VB

VA

VPH = VL

VB
VC

VC

Figure 3.11b

Three phase delta windings and the relevant phasor diagram

VPH = VL = |VA| = |VB| = |VC|

(3.56a)

Let the phase angles of the phasors VA, VB and VC be , and respectively. Then
- = - = - = 1200.

The line current IAB = IA - IB

(3.56b)

where IA and IB are the phase currents in phases A and B.

For a balanced system IL = |IAB| = |IBC| = |ICA| =

3 I PH

(3.56c)

The power of the balanced three circuit is given by

S = 3 (VPH) (IPH) =

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3 (VL) (IL)

(3.56d)

25

Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

3.8.2 THREE PHASE TRANSFORMER CONNECTION

The winding of either core-type or shell-type three-phase transformers may be connected in

either wye or delta. Four possible combinations of connections for the three-phase, two winding
transformers are:
1. ,
3.8.2.1

2. ,

3.

and

4.

Three phase
connections

Power generated at power stations are stepped up to high voltages and transmitted over long
distances. Usually, the generators are connected in star. The long distance high voltage transmission
system is in delta. A wye-delta (Y-) connection is generally used in this step up situation. Figure
3.12, gives the connections.
3.8.2.2

Three phase connections

The power is received at substations from long distance transmission lines at high voltages.
These transmission lines are usually delta connected. The power distribution at low voltages is in
four wire star system. Transformers used in distribution substations are usually delta / wye
connected and they step down the voltage. The connection diagram is shown in figure 3.13

Fig 3.12 wye / delta connected three phase transformer

Fig 3.13 delta / wye connected three phase transformer

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

3.8.2.3

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

The Y-Y connections

These may be used for interconnecting two star connected generators. These also called
interconnecting transformers. Figure 3.14 gives the details.
3.8.2.4

The connections

The delta / delta connected transformers are usually used to interconnect two transmission
system parts with different voltages. Figure 3.15 gives the details of connection if such types of
transformers.

Fig 3.14 wye / wye connected three phase transformer

Fig 3.15 delta / delta connected three phase transformer

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

Example 3.3

A three single-phase step-up transformers rated 40 MVA, 13.2/80 kV are connected in delta-wye on
a 13.2 kV transmission line (figure 3.13). If they feed a 90 MVA load, calculate;
the secondary line voltage
the currents in the transformer windings
The incoming and outgoing transmission line currents.
Solution 3.3

The voltage across the primary winding V1 = 13.2 kV.

The voltage across the secondary is V2 = 80 kV.
The voltage between the outgoing line 1, 2, and 3 is:
V2= 80

3 = 138.56 kV

The MVA load carried by each transformer is:

Single phase MVA S = 90/3 = 30 MVA
The current in the primary winding is
IPH1= (Single phase MVA) / (Primary phase voltage) = (30 x 106) /(13.2 x 103) = 2272.72 A

The current in the secondary winding is

I PH2= (Single phase MVA) / (Secondary phase voltage) = (30 x 106) /(80 x 103) = 375 A

The line current in delta connected winding line current is

3 times the phase current.

The current in each incoming line (Delta side) in phases A, B, and C is:
IL1 = ( 3 )(2272) = 3936.48 A

The line current in star connected winding line current is equal to the phase current.

The current in each outgoing line A, B, and C is:

IL2 = 375 A

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

Example 3.4.

Three single-phase transformers are connected in delta-delta to step down a line voltage of 138 kV
to 4.16 kV to supply power to a manufacturing plant. The plant draws 21 MW at a lagging power
factor of 0.86. Calculate:
the apparent power draw by the plant
the apparent power supplied by the HV line
the current in the HV lines
the currents in the LV lines
The currents in primary and secondary windings of each transformer.
The load carried by each transformer.
Solution

The apparent power drawn by the plant is:

P=

S
21
=
= 24.42 MVA
cos 0.86

The transformer bank itself absorbs a negligible amount of active and reactive power because the
I2R losses and the reactive power associated with the mutual flux and leakage flux are small. It
follows that the apparent power furnished by the HV line is also 24.42 MVA
The line current in each HV line is:
I L1 =

S
3 VL1

24.4 10 6
3 138000

= 102..16 A

The line current in the LV line is:

I L2 =

S
3 VL2

24.4 10 6
3 4160

= 3386.38 A

The phase current in the primary winding is:

I PH1 =

I L1
3

102.16
3

= 58.98 A

The phase current in secondary winding is:

I PH2 =

I L2
3

3386.38
3

= 1955.13 A

Because the plant load is balanced, each transformer carries one third of the total load or 24/3 =
8.13 MVA.
The transformer load is also obtained by:
S = VPH1 I PH1 = (13.8 x 103)(58.9) = 8.13 x 106 VA = 8.13 MVA

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

3.9

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

AUTO-TRANSFORMER

Two-winding transformers have separate primary and secondary windings. These windings
are magnetically linked and are electrically isolated. For the case of power system transformers, in
which large transformation ratios are involved and safety plays a dominant role, the electrical
isolation of the primary and secondary windings is necessary.
However, when the transformation ratio is close to unity and electrical isolation between the
two windings is less critical, an auto-transformer consisting of a single tapped winding on a
transformer core can be used with distinct advantages instead of a two-winding transformer. The
same fundamental consideration discussed for transformers having two separate windings hold true
for the auto-transformer also.
Let us consider a two-winding transformer shown in figure 3.16a. The auto-transformer
arrangement is shown in figure 3.16b. It has only one winding. This winding has N1 turns and
primary voltage V1 is applied across these N1 turns. Let the secondary terminal be across N2 turns of
the same winding as illustrated in the figure 3.16b. The voltage across the secondary terminals is V2.
These relations apply to the auto-transformer arrangement:

I1

V1

Ideal
transformer
N1 / N2

I1
I2

V1

V2

I2

N1
N2

V2

(I2-I1)

3.16a

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A two-winding transformer.

30

3.16b

An auto-transformer.

Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

The EMFs across the primary and secondary terminals are proportional to the number of turns
between their respective terminals.
E1 = 4.44 f N1

(3.57)

E2 = 4.44 f N2

(3.58)

Ignoring drops in the windings,

V1 E1 = 4.44 f N1

(3.59)

V2 E2 = 4.44 f N2

(3.60)

Ignoring the losses in the auto-transformer the input power must be equal to the output power.
V1 I1 = V2 I2

(3.61)

From above equations, it follows that the same relation that held for two winding transformer (3.4),
holds good for the auto-transformer, i.e.,
V1 I 2 N 1
= =
= a
V2 I 1 N 2

(3.62)

Two distinct advantages may be observed from above:

(a)

SAVING

IN

COSTS

WHILE

USING

AUTO-TRANSFORMERS

WHEN

TRANSFORMATION RATIO APPROACHES 1.0

The first advantage that may be observed is that the copper used to make an autotransformer is lesser than that required to make a two winding transformer of the same
capacity. The copper required to make a transformer winding is proportional to the number of
turns and the thickness of the conductor. The thickness of the conductor is proportional to the
current carried in the conductor. Therefore, it may be reasonably assumed that the copper
used to make a winding shall be proportional to the product of current and the number turns of
the winding (N.I)
Two-winding transformer case:
Total copper used in the two-winding transformer is proportional to:
N1 .I1 + N2 .I2.
The rating of the transformer is V1.I1.

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

Auto-transformer case:
In comparison, the copper used in the auto-transformer with the same rating V1.I1 is
proportional to:
(N1-N2).I1 + N2 .(I2-I1)
= N1 .I1 + N2 .I2 - 2 (N2 .I1).
= N1 .I1 + N2 .I2 - 2 (N1 .I1)
From (3.62)

(3.63)
N2
N1

I 2 N1
=
= a and it follows that N1 .I1 = N2 .I2.
I1 N 2

Therefore, Amount of copper is proportional to: 2(N1 .I1) - 2 (N1 .I1)

= 2(N1 .I1) ( 1-

N2
N1

1
).
a

The above may be interpreted as follows. From the figure 3.16b, it is seen that a > 1.0. If the
transformation ratio a approaches the value of 1.0, the amount of copper used approaches a
small value. Therefore, if a transformer action is required to link two nearly equal voltage
circuits such that the transformation ratio is nearly equal to 1.0 (but not equal), then it is much
more cost efficient to use an auto-transformer.
(b)

LESSER LOSSES
The second advantage that may be derived by using an auto-transformer lies in the fact that
the net current that flows through N2 turns of an auto-transformer is I2 - I1. The current I1
flows on through (N1 - N2) turns of the coil. Therefore the copper losses that occur in an autotransformer achieving the same task as that of two winding transformer is much lesser.
Therefore an auto-transformer of same power rating and transformation ratio shall be more
efficient and cheaper as compared to a two winding transformer.

However, an auto-transformer shall be unable to provide the electrical isolation provided by a

two winding transformer between the two electrical circuits connected to its primary and secondary
sides.

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

3.10 Parallel Operation of Transformers

In paralleling single-phase transformers, besides observing the poalarities in making physical

connections, some other conditions are necessary. They are discussed below.
V1
Transformer-1
N1 / N2

V1
Transformer-2
N1 / N2

I1

I2
V2
Figure 3.17
3.10.1

I1

I2
V2
Transformer operation in parallel

Equal primary and secondary voltage ratings.

If the voltage ratings are not the same, some windings will be operating at higher and others at
lower voltage than that for which they are designed.
3.10.2

Equal ratios of transformation.

If the ratios of transformation are not the same, there will be circulating currents in the transformer
windings in addition to the exciting currents, when there is no load on the system. They increase the
copper loss, overload the transformer and reduce the overall permissible load kVA.
3.10.3

Ratios of equivalent resistance Re1 to equivalent reantance Xe1.

If the ratios of equivalent resistance Re1 to equivalent reactance Xe1 are not equal, the currents
delivered by the transformers will not be in phase with each other or with the load current; that is,
the transformers will be carrying kilowatt loads that are not proportional to their current load. This
will lead to increase in copper losses and consequent overheating.
These conditions apply equally in paralleling three-phase transformers, but with the added
condition that the secondary voltages must be at compatible phase angles. Not only must the
transformer polarities be observed, but also, the phase sequence must be identical for parallel
transformers. Transformers with similar connections on either side can be connected in parallel.
Further, three-phase transformer banks connected in Y-Y and - can be paralleled if the line
voltage ratios are identical. The phase shifts resulting from -Y or Y- connections generally
preclude the use of either in parallel with a configuration that is different. However, the secondary
voltages of a Y- or -Y system are either in phase or are 60o out of phase, depending upon the
way the connections are made; two such systems can therefore be paralleled with proper conditions.
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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

3.11 Instrument Transformers

In order to measure large currents and high voltages using standard low-range instruments,
accurate-ratio transformers are used in conjunction with the instruments. These transformers are
called instrument transformers and there are two types: current transformers and potential
transformers. These instrument transformers are described in the following text.
3.11.1

Current transformers

The current transformers (CT) are connected in series in the circuit in which the current is to
be measured as shown in Figure 3.18a. The current in the secondary side shall be proportional to the
circuit current I1 and reduced to a value that is amenable to small measuring devices. The ratio of
the secondary current to the primary current is equal to the turns-ratio N1/N2. The phase angle
between the primary and secondary current is very small, usually, much less than one degree. For
large current ratings the conductor in which the current to be measured is fed through the center of
the current transformer core to provide one-turn primary. This type of current transformer is called
toroidal current transformer (Refer to Fig 3.18a). It will have only secondary winding. An
additional advantage in the use of current transformers is the isolation from the line, which may be
at a high potential.
N2
turns

N2
turns

I1

Current carrying
conductor - single
turn - N1 = 1

Current
carrying
conductor single turn - N1
=1

I2

A
Figure 3.18a
Schematic diagram of a
current transformer

I1
I2

Figure 3.18b
Circuit diagram of a
current transformer

The current transformers should never be operated with the secondary open-circuited. If opencircuited, the entire primary current becomes excitation current and this results in very high flux and
very high secondary voltage. The insulation will be subjected to undue stress and possible danger to
operations. It is for this reason the secondary circuit is always kept short-circuited when primary
current is flowing. Fig 3.18b shows connection of a current transformer circuitry. The equation
(3.62) holds good for the current transformer.

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Electrical Machines: Transformers

Lecture Notes: DCE5015

EXAMPLE 3.5

A current transformer has a rating of 50 VA, Current ratio of 400 A / 5 A, 36 kV, 50 Hz. It is
connected in an AC line carrying a current of 280 A. The total secondary burden is 1.2 . Calculate
a) the secondary current, b) the voltage across the secondary terminals and c) the voltage drop
across the primary.
SOLUTION

a)

The current ratio is

I 1 400
N
1
=
= 80 = 2 =
I2
5
N1 a

a = 0.0125
The secondary current = I2 = a .(I1) = 0.0125 (280) = 3.5 A
The voltage across the secondary = V2 = Z2 . I2 = (1.2) .(3.5) = 4.2 V
The primary voltage = V1 = a (V2) = 0.0125 (4.2) = 0.0525 V.
This is a very small voltage compared to the system voltage. Therefore connecting the CT
primary in series in the line where current is measured does not alter the voltage distribution
significantly.
3.11.2

Potential Transformers

Potential Transformers (PT) are step-down transformers with extremely accurate ratio. They
step down the power circuitry high voltage to a proportional low voltage. The range of the low
secondary voltage is chosen such that it is

I
V1

amenable for measurement purposes. The

Load

V1

V2

Potential
Transformer
N1 / N2

V
Figure 3.19 Schematic diagram of a
potential transformer

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35

schematic diagram is shown in Fig. 3.19.