[Electrical & Electronics Lab]

Single and Three Phase Transformers

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Aim (a) Study the construction and connection of single phase transformer and autotransformer. Measure input and output voltage and fin turn ratio. (b) Study the construction of a core type three phase transformer. Perform star and delta connection on a 3-phase transformer and find relation between line and phase voltage.

Introduction
For transmission and distribution networks to transfer large amounts of alternating current electricity over long distances with minimum losses and least cost, different voltage levels are required in the various parts of the networks. For example, the transfer of electricity efficiently over a long transmission line requires the use of high voltages. At the receiving end where the electricity is used, the high voltage has to be reduced to the levels required by the consumer. Transformers enable these changes in voltage to be carried out easily, cheaply and efficiently. A transformer used to increase the voltage is called a "step up" transformer, while that used to decrease the voltage is called a "step down" transformer.

What is a transformer?
A device for increasing or decreasing an AC voltage Power Transformers, TV sets to provide High Voltage to picture tubes, portable electronic device converters, transformers on the pole, etc. are few examples A transformer consists of two coils of wires known as primary and secondary The two coils can be interwoven or linked by a laminated soft iron core to reduce eddy current losses

Basic Components of Transformers

The transformer is based on two principles: firstly, that an electric current can produce a magnetic field (electromagnetism) and secondly that a changing magnetic field within a coil of wire induces a voltage across the ends of the coil (electromagnetic induction). Changing the current in the primary coil changes the magnitude of the applied magnetic field. The changing magnetic flux extends to the secondary coil where a voltage is induced across its ends. A transformer consists of two coils electrically separate but linked by a common magnetic circuit of low reluctance formed by a laminated soft iron core. If one coil (the primary coil) is connected to an AC supply, an alternating magnetic flux is set up in the iron core. This alternating magnetic flux passes through the secondary coil and induces and alternating voltage in the secondary coil. The magnitude of the secondary voltage is directly proportional to the ratio of the number of turns in the secondary and primary windings and to the primary voltage.

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Classification of transformers
1. According to construction i. Core type transformers ii. Cell type transformers 2. According to number of phases i. Single-phase transformers ii. Three Phase transformers (Polyphase transformers) 3. According to application i. Power Transformer ii. Instrument Transformer

Core Type & Cell Transformers

Transformers are manufactured in many types the most widely used in power systems are classified with their core types as seen below. Core type where each of the windings are wound on one leg of the core, while the shell core type, in which both windings are wound on the same leg. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Core type is very reliable and easy to maintain, but take larger space, however, shell type is smaller but not reliable.

Fig. Core type transformer

Fig. Cell type transformer

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Laminated Steel Cores
The reason we laminate the iron cores in transformers is because we want to limit what are called eddy currents. Transformers are basically two coils of wire wrapped around a core of iron. They work by induction. Induction occurs when current flows in one conductor (or one set of windings in the transformer) and the magnetic field that forms around that conductor (that set of windings) sweeps the other conductor (the other set of windings) and induces a voltage. In order to increase the effectiveness of the transformer, we need to improve the way the magnetic fields are coupled from one set of windings to the other set. Iron conducts magnetic lines of force well, so we use that to help conduct the magnetic lines of force from coil A to coil B. Problem is, iron is also a conductor, and it's being swept by the magnetic field as well. If we didn't use laminations, the iron core would provide a place for the magnetic lines to produce (induce) current, and that current flowing in the core would heat the core up really fast and waste energy. By laminating the cores, we break up the current paths within that core and limit eddy currents.

Fig. Laminated Steel Core

Transformation Ratio (Turn Ratio)

This is the ratio of input voltage (VP) to output voltage (VS). It can also be expressed as the number of turns on the input or primary winding (NP) side of the transformer to the number of turns on output or secondary winding (NS) side of transformer. Also another way of expressing the transformation ratio is output current (IS) to input current (IP) .The transformation ratio a transformer is given the symbol 'K'.

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Observation Table For Transformation Ratio

Vp (Primary Voltage) Vs (Secondary Voltage) K=

(Turn Ratio)

Three Phase Transformer

Since three-phase is used so often for power distribution systems, it makes sense that we would need three-phase transformers to be able to step voltages up or down. This is only partially true, as regular single-phase transformers can be ganged together to transform power between two three-phase systems in a variety of configurations, eliminating the requirement for a special three-phase transformer. However, special three-phase transformers are built for those tasks, and are able to perform with less material requirement, less size, and less weight than their modular counterparts.

Fig. Delta connection

Fig. Star connection

The various possible three phase connections are:

(a) Star Star (c) Delta Delta (b) Star Delta (d) Delta Star

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Observations for verification of voltage relations.
S, No, Type of Input Connections Voltage - Output Voltage Transformation Ratio From Exp. From Calcu. 1:1 23: 1 1:1 1: 23

1 2 3 4

ResultPrecautions- Following precautions should be observed while performing this experiment:

1. All connections should be neat and tight. 2. While performing the polarity test, full rated voltage shouldnt be applied. Only less than half the rated voltage should be applied.

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