1.
TRANSFORMERS
3. TRANSFORMER OPEN CIRCUIT TEST AND output, hence the input power here consists of core is short circuit voltage in the transformer and hence it is
losses in transformer and copper loss in transformer quite small compared to the rated voltage, so, we can
CLOSE CIRCUIT TEST
during no load condition. But as said earlier, the no-load neglect the core loss due to the small applied voltage.
Open and short circuit tests are performed on a
current in the transformer is quite small compared to Hence the wattmeter reading can be taken as equal to
transformer to determine the:
the full load current so, we can neglect the copper loss copper losses in the transformer.
due to the no-load current. Hence, can take the
• Equivalent circuit of transformer
wattmeter reading as equal to the core losses in the Hence the short-circuit test of a transformer is used to
• Voltage regulation of transformer
transformer. determine copper losses in the transformer at full load.
• Efficiency of transformer
Referring everything to the LV side, we can have From the explanations given, the following formulas can
The power required for open circuit tests and short 3.2 SHORT CIRCUIT TEST ON TRANSFORMER
then be used
circuit tests on a transformer is equal to the power loss The connection diagram for the short circuit test on the
occurring in the transformer. transformer is shown in the figure below. A voltmeter,
wattmeter, and an ammeter are connected in HV side of
3.1 OPEN CIRCUIT TEST ON TRANSFORMER the transformer as shown. The LV side is short-
The connection diagram for open circuit test on circuited. A low voltage of around 5-10% is applied to
transformer is shown below. A voltmeter, wattmeter, that HV side with the help of a variac (i.e. a variable ratio Where,
and an ammeter are connected in LV side of the auto transformer). Now with the help of variac applied 𝑅𝑒, 𝑋𝑒 & 𝑍𝑒 = equivalent resistance, reactance and
transformer as shown. The voltage at rated frequency is voltage is slowly increased until the wattmeter, and an impedance respectively referred to the high
applied to that LV side. ammeter gives reading equal to the rated current of the voltage side of the transformer.
HV side.
Where,
𝑅𝑒𝐿 and 𝑋𝑒𝐿 = equivalent resistance and reactance Sample Problem 6
referred to the low voltage side The no – load current of a transformer is 4A at 0.25
pf when supplied at 250V, 60 Hz. Find:
Since current at no-load is equal to 0 and the exciting (a) the core loss
current in the primary side is also very small (since no- (b) the resistance representing the core loss
load) that it can be considered as negligible, the (c) the magnetizing reactance
Where, equivalent circuit will then become, Sample Problem 7
𝑃𝑜𝑐 = wattmeter reading = core loss, 𝑃𝑐𝑜 A short circuit test was performed on a 10kVA,
𝐼𝑜𝑐 = ammeter reading = open circuit current 2000/400 V single phase transformer. The
𝐸𝑜𝑐 = voltmeter reading = rated voltage instruments indicated 100 V, 5A and 100 W.
Determine the equivalent complex impedance
The HV side of the transformer is kept open. The applied referred to the low voltage side.
voltage gets slowly increased until the voltmeter gives After reaching the rated current of the HV side, all the
reading equal to the rated voltage of the LV side. After three instrument readings (Voltmeter, Ammeter and
reaching rated LV side voltage, all the three instruments Watt-meter readings) are then recorded. The ammeter
reading (Voltmeter, Ammeter and Wattmeter readings) reading gives the primary equivalent of full load current
will then be recorded. IL. As the voltage applied for full load current in a short
circuit test on the transformer is quite small compared
The ammeter reading gives the open circuit current 𝐼𝑜𝑐 . to the rated primary voltage of the transformer, the core
As the open circuit current 𝐼𝑜𝑐 is quite small compared losses in the transformer can be taken as negligible
to rated current of the transformer, the voltage drops here.
due to this current can be taken as negligible.
Voltmeter reading in the circuit is 𝑉𝑠𝑐 and the wattmeter
Since voltmeter reading 𝐸𝑜𝑐 can be considered equal to reading, 𝑃𝑠𝑐 , indicates the input power during the test.
the secondary induced voltage of the transformer, From the circuit above, the following formulas can then As we have short-circuited the transformer, there is no
wattmeter reading indicates the input power during the be used, output; hence the input power here consists of copper
test. As the transformer is open-circuited, there is no losses in the transformer. Since the applied voltage 𝑉𝑠𝑐
