SINGLE PHASE TRANSFORMER

THREE PHASE TRANSFORMER

 SINGLE –PHASE TRANSFORMER
INTRODUCTION

A transformer is a static electric device that uses alternating current to transfer power from one
alternating current to another. Its operation depends on voltages induced
in its windings by an alternating magnetic flux set up by the alternating
current from the alternating source. The induced voltages can vary
in magnitude but the frequency remains the same.

A transformer which raises the voltage is referred as a step-up transformer while that which
lowers the output voltage is referred to as a step-down transformer.

A transformer mainly consist of a laminated iron upon which the output and in input windings
are wound. Since it has no moving parts to transfer power from the input
circuit to the output circuit , there are only minor losses. As such, it
higher efficiency as compared to most other electrical machines.

Under normal conditions the transformer efficiency is between 86 and 98 percent . Transformer
have many uses in electrical field. Most of electronic equipment such as
Radio, Oscilloscope and door bells are fitted with step-down
transformers in order to operate from 240Volts a.c supply.

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The transformer is made up of two main parts;

[i] Magnetic system

[ii] Electrical system

MAGNETIC SYSTEM;- Is made up of electrical sheet steel. The main function of magnetic system
is coupling of electrical winding.

 To reduce the eddy current losses the core is assembled of laminations. Each lamination
is insulated from each other by thin coating of vanish or thin paper. Assembling
laminations is tightly pressed together by damping device.

TYPES OF MAGNETIC CORE

[a] CORE TYPE: The electrical system surround the magnetic system which shell type the
electrical system is surrounded by magnetic system. See the figure below.

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[b] SHELL TYPE: The magnetic system surrounds the electrical system. See the figure below.

(c) BERRY TYPE/TOROIODAL TYPE

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The mostly useful is shell and core types

CORE TYPE;-The electrical system surround the magnetic system which shell type the electrical
system is surrounded by magnetic system. See the figure below.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; - This consists of winding made of copper wire. The wire earn by round
for small transformer and rectangular for large transformer.

The wires are insulated from each other by means if thin electrical paper or cotton yam. The
winding which connected to supply is known as primary winding [ input
winding] and that which is connected to the load side is known as
secondary winding [out-put winding].

OPERATION OF TRANSFORMER

The principle of operation is based on faraday’s law of magnetic induction which states that an
emf will be induced in the conductor when there is a relative motion
between the conductors and the field of induced e.m.f [electromotive
force].

When a conductor cuts, or is cut magnetic lines of force, an e.m.f [voltage] is induced into that
conductor

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SELF INDUCED E.M.F

Is the emf which is induced in a coil due to changing of flux in the coil cutting the conductors of
the coil. This self induced emf is opposition to the voltage producing it.
This self induced emf tends to limit the current in the circuit; it changes
the current flowing in the coil when it is carrying alternating current or
changing current. The grater the change in the current the greater the
emf.

E.M.F DUE TO MUTUAL INDUCTANCE

When a coil “A” carrying an alternating or changing, current is placed beside another coil B,
termed the emf of mutual inductance, is in opposition to the force
producing it.

Note: There is no direct connection (electrical connection) between two coils, only a magnetic
connection (magnetic linkages)

PRODUCTION OF EMF AND VOLTAGE TURNS RATIO

When the primary winding is connected to the supply of Vp volts at F c/s, primary current Ip will
flow in the winding. Primary m.m.f [Ip Np] will be establishe which in turn
will set up a flux in a core as shown in figure above. This flux link both the

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 primary and the secondary winding alternate at he same frequency. Then
the primary and secondary winding will experience with change in flux
linkage and e.m.f will be induced to them

Let Ep and Es be induced emf in primary and secondary winding respectively .Es will be the
voltage source to whatever to Vs is the the terminal voltage on the
secondary.

In the absence of the flux leakage the flux linking the two winding will be the same. Thus the
rate of change of flux leakage will be the same for both windings and
hence the induced emf per turn will be same for both winding. In view of
that , the primary and secondary induced emf can be expressed as:-

Ep per turn x Np = Ep

Emf per turn x Ns= Es

On no load condition, Is=0 which mean that the impedance drop in secondary winding is equal
to zero

Hence, Es =Vs

From the equation above we se that the ratio of the input voltage [primary voltage] to the
output [secondary voltage] is determined by ratio of the turns. See the
figure below

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If the primary winding has 500turns and secondary winding has 1000turns the ratio will be two
to one [2:1] step up. Thus 100V applied across the primary will produce
200V across the secondary. Voltages per turn in a transformer are
calculated by dividing the number of turns in the winding by voltage
across the winding.

Voltage per turn= winding voltage

No. of turns

Example ;

A double wound transformer has a 240V primary and consisting 2400turns. Calculate volts per
turn

Solution;

Volt per turn = winding voltage

No. of turns

Volt per turn= 240

2400

Volt per turn = 0.1 V

CONNECTING A TRANSFORMER AND TRANSFORMER RATING

An easy way to test a control transformer is to connect it directly to a disconnected and apply
power to the transformer primary circuit. Then voltage is applied to the
primary circuit, voltage should be available at the secondary.

The amount of voltage at the secondary will depend on the rating of the transformer.
Transformer may be called upon to deliver current to loads of any power
factor. The main feature which limits the rating of a transformer is the
rate at which the heat generator by the internal losses can be dissipated.
Since the transformer copper loss is usually larger than other losses, the
rating of the transformer is ‘current limited’ .For these reason
transformer ratings are given in volt-ampere; in power transformers the
multiples KVA and MVA are used.

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 POWER LOSSES IN A TRANSFORMER

Under normal operating conditions power conditions power loss occurs in the transformer. The
power loss can be broadly divided into:

(a) [losses which varies with the load current (copper loss) and

(b) loss which varies with core flux ( iron loss ).

COPPER LOSS;

Copper loss is the power lost in the primary and secondary windings of transformer due to the
Ohmic resistance of the conductor. (Copper conductors).

IRON LOSS;

Is that loss due to the power consumed when the magnetic domains in the core rotate each
time the magnetizing force reverses. The energy loss appears in the form
of heat in the iron.

TRANSFORMER ARRANGEMENTS:

A transformer with equal primary and secondary voltage is called isolation transformer.
However, if the induced voltage in the secondary is higher than the
applied voltage; the arrangement is called a step-up transformer. A step-
down transformer will have few turns in the secondary winding than the
primary and therefore less induced e.m.f.

Isolation transformer: Step-up transformer Step-down transformer

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLTAGE, CURRENT AND NUMBER OF TURNS IN TRANSFORMER
ARE AS FOLLOW:

Vp = Np = Is

Vs Ns Ip

Where; Vp= Primary voltage

Np=primary turns

Ip= Primary current

Vs= Secondary voltage

Ns=Secondary turns

Is= Secondary current

Note; Transformer which have a greater secondary voltage are called step-up transformer,
while those with a smaller secondary voltage are called Step-down transformer.

Example;

A single-phase step-down transformer has 796 turns on the primary and 365 turns on the
secondary winding. If the primary voltage is 240V. Calculate the secondary voltage;
also calculate the secondary current if the primary current is 10A.

Data

Vp=240v

Ip=10A

Np=796turns

Ns=365turns

Vs= ?

Is= ?

Sol;

Vp = Np;

Vs Ns

Vs= Vp x Ns / Np

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 = 240 x 365 = 110 volts

796

But, Vp = Is

Vs Ip

Is= Ip x Vp

Vs

Is= 10 x 240/ 110 = 21.82A

Example 2.

A double wound transformer step-down has a ratio of 6000v to 250v. If the volts per turn
are 2 volts, determine the number of turn in each side.

Solution

Volts per turn = Winding voltage

No. of turn

Then, no. of turns = Winding voltage

Volts per turn

(a) Np= Vp
2
=6000
2
No. of turns =3000turns

(b) Ns = Vs
2
= 250
2
No. of turns = 125 turns

The transformer has two windings in one core (magnetic material) as shown in the figure
above. The side where the load is connected is called Secondary side .And
the side where source is connected is called Primary side.

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Functions of transformer

 Used to step down voltage

 Used to step up voltage
 To supply power in equipment using extra low, [Link] bell , radios e.t.c.
 Welding activities.

Transformer cooling

 Air cooling
 Air blast cooling
 Oil immersion cooling
 Water cooling

Examples

An auto transformer has 2400 turns connected to 240Va.c to supply a 120 volts load.

Calculate

a. The voltage induced in each turn of the winding.

b. The number of turns in the secondary section.

TRANSFOMER EFFICIENCY

The efficiency of transformer is the ratio of the power output to power input. In practice , ideal
transformers do not exist because of the transformer losses. The power
output of a transformer is therefore lower than the power input. The
difference in power is dissipated as heat .As a result; transformers have
an efficiency of less than 100 percent.

Therefore, Efficiency = output power

Input power

= Output power

Output power + Losses

Or

Efficiency =Output power

Input power

=Input power - losses

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 Input power

= Input power – losses

Input power Input power

=1 – losses

Input power

= 1- losses x 100%

Input power

Transformer name plate consists of :-

a) Manufacturer’s name
b) Size or rate of V.A e.g 100 V.A
c) High voltage windings e.g 1100volts
d) Frequency e.g 50HZ
e) Serial number
f) Type number
g) Phase type
h) Low voltage windings i.e 240 volts
i) Percentage impedance i.e 3%
j) Temperature rise i.e 60 degree of Celsius
k) Capacity i.e 5 liters insulating oil.
l) Model number.

Classification of Transformer

a) According to KVA rating

 Distribution Transformer
 Power rated above 500KVA

b) According to mounting
 Single phase
 Polyphase
c) According to mounting
 Pole mounted
 Platform mounted
 Sub-station
 Vault
d) According to cooling
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  Air cooling
 Oil cooling
 Water cooling
e) According to type of core
 Core type
 Shell type
 Berry type
f) According to type of winding on core
 Cylindrical
 Sandwich
g) According to purpose
 Power
 Instrument
 Control
h) According to use
 Step up
 Step down

Causes of Transformer problems:

The main enemies of per (esp. large one)

1. Heat
2. Moisture
3. Vibration
4. Corrosive atmosphere
5. Dust
6. Dirt

E.g
 Excessive heat and moisture can cause a breakdown of insulation between turns
or windings or between windings and the core.
 Excessive vibration can loosen the bolts and lock washers that hold laminations
together.
 Corrosive atmosphere can cause deterioration copper conductors and poor
contact at terminals.
 Metallic particles carried by a ventilating system or dust can result in poor air
circulation, insulation breakdown or both.
 Small transformers are usually rated in terms of secondary volts and amperes.
 Larger transformers are rated in kilovolt amperes or KVA.

Transformer testing: Transformer can be tested by two methods.

(a) Open circuit test

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 (b) Short circuit test

THREE - PHASE TRANSFORMERS

Electrical energy is mainly generated by the use of three-phase generators. The transmission
and distribution of this energy from one three- phase circuit to another
requires a three-phase transformer.

FIG: THREE-PHASE CORE –TYPE TRANSFORMER

The core of three - phase transformer has three-limbs. The low and high-voltage windings for
each phase are wound on one of the three limbs. The whole assembly,

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 the core structure and the windings, are immersed in a tank. The
connections between the windings are made inside the transformer case.

TRANSFORMER CONNECTIONS:

The following are possible transformer connections in a three-phase system:

(a) Delta-Delta connections

In Delta-Delta connections, the primary and secondary windings are connected in Delta.
This arrangement is generally used in systems where the voltages are not very high.

(b) Star-Star connections

In Star-Star connections, the primary and secondary windings are connected in star.
Neutral wire is usually connected between the source and the primary side of the
transformer in order to maintain a constant voltage across each winding and also
balance the secondary load. The grounding of the neutral wire protects the windings
from lightning surges.

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(c) Delta-Star connections
In Delta-Star connection, the primary windings are connected in delta and the secondary
windings are star connected. This type of connection has a high transformation ratio and
it is therefore used in transmission lines for stepping up voltages. In step-down Delta-
Star application, the Star connection is used to supply two voltages for single phase
lighting and three-phase power equipment.

(d) Star –Delta connections

In Star-Delta connection is used where it is necessary to have a large step-down ratio.
Thus it is used to reduce high transmission voltages to lower values at the load
[Link] same arrangement can also be used in three-phase four wire primary
distribution systems to lower three-phase voltages.

APPLICATION OF AUTO-TRANSFORMER:
1. Used in three-phase transmission for stepping up and down the voltages

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 2. To interconnect systems those are operating at almost constant voltage.
3. To boost voltages on long single phase and three phase distribution lines i.e
compensates low voltage drop.
4. To reduce the voltages in three phase manual and automatic motor starters
5. To provide a mult- voltage source

KEY POINTS:
1. The generation of a voltage in an electric circuit by a varying current in the same
circuit is called self-induction.
2. The generation of a voltage in an electric circuit by a varying magnetic field in a
primary winding is called mutual induction.
3. The transfer of energy by transformers from one circuit to another may be
accompanied by a change in voltage but the frequency remains the same.
4. The ratio of voltages, currents and turns in a transformer is its transformation ratio.
A = Np = Vp = Is
Ns Ns Ip

5. When determining the full-load current of the primary and secondary circuits of a
transformer, it is assumed that the input and output power (volt-amperes) are
equal. That is IpVp = IsVs.
6. Power losses in a transformer consist of core and copper losses. The core losses are
the hysteresis and eddy currents.
7. The secondary voltage in an autotransformer is tapped from the primary winding.
8. Transformer efficiency = Power output x 100
Power input

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