Three-phase to Two-phase Conversion and vice-versa

This conversion is required to supply two-phase furnaces, to link two-phase circuit with 3-
phase sys- tem and also to supply a 3-phase apparatus from a 2-phase supply source. For this
purpose, Scott connection as shown in Fig. 33.17 is employed. This connection requires two
transformers of different ratings although for interchangeability and provision of spares, both
transformers may be identical but having suitable tappings.

If, in the secondaries of Fig. 33.14 (b), points c and d are connected as shown in Fig. 33.18
(b), then a 2-phase, 3-wire system is obtained. The voltage Edc is 86.6 V but ECb = 100 V,
hence the resulting 2-phase voltages will be unequal. However, as shown in Fig. 33.19 (a) if
the 3-phase line is connected to point A1, such that DA1 represents 86.6% of the teaser
primary turns (which are the same as that of main primary), then this will increase the
volts/turn in the ratio of 100 : 86.6, because now 86.6 volts are applied across 86.6 per cent of
turns and not 100% turns. In other words, this will make volts/ turn the same both in primary
of the teaser and that of the main transformer. If the secondaries of both the transformers
have the same number of turns, then secondary voltage will be equal in magnitude as shown,
thus resulting in a symmetrical 2-phase, 3-wire system.

Consider the same connection drawn slightly differently as in Fig. 33.20. The primary of the
main transformer having N1 turns is connected between terminals CB of a 3-phase supply. If
supply line voltage is V, then obviously VAB = VBC = VCA = V but voltage
between A and D  is V  ´ 3/ 2. As said
above, the number of turns between A  and D should be also ( 3 / 2) N1 for making volt/turn
the same in both primaries. If so, then for secondaries having equal turns, the secondary
terminal voltages will be equal in magnitude although in phase quadrature.

Hence, the currents in the lines B and C are obtained vectorially as shown in Fig. 33.22. It
should be noted that as the two halves of the teaser primary current flow in opposite
directions from point D, they have no magnetic effect on the core and play no part at all in
balancing the secondary ampere-turns of the main transformer.

The line currents thus have rectangular components of KI2M and 0.58, KI2T and, as shown
in Fig. 33.22, are in phase with the primary star voltages VNB and VNC and are equal to the
teaser primary current. Hence, the three-phase side is balanced when the two-phase load of
unity power factor is balanced.
Fig. 33.23 (a) illustrates the condition corresponding to a balanced two-phase load at a
lagging power factor of 0.866. The construction is the same as in Fig. 33.22. It will be seen
that the 3-phase side is again balanced. But under these conditions, the main transformer
rating is 15% greater than that of the teaser, because its voltage is 15% greater although its
current is the same.

Hence, we conclude that if the load is balanced on one side, it would always be balanced
on the other side.
The conditions corresponding to an unbalanced two-phase load having different currents and
power factors are shown in Fig. 33.23 (b). The geometrical construction is similar to those
explained in Fig. 33.22 and (a).

Summarizing the above we have :

1. Teaser transformer primary has 3/ 2 times the turns of main primary. But volt/turn is the
same. Their secondaries have the same turns which results in equal secondary terminal
voltages.

2. If main primary has N1 turns and main secondary has N2 turns, then main transformation
ratio is

3. If the load is balanced on one side, it is balanced on the other side as well.

4. Under balanced load conditions, main transformer rating is 15% greater than that of the
teaser.

5. The currents in either of the two halves of main primary are the vector sum

Example 33.18. Two transformers are required for a Scott connection operating from a 440-
V, 3-phase supply for supplying two single-phase furnaces at 200 V on the two-phase side. If
the total output is 150 kVA, calculate the secondary to primary turn ratio and the winding
currents of each transformer.
Note. We have made use of the fact that since secondary load is balanced, primary load is
also balanced. If necessary, I1M  can also be found.

Example 33.20. In a Scott-connection, calculate the values of line currents on the 3-phase
side if the loads on the 2-phase side are 300 kW and 450 kW both at 100 V and 0.707 p.f.
(lag) and the 3-phase line voltage is 3,300 V. The 300-kW load is on the leading phase on the
2-phase side. Neglect transformer losses. (Elect. Technology, Allahabad Univ. 1991)

Solution. Connections are shown in Fig. 33.25 (a) and phasor diagram in Fig. 33.25 (b).
Example 33.21. Two electric furnaces are supplied with 1-phase current at 80 V from a 3-
phase, 11,000 V system by means of two single-phase Scott-connected transformers with
similar secondary windings. When the load on one furnace is 500 kW (teaser secondary) and
on the other 800 kW (secondary of main transformer) what current will flow in each of the 3-
phase lines (a) at unity power factor and (b) at 0.5 power factor ? Neglect phase
displacement in and efficiency of, the transformers. (Electrical Engineering, Madras Univ.
1987)

Solution. The connections are shown in Fig. 33.26 and the phasor diagrams for unity and 0.5
p.f. are shown in Fig. 33.27 (a) and (b) respectively.
Example 33.23. Two single-phase Scott-connected transformers supply a 3-phase four-wire
distribution system with 231 volts between lines and the neutral. The h.v. windings are
connected to a two-phase system with a phase voltage of 6,600 V. Determine the number of
turns in each section of the h.v. and l.v. winding and the position of the neutral point if the
induced voltage per turn is 8 volts.

Solution. As the volt/turn is 8 and the h.v. side voltage is 6,600 V, the h.v. side turns are =
6,600/8 = 825 on both transformers.

Example 33.24. A Scott-connected (2 to 3-phase) transformer links a 6,000 V, 2-phase

system with a 440 V; 3-phase system. The frequency is 50 Hz, the gross core area is 300 cm2,
while the maximum flux density is to be about 1.2 Wb/m2. Find the number of turns on each
winding and the point to be tapped for the neutral wire on the 3-phase side. If the load is
balanced on the one side of such a transformer, find whether it will also be balanced on the
other side. (London Univ.)

Solution. Use the transformer voltage equation 1,

 Tutorial Problem No. 33.3
1. A Scott-connected transformer is fed from a 6,600-V, 3-phase network and supplies two
single-phase furnaces at 100 V. Calculate the line currents on the 3-phase side when the
furnaces take 400 kW and 700 kW respectively at 0.8 power factor lagging. (Elect.
Machines II, Indore Univ. 1977)

[With 400 kW on teaser, line currents are 87. 2 A; 139 A; 139 A]

2. Two 220-V, 1-phase electrical furnaces take loads of 350 kW and 500 kW respectively at a
power factor of 0.8 lagging. The main supply is at 11-kV, 3-phase, 50 Hz. Calculate current
in the 3-phase lines which energise a Scott-connected transformer combination. (Elect.
Machines, Madras Univ. 1978)

[With 350 kW on teaser line currents are : 45.7 A ; 61.2 A; 61.2 A]

3. Two electric furnaces are supplied with 1-phase current at 80 V from 3-phase, 11,000-V
supply mains by means of two Scott-connected transformers with similar secondary
windings. Calculate the current flowing kW respectively in each of the 3-phase lines at U.P.P.
when the loads on the two transformers are 550 kW of 800 kW.

[With 550 kW on teaser, line currents are : 57.5 A; 78.2; 78.2 A] (Electrical Machines-I,
Madras University, 1977)