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Electrical Machines - Autotransformer

An autotransformer is a one winding transformer in which a part of the winding is

common to both primary and secondary windings.

An autotransformer has a single continuous winding with a tap point between the
primary and secondary windings. The tap point can be adjusted to obtain the desired
output voltage, hence this is an obvious advantage of the autotransformer. The main
disadvantage of an autotransformer is that the secondary winding is not electrically
isolated from the primary.

Theory of Autotransformer

Case 1 - Autotransformer on No-Load

The connection diagram of an unloaded autotransformer (step-down and step-up) is

shown in the figure. In this, the winding 'ab' is called primary winding having N1 turns
and the winding 'bc' is called secondary winding having N2 turns.

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Here it can be noted that the primary and secondary windings are connected
magnetically as well as electrically. Thus, the power from the primary winding is
transferred to the secondary winding magnetically as well as conductively.

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Case 2 - Autotransformer on Load

When the load is connected to the secondary of an autotransformer, then it is said to be

loaded. The figure shows the circuit diagram of a loaded autotransformer (step-down and
step-up).

In which the current I1 is the primary input current and the current I2 is the secondary
output current or load current. The current in common portion of the primary and
secondary windings is the difference of the currents I1 and I2, regardless of whether the
autotransformer is stepdown or step-up.

For the step-down autotransformer the current I2 > I1, thus the current flowing in the
common portion is

Current in common portion = I2 − I1

For the step-up autotransformer the current I2 < I1, thus the current in the common
portion is

Current in common portion = I1 − I2

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Circuit and Working Principle of Autotransformer Starter

The circuit diagram of an autotransformer starter for starting a 3-phase induction motor
is shown in the figure. The autotransformer starter can be used for starting both star and
delta connected 3-phase induction motors. In this method, the starting current of the
motor is limited by using a 3-phase autotransformer to decrease the initial applied
voltage to the stator. The autotransformer is provided with a number of tappings to
obtain the variable voltage.

In the autotransformer starting method, the starter is connected to a particular tapping

of the autotransformer to obtain the most suitable starting voltage. A changeover switch
S is used to connect the autotransformer in the circuit for starting the motor.

When the handle (H) of the switch S is at the START position, the primary winding of the
autotransformer is connected to supply line and the induction motor is connected to the
secondary winding of the autotransformer. When the motor picks up the speed (about 80
% of the rated speed), then the handle H is thrown to the RUN position. Consequently,
the autotransformer is isolated from the circuit and the motor is now directly connected
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to the supply line and gets its rated voltage.
-
The handle is held in the RUN position by the under-voltage relay. When the supply
voltage fails or falls below a certain value, then the handle is released and comes back to
the OFF position. To provide the overload protection to the motor, a thermal overload
relay is used in the motor circuit.

Theory of Autotransformer Starter

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The figure below shows the circuit connections for the direct switching of the motor and
the autotransformer starting of the motor.

When direct switching of the motor to the supply line −

Let,

Ze10 = Per phase equivalent impedance of motor referred to stator at standstill

V1 = Supply voltage per phase

Thus, when the full supply voltage per phase (V1) is applied to the motor with direct
switching, then the starting line current drawn by the motor from the supply line is given
by,

V1
Istl = … (1)
Z10

Now, with autotransformer starting, if a tapping of autotransformer with transformation

ratio kis used, then the voltage available across the secondary winding terminals of the
autotransformer (i.e., the voltage per phase across the motor) is kV1. Hence, the
starting current of the motor with autotransformer starting is given by,

kV1
Istm = … (2)
Ze10
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If the no-load current of the transformer
- is neglected, then, the ratio of currents in a
transformer is inversely proportional to the voltage ratio, i.e.,

I1 V2
=
I2 V1

⇒ V1 I1 = V2 I2

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Thus,

′
V1 I = kV1 Istm
stl

Where, I
′
stl
is the line current drawn from the supply by the autotransformer.

′
⇒ I = kIstm … (3)
stl

Substituting the value of Istm from eqn. (2) in eq. (3), we get,

2
kV1 k V1
′
I = k( ) = … (4)
stl
Ze10 Ze10

Therefore,

Chapters Categories
2
k V1

Starting Current with Autotransformer Starter (I' stl ) Z e10 2

= = k
V1
Starting current with direct switching (Istl )
Z e10

2
∴ Starting Current with Autotransformer Starter = k ×

Starting Current with Direct Switching … (5)

Since the torque developed in an induction motor is directly proportional to the square of
the applied voltage. Thus, the torque with direct switching of the motor is,

2
τstd ∝ V … (6)
1

And, the torque developed with the autotransformer starter is,

2 2
τsta ∝ k V … (7)
1

Hence,

2 2
Starting Torque with Autotransformer Starter (τsta ) k V
1 2
= = k
2
Starting Torque with Direct Switching (Istd ) V
1

2
∴ Starting Torque with Autotransformer Starter = k ×

Starting Torque with Direct Switching … (8)

From the eqns. (5) and (8), it is clear that with an autotransformer starter, the starting
current of the motor drawn from the main supply line and the starting torque are
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reduced to k2 times of their corresponding values with the direct switching starting of the
-
motor.

Advantages of Autotransformer
The advantages of an autotransformer are given as follows −

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An autotransformer has smaller core and copper losses and hence higher efficiency
as compared to an ordinary 2-winding transformer.

Autotransformer requires less conductor material as compared to the 2-winding

transformer.

It has better voltage regulation due to reduced voltage drops in resistance and
leakage reactance.

It has smaller size and cheaper than a 2-winding transformer.

It requires smaller excitation current.

An autotransformer can produce variable output voltage.

Disadvantages of Autotransformer
The disadvantages of an autotransformer are given as follows −

There is a direct connection between the primary and secondary sides. In case of
an open circuit in the common portion bc of the windings, the full primary voltage
would be applied to the load on the secondary side. This may damage the
equipment connected to the secondary side.

An autotransformer has reduced internal impedance as compared to a 2-winding

transformer which results in a larger short circuit current.

The autotransformer is not electrically isolated, thus cannot be used to isolate two
circuits electrically.

Applications of Autotransformer
The autotransformer is mainly used in following applications −

The autotransformers are used for boosting of supply voltage to compensate the
voltage drops in distribution systems.

Autotransformers are used for interconnection of power systems of different voltage

levels.

The autotransformers with tapings are used for starting induction motors and
synchronous motors.

The autotransformers are used as variac (variable AC) in the situations where a
continuous variable voltage over a wide range is required.
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