EEC236 - Lecture 3-Three Phase Transformers
EEC236 - Lecture 3-Three Phase Transformers
EEC236 - Lecture 3-Three Phase Transformers
1. Introduction
The generation and transmission of electric power are three-phase in nature. Similarly, at the distribution
substation, the voltage must be stepped down and it is necessary to reduce the voltage level. Here, a three-
phase step-down transformer is required. Therefore, it is economical to use three-phase transformers for
transmission and utilization purposes. Earlier it was common practice to use three suitable single-phase
transformers rather than a single three-phase transformer bank. Nowadays, a single three-phase transformer
bank is popular due to improvement in its design and manufacture. A three-phase transformer can be built in
two ways viz., (i) by suitably connecting a bank of three single-phase transformers or (ii) by constructing a
three-phase.
In a bank of three single-phase transformers, the magnetic circuits for each phase are independent of
each other so that the flux in the magnetic circuit of a single-phase transformer is due to the current in the
windings of that transformer only. The magnetic circuit in a three-phase unit transformer has common paths
for the three-phases so that the flux is due to the effect of currents in all the three-phase.
For the same capacity, a single three-phase unit transformer has the following advantages: • It
occupies less space for same rating, compared to a bank of three single-phase transformers. • It occupies less
space • It weighs less • It sizes less and can be accommodated in smaller tank and hence needs smaller
quantity of oil for cooling. • The cost is 20% less. • Since only one unit is required to be handled, it is easy
for the operator. • It can be transported very easily. • The core is of smaller size and hence less material is
required • The bus-bar structure, switchgear and other wiring for a three-phase transformer installation are
simpler • It needs less number of bushings • It operates at slightly better efficiency and regulation. Because
of these advantages, 3-phase transformers are in common use, especially for large power transformations.
In spite of the above advantages of a three-phase unit transformer, a bank of three single-phase
transformers is used in underground work, such as in mines, for easy transport of these units. Again, open-
delta operation with reduced rating is possible in a bank of three single-phase transformers when one unit of
three single-phase transformers is out of order. It is common practice to use a single three-phase transformer
unit because it has reduced cost.
A disadvantage of the three-phase unit transformer lies in the fact that when one phase becomes
defective, the entire three-phase unit must be removed from service. When one transformer in a bank of three
single-phase transformers becomes defective, it may be removed from service and the other two transformers
Example 1
Consider a three-phase, 15 MVA, 138/13.8 kV distribution substation transformer that is being used as
a step-down transformer. Determine the ratings and turn ratios of the transformer, if it is connected in
a) Y- Δ b) Δ-Y c) Δ-Δ d) Y-Y
Figure 6: V connection.
The two transformers constitute 66.6% of the installed capacity of the three, but they are able to deliver
only 57.7% of the three in open delta connections without overloading the transformer (i.e., not exceeding
the current rating of the transformer windings). In a V-connection, only 86.6% of the rated capacity of the
two transformers is available.
• When 𝜙 = 0°, the PF of each transformer is the same, i.e. 0.8666
• When 𝜙 = 30°, the PF of one transformer is 1 and the other is 0.8666
• When 𝜙 = 60°, the PF of one transformer is 0; so only one transformer will carry the entire load
and the other one will not supply any load
• When 𝜙 = 90°, the PF of one transformer is 0.5 leading and the other is 0.5 lagging; so the
transformers will not supply at all
Hence it shows that except for a balanced unity PF load, the two transformers in an open delta
operate at different PF.
The following are the points which favour the use of open-delta:
(i) When the three phase load is comparatively small, so that the installation does not warrant a
three phase transformer bank.
(ii) When one of the transformers in a Δ-Δ connection fails, so that the service may be continued
until the faulty transformer is repaired or good one is substituted.
(iii) In a new installation advantage is taken of the open-delta or V-connections by installing initially
only two transformers of the capacity to meet the present maximum demand. When the load on
the system increases to the expected full load, a third transformer is added to close the delta.
Example 4
Two transformers are connected in open-delta supply with a 300 kVA balanced load operating at 0.866
power factor lagging. If the load voltage is 440 V, calculate the following:
(i) kVA supplied by each transformer and
(ii) kW supplied by each transformer.
Figure 10: A single-phase, three-winding transformer: (a) winding diagram and (b) equivalent circuit.
The impedance of any of the branches shown in Figure 10(b) can be determined by considering the
short-circuit impedance between pairs of windings with the third winding open. Therefore,
𝑍12 = 𝑍1 + 𝑍2
𝑍13 = 𝑍1 + 𝑍3
𝑍23 = 𝑍2 + 𝑍3
Referring 𝑍23 to the primary side, we obtain:
′
𝑁𝑝 2
𝑍23 = ( ) 𝑍23
𝑁𝑠
If the leakage impedances Z1, Z2, and Z3 are referred to the primary, they are then expressed as:
1
𝑍1 = (𝑍12 + 𝑍13 − 𝑍23 )
2
1
𝑍2 = (𝑍23 + 𝑍12 − 𝑍13 )
2
1
𝑍3 = (𝑍13 + 𝑍23 − 𝑍12 )
2
where
Z12 is the leakage impedance measured in primary with secondary short-circuited and tertiary open
Z13 is the leakage impedance measured in primary with tertiary short-circuited and secondary open
Z23 is the leakage impedance measured in secondary with tertiary short-circuited and primary open
Z1 is the leakage impedance of primary winding
Z2 is the leakage impedance of secondary winding
Z3 is the leakage impedance of tertiary winding
In most large transformers, the value of Z2 is very small and can be negative.
In contrast to the situation with a two-winding transformer, the kVA ratings of the three windings of a
three-winding transformer bank are not usually equal. Therefore, all impedances as defined earlier should be
expressed based on the same kVA base.
9. Autotransformers
Two-winding transformers have already been discussed. In such transformers, the two windings are
electrically isolated and emf is induced in the secondary winding due to mutual induction. There also exists
other types of transformers in which a part of the winding is common to both the primary and secondary
By Dr. FOTSO Raoul 11
circuits. These transformers are termed as autotransformers. An autotransformer is a one-winding
transformer. The same winding acts as the primary and a part of it as the secondary. The winding is tapped at
a suitable point to obtain the desired output voltage across the secondary. In an autotransformer, the two
windings are electrically connected and it works on the principle of induction and conduction. The
autotransformers are also classified as step-up and step-down transformers (Fig. 11) because voltage can be
stepped up and stepped down using these transformers. The structural difference is that the series winding
must have extra insulation in order to be just as strong as the one on the common winding. In a variable
autotransformer, the tap is movable.
Problem 3
Two identical 250 kVA, 230/460 V transformers are connected in open delta to supply a balanced 3φ
load at 460 V and a power factor of 0.8 lagging. Determine
(1) The maximum secondary line current without overloading the transformers.
(2) The real power delivered by each transformer.
(3) The primary line currents.
(4) If a similar transformer is now added to complete the Δ, find the percentage increase in real
power that can be supplied. Assume that the load voltage and power factor remain unchanged at
460 V and 0.8 lagging, respectively.
Problem 4
Three identical single-phase transformers, each of rating 20 kVA, 2300/230 V, 60 Hz, are connected Y-
Y to form a 3φ transformer bank. The high-voltage side is connected to a 3φ, 4000 V, 60 Hz supply, and the
secondary is left open. The neutral of the primary is not connected to the neutral of the supply. The voltage
between the primary neutral and the supply neutral is measured to be 1200 V.
(1) Describe the voltage waveform between primary neutral and supply neutral. Neglect harmonics
higher than third.
(2) Determine the ratio of (i) phase voltages of the two sides and (ii) line voltages of the two sides.
(3) Determine the ratio of the rms line-to-line voltage to the rms line-to-neutral voltage on each side.