Autotransformers

By:
Engr. M.Bilal
Autotransformers
Autotransformers are transformers that contain only
one winding.
The word “AUTO” means self.
An autobiography, for instance, is a book that
someone writes about his or herself.
The single winding of the
autotransformer is both the
primary and secondary.
The primary winding is the
part of the winding
connected to the power
source.
The secondary winding is
the part of the winding
connected to the output or
load.
 In this example, the
primary winding is
connected across 240
turns of wire and the
output is between
terminals A and B.
 The output contains 200
turns of wire.
Different methods can be employed to determine the
amount of output voltage.
 One method is with the use of transformer formulas.
Another method of
determining voltage when
the number of turns are
known is by the volts per
turn.
The primary windings
always determine the volts
per turn of the transformer.
 In this example, the primary
contains 240 turns of wire
and has an applied voltage of
120 volts.
 To determine the volts per
turn of the transformer, divide
the volts by the number of
turns. (120/240 = 0.5 volts
per turn)
In this example, the
secondary portion of the
winding contains 200
turns of wire.
Since the volts per turn
for this transformer is 0.5,
the secondary voltage can
be determined by
multiplying the number of
secondary turns by the
volts per turn.
(200 x 0.5 = 100 volts)
Autotransformers can
contain multiple taps.
In this example, there
are 65 turns of wire
between terminals A
and B, 120 turns
between terminals B
and C, 160 turns
between taps C and D,
and 45 turns between
taps D and E.
The first step in
determining the voltage
produced between each
tap is to determine the
volts per turn of the
transformer.
The primary or input is
located between taps B
and E.
This winding contains a
total of 325 turns. (120
+ 160 + 45)
(208 volts / 325 turns =
0.64 volts per turn)
The amount of voltage
across terminals A and
B can be determined
by multiplying the
number of turns by the
volts per turn of the
transformer.
(65 turns x 0.64 volts
per turn = 41.6 volts)
A voltmeter connected
across terminals A and
B would indicate a
voltage of 41.6 volts.
 The voltage
between any
terminals can be
determined in the
same way.
 Between
terminals B and
C there are 120
turns of wire.
 The voltage
between these
two terminals is
76.8 volts.
(120 turns x 0.64
volts per turn =
76.8 volts)
Between
terminals A and
E there are 390
turns of wire.
(65 + 120 + 160
+ 45 = 390)
The voltage
between
terminals A and
E is 249.6 volts.
(390 x 0.64 =
249.6 volts)
Some autotransformers
contain a sliding tap that
permits the turns ratio to
be changed over the full
range of the transformer.
These transformers are
often called variable
transformers.
 In the example, the
voltage to the load can
be adjusted for any
value between 0 and
120 volts.
 Common brand names
for these transformers
are Powerstat and
Variac.
Variable
transformers are
often designed to
permit a step-up
in voltage.
In the example,
the transformer
can provide an
output voltage of
0 to 140 volts
instead of 0 to
120 volts.
The transformer shown is a
variable transformer.
To connect the transformer to
operate between 0 and 120
volts, connect power to
terminals 2 and 4.
The load is connected
between terminals 3 and 4 or
3 and 2.
If the transformer is to
provide voltages between 0
and 140 volts, connect power
to terminals 2 and 5 or 1 and
4.
If power is connected to
terminals 2 and 5, the load
will be connected to terminals
3 and 4. If power is
connected to terminals 1 and
4, the load will be connected
to terminals 3 and 2.
An autotransformer is
employed to reduce 480
volts to 240 volts to
operate a load.
The load has a current
draw of 4 amperes.
Each of the primary lines
supplying power to the
transformer winding will
have a current flow of 2
amperes.
One of the common rules
that apply to transformers
is the power in must equal
the power out.
(480 volts x 2 amps = 960 VA)
(240 volts x 4 amps = 960 VA)
Autotransformers offer some advantages over isolation-type
transformers and also have some disadvantages.
Advantages
Autotransformers are generally less expensive than isolation-
type transformers because they contain only one winding.
Autotransformers generally exhibit very high efficiencies in the
range of 98% to 99%.
Autotransformers can provide variable voltages.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of an autotransformer is that it does
not provide line isolation from the power source.
Isolation-type transformers are often used because of their
ability to reduce voltage spikes and electrical noise that occur
in the power source. Since there is no separation between
the load and the power source, autotransformers will transmit
spikes and electrical noise to the load.

Autotransformers

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