Vector Diagrams for Linemen

How to quickly draw voltage vector diagrams

and correctly wire up transformer banks.
First Edition
Vector Diagrams for Linemen
2
Transformer Terms Used in Vector Diagrams
Primary Bushings
The primary voltage (also called input voltage or source voltage) connects to the bushings on the top of
a transformer. Primary bushings are designated H1 and H2. The H1 bushing is always the left bushing
when the transformer is viewed from the front.
Secondary Bushings
The secondary voltages (also called load-side voltages or delivery voltages) appear on bushings on the
side of the transformer. These bushings are designated as X1, X2, and X3 and X4 if there are four
secondary bushings.
X3 X2 X1
Primary bushings
Secondary bushings
H1 H2
Figure 2. Transformer primary and secondary bushings.
Transformer Polarity
Transformers have either additive or subtractive polarity. The polarity of a transformer depends on
whether the secondary coil is wound around the core in the same direction as the primary coil, or in
the opposite direction. The practice followed by most transformer manufacturers is: Small transformers
(below 200 kVA or primary voltage below 8600 volts) are additive; large transformers are subtractive.
4
Vector Diagrams for Linemen
Nameplate Data
When drawing vector diagrams, you need to get this information from the transformer nameplate:
Rating of the primary, or high voltage winding of the transformer.
Rating of the secondary, or low voltage winding of the transformer.
Polarity of the transformer.
HV TAP POSI TI ON
100%
97.5%
95%
92.5%
90%
1 OR A
2 OR B
3 OR C
4 OR D
5 OR E
NON-PCB MI NERAL OI L
WHEN MANUFACTURED CONTAI NED
LESS THAN 1PPM PCB
GAL 11 %IZ WT 202 LB HV AL 95 BIL
H
V
CUST
I.D.
L
V
10 60 HZ
CLASS OA
READ INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS S201-10-1
LV AL 95 BIL 65 C RI SE
A DD P OL .
1.8
E 211072 05W5
7200 / 12470Y
120/240 CP123456790
000000556
MFG DATE AUG 98 MS 85C
NOTES:
C
A
T
S
E
R
M
F
G
K
V
A
TK
5
CP
C B C B
D
A D
I
A
x
1
x
2 x
3
x
1
H
1
H
2
x
2
x
3
SW
1
2
4
3
(1) HV - Rating of the high-voltage (primary) winding. The low number (7200) is the
voltage this transformer needs to have applied at its primary bushings as input, to
produce the rated secondary voltage (120/240 volts) as output. 7200 is the voltage
required by this transformer. On nameplates for padmount transformers and single-
bushing overhead transformers, the low number appears last instead of first.
The high number (12470Y) is the voltage which needs to be applied
between primary transformer coils, when this transformer is used in
a wye-connected bank.
Note: When 12470 is divided by 1.73, the result is 7200.
(2) LV - Rating of the low-voltage (secondary) winding. This transformer delivers 120 and 240 volts.
(3) POL - This transformer has additive polarity.
(4) This secondary schematic shows the two secondary coils wired in parallel. This configuration
provides only 120 volts and not 240 volts, but it delivers twice as much current, compared with
the other secondary schematic. Here, the secondary coils are connected to X1 and X2, and X3 is
abandoned. Some utilities connect the secondary coils to X1 and X3, and abandon X2.
Figure 5. Transformer nameplate data.
120 V 120 V
240 V
7200 V
1
2
0
V
1
2
0
V 2
4
0
V
7
2
0
0
V
12,470 V
5
Rules for Labeling Vector Diagrams
Four Rules for Labeling Vector Diagrams
Four simple, intuitive rules govern the labeling of vector diagrams. Follow these rules throughout all
diagrams. Youll always understand your vector drawings, and everybody else will understand them too.
Rule 1: Left to right.
Assign numbers and letters left to right just like the way we read a book. Label phase conductors, left
to right. Label transformers on a pole, left to right. Everything is left to right.
Rule 2: Clockwise.
Assign labels to delta or wye diagrams, clockwise the same direction the hands of a clock move. Add
arrowheads to delta vectors, pointing clockwise. Current ows clockwise. Current always seeks ground,
so in wye diagrams, add arrowheads to the vectors pointing to the center of the diagram.
Rule 3: A B C.
Place letters in alphabetic order. Label conductors on poles and crossarms in alphabetic order.
Electricity is generated in three phases: A B C. This sequence repeats over and over: ABCABCABCA...
Rule 4: 1 2 3.
Place numbers in vector drawings in numeric sequence: 1 2 3. Rule 3 and Rule 4 work together. For
example, phase A goes with transformer 1. Phase B goes with transformer 2. Phase C goes with trans-
former 3.
Five Steps for Drawing Vector Diagrams
Follow these ve steps when drawing vector diagrams:
Step 1: Determine if the circuit is wye or delta.
Step 2: Draw a wye (or a delta) on the vector diagram circle.
Step 3: Show the direction of current ow clockwise for delta, to ground for wye.
Step 4: Add the transformer labels T1, T2, T3.
Step 5: Label the bushings.
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Vector Diagrams for Linemen
Drawing Primary Vector Diagrams
Step 1. Determine if the Primary Circuit is a Delta or a Wye.
To determine if the primary is a delta or wye circuit:
1. Using a voltmeter, measure the line-to-line (phase-to-phase) primary (supply) voltage.
2. Check the transformer nameplate for its high-voltage (HV) rating.
Then:
If the line-to-line (phase-to-phase) voltage is the same as the low number on the nameplate, the
primary is a delta circuit. Same = Delta.
If the line-to-line (phase-to-phase) voltage is different from the low number on the nameplate, or
is the same as the high number on the nameplate, the primary is a wye circuit. Different = Wye.
Table 1 has examples of common line-to-line and nameplate voltages, and the type circuit for each
combination.
Line-to-Line Voltage Nameplate High Voltage Circuit
Line voltage = the low number voltage on the nameplate, so... Delta
2,400 2,400 or 2,400/4160Y Delta
4,160 4,160 or 4,160/7200Y Delta
7,200 7,200 or 7,200/12470Y Delta
12,000 12,000 Delta
Line voltage the low number voltage on the nameplate, so... Wye
4,160 2,400 or 2400/4,160Y Wye
7,200 4,160 or 4160/7,200Y Wye
12,470 7,200 or 7200/12470Y Wye
24,940 14,400 or 14400/24940Y Wye
34,500 19,900 or 19900/34500Y Wye
Table 1. Compare voltages to determine the type primary circuit.
To draw a primary voltage vector diagram, rst draw a circle. Add dots on the circle where hours of a
clock would be, and a dot in the center of the circle. This represents Step 1 in both delta and wye vector
diagrams. See Figure 6.
Figure 6. The vector diagram circle.
7
Drawibng Primary Vector Diagrams
Drawing the Vector Diagram for a Delta Primary
Step 2. Draw a triangle.
A C
B
If the primary is a delta circuit, draw a delta
(triangle) on the circle, from 8 oclock, to 12
oclock, to 4 oclock, back to 8 oclock. Label the
corners A, B, and C.
Step 4. Label transformers.
A
T1 T2
T3
C
B
Label the vectors with T1, T2, and T3, clockwise.
Step 3. Show direction.
A C
B
Add arrowheads to show a clockwise direction of
ow.

Step 5. Label bushings.
A
T1 T2
T3
H2
H2
H2
H1
H1
H1
C
B
Label the bushings, H1 and H2, on all three
vectors, in clockwise direction. This completes the
vector diagram for the primary side of a three-
phase delta bank.
Figure 7. Drawing a delta vector diagram.
To see the physical connections to the transformers, label the overhead conductors A, B, C, left to right.
Connect each line to a transformer bushing, as indicated on the vector diagram. See Figure 8.
Whats our vector, Victor?
one of the many memorable lines from the movie Airplane!
88
Vector Diagrams for Linemen
B
A
H1
H1
H1
H2
H2
H2
N
C
Figure 8. Physical connections for a delta primary.
B
A
H1
H1
H1
H2
H2
H2
N
C
Figure 9. Physical connections for a wye primary.
13
Drawibng Complete Vector and Physical Diagrams
Primary Vector Diagram
Secondary Vector Diagram
a
b
c
n
B
A
H1
X3
X3
X2
X2
X2
T1
T2
T3
H1
H1
H2
H2
H2
N
C
Delta-Delta
Customer Needs
Voltage 1, 2, or 3 phase(s) Measured
Measured Line-to-Line Voltage
_______________volts
Transformer Nameplate
Polarity: ______________
Primary volts: ______________
Secondary volts: ______________
A
T1 T2
T3
H2
H2
H2
H1
H1
H1
C
B
a
T1 T2
X2 X2
T3
X2
X3
X3
X3
X1
X1
X1
c
b
4,160
240 3
a to b, b to c,
c to a
Additive
4,160 / 7,200Y
120/240
X1 X1
X1
X1
X3 X3
+
+
+
Figure 12. Delta-delta vector diagrams and the physical conguration.
14
Vector Diagrams for Linemen
Example: Wye Primary, Wye Secondary
Measured primary voltage: 12,460 volts, line to line.
From the transformer nameplate:
HV 7200/12460Y
LV 120/240
POL ADD
Customer needs: 120 volts, 3 phase; 208 volts, 3 phase.
Draw the primary vector diagram.
Step 1. The primary voltage (12,460 volts) is different from the rst HV voltage (7200) on the
nameplate. The primary is a wye circuit.
Step 2 . Draw a wye.
Step 3. Add arrowheads to show direction to ground (to the center).
Step 4. Label each vector with its transformer (T1, T2, T3).
Step 5. Label the primary bushings (H1, H2).
Step 6. On the physical drawing, label the primary conductors (A, B, C), and label the primary
bushings on the transformers (H1, H2). Then copy the notation on the vector diagram to the
physical conguration.
Draw the secondary vector diagram.
Step 1. The customer-needs voltage (120 volts and 208 volts) are different from the LV (120/240) on
the nameplate. The secondary circuit is a wye.
Step 2. Draw a wye. Make the secondary vectors parallel with the corresponding primary vectors.
Step 3. Add arrowheads to show direction. Make the secondary vectors point in the same direction as
the primary vectors.
Step 4. Label each vector with its transformer.
Step 5. Label each vector with secondary bushings (X1, X2, X3).
Step 6. On the physical drawing, label the transformers (T1, T2, T3), mark a + on each transformer
to indicate its an additive transformer, and number the secondary bushings right-to-left because
these are additive transformers. Then copy the vector notation to the physical diagram.
Note: To deliver 120 volts from the X1 and X3 terminals, inside the transformer, wire the two coils in
parallel.
See Figure 13.
The length of a vector is proportional to a voltage. For this secondary vector diagram, the distance
between X1 and X3 on each transformer represents 120 volts. The distance between X1 on one trans-
former and X1 on any other transformer represents 208 volts. In this vector diagram, the voltage from a
or b or c to ground is 120 volts. And the voltage from a to b, or a to c, or b to c is 208 volts.
28 29
Wye-Wye
+ + +
Use 2 and 4
A
B
C
N
a
b
c
n
Secondary services
277 volts, phase-to-neutral
480 volts, phase-to-phase
or
347 volts, phase-to-neutral
600 volts, phase-to-phase
Delta-Wye
+ + +
A
B
C
n
a
b
c
Use 1 and 4
Secondary services
120 volts, phase-to-neutral
208 volts, phase-to-phase
or
277 volts, phase-to-neutral
480 volts phase-to-phase

Wye-Delta
+ + +
A
B
C
-a
-b
-c
n
Use 2 and 3
Secondary services
240 volts, phase-to-phase
120 volts, b-to-neutral, c-to-neutral
208 volts, a-to-neutral
Open Wye - Open Delta
Use 2 and 3
Secondary services
480 volts, phase-to-phase
A
B
C
n
N
-a
-b
-c
+ +
Wye-Wye

Use 2 and 4
A
B
C
N
a
b
c
n
Secondary services
277 volts, phase-to-neutral
480 volts, phase-to-phase
or
347 volts, phase-to-neutral
600 volts, phase-to-phase
Delta-Wye

A
B
C
n
a
b
c
Use 1 and 4
Secondary services
120 volts, phase-to-neutral
208 volts, phase-to-phase
or
277 volts, phase-to-neutral
480 volts phase-to-phase

Wye-Delta
+ + +
N
A
B
C
-a
-b
-c
Use 2 and 3
Secondary services
480 volts, phase-to-phase
Open Wye - Open Delta
Use 2 and 3
Secondary services
120 volts, a-to-neutral, b-to-neutral
240 volts, a-to-b, b-to-c, a-to-c
208 volts, c-to-neutral
A
B
C
N
n
-a
-b
-c
+ +