Auto transformer:

Auto transformer is a transformer with only one

winding. A part of this winding is common to both
primary and secondary sides. Such a transformer is
particularly economical, when the transformation
ratio is very close to unity.

Fig.2.38 shows a single-phase auto transformer

having N1 turns across A-C. The input voltage V1 is
applied across the N1 turns and the output voltage is
tapped between B and C. N2 is the number of turns
in the section B-C. Fig.2.38 Auto transformer

1
Let I2 = Current drawn by the load
I1 = Current in primary side
Then the current through the section B-C is equal to (I1-I2)
Here, |I1| < |I2|, Therefore | I1-I2| will be negative.
| I1-I2| is going to be used to calculate weight of copper
winding used in the section B-C. Weight could not be
negative. Hence, the direction of (I1-I2) is made reverse in
Fig.2.39 to get positive value of (I2-I1).
Let us try to compare the weight of copper used in the auto-
transformer winding with the two winding transformer for
performing the same operation. Fig.2.39 Auto transformer

Weight of copper used in a winding Length of winding× Cross-sectional area of winding

Or Wt. of Cu  No of turns × Current ( because Area of conductor  current)
 Wt. of Cu used in section AB  (N1- N2) ×I1
And Wt. of Cu used in section BC  N2×(I2-I1)
Hence, Total weight of copper used in auto transformer
Wauto  (N1- N2) ×I1 + N2×(I2-I1)
If a two winding transformer were used to perform the same Fig.2.40 Two winding transformer
duty as shown in Fig.2.40, then weight of copper used in
two winding transformer is given by:

2
 W auto (N1 - N 2 )I1  N 2 ( I 2 - I1 ) N1I1 - N 2 I1  N 2 I 2 - N 2 I1
  
Wtw ( N1I12  N 2 I 2 ) ( N1I12  N 2 I 2 )
2N 2
Its 𝐼1 don’t W auto N1I1  N 2 I 2 - 2.N 2 I1 2.N 2 I1 W auto N1
Or   1- Or  1-
confuse Wtw ( N1I12  N 2 I 2 ) ( N1I12  N 2 I 2 ) Wtw N .I
1 2 2
N1.I1
N2 I 1 W auto 2.K
( But  K and 2  )  1-  (1  K )
N1 I1 K Wtw 2
Or Wauto = (1 – K) × Wtw (A)
V2 200
Case-I : If V1 = 220 V and V2 = 200V i.e. K   0.909  1
V1 220
Then, Wauto = (1 – 0.909) × Wtw = 0.091 × Wtw

That means, weight of copper used in auto transformer is only 9.1 % of weight of copper used in the two
winding transformer. There is significant save in weight of copper.
V2 6
Case-II : If V1 = 220 V and V2 = 6 V ( i.e. K    0.0272 not  1 )
V1 220

Then, Wauto = (1 – 0.0272) × Wtw = 0.9727 × Wtw

That means, weight of copper used in auto transformer is only 97.27% of weight of copper used in the two
winding transformer. (No significant saving)
Hence, the saving in weight of copper used in the auto-transformer is only significant when the
transformation ratio is nearly equal to unity.

3
 Instrument Transformers
Instrument transformers are special purpose transformer designed with highly accurate transformation ratio
so it can be used in instrumentation and protection relay scheme. There are two types of instrument
transformers:
i) Current transformer (CT)
ii) Potential transformer (PT)

Current Transformer (CT)

It is a transformer designed to sense high current through primary winding and steps down the current to
lower value with a accurate known ratio. Fig.2.41 shows the connection of a CT to measure higher value of
load current with the help of low range ammeter.

The primary winding of CT is connected in series with the

current to be measured rather than connecting across the
supply voltage V1, so that the primary winding senses the
load current. As the primary winding of CT has to carry
high current and voltage drop across it is very small, it is
made of thick wire with few turns. Whereas, the secondary Fig.2.41 Connection of current transformer
winding of CT has to carry low value of current and
voltage drop across it is comparatively higher than that
across the primary winding, the secondary winding is made
of thin wire with many numbers of turns.
In some cases, the main primary line acts as the single turn
of CT primary winding and the ring type core will have Fig.2.42 Ring type CT
only the secondary winding as shown in Fig.2.42.

4
Let I1 = High current through the primary winding of CT
I2 = Secondary current through the ammeter
N1 = Numbers of turns in the primary winding of CT
N2 = Numbers of turns in the secondary winding of CT
Then, transformation ratio is given by:
N2 I
K  1 Or I1 = K. I2 (2.34)
N1 I2
Hence, by measuring I2 by low range ammeter, I1 can be estimated by using eqn (2.34). The primary
winding of normal two winding transformer is exited by a constant voltage source V1 and the no-load
current I0 remains constant and accordingly the magnetic flux in the core remains constant from no-load
to full load. Whereas incase of CT, the primary winding is excited by load current, which varies with the
system load. When the system load current I1 increases, the magnetic flux produced by the primary
winding of CT increases and at the same time, secondary current I2 also increases. Therefore, magnetic
flux produced by secondary winding also increases, which cancels the magnetic flux due to increase in
I1. Hence, the net magnetic flux in the core remains constant.

However, if the ammeter is removed with primary winding of CT excited, I2 will be zero and secondary
winding of CT can not produced opposing magnetic flux to cancel increased magnetic flux due to I1. In
such a case, the net magnetic flux will be very high thus by resulting high iron loss and high induced emf
in the primary and secondary windings of CT. The high emf induced in the windings will damage the
insulation of the winding and high iron loss will over heat the windings. Hence, the secondary winding
of CT never shall keep open with primary winding excited. If the ammeter is to be removed for repair
and maintenance purpose, the secondary winding shall be short circuited by a thick wire.

5
 Potential Transformer (PT)

The basic construction and operating principle of potential

transformer (PT) is similar to that of a normal two winding
transformer. But PT is designed and manufactured with
highly accurate transformation ratio so that it is suitable for
measurement purpose. PT is used to measure high voltage
with help of low range voltmeter as shown in Fig.2.43.

N V
Transformation ratio K  2  2
N V Fig.2.43 Connection diagram of PT
1 1
It will be known value for a potential transformer
Here, V1 is the system voltage of high voltage circuit whose value is to be measured.
If V2 is the reading of low range voltmeter connected across the secondary winding of PT,
then the value of V1 can be estimated as:
V
V  2 (2.35)
1 K

6
 Three Phase Transformer
Large scale generation of electric power is usually three phase for the sake of better
efficiency and economy.

If the generated power is to be transmitted to a load center through a long route, the
transmission is done at higher voltage in order to reduce the power loss and voltage drop in
the line. Therefore, three-phase step up transformer is necessary at sending end of the line. At
the receiving end of the line, the voltage is again step down to a lower value suitable for
consumers. Therefore, three-phase step down transformer is required at the receiving end of
the line.

In the earlier days, three units of single phase transformers were used to step up or step down
the three-phase voltage. Later on, three-phase transformer was introduced to overcome the
disadvantages of using single phase transformer for three phase system.

Three units of single transformers used for three-phase system :

Three units of single phase transformers can be interconnected to step up or step down the three phase
voltage as shown in Fig.2.44.

7
Polarity of the each transformer has to be
taken care while connecting three units of
single phase transformers to step up or step
down the three-phase voltage.

The starting end of primary of Tr-1 shall be

connected to R1 of primary supply voltage,
the starting end of primary of Tr-2 shall be
connected to Y1 of primary supply voltage
and the starting end of primary of Tr-3 shall
be connected to B1 of primary supply
voltage.

The finishing ends of Tr-1, Tr-2 and Tr-3

shall be connected together to neutral of
Fig.2.44 Three units of single phase transformers
primary supply. Similar connections shall be
used for three phase system
made to get three phase output voltage.

8
Disadvantages of this system are:
• This system is more expensive than a single unit of three phase transformer
of equivalent capacity.

• This system is less efficient than a single unit of three phase transformer of
equivalent capacity.

• This system is occupies more space than a single unit of three phase transformer
of equivalent capacity.

Some advantages of this system are:

•Where single unit of three phase transformer is very large for transportation to the
site in the hilly region, three units of single phase transformer would be easier for
transportation.

•If it is required to have a stand by unit for better reliability of supply continuity
during the maintenance period, only one unit of single phase transformer can be
installed as a spare unit. Whereas in case of three phase transformer, the whole three
phase unit has to be installed as spare unit. Hence, the investment on spare will be
less in this system.

9
Evolution of Three Phase Transformers :
Let us consider three units of single phase transformers used for three phase system as shown in
Fig.2.45. Here, the iron core of three units are kept close together and only primary windings are shown
for simplicity.

Let R, Y and B be the instantaneous values of

magnetic flux produced in the core by R, Y and B
phase windings respectively. These flux can be
described mathematically as follow:

R = m Sint
Y = m Sin(t-1200)
B = m Sin(t-2400) = m Sin(t+1200)

The total flux through the common central part core

is the phasor sum of R, Y and B and is given by: Fig.2.45 Three units of single transformers
used as three phase transformer
T = m Sint + m Sin(t-1200) + m Sin(t+1200)
or T = m Sint + m [Sint.Cos1200 - Cost. sin1200+ Sint.Cos1200 + Cost. sin1200 )
or T = m Sint + 2 m Sint.Cos1200 = m Sint + 2 m Sint.(-0.5) = 0

Therefore, no magnetic flux will pass through the common central part core. Hence, the core for three
phase transformer can be made by removing the common central part core as shown in Fig.2.46. The
volume of iron core in this type of core is only about 67 % of the volume of iron core used in three units of
single phase transformer and accordingly the iron loss of the transformer will be less.

10
 Fig.2.46 Cross-sectional view of three phase transformer core and windings

R = m Sint
Y = m Sin(t-1200)
B = m Sin(t-2400) = m Sin(t+1200)

At t = 900, R = m , Y = m Sin(900-1200) = -0.5 m , and B = m Sin(900-2400) = -0.5 m

Therefore, magnetic flux in the central core will be ϕR = ϕm up-ward and magnetic flux in the other
two side core will be ϕY =0 .5ϕm and ϕB =0 .5ϕm downward. In this way total flux through the
central core gets return paths through other two side core.

11
Three Phase Transformer Connections :

A three phase transformer has three sets of winding in primary side and another three sets of windings in
secondary side. These six sets of winding can be connected to give various configurations of three phase
transformer connections.

i) Star / Star (Y / Y ) connection:

In star connections of three phase

windings, finishing ends of all the
phase coils are connected together to
form a Neutral point.

In this Y-Y connection, both primary

windings and secondary windings are
star connected as shown in Fig.2.47(a)
In this connection, a phase coil is under
the pressure of 1 / 3 times of system
line voltage, but line current and
phase current is same. The insulation
of a phase winding has to be designed
to withstand the voltage across the
winding. Since the voltage across the
phase winding is only 1 / 3 times of
system line voltage, star connection is
economical for high system voltage. Fig.2.47. Star /Star Connection of three phase transformer

12
The cross-sectional area of the winding depends upon the phase current. Hence, a Star /
Star connection is most economical for low capacity high voltage transformer.

If the primary R-phase phasor and secondary R-phase phasor are compared with the
longer arm and shorter arm of a clock, the above phasor diagram crossponds to zero hour
in the clock. Hence, this connection is named as Y-y0 phasor group.

13
ii) Delta / Delta (∆ / ∆ ) connection:

This is the connection with Delta (∆)

connection on primary side and secondary
side as shown in Fig.2.48. In delta
connection, the finishing end of a phase
coil is connected to the starting end of the
second phase coil and so on forming a
closed delta path.

In this connection, a phase coil is under the

pressure of full supply line voltage, but
phase current is 1 / 3 Times of the line
current. Hence, Delta / Delta connection is
most economical for large capacity low
voltage transformer. There is no phase
displacement between respective phasors
of primary and secondary phase voltages.
Hence, this connection is named as Dd0
phasor group.

Fig.2.48. Delta/Delta Connection of three phase transformer

14
iii) Star / Delta (Y / ∆ ) connection:

Since Star connection is suitable for

High Voltage and Low Current and
Delta winding is suitable for Low
Voltage and High Current, Star/ Delta
connection is most suitable for
stepping down the voltage at the
receiving end of a transmission line.

There is a phase shift of -300 between

the primary and secondary phase
voltages as shown in Fig.2.49(c),
which corresponds to one O clock in
the watch. Hence, this connection is
named as Yd1 phasor group.

Fig.2.49. Star / Delta Connection of three phase transformer

15
iv) Delta / Star (∆ / Y ) connection:

Since Star connection is suitable for

High Voltage and Low Current and
Delta winding is suitable for Low
Voltage and High Current, Delta/Star
connection is most suitable for
stepping up the voltage at the sending
end of a transmission line.
This connection is also suitable for
distribution transformer at the
consumer end, where 3 phase 4-wire
system with earthed neutral is
necessary to supply single phase as
well as three phase loads. (i.e.: 11kV
/400 V distribution transformer.
There is a phase shift of +300 between
the primary and secondary phase
voltages as shown in Fig.2.50 (c).
Hence, this connection is named as Fig.2.50. Delta/Star Connection of three phase transformer
Dy11 phasor group.

16
Illustrative example :
A 3-phase, 50 Hz, 11kV/400V Delta/Star transformer has balanced star-connected load of 90 kW at 0.8
lagging power factor. Calculate: secondary line current, primary phase current and primary line current
in the following two cases:
Case-I : Transformer is ideal without any power loss
Case-II : Efficiency = 96%
Solution:
Given: VL1 = VP1 =11 kV, VL2 = 400V,
Load = 90 kW, Load pf = 0.8 lagging
V 400
V  L2   230.9 V
P2 3 3
Case-I : Transformer is ideal without any power loss:
90,000
Output power  3.VL2 . I L2 .Cos2 Or I L2   162.38 Amp  Secondary line current  I P2
3  400  0.8
Since, there is no power loss, Input power = output power

Input Powe r  3.VL1. I L1.Cos1  90,000watts

90,000
Assuming input power Cos1 = 0.8 lagging I L1   5.9 Amp
3  11000 0.8
I L1
Then, I P1   3.406 Amp
3
This problem also can be solved by following alternative method:

17
Alternative method:
VP1×IP1 = VP2×IP2 (per phase power balance )
VP2  I P2 230.9  162.38
OR I P1    3.406 Amp
V P1 11000

Then, I L1  3  I P1  5.9 Amp

Case-II : Efficiency = 96% :

Output power
Efficiency   0.96
Input Powe r
Output power
OR, Input power   93750 watts
0.96
Secondary line current is same as case-I: IL2 = IP2 = 162.38 A

Input power  3.VL1. I L1.Cos1  93750watts

93,750
 I L1   6.15 Amp
3  1100 0.8
I L1
Then, I P1   3.55 Amp
3

18
Numerical:
A 230V/ 2300V single-phase transformer is excited by 230V ac voltage. The equivalent resistance and reactance referred to primary side are 0.1 ohm
and 0.4 ohm respectively. Given that R0 = 500 ohms and X0 = 200 ohms. The load impedance is (400 + j600) ohm. Calculate: a) Primary current b)
Secondary terminal voltage c) Input power factor.
The following test results were obtained on a 20 kVA, 2200/220 V, 50 Hz single phase transformer:
Open-circuit Test (LV Side): 220 V, 1.1 A, 125 W
Short Circuit Test (HV Side): 52.7 V, 8.4 A, 287 W
Calculate the equivalent circuit parameters referred to L.V side and draw the equivalent circuit.
With the secondary short circuited, if 200 V is applied to a 200 KVA, 1-phase, 3300/400 V transformer, the current through primary was
the full load value and the input power was 1650 W. Calculate the secondary p. d. and percentage regulation when the secondary load is
passing 300 A at 0.707 p.f. lagging with normal primary voltage.