Transformers

Engr. Michael Ernie F. Rodriguez

Instructor I
Transformer

• Transformer is a stationary machine of high efficiency

by means of which AC power maybe changed from
one voltage to another without changing its
frequency. It is a simple and efficient machine that
changes the level of energy from high voltage to low
voltage and vice versa.
• A transformer has three parts: the core, the primary
winding, and the secondary winding.
Parts of a Transformer

1. Core – made up of laminated sheets of iron which interlinks

two coils of insulated wire placed upon it.
2. Primary Winding – winding that is connected to an AC
power source of suitable voltage.
3. Secondary Winding – winding that is connected to the
load.
Core

E1 N1 N2 E2

Primary Secondary
Working Principle of a Transformer

• A transformer operates on the principle of mutual

inductance between two inductively coupled coils. It consists
of two windings in close proximity and are coupled by
magnetic induction.
• One of the windings called primary is energized by a sinusoidal
voltage. The second winding, called secondary, feeds the load.
• The alternating current in the primary winding sets up an
alternating flux in the core.
• The secondary winding is linked by most of this flux and emfs
are induced in the two windings. The emf induced in the
secondary winding drives a current through the load
connected to the winding.
Working Principle of a Transformer

• Energy is transferred from the primary circuit to the secondary

circuit through the medium of the magnetic field.
• In brief, a transformer is a device that:
1. transfers electric power from one circuit to another;
2. it does so without a change of frequency; and
3. it accomplishes this by electromagnetic induction
Types of Transformers
(According to Use)
Power Transformer
• Big transformer installed in power plants and central
substations and must be designed with high efficiency
at rated capacity.

Distribution Transformer
• Small transformer mounted on poles to supply a
group of customers and must be designed with high
all day efficiency.
Types of Transformers
(According to Construction)
Core Type
• The winding surrounds the bigger portion of the core
and is good for medium voltage and high capacity.

Shell Type
• The core surrounds the bigger portion of the
windings and is good for low voltage and high
capacity.
Types of Transformers
(According to Number of Turns)
Step Down
• The number of turns on the primary side is greater
than the number of turns on the secondary side.

Step Up
• The number of turns on the primary side is less than
the number of turns on the secondary side.
Ideal Transformer

An ideal transformer is a lossless transformer.

𝐸 = 4.44𝑁𝑓𝜙𝑚 ; 𝜙𝑚 = 𝐵𝑚 𝐴

where: E = voltage induced in the windings, in volts (V)

N = number of turns in the windings
f = frequency of the voltage induced, in Hertz (Hz)
fm = maximum flux in the core, in weber (Wb)
Bm = maximum flux density in the core, in Tesla (T)
A = csa of the core, in sq. meters (m2)
Ideal Transformer

EXAMPLE: A single-phase transformer has 300 primary turns

and 750 secondary turns. The net cross sectional area of the
core is 64 sq cm. If the primary voltage is 440 V, 60 Hz, find the
maximum flux density in the core.
𝐸 = 4.44𝑁𝑓𝜙𝑚 ; 𝜙𝑚 = 𝐵𝑚 𝐴
𝐸
𝐸 = 4.44𝑁𝑓𝐵𝑚 𝐴 → 𝐵𝑚 =
4.44𝑁𝑓𝐴
2
2
1𝑚
𝐴 = 64 𝑐𝑚 × = 0.0064 𝑚2
100 𝑐𝑚
𝐸 440
𝐵𝑚 = = = 0.86 𝑇
4.44𝑁𝑓𝐴 4.44(300)(60)(0.0064)
Ideal Transformation Ratios

𝐸1 𝑁1
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜: = =𝑎
𝐸2 𝑁2
𝐼2 𝑁1
𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜: = =𝑎
𝐼1 𝑁2
2
𝑍1 𝑅1 𝑋1 𝑁1
𝑂ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜: = = = = 𝑎2
𝑍2 𝑅2 𝑋2 𝑁2

where: a = turns ratio

Note: Subscript 1 is for primary parameters while Subscript 2 is

for secondary parameters
Ideal Transformation Ratios

EXAMPLE: The secondary winding of a 4,600/230 V

transformer has 36 turns. How many turns are there in the
primary winding?
𝐸1 𝑁1 𝐸1 4600
= → 𝑁1 = 𝑁2 = 36 = 720 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠
𝐸2 𝑁2 𝐸2 230

EXAMPLE: The secondary load current of a 2,300/115 V

transformer is 46 A. Calculate the primary current.
𝐼2 𝐸1 𝐸2 115
= → 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 46 = 2.3 𝐴
𝐼1 𝐸2 𝐸1 2300
Non-Ideal Transformer

A non-ideal or a practical transformer has power losses and

voltage drops within its internal circuits.

Ip R1 X1 R2 X2
I0 I1 I2

LOA D
V1 RC XM E1 E2 V2

R1, X1 = R and X of primary windings V1 = supply voltage

R2, X2 = R and X of secondary windings V2 = load or terminal voltage
XM = magnetizing reactance of the core I0 = exciting current
RC = resistance representing the core loss Ip = total primary current
drawn from the supply
Approximate Equivalent Circuit

R1 X1 R2 X2

I1 I2

LOA D
V1 E1 E2 V2

Approximate Equivalent Circuit

Approximate Equivalent Circuit

Equivalent Circuit Referred to the Primary Side

R01 X01

I1 I2

LOA D
V1 E1 E2 V2

𝑅01 = 𝑅1 + 𝑎2 𝑅2 ; 𝑋01 = 𝑋1 + 𝑎2 𝑋2 ; 𝑍01 = 𝑅01 2 + 𝑋01 2

where: R01 = equiv. resistance ref. to the primary side

X01 = equiv. reactance ref. to the primary side
Z01 = equiv. impedance ref. to the primary side
Approximate Equivalent Circuit

Equivalent Circuit Referred to the Secondary Side

R02 X02

I1 I2

LOA D
V1 E1 E2 V2

𝑅1 𝑋1
𝑅02 = 𝑅2 + 2 ; 𝑋02 = 𝑋2 + 2 ; 𝑍02 = 𝑅02 2 + 𝑋02 2
𝑎 𝑎

where: R02 = equiv. resistance ref. to the secondary side

X02 = equiv. reactance ref. to the secondary side
Z02 = equiv. impedance ref. to the secondary side
Approximate Equivalent Circuit

EXAMPLE: A single-phase, 2000/200 V, 50 Hz transformer has

primary resistance of 3.5 W and reactance of 4.5 W. The
secondary resistance and reactance are 0.015 W and 0.02 W
respectively. Calculate the equivalent values of resistance,
reactance and impedance (a) in primary terms and (b) in
secondary terms.
𝐸1 2000
𝑎 𝑎= = = 10
𝐸2 200
𝑅01 = 𝑅1 + 𝑎2 𝑅2 = 3.5 + 102 0.015 = 5 Ω
𝑋01 = 𝑋1 + 𝑎2 𝑋2 = 4.5 + 102 0.02 = 6.5 Ω

𝑍01 = 𝑅01 2 + 𝑋01 2 = 52 + 6.52 = 8.2 Ω

Approximate Equivalent Circuit

EXAMPLE: A single-phase, 2000/200 V, 50 Hz transformer has

primary resistance of 3.5 W and reactance of 4.5 W. The
secondary resistance and reactance are 0.015 W and 0.02 W
respectively. Calculate the equivalent values of resistance,
reactance and impedance (a) in primary terms and (b) in
secondary terms.
𝑅1 3.5
𝑏 𝑅02 = 𝑅2 + 2 = 0.015 + 2 = 0.05 Ω
𝑎 10
𝑋1 4.5
𝑋02 = 𝑋2 + 2 = 0.02 + 2 = 0.065 Ω
𝑎 10

𝑍02 = 𝑅02 2 + 𝑋02 2 = 0.052 + 0.0652 = 0.082 Ω

Per Unit Value in Transformer
Parameters
• The per unit value of any quantity is defined as the ratio of the
quantity to its base or reference value.

For a single-phase system:

𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = =
𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑍𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑍𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
𝑍𝑝𝑢 = =
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2
Per Unit Value in Transformer
Parameters
For a three-phase system:
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝐼𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
3𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒(𝐿𝐿) 2
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 =
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑍𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑍𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙
𝑍𝑝𝑢 = =
𝑍𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒(𝐿𝐿) 2

where: Ebase = line to line voltage rating, in V

Sbase = rated apparent power, in VA
Zactual = ohmic impedance, in ohms
Per Unit Value in Transformer
Parameters
EXAMPLE: A 50 kVA, 2400/240 V transformer has a per unit
reactance of 5%. Solve the equivalent ohmic reactance of the
transformer referred to the (a) primary, (b) secondary.

𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑋𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐
𝑋𝑝𝑢 =
𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2

𝑋𝑝𝑢 𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2 (0.05)(2400)2

𝑎) 𝑋𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐 = = = 5.76 Ω
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 50,000

𝑋𝑝𝑢 𝐸𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 2 (0.05)(240)2

𝑏) 𝑋𝑜ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑐 = = = 0.0576 Ω
𝑆𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 50,000
Per Unit Value Based on a New
Voltage Base and New Power Base
2
𝑍𝑝𝑢(𝑛𝑒𝑤) 𝑆𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝐸𝑜𝑙𝑑
=
𝑍𝑝𝑢(𝑜𝑙𝑑) 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑤

EXAMPLE: The per unit impedance of a transformer is 2%,

based on 50 MVA and 13.8 kV. Solve the new per unit
impedance if the base is changed to 100 MVA and 6.9 kV.
2
𝑆𝑛𝑒𝑤 𝐸𝑜𝑙𝑑
𝑍𝑝𝑢(𝑛𝑒𝑤) = 𝑍𝑝𝑢(𝑜𝑙𝑑)
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑤
2
100 13.8
𝑍𝑝𝑢(𝑛𝑒𝑤) = 2% = 16%
50 6.9
Voltage Regulation

Voltage regulation is the percentage rise in voltage in the

secondary side after the load is switched-off.
R02 X02

I1 I2

LOA D
V1 E1 E2 V2

𝐸𝑁𝐿 − 𝐸𝐹𝐿 𝐸2 − 𝑉2
%𝑉𝑅 = × 100% = × 100%
𝐸𝐹𝐿 𝑉2

where: E2 = terminal voltage at no load

V2 = terminal voltage at rated load
Voltage Regulation

Alternate formula using per unit data:

%𝑉𝑅 = cos 𝜃 + %𝐼𝑅 2 + sin 𝜃 ± %𝐼𝑋 2 −1

+ sign for a lagging pf

– sign for a leading pf

Note: If the pf is lagging, the voltage regulation is a positive

value and if the pf is leading, the voltage regulation is a
negative value.
Voltage Regulation

EXAMPLE: A 7.2 kVA, 1.2 kV/120 V, single-phase transformer

has the following winding parameters: R1 = 0.8 W, X1 = 1.2 W,
R2 = 0.01 W, and X2 = 0.01 W. Determine the voltage regulation
of the transformer when it is delivering rated load at 0.8 pf
lagging.
Open Circuit Test

During the test, the low side is supplied with rated voltage while
the high side is left open circuited.

Poc Ioc Ioc

W A Soc
Eoc RC XM Qoc
Eoc V Open
IM q
Poc
LV Side HV Side
Equivalent Circuit

Note: The wattmeter reading is equal to the core loss.

where: Ioc = ammeter reading during the test, in amperes (A)

Poc = wattmeter reading during the test, in watts (W)
Eoc = voltmeter reading during the test, in volts (V)
Open Circuit Test

Formulas:
𝑃𝑜𝑐 = 𝑃𝑐𝑜
𝐸𝑜𝑐 2 𝐸𝑜𝑐 2
𝑅𝐶 = ; 𝑋𝑀 =
𝑃𝑜𝑐 𝑄𝑜𝑐

𝑆𝑜𝑐 = 𝐸𝑜𝑐 𝐼𝑜𝑐 ; 𝑄𝑜𝑐 = 𝑆𝑜𝑐 2 − 𝑃𝑜𝑐 2

where: Pco = core loss, in watts (W)

RC = resistance representing the core loss, in ohms (W)
XM = magnetizing reactance of the core, in ohms (W)
IM = magnetizing current, in amperes (A)
Open Circuit Test

EXAMPLE: A 500 kVA, 11/2.3 kV, 60 Hz transformer has been

tested and gives the following open circuit test data: Eoc = 2.3
kV, Ioc = 2.3 A and Poc = 4 kW. Determine the (a) resistance
representing the core loss, (b) magnetizing reactance of the
core and (c) magnetizing current.
Short Circuit Test

During the test, the low side is short circuited while the high
side is supplied with voltage adjusted so that the high side will
draw rated high side current.
R0H X0H
Psc Isc Shorted Isc
W A Z0H
X0H
Esc V Esc
q
R0H
HV Side LV Side
Equivalent Circuit

Note: The wattmeter rdg is equal to the full-load copper loss.

where: Isc = ammeter reading during the test, in amperes (A)

Psc = wattmeter reading during the test, in watts (W)
Esc = voltmeter reading during the test, in volts (V)
Short Circuit Test

Formulas:
𝑃𝑠𝑐 = 𝑃𝑐𝑢(𝐹𝐿)
𝑃𝑠𝑐 𝐸𝑠𝑐
𝑅0𝐻 = 2; 𝑍0𝐻 =
𝐼𝑠𝑐 𝐼𝑠𝑐

𝑋0𝐻 = 𝑍0𝐻 2 − 𝑅0𝐻 2

where: R0H = equiv. resistance referred to the high side, in ohms (W)
X0H = equiv. reactance referred to the high side, in ohms (W)
Z0H = equiv. impedance referred to the high side, in ohms (W)
Short Circuit Test

EXAMPLE: A 1-kVA 230/115 V transformer has been tested for

short circuit test and the results are the following: Esc = 19.1 V,
Isc = 8.7 A, Psc = 42.3 W. Find the equivalent values of
resistance, reactance and impedance referred to the high side.
Assignment – 1 Whole YP (Fri)

1. A 100 kVA, 2400/240 V, 60 Hz transformer has the following

constants: R1 = 0.42 W, X1 = 0.72 W, R2 = 0.0038 W, X2 =
0.0068 W. Calculate (a) R01, X01, Z01 (b) R02, X02, Z02 and (c)
voltage regulation at unity power factor.
2. A transformer has a per unit resistance of 0.01 and a per
unit reactance of 0.04. What is its voltage regulation at (a)
0.8 pf lagging and (b) 0.8 pf leading?
3. The following data were obtained from a short-circuit test
performed upon a 50 kVA, 2300/115 V, 60 Hz transformer:
Esc = 87 V, Isc = 21.75 A, Psc = 590 W. Calculate (a) R01, Z01,
X01 and (b) voltage regulation at a power factor of 0.866
lagging.