Transformer regulation

The standard formula for determining the percentage regulation of a

transformer at full load and at a power factor cos is,Ł

VR
VX ⊲A4.1⊳
200

where VX D percentage reactance voltage at full load

VR D percentage resistance voltage at full load

D angle of lag of the full-load current

This formula is correct for the determination of the regulation at any

load differing from full load, and it is only necessary to divide Vx and VR
wherever they appear in the formula by the factor given by dividing the
full-load current by the current corresponding to the particular load at
which the regulation is desired. In most practical cases the load current
flowing through a transformer has lagging power factor so that no
doubts can arise with regard to the correct signs to be used, for these
are exactly as given in the above general equation. From time to time,
however, it is necessary to calculate the regulation for currents at
leading power factors and it is, therefore, interesting to consider
whether the standard formula given above applies in such cases.

Like many other problems of this kind, the solution can be obtained
from the geometry of the figure, and the following investigation has
been conducted upon this basis, referring all quantities to the
secondary side, and working on a per phase basis.

Ł For impedances above 20% refer to Chapter 1.

825

Appendix 4

Figure A4.1 Regulation diagram lagging power factor load

Drop perpendiculars from A and B to OC produced, meeting OC

produced at E and D respectively. With radius OA and centre O draw an
arc AF to meet OC produced at F.

Power factor OGO

Since AB is parallel to OG, AB must make an angle 2 with OC produced

and BC must make an angle 90° with OC.
OA OC
Percentage regulation D 100
OF OC
D 100 OA

OA
CF

CD C DE C EF
 OA
BCsin2 C ABcos2
C EF

OA OA
EF D
VX sin

OA

where VX and VR are the percentage reactance and resistance voltage

drops at full load respectively.

In order to evaluate EF it must be remembered that OF is the radius

of a circle and that AE is a perpendicular to it from a point on the
circumference,
Appendix 4 827

and that, therefore,

EF AE
AE D OE C OF

AE2
EF D C
OE OF
Now although EF may be appreciable compared with CF, it is
negligible compared with so large a quantity as OE C OF, and therefore
it is permissible to write 20F for the latter.
AE2 AE2

Thus EF D D

2OF 2OA
EF AE2
therefore100OA D 1002 OA2

2
 2OA2

VR
percentage regulation
In Figure A4.2 the power factor of the load

leading
lagging

lagging

AB and BC make angles 2 and 90° respectively with OC.

Figure A4.2 Regulation diagram leading power factor load

Appendix 4

Therefore,
⊲OA OC⊳
percentage regulation D 100

OA
D ⊲OF OC⊳
100
 OA

OA
D ⊲CD C DE C EF⊳
100

OA
AE2

2OA2

Now,

and therefore,

and percentage regulation

VR
D VX ⊲A4.2⊳
200
It will be seen from equations (A4.1) and (A4.2) that the final
regulation formula is the same for lagging and leading power factors
provided the angle 2 is the true angle of lag measured clockwise from
the position of the secondary terminal voltage phasor. Thus, in the case
of a lagging power factor cos2 the angle 2 is substituted directly into the
regulation formula, but in the case of a leading power factor cos 2 the
angle to be substituted is not 2 but , and the following
relationship must be observed:

and
 If the percentage regulation comes out negative, it indicates that the
load has produced a rise in voltage.

Appendix 5