A83- Special Transformers 400 kV

Autotransformers in India
P Ramachandran
6–7 minutes

Part 1 of the article in this series on autotransformers was published some time back
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/special-transformers-1-auto-transformers-part-1-p-
ramachandran/?trackingId=WSjpRPJFS1%2BhgokioNjxVw%3D%3D

In India,400 kV Autotransformers are used for connecting the 400 kV grid to 220 kV and
also to 132 KV. The majority of the application is for interconnecting 400 and 220 kV grids
using 315 MVA, 500 MVA, and 750 MVA three-phase or bank autotransformers. Even
though in earlier days, when the 400 kV grid was introduced in the late 1970s, 250 MVA 3-
phase and 630 MVA banks were in use, today ratings are more or less standardized to the
above three ratings.

400/132 kV auto-transformers are sparingly used at ratings of 200 or 315 MVA three-phase
ratings. In earlier days 100 MVA and 200 MVA ratings were common. All 400/220 kV and
400/132 kV ratings are with on-load tap-changers to vary HV voltage by +- 10 %. These tap-
changers are located at the IV-line end of series winding for HV voltage variation i.e., core
flux will not change with tap-changing i.e., constant flux regulation.

When we compare 400/220 kV auto-transformers with 400/132 kV auto-transformers, the

following salient features should be appreciated.

1. ONAN/ONAF cooling shall be preferred to ONAN/ONAF/OFAF cooling due to the

economy and ease of maintenance. Due to the low winding current density used nowadays to
get the high efficiency demanded, oil-forced and directed cooling may not result in relative
benefits.

2. When the transformer has a three-limb core construction stabilizing tertiary winding is not
required.

3. In case the system allows, eliminate tap-changers for price savings and higher reliability.
Then restrict the rated core flux density to 1.65 T to take care of the voltage variations. When
tap-changers are necessary, provide online filters for tap-changers in all 400/220 kV auto-
transformers.

4. When using 400/132 KV class transformers, go for neutral end tap-changers for IV
variation. Even though this will make Transformers variable flux regulation type (i.e. with tap
changing, core flux density will vary) still this option will be cheaper than line end OLTC for
HV variation or neutral end OLTC for HV variation. In other countries (e.g. the UK, and
South Africa) 400/132 kV auto-transformers are with neutral end OLTC for IV variations.

5. For the same MVA rating, a 400/132 kV Autotransformer will be costlier, heavier and less
efficient (i.e. more losses) than a 400/220 kV Autotransformer. The losses of
autotransformers of the same MVA rating but of different voltage ratios will vary unlike in
the case of two winding transformers. The size of the active part and quantities of core and
copper also will increase when the voltage ratio increases i.e. the losses and the active part
weight will be more for a 400/132 kV ratio Auto-transformer, compared to a 400/220 kV
ratio Auto-transformer.

6. Compared to a two-winding transformer, in an autotransformer, only a fraction of the total

kVA is transformed through core and windings, the rest flowing from primary terminals to
secondary terminals directly through the series winding. Owing to this fact, it is seen that the
percentage savings due to the use of autotransformers increases as the ratio of low and high
line voltages approaches unity and decreases as the ratio differs from unity due to the
increased requirements of core and copper.

Hence losses will be higher for a 400/132kV Autotransformer, compared to a 400/220kV

Autotransformer of the same MVA rating.

7. Losses of a 400/132 kV transformer can be determined by extrapolating the losses of a

similar autotransformer of the same voltage ratio but of a different MVA rating. We can find
out the losses of a 315 MVA auto-transformer of 400/132 kV voltage ratio by extrapolating
the losses of a 200 MVA 400/132 kV auto-transformer. When the MVA rating varies with the
same voltage ratio and similar impedances, the losses and active part weights will vary not
linearly but as MVA is raised to 0.75.

8. If the standardized losses for 200MVA 400/132 kV Autotransformer are Core loss = 70kW
and copper losses = 400kW.
9. In India, the voltage regulating taps in 400 kV auto-transformers are provided in two ways-
In North and East India, tap winding is provided in between tertiary and common windings to
get constant ohmic impedance ( ie varying percentage impedance) at all taps. In South and
West India, tap winding is provided in between series and common windings to get constant
percentage impedance at all taps. These two types of transformers cannot be parallel-operated
due to different % impedance at various taps. The constant ohmic impedance design was
adopted by the influence of ASEA designers. The advantages claimed by ASEA were higher
impedance with tertiary and hence better short circuit withstand capability for tertiary
winding during HV or IV line faults. The tap winding will be away from the main leakage
field and hence will be subjected to less heating from eddy losses. With modern design and
materials, these advantages are not appreciable and some countries which were following
constant ohmic impedance winding arrangement switched over to constant percentage
impedance pattern. (e.g. South Africa)