TRANSFORMER

TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

Transformer Tests
The performance of a transformer can be calculated on the basis
of its equivalent circuit, which contains four main parameters - R01
(equivalent resistance as refereed to primary), X01 (equivalent
leakage reactance as referred to primary), R0 (equivalent coreloss resistance), and X0 (magnetizing reactance).
These
constants of parameters can be easily determined by two tests :
(i) open-circuit test and (ii) short-circuit test. These tests are very
economical and convenient because they furnish the required
information without actually loading the transformer.
1. Open-Circuit Test (No-Load Test)
The purpose of this test is to determine core loss (Wi), equivalent
core loss resistance (R0), magnetizing reactance (X0), and noload current (I0). The circuit diagram of open-circuit test is shown
in Fig. 4.22.
W

I2 = 0

I0
A

V1

E1

Low

E2

Open
circuit

High

Fig. 4.22 : Circuit diagram of open-circuit test

One winding of the transformer, whichever is convenient but
usually the high-voltage winding4, is left open and other is
connected to the supply of normal voltage and frequency. a
wattmeter, a voltmeter and ammeter are connected in the lowvoltage winding, i.e., the primary winding in the present case.
1

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TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

With rated/normal voltage applied to the primary, normal flux will

be set up in the core, and hence normal iron losses will occur,
which are recorder by the wattmeter. As the primary no-load
current I0 is small, copper loss is legibly small in primary and nil in
secondary (it being open).
Hence, the wattmeter reading
represents practically the core loss under no-load condition.
Ammeter indicates the no-load primary current I0.
Let wattmeter reading

= W watt

ammeter reading

= I0 ampere

voltmeter reading

= V1 volt

figure 4.23 shows the phasor diagram under no-load condition

(open circuit).
V1

IW

I0

f0

Im

V2

E2
E1

Fig. 4.23 : Phasor diagram under no-load condition (open

circuit)
The equivalent circuit of a transformer under no-load condition
is shown in Fig. 4.24.This equivalent circuit is derived from the
approximate equivalent circuit of Fig. 4.21.The approximate
equivalent circuit is modified according to the open-circuit test
condition, i.e. as secondary is open, the load is removed and the
load component of the primary current I2 is made zero.

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TRANSFORMER TESTS

I 2 = 0

I1

R0 1

THEORY

X0 1

I0
V1

IW
R0

Im

Open
circuit

X0

Fig. 4.24 Equivalent circuit of a transformer under no-load

condition
Calculation for R0 and X0
The wattmeter reading indicates the input power, i.e.,
W = V1I0 cos f0 W
Where W, V1 and I0 are the wattmeter, voltmeter and ammeter
riding respectively
W

So, cos f0 = V I
1 0
The rated voltage on the low-voltage side is lower than that on the
high-voltage side. This voltage can be safely applied and
measured with the available laboratory voltmeters.
Iw = I0 cos f0

Now,

and Im I0 sin f0
From equivalent circuit of Fig. 4.24
R0 =

V
IW

andX0 =

V1
Im

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TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

2. Short Circuit (SC) Test

This is an economical method to determine copper loss (Wcu) at
full load (and at any desired load), equivalent resistance (R01 or
R02), equivalent reactance (X01 or X02), and equivalent impedance
(Z01 or Z02). The circuit diagram of short-circuit test (conducted on
the primary side) is shown in Fig. 4.25.
W
I2

I1

VS C

Short
circuit

V2 = 0

High

Low

Fig. 4.25 : Circuit diagram of short-circuit test (conducted on

primary side)
In this test, one winding, usually the low-voltage winding 5, is
short circuited by thick conductor as shown in Fig. 4.25. A low
voltage is applied to the primary and is cautiously increased till
full-load currents are flowing both in the primary and the
secondary (as indicated by the ammeter). Since in this test, the
applied voltage is a small percentage of the normal voltage, the
mutual flux F produced is also a small percentage of its normal
value. Hence, core losses are very small with the result that the
wattmeter reading represents the full-load copper loss of the
transformer.
Let wattmeter reading

= W watt (dig)

ammeter reading

= I1 ampere

voltmeter reading

= Vsc volt

V1
V2

I1
= I
2
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TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

2400 I1
=
I2
240

I1= 10 I2
The rated current on the high-voltage side is lower than that on
the low-voltage side. This current can be safely measured with
the available laboratory ammeters. Also since the applied voltage
is less than 5% of the rated voltage of the winding greater
accuracy in the reading of the voltmeter is possible when the test
is conducted on the high-voltage side.
The equivalent circuit of a transformer under this condition is
shown in Fig. 4.26. This equivalent circuit is derived from the
approximate equivalent circuit of Fig. 4.21. The approximate
equivalent circuit is modified according to the short-circuit test
condition, i.e.,. as secondary is shorted, the secondary voltage is
made zero. As core loss is negligible, the equivalent core loss
resistance R0 is removed. Therefore, the value I0 becomes very
small, and so it is neglected in the equivalent circuit.
I2

R0 1

X0 1
Z0 1
V2 = 0

VS C

Fig. 4.26 : Equivalent circuit a transformer under short-circuit

test condition
Calculation for R01, X01 and Z01
The wattmeter reading indicates the copper loss, i.e.
W

2
= I1 R01

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So. R01

TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

W
= I2
1

From equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 4.26, we get

Z01 =

VSC

I1

where W, Vsc and I1 are the wattmeter, voltmeter and ammeter

reading respectively.
Now,

X01

2
2
Z01
R01

In the above case, sc test is conducted on the primary side. If it is

conducted on the secondary side, then the corresponding circuit
diagram and calculation of the parameters would be as follows :
The circuit diagram of short-circuit test (conducted on the
secondary side) is shown in Fig. 4.27.
W

I2

I1
A

Short
circuit

VS C

V1 = 0
Primary

Secondary

Fig. 4.27 : Circuit diagram of short-circuit test (conducted on

secondary side)
Let wattmeter reading

= W watt

ammeter reading

= I2 ampere

voltmeter reading

= Vsc volt

The constants or parameters can be calculated as follows :

The wattmeter indicates the Cu loss, i.e.,
W=

I22 R02
6

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or

R02 =

and Z02 =

TRANSFORMER TESTS

THEORY

I22
VSC

I2

where W, Vsc and I2 are the wattmeter, voltmeter and ammeter

readings respectively.
Now,

X02

2
2
Z02
R02

Also, R01 and X01 can be calculated as follows :

R01 =

R 02
X 02

and
X
=

01
K2
K2