Electrical Power Transformer | Definition and Types of Transformer

Definition of Transformer
A transformer is a static machine used for transforming
power from one circuit to another without changing
frequency. This is a very basic definition of transformer.
Since, there is no rotating or moving part, so a transformer
is a static device. Transformer operates on an ac supply. A
transformer works on the principle of mutual induction.
History of Transformer
If we want to know the history of transformer we have to
go back long in the 1880s. Around 50 years before that in
1830 the property of induction was discovered, and this is
the working principle of transformer. Later the transformer
design was improved resulting in more efficiency and lesser
size. Gradually the large capacity of transformers in the
range of several KVA, MVA came into existence. In the year
1950, 400KV electrical power transformer was introduced
in high voltage electrical power system. In the early 1970s,
unit rating as large as 1100 MVA was produced. Various
manufacturers manufactured 800KV and even higher KV
class transformers in the year of
Use of Power Transformer
Generation of electrical power in low voltage level is very
much cost effective. Theoretically, this low voltage level
power can be transmitted to the receiving end. This low
voltage power if transmitted results in greater line current
which indeed causes more line lossesBut if the voltage
level of a power is increased, the current of the power is
reduced which causes reduction in ohmic or I2R losses in
the system, reduction in cross sectional area of the
conductor i.e. reduction in capital cost of the system and
it also improves the voltage regulation of the system.
Because of these, low level power must be stepped up for
efficient electrical power transmission. This is done by

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step up transformer at the sending side of the power
system network. As this high voltage power may not be
distributed to the consumers directly, this must be
stepped down to the desired level at the receiving end
with the help of step down transformer. Electrical power
transformer thus plays a vital role in power transmission.
Two winding transformers are generally used where ratio of high voltage
and low voltage is greater than 2. It is cost effective to use auto transformer
where the ratio between high voltage and low voltage is less than 2. Again
a single unit three phase transformer is more cost effective than a bank of
three single phase transformers unit in a three phase system. But a single
three phase transformer unit is a bit difficult to transport and have to be
removed from service entirely if one of the phase winding breaks down.
Types of Transformer
Transformers can be categorized in different ways, depending upon their
purpose, use, construction etc. The types of transformer are as follows,
1. Step Up Transformer and Step Down Transformer - Generally used
for stepping up and down the voltage level of power in transmission and
distribution power system network.
2. Three Phase Transformer and Single Phase Transformer - Former is
generally used in three phase power system as it is cost effective than
later. But when size matters, it is preferable to use a bank of three single
phase transformer as it is easier to transport than one single three phase
transformer unit.
3.
Electrical Power Transformer, Distribution Transformer and
Instrument Transformer - Power transformers are generally used in
transmission network for stepping up or down the voltage level. It
operates mainly during high or peak loads and has maximum efficiency
at or near full load. Distribution transformer steps down the voltage for
distribution purpose to domestic or commercial users. It has good
voltage regulation and operates 24 hrs a day with maximum efficiency
at 50% of full load. Instrument transformers include C.T and P.T which
are used to reduce high voltages and current to lesser values which
can be measured by conventional instruments.
4. Two Winding Transformer and Auto Transformer - Former is
generally used where ratio between high voltage and low voltage is
greater than 2. It is cost effective to use later where the ratio between
high voltage and low voltage is less than 2.

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 5. Outdoor Transformer and Indoor Transformer - Transformers that
are designed for installing at outdoor are outdoor transformers and
transformers designed for installing at indoor are indoor transformers.
6. Oil Cooled and Dry Type Transformer - In oil cooled transformer the
cooling medium is transformer oil whereas the dry type transformer is
air cooled.
7. Core type, Shell type and Berry type transformer - In core type
transformer it has two vertical legs or limbs with two horizontal sections
named yoke. Core is rectangular in shape with a common magnetic
circuit. Cylindrical coils (HV and LV) are placed on both the limbs. Shell
type transformer: It has a central limb and two outer limbs. Both HV,
LV coils are placed on the central limb. Double magnetic circuit is
present. Berry type transformer: The core looks like spokes of wheels.
Tightly fitted metal sheet tanks are used for housing this type of
transformer with transformer oil filled inside.
Step Up Transformer
The transformer is static electrical equipment which transforms electrical
energy (from primary side windings) to the magnetic energy (in transformer
magnetic core) and again to the electrical energy (on these secondary
transformer side). The operating frequency and nominal power are
approximately equal on primary and secondary transformer side because the
transformer is a very efficient equipment, while the voltages and currents
values are usually different. Essentially, that is the main task of the
transformer, converting high voltage (HV) and low current from the primary
side to the low voltage (LV) and high current on the secondary side and vice
versa. Also, a transformer with its operation principle provides galvanic
isolation in the electrical system. With those features, the transformer is the
most important part of the electrical system and provides economical and
reliable transmission and distribution of electrical energy.

The transformer can transfer energy in both directions, from HV to LV side

as well as inversely. That is the reason why it can work as voltage step up
or step down transformer. Both transformer types have the same design
and construction. Any transformer can operate as step-up or step-down
type. It is only depending on the energy flows direction.

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The HV windings contain a huge number of turns compared with the LV
windings. An LV winding wire has bigger cross-section than HV wire
because of higher current value on the LV side. Usually, the LV windings
are placed close to the transformer core and over them the HV windings
are wounded.

Transformer turns ratio is approximately proportional to the voltage ratio.

Where U1,2 are voltages and N1,2 are the turns numbers on HV and LV side).
The primary side of a step-up transformer has a small number of turns (LV
side) while the transformer secondary side has many number of turns (HV
side). That means an energy flows from the LV to HV side. The most
important application of step-up transformer is a generator step-up (GSU)
transformer which is used in all generating plants. Those transformers
usually have large turns ratio value. The voltage value produced in energy
generation is increased and prepared to the long distance energy
transmission. The energy produced in generating plant is characterized by
allow voltage and high current value. Depending on the generating plant
type, the GSU transformer has nominal primary voltage value from 6 up to
20 kV.
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The nominal voltage value of GSU secondary side can be 110 kV, 220 kV,
410 kV depending on energy transmission system which is connected to the
GSU secondary side. The current value on the primary GSU side is usually
very high and depending on the nominal transformer power can reach even
30000 A. This current value is not practical for energy transmission and has
to be decreased because of the transmission power losses (R × I2). Long
distance energy transmission would not be possible. Besides the GSU
transformer also makes galavnic isolation between the generator and
electrical network.
Applications of Step Up Transformer
The small step-up transformers can be used in electronic and electrical
devices where the voltage boosting is required. But nowadays in the
modern electronic device, power electronic circuits are more frequently
used because of weight and dimension.

Step Down Transformer

Transformers are able to work in two regimes, as voltage step-up and voltage
step-down transformers. The step-up transformers are described in our
previous page.
The step-down transformer converts the high voltage (HV) and low current
from the primary side to the low voltage (LV) and high current value on the
secondary side. This transformer type has a wide application in electronic
devices and electrical systems. When it comes to the operation voltage, the
step-up transformer application can be roughly divided in two groups: LV
(voltages up to 1 kV) and HV application (voltages above 1 kV). The first LV
application refers to the transformers in electronic devices. Supplying the
electronic circuits requires a low voltage value (e.g. 5V, even lower values
nowadays).
The step down transformer is used to provide this low voltage value which
is suitable for electronics supplying. It transforms home voltage (230/120 V)
from primary to a low voltage on the secondary side which is used for the
electronic supplying. If electronic devices are designed to have higher
nominal power, transformers with high operating frequency are used (kHz-
s). The transformers with higher nominal power value and 50/60 Hz nominal
frequency would be too large and heavy. Also, the daily used battery

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chargers use the step-down transformer in its design.

The step-down transformers have a very important function in power system.

They lower the voltage level and adapt it for energy consumers. It is
performed in several steps described below:

 A long distance energy transmission system should have voltage level as

high as possible. With high voltage and low current, the transmission
power loss will be significantly decreased. A power grid is designed
that has to be connected with the transmission system with the different
voltage levels. Step-down transformers are used in interconnection of
transmission systems with different voltage level. They decrease voltage
level from high to lower value (e.g. 765/220 kV, 410/220 kV, 220/ 110 kV).
These transformers are huge and have very high nominal power (even
1000 MVA). In this case, when the transformer turns ratio is not high the
auto transformers are usually installed.
 The next voltage level transformation step is adapting transmission
voltage to the distribution level. The characteristic voltage ratios in this
case are 220/20 kV, 110/20 kV (also the LV secondary voltages 35 kV
and 10 kV can be found). The nominal power of those transformers is up
to 60 MVA (usually 20 MVA). The on-load tap changer is almost always
installed in these transformers. A voltage regulation is the main function
of tap changer. In USA the tap changer is based on LV side, and in rest
of the world mostly on the HV transformer side.
 The final voltage transformation step is adapting the voltage to the home
voltage level

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 These transformers are known as small distribution transformers with
nominal power up to 5 MVA (mostly below of 1 MVA) and with nominal
voltage values 35, 20, 10 kV on HV side and 400/200 V on LV side. It is
noticeable that those transformers have high turns ratio. They usually
have de-energized tap changer with 5 tap position (+/- 2 tap position) and
do not have on load tap changer.

What is Auto Transformer ?

Auto Transformer
Auto transformer is kind of electrical transformer where primary and
secondary shares same common single winding. So basically it’s a one
winding transformer.
Theory of Auto Transformer
In Auto Transformer, one single winding is used as primary winding as well
as secondary winding. But in two windings transformer two different windings
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are used for primary and secondary purpose. A diagram of auto transformer
is shown below. The winding AB of total turns N1 is considered as primary
winding. This winding is tapped from point ′C′ and the portion BC is
considered as secondary. Let's assume the number of turns in between
points ′B′ and ′C′ is N2.
If V1 voltage is applied across the winding i.e. in between ′A′ and ′C′.

Hence, the voltage across the

portion BC of the winding, will be,

As BC portion of the
winding is considered as secondary, it can easily be understood that value
of constant ′k′ is nothing but turns ratio or voltage ratio of that auto
transformer. When load is connected between secondary terminals
i.e.between ′B′ and ′C′, load current I2 starts flowing. The current in the
secondary winding or common winding is the difference of I2 and I1.

Copper Savings in Auto Transformer

Now we will discuss the savings of copper in auto transformer compared to
conventional two winding transformer. We know that weight of copper of
any winding depends upon its length and cross-sectional area. Again
length of conductor in winding is proportional to its number of turns and
cross-sectional area varies with rated current. So weight of copper in

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winding is directly proportional to product of number of turns and rated
current of the winding.
Therefore, weight of copper in the section AC proportional to,
and similarly, weight of copper in the section BC proportional to,
Hence, total weight of copper in the winding of auto transformer proportional

to,

In similar way it can be proved, the weight of copper in two winding

transformer is proportional to,

N1I1 + N2I2

⇒ 2N1I1 (Since, in a transformer N1I1 = N2I2)

Let's assume, Wa and Wtw are weight of copper in auto transformer and two

winding transformer respectively, ∴ Saving

of copper in auto transformer compared to two winding transformer,

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 Auto transformer
employs only single winding per phase as against two distinctly separate
windings in a conventional transformer.
Advantages of using Auto Transformers
1. For transformation ratio = 2, the size of the auto transformer would be
approximately 50% of the corresponding size of two winding transformer.
For transformation ratio say 20 however the size would be 95 %. The
saving in cost of the material is of course not in the same proportion. The
saving of cost is appreciable when the ratio of transformer is low, that is
lower than 2. Thus auto transformer is smaller in size and cheaper.
2. An auto transformer has higher efficiency than two winding transformer.
This is because of less ohmic loss and core loss due to reduction of
transformer material.
3. Auto transformer has better voltage regulation as voltage drop in
resistance and reactance of the single winding is less.
Disadvantages of Using Auto Transformer
1. Because of electrical conductivity of the primary and secondary windings
the lower voltage circuit is liable to be impressed upon by higher voltage.
To avoid breakdown in the lower voltage circuit, it becomes necessary to
design the low voltage circuit to withstand higher voltage.
2. The leakage flux between the primary and secondary windings is small
and hence the impedance is low. This results into severer short circuit
currents under fault conditions.
3. The connections on primary and secondary sides have necessarily needs
to be same, except when using interconnected starring connections. This
introduces complications due to changing primary and secondary phase
angle particularly in the case of delta/delta connection.
4. Because of common neutral in a star/star connected auto transformer it
is not possible to earth neutral of one side only. Both their sides should
have their neutrality either earth or isolated.
5. It is more difficult to maintain the electromagnetic balance of the winding
when voltage adjustment tappings are provided. It should be known that
the provision of tapping on an auto transformer increases considerably
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 the frame size of the transformer. If the range of tapping is very large, the
advantages gained in initial cost is lost to a great event.
Applications of Auto Transformers
1. Compensating voltage drops by boosting supply voltage in distribution
systems.
2. Auto transformers with a number of tapping are used for starting induction
and synchronous motors.
3. Auto transformer is used as variac in laboratory or where continuous
variable over broad ranges are required.

What is a Transformer ? Types and Transformer

protection
Electrical

What is a Transformer device?

The transformer is a device that transfers

electrical energy from one circuit to another
through the magnetic field without change of
frequency.

Types of Transformer

Based on service
1.Power Tr
2.Distribution Tr.

What is the use of transformer?

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In this age of modern transmission system with
optimal loss it is necessary to transmit the power
at very high level.it is not economical to produce
electrical power at such a high voltage.Here
comes the vital role of transformer,which
enhances the voltage level from generating voltage
to such a high level where the loss is minimal.

It is also used as booster in distribution system to

give better voltage regulation.

General Fault In Transformer

General Fault in transformer are

1.Open circuit Fault
2.Over heating
3.Winding short circuit fault
4.faults due to lightening

Protection For Transformer

1.Buchholz Relay
2.Earth Fault Relay
3.Over current relay
4.Differential relay
5.Digital relay

Earth Fault Protection

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An earth fault usually involves a partial breakdown
of winding insulation to earth
Under this circumstance it is profitable to employ
an earth fault relay
One method of protection is core balance
protection

Differential Protection

Merz price circulating current principle or

differential protection is commonly employed for
power transformer protection from internal fault.

Points to be noted
1.The different of current in primary and secondary
must be equalized in diff relay by using appropriate
turns on CT's connected with both primary and
secondary

2.The phase difference of current still generates a

relay current.To neutralize it is case of healthy
condition it is required to connect the CT's in
phase opposition with respect to adjoint.

Protection Against Lightening

It is necessary to provide protection of transformer

against transient & surges.The most commonly
used devices for protection against lightening
surges are
a)Earthing screen
b)Overhead Ground wires
c)Lightning arrestor
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Overvoltage Protection
There are always a chance of suffering an electrical power system from
abnormal over voltages. These abnormal over voltages may be caused due
to various reason such as, sudden interruption of heavy load, lightening
impulses, switching impulses etc. These over voltage stresses may damage
insulation of various equipments and insulators of the power system.
Although, all the over voltage stresses are not strong enough to damage
insulation of system, but still these over voltages also to be avoided to ensure
the smooth operation of electrical power system.
These all types of destructive and non destructive abnormal over voltages
are eliminated from the system by means of overvoltage protection.
Voltage Surge
The over voltage stresses applied upon the power system, are generally
transient in nature. Transient voltage or voltage surge is defined as sudden
sizing of voltage to a high peak in very short duration. The voltage surges
are transient in nature, that means they exist for very short duration. The
main cause of these voltage surges in power system are due to lightning
impulses and switching impulses of the system. But over voltage in the power
system may also be caused by, insulation failure, arcing ground and
resonance etc.
The voltage surges appear in the electrical power system due to switching
surge, insulation failure, arcing ground and resonance are not very large in
magnitude. These over voltages hardly cross the twice of the normal voltage
level. Generally, proper insulation to the different equipment of power system
is sufficient to prevent any damage due to these over voltages. But over
voltages occur in the power system due to lightning is very high. If over
voltage protection is not provided to the power system, there may be high
chance of severe damage. Hence all over voltage protection devices used in
power system mainly due to lightning surges.
Let us discuss different causes of over voltages one by one.

Switching Impulse or Switching Surge

When a no load transmission line is suddenly switched on, the voltage on
the line becomes twice of normal system voltage. This voltage is transient in
nature. When a loaded line is suddenly switched off or interrupted, voltage
across the line also becomes high enough current chopping in the system
mainly during opening operation of air blast circuit breaker, causes over
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voltage in the system. During insulation failure, a live conductor is suddenly
earthed. This may also caused sudden over voltage in the system.
If emf wave produced by alternator is distorted, the trouble of resonance may
occur due to 5th or higher harmonics. Actually for frequencies of 5th or higher
harmonics, a critical situation in the system so appears, that inductive
reactance of the system becomes just equal to capacitive reactance of the
system. As these both reactance cancel each other the system becomes
purely resistive. This phenomenon is called resonance and at resonance the
system voltage may be increased enough. But all these above mentioned
reasons create over voltages in the system which are not very high in
magnitude. But over voltage surges appear in the system due to lightning
impulses are very high in amplitude and highly destructive. The affect of
lightning impulse hence must be avoided for over voltage protection of power
system.
Methods of Protection Against Lightning
These are mainly three main methods generally used for protection against
lightning. They are
1. Earthing screen.
2. Overhead earth wire.
3. Lighning arrester or surge dividers.
Earthing Screen
Earthing screen is generally used over electrical substation. In this
arrangement a net of GI wire is mounted over the sub-station. The GI wires,
used for earthing screen are properly grounded through different sub-station
structures. This network of grounded GI wire over electrical sub-station,
provides very low resistance path to the ground for lightning strokes.
This method of high voltage protection is very simple and economic but the
main drawback is, it can not protect the system from travelling wave which
may reach to the sub-station via different feeders.

Overhead Earth Wire

This method of over voltage protection is similar as earthing screen. The only
difference is, an earthing screen is placed over an electrical sub-station,
whereas, overhead earth wire is placed over electrical transmission network.
One or two stranded GI wires of suitable cross-section are placed over the
transmission conductors. These GI wires are properly grounded at each
transmission tower. These overhead ground wires or earth wire divert all the

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lightning strokes to the ground instead of allowing them to strike directly on
the transmission conductors.

Lightning Arrester
The previously discussed two methods, i.e. earthing screen and over-head
earth wire are very suitable for protecting an electrical power system from
directed lightning strokes but system from directed lightning strokes but
these methods can not provide any protection against high voltage travelling
wave which may propagate through the line to the equipment of the sub-
station. The lightning arrester is a devices which provides very low
impedance path to the ground for high voltage travelling waves. The concept
of a lightning arrester is very simple. This device behaves like a nonlinear
electrical resistance. The resistance decreases as voltage increases and
vice-versa, after a certain level of voltage. The functions of a lightning
arrester or surge dividers can be listed as below.
1. Under normal voltage level, these devices withstand easily the system
voltage as electrical insulator and provide no conducting path to the
system current.
2. On occurrence of voltage surge in the system, these devices provide very
low impedance path for the excess charge of the surge to the ground.
3. After conducting the charges of surge, to the ground, the voltage
becomes to its normal level. Then lightning arrester regains its insulation
properly and prevents regains its insulation property and prevents further
conduction of current, to the ground.
There are different types of lightning arresters used in power system, such
as rod gap arrester, horn gap arrester, multi-gap arrester, expulsion type LA,
value type LA. In addition to these the most commonly used lightning arrester
for over voltage protection now-a-days gapless ZnO lightning arrester is also
used.

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