Autotransformer

Autotransformer
An
autotransformer
(sometimes
called
autostep down transformer)[1] is an electrical
transformer with only one winding. The "auto"
(Greek for "self") prefix refers to the single coil
acting on itself and not to any kind of
automatic mechanism.
Autotransformers have the advantages of often
being smaller, lighter, and cheaper than typical
dual-winding transformers, but the disadvantage
of not providing electrical isolation.
Other advantages of autotransformers include
lower leakage reactance, lower losses, lower
excitation current, and increased KVA rating.[2]

Autotransformer

In an autotransformer, portions of the same

winding act as both the primary and secondary
sides of the transformer. The winding has at
least three taps where electrical connections
are made.

Autotransformer

Sin V1 I1
Sout V2 I 2

Problem
The primary and secondary voltages
of an autotransformer are 500 V and
400 V respectively. Show with the
aid of a diagram, the current
distribution in the winding when the
secondary current is 100 A. Calculate
the output power for unity power
factor.

V1 N1

a
V2 N 2

I1 1

I2 a

Auto-Transformer
Turns link the
same flux

V1 N1

a
V2 N 2

I1 1

I2 a

Variable-voltage autotransformers

Three-Phase Transformers

Three-phase transformer (Courtesy of Waukesha Electric Systems).

Three Phase
1. Constructing Transformers
a three-phase transformer on a common
magnetic structure

Three Phase
Transformers

2. Connecting a bank of three single-phase transformers

Y - : Step down high voltage to lower voltage
- Y: Step Up voltage
- : One transformer can be removed
Y - Y: Rarely used due to problem with exciting current and
induced voltages

3-phase transformer connections

1. Y-Y connection:

The primary voltage on each phase

of the transformer is

V P

VLP
3

The secondary phase voltage is

VLS 3V S
The overall voltage ratio is

3V P
VLP

a
VLS
3V S

3-phase transformer connections

The Y-Y connection has two very serious problems:
1. If loads on one of the transformer circuits are unbalanced, the voltages on
the phases of the transformer can become severely unbalanced.
2. The third harmonic issue. The voltages in any phase of an Y-Y transformer
are 1200 apart from the voltages in any other phase. However, the thirdharmonic components of each phase will be in phase with each other.
Nonlinearities in the transformer core always lead to generation of third
harmonic! These components will add up resulting in large (can be even
larger than the fundamental component) third harmonic component.

Wye-wye connection
When transformers are connected in wye-wye, special
precautions have to be taken to prevent severe distortion of
the line-to-neutral voltages.
(1) connect the neutral of the primary to the neutral of
the source, usually by way of the ground

Fig.6 Wye-wye connection with neutral of the primary connected to the neutral of the source.

Wye-wye connection ()
(2) provide each transformer with a third winding,
called tertiary winding.

Fig.7 Wye-wye connection using a tertiary winding.

Wye-wye connection

Note that there is no phase shift between the incoming

and outgoing transmission line voltages of
a wye-wye connected transformer.

3-phase transformer connections

2. Y- connection:

The primary voltage on each phase

of the transformer is

V P

VLP
3

The secondary phase voltage is

VLS V S
The overall voltage ratio is

3V P
VLP

3a
VLS
V S

3-phase transformer connections

The Y- connection has no problem with third harmonic components due to
circulating currents in . It is also more stable to unbalanced loads since the
partially redistributes any imbalance that occurs.
One problem associated with this connection is that the secondary voltage is
shifted by 300 with respect to the primary voltage. This can cause problems
when paralleling 3-phase transformers since transformers secondary
voltages must be in-phase to be paralleled. Therefore, we must pay attention
to these shifts.
In the U.S., it is common to make the secondary voltage to lag the primary
voltage. The connection shown in the previous slide will do it.

3-phase transformer connections

3. -Y connection:

The primary voltage on each phase

of the transformer is

V P VLP
The secondary phase voltage is

VLS 3V S
The overall voltage ratio is

V P
VLP
a

VLS
3V S
3
advantages and the same
phase shift as the Y-
connection.

3-phase transformer connections

4. - connection:
The primary voltage on each phase
of the transformer is

V P VLP
The secondary phase voltage is

VLS V S
The overall voltage ratio is

VLP V P

a
VLS V S

No phase shift, no problems

with unbalanced loads or
harmonics.

Open-delta connection
It is possible to transform the voltage of a 3-phase
system by using only 2 transformers, connected in opendelta.
The open-delta arrangement is identical to a delta-delta
connection, except that one transformer is absent.
The open-delta connection is seldom used because the
load capacity of the transformer bank is only 86.6 percent
of the installed transformer capacity.

Open-delta connection ()
The open-delta connection is mainly used in emergency
situations. Thus, if three transformers are connected in
delta-delta and one of them becomes defective and has to
be removed, it is possible to feed the load on a temporary
basis with the two remaining transformers.

Fig.8a Open-delta connection.

Three-Phase Transformers
One-line Diagram
One-line diagrams are simplified
schematics used to show the main
power distribution systems for
commercial or industrial settings.

Three-Phase Transformers

Industrial one-line power distribution schematic.

Parallel coupling of transformers? What are the

conditions?

Delta-delta connection
Example 1

Delta-delta connection

Delta-delta connection

Delta-delta connection

Delta-wye connection

Fig.4 Schematic diagram of a delta- wye

connection and associated phasor diagram.

Delta-wye connection
Example 2

Delta-wye connection

Fig.5

Delta-wye connection