Delta connected transformers should always be checked

before making the final closing connection. If one of the

windings is reversed, it will cause extremely high currents to
circulate inside the transformer. Before making the final
closure, test the connection with a voltmeter. If the windings
have been connected correctly, the voltmeter should indicate
0 volts.
In this example, it is assumed that the output voltage of the
secondary is 240 volts. If the transformer has not been
connected correctly, the voltmeter will indicate double the normal
output voltage. The test does not indicate if the incorrect
connection was made in the primary or secondary. It just gives
an indication that there is a problem.
Voltmeters are high impedance devices. It is possible for
them to display a value of voltage even if the connection is
correct. This is especially true if the primary winding is
connected as wye instead of delta. It is not uncommon for the
voltmeter to indicate the normal output voltage of the
transformer if the connection is correct. If the connection is
incorrect, however, it will indicate twice the normal output
voltage.
A high-leg is produced by center tapping one winding of a
delta connected three-phase transformer. The center tap is
grounded and becomes the neutral conductor for single-
phase loads. A very common connection provides a three-
phase line-to-line voltage of 240 volts. A voltage of 120 volts
is produced between the center tap and the two three-phase
lines connected to the tapped secondary. The high-leg
exhibits a voltage of 208 volts between(120  3 )the neutral
it and
conductor .
The National Electrical Code requires that the high-leg be
durably and permanently marked with the color orange or by
some other effective means when the high-leg enters where a
connection is made with the neutral conductor. If the neutral
conductor is not present it is not necessary to mark the high-
leg by an orange conductor.
High-leg delta connections generally have
one transformer with a higher kVA rating than
the others. Assume that a business has a
three-phase power requirement of 50 kVA
and a single-phase power requirement of 30
kVA. The three-phase load would require
three transformers rated at 16.7 kVA each
(50 / 3). Therefore, two of the transformers
would have a minimum rating of 16.7 kVA
and the third would have a minimum rating of
46.7 kVA (16.7 + 30)
A very popular three-phase transformer
connection is the open-delta connection. This
connection is favored for small businesses that
require three-phase power because only two
transformers are needed for the connection.
When the open-delta connection is used, the transformer
ratings must be reduced. An open-delta connection can
provide on 86.6% of the total kVA capacity of the two
transformers.
Example 1: Assume that two transformers rated at 25 kVA
each have been connected in open-delta. The total output
capacity of the two transformers is 43.3 kVA (25 kVA + 25 kVA
= 50 kVA) (50 kVA x 0.866 = 43.3 kVA).

Example 2: A small business requires 70 kVA of three-phase

power. What is the minimum transformer size for two
transformers
70 kVAthat are to be connected in open-delta?
80.8 kVA
 80.8 kVA  40.4 kVA
0.866 2

Each transformer must have a minimum capacity of 40.4 kVA.

Open-delta connections are frequently employed to supply both three-phase and
single-phase power. This is the same as the high-leg connection of a closed delta.
The transformers must be de-rated as before. In this example, the three-phase
power requirement is 25 kVA and the single-phase power requirement is 35 kVA.
First determine the transformer size necessary to supply the three-phase load.
25 kVA 28.9 kVA
 28.9 kVA 14.5 kVA
0.866 2
Add the single-phase power requirement to the center-tapped transformer.

14.5 kVA 35 kVA 49.5 kVA

High-leg open-delta
connections can be
easily identified by the
size of the two
transformers. The
smaller transformer
supplies its share of the
three-phase load and
the larger transformer
supplies its share of the
three-phase load plus
the single-phase load.
It is possible for an open-delta connected transformer to be
connected incorrectly and still operate. Since the delta is never
closed, high circulating currents will not occur. However, if one
transformer has been center tapped to provide power for single-
phase loads, the high-leg voltage will be about 328 volts instead
of 208 volts. 208V  120V  328V
Another common three-phase connection that involves the use of only two
transformers is the T-connection. One transformer is called the MAIN
transformer and contains a center tap on both
the primary and secondary
windings. The second
transformer is called the
TEASER transformer. The
teaser transformer contains
only 86.6% of the turns of
the main transformer, or(an0 .5 x 3 )
86.6% voltage tap. The
main advantage of the T-
connected transformer is that it
can provide a three-phase 4-
wire output similar to a wye
connected secondary with
center tap. T-connected
transformers exhibit very stable
voltage characteristics.
A T-connection can be made in the field
provided two transformers with the
proper taps are available, but most are
supplied as a single unit.
Most transformers provide
taps on the primary that
permit an adjustment for the
primary voltage. The
nameplate indicates that the
transformer has a primary
voltage rating of 480 volts. In
many areas, the voltage may
actually be more than or less
than that amount. When
making connection, the taps
that are the closest match to
the actual voltage should be
used.
The Scott connection is very similar to the T-connection in that it
contains both a main and teaser transformer. Like the T-
connection, the teaser transformer contains 86.6% of the turns
of the main transformer or an 86.6% voltage tap. The Scott
connection is used to convert three-phase power into two-phase
power, or two-phase power into three-phase power. In a two-
phase power system, the voltages are 90° out-of-phase with
each other.
The zig-zag or interconnected wye transformer is primarily used
for grounding purposes. The zig-zag transformer is basically a
three-phase autotransformer with its windings divided into six
equal parts. In the event of a fault current, the zig-zag
connection forces the current to flow equally in
the three legs of the
autotransformer. This offers
minimum impedance to
ground.