Transformer
WHAT IS A TRANSFORMER?
It is an equipment which converts supply at one AC
voltage rating into supply at another voltage rating,
without changing the total apparent power in KVA
and without changing the frequency of the system.
Michael Faraday is the father of transformer and his
law of magnetic induction led to the discovery of
transformer.
The law says : "EMF is induced in a closed conducting
circuit when the magnetic flux linked with that circuit
changes with time and EMF is proportional to the rate
of change of the magnetic flux.
BASIC PRINCIPLE
Transformer comprises a closed magnetic circuit called core.
Two or more windings are placed on the core as per design
criteria.
The operating frequency in our country is 50 C/S. Core
provides a high permeability path to the magnetic circuit
besides supporting the winding.
When 50 C/S supply is given to a winding called primary
winding, it sets up an alternating magnetic flux of 50 C/S in
the core.
As the core provides high permeability path and as the
second winding is provided on the same core, the magnetic
flux linked with the secondary winding also alternates at the
same frequency of 50 C/S.
This alternating flux there, sets up an EMF in the
secondary winding as per the Faraday's law.
The EMF induced in the secondary winding is at the same
frequency as that of magnetic flux and primary current.
However, its direction is opposite to the applied voltage.
If a load is connected to the secondary winding, the EMF
drives a current.
The change in the voltage is accomplished by the
difference in the number of turns in the primary and
secondary windings.
The induced EMF has the same voltage per turn as the
primary winding (when secondary is without any
electrical load).
If N1 and N2 are number of turns in primary and secondary
winding, then when secondary is not connected to any
electrical load,
N1/ N2 = V1/V2 (V1 and V2 are voltages in primary and
secondary winding .
When corresponding currents are I1 and I2, as transferred
apparent power is the same,
KVA = I1 V1 = I2 V2
V1/ V2 = I2/ I1 = N1/ N2
Under ideal conditions, primary ampere turns are equal to
the secondary ampere turns.
I1N1 = I2N2
The transformer can be used only in Alternate Current
(AC) system but not in Direct Current (DC) system.
When DC supply of the same voltage is applied to the
transformer, a very high current will pass in it, as in the
DC system there won't be reactance and the resistance is
too small.
Unless there is a protective system, the transformer will
fail in a quick time due to the over current.
ADVANTAGES OF TRANSFORMER
a) It is a stationary equipment without any internal rotating
parts. Hence O & M cost would be less.
(b) The stationary nature facilitates high voltage insulation
and thus stepping up and stepping down of voltages.
(c) Its operational efficiency is very high ( up to 95% for
distribution and 99% for EHT transformers)
(d) Besides facilitating power supply at different voltages of
utilization, it can be used in metering and protection
systems of the network. It can also be used for earthing of
the neutral of a power transformer.
(e) Transformer is the most important and relatively a more
costlier equipment in distribution or sub- transmission.
(f) It is virtually a work horse.
TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS
Main classification based on application :
• Power transformer : Transfer of power
• Distribution Transformer : Transfer of power
• Instrument Transformer : Measuring and protection
• Earthing Transformer : Earthing
• Rectifier Transformer : For providing controlled supply
suitable to process
Further classification of Power/Distribution transformer
- By Construction
a) As per core :
1. Core type 2. Shell type
b) As per phases:
1. Single phase 2. Three phase
c) As per number of windings:
1. Single winding
2. Two winding
3. Three winding
d) As per VOLTAGE – LT,HT,EHT,UHT
LT- up to 650V
HT- 11kV to 33kV
EHT- 66kV to 400kV
UHT- 765kV onwards
e) As per voltage ratio - Step up, Step down
f) As per Insulation - Dry type, Oil immersed, Gas filled
A transformer basically consist of :-
i. A magnetic core forming magnetic circuit
ii. Windings forming electrical circuits and
[Link], comprising transformer oil and solid
insulation consisting of paper, press board, wood etc.
Instrument Transformer
Instrument transformers are installed in AC circuits to convert large high-
voltage currents into small low-voltage currents to conduct measurements.
There are mainly two types of instrument transformers: voltage
transformers (VTs) and current transformers (CTs).
These instrument transformers are used in circuits of voltmeters,
ammeters, electricity meters, relays, etc.