Three Phase Transformers

Masoud Fathizadeh, PhD, PE Department of Engineering Technology Purdue Calumet Hammond, Indiana 46323

Three Phase Transformers

Three phase transformers are used throughout industry to change values of three phase voltage and current.
Since three phase power is the most common way in which power is produced, transmitted, and used, the understanding of how three phase transformer connections are made is essential. Different types of three phase transformers connections, and present examples of how values of voltage and current for these connections are computed.

Three Phase Transformers

Masoud Fathizadeh, PhD, PE Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology Purdue Calumet Hammond, Indiana 43323

Three Phase Transformer Construction

A three phase transformer is constructed by winding three single phase transformers on a single core. These transformers are put into an enclosure which is then filled with dielectric materials such as air, plastic or oil. The dielectric material performs several functions. Since it is a dielectric, a nonconductor of electricity, it provides electrical insulation between the windings and the case.

It is also used to help provide cooling and to prevent the formation of moisture, which can deteriorate the winding insulation.

Three-Phase Transformer Connections

There are only 4 possible transformer combinations: 1. Delta to Delta - use: industrial applications 2. Delta to Wye - use : most common; commercial and industrial 3. Wye to Delta - use : high voltage transmissions 4. Wye to Wye - use : rare, don't use causes harmonics and balancing problems. Three-phase transformers are connected in delta or wye configurations. A wye-delta transformer has its primary winding connected in a wye and its secondary winding connected in a delta

Figure 1 Wye Delta Connection

Figure 2 Delta Wye Connection

Delta Connections
A delta system is good for a short-distance distribution system. It is used for neighborhood and small commercial loads close to the supplying substation. Only one voltage is available between any two wires in a delta system. The delta system can be illustrated by a simple triangle. A wire from each point of the triangle would represent a three-phase, three-wire delta system. The voltage would be the same between any two wires.

Wye Connections
In a wye system the voltage between any two wires will always give the same amount of voltage on a three phase system. However, the voltage between any one of the phase conductors (X1, X2, X3) and the neutral (X0) will be less than the power conductors. For example, if the voltage between the power conductors of any two phases of a three wire system is 208v, then the voltage from any phase conductor to ground will be 120v. This is due to the square root of three phase power. In a wye system, the voltage between any two power conductors will always be 1.732 (which is the square root of 3) times the voltage between the neutral and any one of the power phase conductors. The phase-to-ground voltage can be found by dividing the phase-to-phase voltage by 1.732

Connecting Single-Phase Transformers into a Three-Phase Bank

If three phase transformation is need and a three phase transformer of the proper size and turns ratio is not available, three single phase transformers can be connected to form a three phase bank. When three single phase transformers are used to make a three phase transformer bank, their primary and secondary windings are connected in a wye or delta connection. The three transformer windings in Figure -5 are labeled H1 and H2. The secondary leads are labeled X1 and X2.

Figure -5 Wye-Delta Connection

Figure-6 Three single phase transformers

Figure-7 Three single phase transformers are connected as WyeDelta Connection

WYE-DELTA Connection

As shown in Figure-7, the primary windings are tied into a wye connection. The H2 leads of the three primary windings are connected together, while the H1 lead of each winding is open for connection to the incoming power line.

Figure-7 shows that the X1 lead of the transformer A is connected to the X2 lead of transformer c, the X1 lead of transformer C is connected to X2 of transformer B, and the X1 lead of transformer B is connected to X2 lead of transformer A. This arrangement makes a delta connection in the secondary windings of the three transformers. The load is connected to the points of the delta connection (X1-X2 connected terminals).

Open Delta Connection

The open delta transformer connection can be made with only two instead of three transformers as shown in figure-8. This connection is often used when the amount of three phase power needed is not excessive, such as a small business. It should be noted that the output power of an open delta connection is only 87% of the rated power of the two transformers. For example, assume two transformers, each having a capacity of 25 kVA, are connected in an open delta connection. The total output power of this connection is 43.5 kVA (50 kVA x 0.87 = 43.5 kVA). Another figure given for this calculation is 58%. This percentage assumes a closed delta bank containing 3 transformers. If three 25 kVA transformers were connected to form a closed delta connection, the total output would be 75 kVA (3 x 25 = 75 kVA). If one of these transformers were removed and the transformer bank operated as an open delta connection, the output power would be reduced to 58% of its original capacity of 75 kVA. The output capacity of the open delta bank is 43.5 kVA (75 kVA x .58% = 43.5 kVA). The voltage and current values of an open delta connection are computed in the same manner as a standard delta-delta connection when three transformers are employed. The voltage and current rules for a delta connection must be used when determining line and phase values of voltage current.

Closing a Delta When closing a delta system, connections should be checked for proper polarity before making the final connection and applying power. If the phase winding of one transformer is reversed, an extremely high current will flow when power is applied. Proper phasing can be checked with a voltmeter at delta opening. If power is applied to the transformer bank before the delta connection is closed, the voltmeter should indicate 0 volts. If one phase winding has been reversed, however, the voltmeter will indicate double the amount of voltage. It should be noted that a voltmeter is a high impedance device. It is not unusual for a voltmeter to indicate some amount of voltage before the delta is closed, especially if the primary has been connected as a wye and the secondary as a delta. When this is the case, the voltmeter will generally indicate close to the normal output voltage if the connection is correct and double the output voltage if the connection is incorrect.

Figure-8 Open Delta Connection

Over-current Protection for the Primary Electrical Code Article 450-3(b) states that each transformer 600 volts, nominal or less, shall be protected by an individual over-current device on the primary side, rated or set at not more than 125% of the rated primary current of the transformer. Where the primary current of a transformer is 9 amps or more and 125% of this current does not correspond to a standard rating of a fuse or nonadjustable circuit breaker, the next higher standard rating shall be permitted. Where the primary current is less than 9 amps, an over-current device rated or set at not more than 167% of the primary current shall be permitted. Where the primary current is less than 2 amps, an over-current device rated or set at not more than 300% shall be permitted. Example 1 What size fuses is needed on the primary side to protect a 3 phase 480v to 208v 112.5 kVA transformer? Important when dealing with 3 phase applications always use 1.732 (square root of 3). Solution P/IxE 112.5 kVA X 1000 = 112500 VA 112500 VA divided by 831 (480 x 1.732) = 135.4 amps Since the transformer is more than 9 amps you have to use 125 %. 135.4 X 1.25 = 169 amps. Answer: 175 amp fuses (the next higher standard, Electrical Code 240-6).

Example 2 What size breaker is needed on the primary side to protect a 3 phase 208v to 480v 3kVA transformer? Solution: P/I xE 3kVA X 1000 = 3000 VA 3000 VA divided by 360 (208 x 1.732) = 8.3 amps Since the transformer is 9 amps or less you have to use 167%. 8.3 X 1.67 = 13.8 amps Answer: 15 amp breaker (preferably a 20 amp breaker) Electrical Code Article 450-3(b)(2) states if a transformer 600 v, nominal, or less, having a an over-current device on the secondary side rated or set at not more than 125% of the rated secondary current of the transformer shall not be required to have an individual over-current device on the primary side if the primary feeder over-current device is rated or set at a current value not more than 250% of the rated primary current of the transformer.

Over-current Protection for the Secondary Electrical Code Article 450-3(b)(2) states that a transformer 600 v, nominal, or less, shall be protected by an individual over-current device on the secondary side, rated or set at not more than 125% of the rated secondary current of the transformer. Where the secondary current of a transformer is 9 amps or more and 125% of this current does not correspond to a standard rating of a fuse or nonadjustable circuit breaker, the next higher standard rating shall be permitted. Where the secondary current is less than 9 amps, an over-current device rated or set at not more than 167% of the secondary current shall be permitted. Example 3 What size breaker is needed on the secondary side to protect a 3 phase 480v/208v 112.5 kVA transformer? Solution P/IxE 112.5 kVA x 1000 = 112500 VA 112500 divided by 360 (208 x 1.732) = 312.5 amps 312.5 X 1.25 = 390.6 amps Answer: 400 amp breaker

The End