Review of Transformer Basics

FARHAN MAHMOOD

UET LAHORE.

Transformer Definition Revisited

Transformer

is a static electromagnetic
machine with two or more windings, linked
with common magnetic field.
The transformer
functions,

performs

the

following

Changes the voltage level

Changes the current level
Changes the impedance
Can provide isolation
Filters dc from a waveform that is a mixture of
ac and dc

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Types of Transformers
Transformers are classified into three categories,
(a)

Position of windings with respect to core

Core type

Shell type

(b) Transformation ratio

Step up

Step down

(c) Type of service

Power
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Distribution
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Position of Winding with respect to Core

1. CORE TYPE TRANSFORMER

The windings of a core type transformer surround a

considerable part of the core.

A single phase core type transformer consists of a

magnetic frame with two limbs, upper and bottom yoke
forming the magnetic circuit.

A 3-phase core type transformer consists of a

minimum three limbs.

Core Type
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Position of Winding with respect to Core

2. SHELL TYPE TRANSFORMER
The core of a shell type transformer surround a
considerable part of the windings.
The windings are enclosed by two empty parts of the core
giving transformer an appearance of a shell.
A single-phase shell type transformer consists of a
magnetic frame with a central limb and two side limbs,
completing the path of magnetic flux.

Shell Type
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Position of Winding with respect to Core

COMPARISON BETWEEN CORE TYPE & SHELL TYPE
TRANSFORMER
Construction: Core type transformers can be assembled
and dismantled more easily as compared to shell type.
Repair: In core type transformers, repair can be done more
easily as compared to shell type, because more portion of
the windings is accessible.
Cooling: In core type transformers, cooling of winding is
better, because windings encloses the core whereas in
shell type cooling of core is better.
Leakage Reactance: Leakage Reactance of shell type
transformer is smaller as compared to core type, because
of better flux linkage between low voltage and high voltage
winding.
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Position of Winding with respect to Core

COMPARISON BETWEEN CORE TYPE & SHELL TYPE
TRANSFORMER
Mechanical Forces: Shell type transformers are more
robust mechanically compared to core type, because of
better support to windings against electromagnetic
forces (windings enclosed by core).
Application: Shell type transformers are used for low
voltages and large output. On the other hand, core type
transformers are used for high voltage and
comparatively smaller output.

CONCLUSION: Core type transformers

are more commonly used because of
much better heat dissipation facilities.
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Transformation Ratio
1. STEP UP TRANSFORMER
It transforms low voltage, high current a.c system into
high voltage, low current a.c system.
The secondary winding consists of large number of
turns and primary winding consists of few turns.

2. STEP DOWN TRANSFORMER

It transforms high voltage, low current a.c system into
low voltage, high current a.c system.
The secondary winding consists of few turns and
primary winding consists of large number of turns.

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Type of Service
1. POWER TRANSFORMER

These transformers are above 500 kVA and are used in

generating stations.
They are not operated for 24 hours a day.
They are designed to have maximum efficiency at or near
full load (nearly 80% of full load).
Iron losses are 5-6 times as compared with distribution
transformer.
2. DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER

These transformers are upto 500 kVA and are used at

distribution level.
They are operated for 24 hours a day.
They are designed to have maximum efficiency at or near
50% of full load.
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Construction
The transformers mainly consists of following circuits.
1. MAGNETIC CIRCUIT
The magnetic circuit consists of limbs, yoke and clamping circuit
(providing the path for flux).
2. ELECTRIC CIRCUIT
The electric circuit consists of low voltage & high voltage
windings and sometimes a tertiary winding.
3. DIELECTRIC CIRCUIT
The dielectric circuit consists of insulations in different forms
and different places in transformer i.e. core to LV, LV to HV etc.
4. TANK & ACCESSORIES
Tank & accessories, such as cooling devices, conservator,
breather, bushings, protective devices.

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Various Parts Of Transformers

Core
Windings
Transformer Tank/Tank Cover
Conservator
Breather
Cooling Arrangements
Tap changer
Bushings
Accessories

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Constructional Features of a Transformer

FIGURE SHOWING DIFFERENT PARTS OF A TRANSFORMER

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CORE
The function of the core is to
guide the magnetic flux
created by currents that flow
in the windings.
It is magnetic link between
the primary and secondary
windings.
It is made of high quality thin
electrical silicon steel sheet
laminations
to
reduce
hysterisis loss. The core is
laminated to reduce eddy
current loss.
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P3

Parts of Core

Single-phase Transformers

Three-phase Transformers
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The part of the

magnetic
circuit
which
carry
the
transformer windings
are called limbs or
legs..
legs
Those parts which
connect the legs and
serve for closing the
magnetic circuit are
called yokes
yokes..
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Slide 14
P3

PKK1758, 2/19/2004

Windings

Transformer Windings form the electrical circuit of a

transformer. They are made from high conductivity
copper with several layers of insulating paper of high
dielectric strength.

Among individual coils, there are cooling ducts

through which oil flows and carries away heat
generated by losses in windings.

The windings must be electrically and mechanically

strong to withstand both over-voltages under transient
surges and mechanical stresses during short circuit
and should not attain temperatures beyond the limit
under rated and overload conditions.

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Windings

LV Winding

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HV Winding

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P1
P2

Windings

Tapping
Winding
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Complete Winding
Assembly
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Slide 17
P1

PKK1758, 2/19/2004

P2

PKK1758, 2/19/2004

Dielectric Circuit
The dielectric circuit consists of insulation
used at different places in the transformer to
insulate the conducting parts. All the
conducting and magnetic parts of the
transformer must be well insulated from each
other. The insulation can be classified as,
1. MAJOR INSULATION
2. MINOR INSULATION

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Dielectric Circuit
MAJOR INSULATION

It includes the insulation between core and low

voltage winding. The insulation between core and low
voltage winding is provided by an insulating cylinder
of press board (or Synthetic Resin Bonded Paper
cylinders in case of low power transformers). Similar
insulation is used between low voltage and high
voltage windings and between high voltage windings
of different phases.

Mineral oil is used in transformer to improve the

dielectric strength of the insulation. In addition, it also
dissipates the heat from core and windings.

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Dielectric Circuit
MINOR INSULATION

It includes the insulation used between the elements

of a given winding i.e. conductor insulation,
insulation between turns, layers and coils.

The insulation of the conductors may be of paper,

cotton or glass tape.

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Transformer Tank
For cooling purposes, the transformer is required to
be immersed in oil inside the tank.
Transformer tank is a housing, filled with insulating
oil, for placing core and coil assembly.
The function of transformer tank is to provide a
protective cover to the core, windings and other
internal parts including transformer oil. The tank
also provides external surface for dissipating heat.
Tanks for small transformers are fabricated from
welded mild steel sheets. The lids of these
transformer tanks can be of cast iron.
A number of accessories are provided on the cover
of the tank.

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Transformer Tank

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Conservator
Conservator is an airtight cylindrical metal drum
which is supported horizontally on the
transformer lid. The conservator and main tank
are connected by a pipe.
Under increasing load, the oil expands and
similarly, oil contracts under decreasing load.
Small transformers are sometimes not provided
with conservator. So, the oil level has to be kept
some distance below the top cover to provide
space for oil expansion under temperature rise.
When the oil expands, the air is expelled out and
under contraction of oil, air is drawn inside. This
process is called breathing.
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Conservator
Thus the oil is in contact with air. Exposure to air
speeds up the ageing of the oil due to increased
sludge and acid formation through moisture
absorption and oxidation.
The function of conservator is to keep the main tank
of the transformer completely filled with oil in all
circumstances while the conservator is always
partly filled with oil.
Conservator takes up expansion and contraction of
transformer oil and keeps the main tank full of oil.
This reduces the rate of oxidation of oil because
less oil surface is exposed to air.

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Conservator

In this way, the sludge

formation is considerably
reduced and whatever
sludge is formed, settles
to the bottom of the
conservator into a sludge
pan from where it is
periodically removed by
means of drain tap.

Normally, the capacity of

conservator should be
approximately 10 to 12%
of the volume of oil of the
main tank.

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90 MVA, 132/33 kV Transformer

UET, LAHORE

Breather
When oil expands air is
expelled out. When oil
contracts air is drawn in.
Air
entering
the
transformer is passed
through
a
breather
which absorbs moisture
from the air.
Dehydrating
material
used is silica gel crystal
impregnated with cobalt
chloride.
Material is blue when
dry and whitish pink
when damp.
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Bushings
Bushings are the means of connecting
transformer with the network / system in
which it is placed.
A bushing is necessary when a conductor is
taken out through a metallic tank. One end of
the bushing goes into transformer tank while
the other end is in the outside air.
Bushing consists of
conducting rod, a
porcelain cylinder for isolating the conducting
part.

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Bushings

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Tap Changers
Normally it is used to provide adjustment in
system voltage variation so as we get
required output voltage on secondary load
side.
Generally there are two types of tap changer.
Off load Tap changer
On load Tap changer

The selection of tap changer depends on

current, voltage and no. of tappings required.
Tap changer is normally connected to high
voltage winding to provide wide range of
voltage adjustment.
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Tap Changers

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Accessories

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Temperature Indicators
Temperature indicators
are
precision
instruments, specially
designed
for
the
protection
of
transformers.
Normally two separate
instruments are used
for indicating oil and
winding temperatures.

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Temperature Indicators
Temperature indicators perform following
functions,
Indicate maximum oil temperature and
maximum or hottest spot temperature of
winding.
Operate an alarm or a trip circuit at a predetermined temperature.
Switch on the cooling equipment when the
winding attains a preset high temperature
and switch it off when the temperature
drops by an established differential (so as
to avoid too frequent on and off operation
of the switch.
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UET, LAHORE

Oil Level Indicator

Oil Level indicator is
used to monitor the level
of oil in the transformer .
All power transformers
are
fitted
with
a
magnetic oil level gauge
which also incorporates
a mercury switch. The
switch
closes
and
actuates
an
audible
alarm in the event of oil
level dropping to near
empty position in the
conservator.
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UET, LAHORE

Buchholz Relay
Buchholz relay is a
protection device for
the
detection
of
incipient faults such as
inter turn faults, core
faults due to core bolt
insulation failure which
gives rise to short
circuit and subsequent
arcing.

FARHAN MAHMOOD

UET, LAHORE

Pressure Relief Device

It is used to prevent
the rapid build up of
pressure within the
transformer tank that
might
cause
an
explosion
hazard.
They are designed /
selected to operate
and discharge any
pressure greater than
their set value to the
atmosphere.

FARHAN MAHMOOD

UET, LAHORE.