AUTO-TRANSFORMER

This is having only one winding; part of this winding is common to both
primary and secondary.
In 2-winding transformer both primary and secondary windings are electrically
isolated, but this is not in the case of autotransformer.
The operations of both the transformers are similar.
It is cheaper than the 2-winding transformer because usage of copper is less.
It is used where the transformation ratio is less than the unity.
It is smaller in size but has higher efficiency and superior in voltage regulation
compared to 2-winding transformer.
In a step down autotransformer, BC is the primary winding having N1 number
of turns CE is the secondary winding having N2 number of turns.
If we apply a voltage V1 to the coil BC, alternating magnetic flux will be
produced in the core

 Due to this alternating magnetic flux an e.m.f. E1 will be induced in coil CE.
When load is connected between terminals E and C power will be supplied to
it.
Neglecting iron losses and no load current,

The current in section CE is the vector difference of current in the section BE

(I1) and load current (I2).

Since these two currents are practically in phase opposition.

The resultant current is (I2 I1) where I2 is greater than I1.

Apparent power supplied to the load = V2 I2 volt-ampere

= V2 I1 + V2 (I2 I1) VA.

Here V2I1 is the portion of the apparent power supplied to the load through the
portion BE by conduction and portion V2 (I2 I1) is the power supplied to the
load through the portion CE by induction.

Advantages of Auto transformer

1. Only one winding is used in the autotransformer. Therefore weight of the core
material and volume of copper required reduces which results in low cost.
2. Power losses are less. So efficiency will be high
3. Higher KVA rating
4. Lower percentage reactance. Hence better voltage regulation
5. Can be used for obtaining variable voltage supply.

Disadvantages of Auto transformer

1. In autotransformers, the high voltage winding and low voltage winding is not
electrically isolated. There is a electrical connection between those two windings.

2. If there is an accidental open circuit in the low voltage winding the voltage of
the high voltage winding affects the load side.
3. Short circuit current due to external short circuit in auto transformers will be
twice that of short circuit current in two winding transformer.
4. As a result of higher short circuit currents, the auto transformer winding need
higher mechanical strength than that of the two winding transformer.
5. Autotransformer winding need more insulation than that of two winding
transformer.

Applications of auto transformer

Autotransformers are used:
1. To give small boost to a transmission line to correct the voltage drop.
2. To interconnect two grids which have different voltage ratings (3 phase auto
transformers)
3. As starters for 3 phase induction motors.
4. To give smooth variation of voltage to test circuits in the laboratories.

5. As furnace transformers for getting convenient supply to suit the furnace

winding from a 230 volt supply.
6. As control equipment for single phase and 3 phase electric locomotives.
All day efficiency

Large capacity transformers used in power systems are classified broadly into
Power transformers and Distribution transformers. The former variety is seen in
generating stations and large substations. Distribution transformers are seen at
the distribution substations.

The basic difference between the two types arise from the fact that the power
transformers are switched in or out of the circuit depending upon the load to be
handled by them. Thus at 50% load on the station only 50% of the transformers
need to be connected in the circuit. On the other hand a distribution transformer
is never switched off. It has to remain in the circuit irrespective of the load
connected. In such cases the constant loss of the transformer continues to be
dissipated. Hence the concept of energy based efficiency is defined for such
transformers. It is called 'allday' efficiency. The allday efficiency is thus the ratio of
the energy output of the transformer over a day to the corresponding energy
input. One day is taken as duration of time over which the load pattern repeats
itself. This assumption, however, is far from being true. The power output varies
from zero to full load depending on the requirement of the user and the load
losses vary as the square of the fractional loads. The no-load losses or constant
losses occur throughout the 24hours.Thus,the comparison of loads on
different days becomes difficult. Even the load factor, which is given by the ratio
of the average load to rated load, does not give satisfactory results. The
calculation of the all day efficiency is illustrated below with an example. The
graph of load on the transformer, expressed as a fraction of the full load is plotted
against time in Fig. 27. In an actual situation the load on the transformer
continuously changes. This has been presented by a stepped curve for
convenience.

Hence a better option would be to keep the constant losses very low to keep the
allday efficiency high. Variable losses are related to load and are associated with

revenue earned. The constant losses on he other hand has to be incurred to make
the service available. The concept of all day efficiency may therefore be
more useful for comparing two transformers subjected to the same load cycle.
The concept of minimizing the lost energy comes in to effect right from the time
of procurement of the transformer. The constant losses and variable losses are
capitalized and added to the material cost of the transformer in order to select
the most competitive one, which gives minimum cost taking initial cost and
running cost put together. Obviously the iron losses are capitalized more in the
process to give an effect to the maximization of energy efficiency. If the load
cycle is known at this stage, it can also be incorporated in computation
of the best transformer.
Source : http://mediatoget.blogspot.in/2011/07/auto-transformer.html