1.

Standard Transformer Sizes

It’s easy to talk about transformer size calculations in the abstract and come up with an array of
numbers. But what are standard sizes for transformers that you might purchase?
Especially for commercial buildings, the most common sizes for transformers are the following:

 3 kVA

 6 kVA

 9 kVA

 15 kVA

 30 kVA

 37.5 kVA

 45 kVA

 75 kVA

 112.5 kVA

 150 kVA

 225 kVA

 300 kVA

 500 kVA

 750 kVA

 1,000 kVA

https://elscotransformers.com/blog/guide-to-transformer-kva-ratings-how-to-determine-
what-size-transformer-you-need/
 2. Transformer – Working Principle
Transformers convert energy from the source to the power required by the load. To use
their transformers effectively, businesses need to know how much power their particular
transformers can give them. A transformer’s rating provides that information. The transformer
typically consists of two windings, a primary and secondary winding. Input power flows through
the primary winding. The secondary winding then converts the power and sends it to the load
through its input leads. A transformer’s rating, or size, is its power level in kilovolt-amperes.

The main principle of operation of a transformer is mutual inductance between two circuits
which is linked by a common magnetic flux. A basic transformer consists of two coils that are
electrically separate and inductive, but are magnetically linked through a path of reluctance. The
working principle of the transformer can be understood from the figure below.

As shown above the electrical transformer has primary and secondary windings. The core
laminations are joined in the form of strips in between the strips you can see that there are some
narrow gaps right through the cross-section of the core. These staggered joints are said to be
‘imbricated’. Both the coils have high mutual inductance. A mutual electro-motive force is
induced in the transformer from the alternating flux that is set up in the laminated core, due to
the coil that is connected to a source of alternating voltage. Most of the alternating flux
developed by this coil is linked with the other coil and thus produces the mutual induced electro-
motive force. The so produced electro-motive force can be explained with the help of Faraday’s
laws of Electromagnetic Induction as

e=M*dI/dt
If the second coil circuit is closed, a current flows in it and thus electrical energy is transferred
magnetically from the first to the second coil.

The alternating current supply is given to the first coil and hence it can be called as the primary
winding. The energy is drawn out from the second coil and thus can be called as the secondary
winding.

In short, a transformer carries the operations shown below:

1. Transfer of electric power from one circuit to another.

2. Transfer of electric power without any change in frequency.
3. Transfer with the principle of electromagnetic induction.
4. The two electrical circuits are linked by mutual induction.
3. Type Tests of Transformer
Transformation Ratio Test
The voltage transformation ratio is the principle factor which greatly affects the performance of a
transformer. Therefore, the transformation ratio test is an essential test of transformer. The
transformation ratio test is performed by applying a 3-phase 415 V supply to the high voltage
winding, with keeping the low-voltage winding open circuited, the induced voltage is then
measured at HV-winding terminals and LV-winding terminals of the transformer to determine
the actual transformation ratio of the transformer.
Insulation Resistance Test of Transformer
The insulation resistance test of transformer is carried out by the megger, so it is also known
as megger test of transformer. This test is performed to ensure the healthiness of the overall
insulation of the transformer.
The procedure of the insulation tests of transformer is as follows −

 Step 1 – Disconnect the all line and neutral terminals of the transformer.
 Step 2 – The megger leads are to be connected between the LV and HV bushing studs to
measure the insulation resistance between the LV and HV windings.
 Step 3 – The megger leads are to be connected between the HV bushing stud and earth
terminal of the transformer (body of the transformer) to measure the insulation resistance
between the HV winding and the earth.
 Step 4 – The megger leads are to be connected between the LV bushing stud and the
body of the transformer (earth terminal) to measure the insulation resistance between the
LV winding and the earth.
All the readings taken above should be tending to infinity for a healthy transformer.
Open and Short Circuit Test of Transformer
Open and short circuit tests are performed on a transformer to determine the:

1. Equivalent circuit of transformer

2. Voltage regulation of transformer
3. Efficiency of transformer
The power required for open circuit tests and short circuit tests on a transformer is equal to
the power loss occurring in the transformer.
Open Circuit Test on Transformer
The connection diagram for open circuit test on transformer is shown in the figure. A
voltmeter, wattmeter, and an ammeter are connected in LV side of the transformer as shown. The
voltage at rated frequency is applied to that LV side with the help of a variac of variable ratio
auto transformer.
The HV side of the transformer is kept open. Now with the help of variac, applied voltage gets
slowly increased until the voltmeter gives reading equal to the rated voltage of the LV side. After
reaching rated LV side voltage, we record all the three instruments reading (Voltmeter, Ammeter
and Wattmeter readings)

The ammeter reading gives the no load current I e. As no load current Ie is quite small compared
to rated current of the transformer, the voltage drops due to this current that can be taken as
negligible.

Since voltmeter reading V1 can be considered equal to the secondary induced voltage of the
transformer, wattmeter reading indicates the input power during the test. As the transformer is
open circuited, there is no output, hence the input power here consists of core losses in
transformer and copper loss in transformer during no load condition. But as said earlier, the no-
load current in the transformer is quite small compared to the full load current so, we can neglect
the copper loss due to the no-load current. Hence, can take the wattmeter reading as equal to the
core losses in the transformer.
Let us consider wattmeter reading is Po.

Where, Rm is shunt branch resistance of transformer.

If, Zm is shunt branch impedance of transformer.

Therefore, if shunt branch reactance of transformer is Xm,

These values are referred to the LV side of the transformer due to the tests being conducted on
the LV side of transformer. These values could easily be referred to HV side by multiplying
these values with square of transformation ratio.
Therefore it is seen that the open circuit test on transformer is used to determine core losses in
transformer and parameters of the shunt branch of the equivalent circuit of the transformer.
Therefore it is seen that the open circuit test on transformer is used to determine core losses in
transformer and parameters of the shunt branch of the equivalent circuit of the transformer.

Short Circuit Test on Transformer

The connection diagram for the short circuit test on the transformer is shown in the figure
below. A voltmeter, wattmeter, and an ammeter are connected in HV side of the transformer as
shown. A low voltage of around 5-10% is applied to that HV side with the help of a variac (i.e. a
variable ratio auto transformer). We short-circuit the LV side of the transformer. Now with the
help of variac applied voltage is slowly increased until the wattmeter, and an ammeter gives
reading equal to the rated current of the HV side.
After reaching the rated current of the HV side, we record all the three instrument readings
(Voltmeter, Ammeter and Watt-meter readings). The ammeter reading gives the primary
equivalent of full load current IL. As the voltage applied for full load current in a short circuit
test on the transformer is quite small compared to the rated primary voltage of the transformer,
the core losses in the transformer can be taken as negligible here.

Let’s say, voltmeter reading is V sc. The watt-meter reading indicates the input power during the
test. As we have short-circuited the transformer, there is no output; hence the input power here
consists of copper losses in the transformer. Since the applied voltage V sc is short circuit voltage
in the transformer and hence it is quite small compared to the rated voltage, so, we can neglect
the core loss due to the small applied voltage. Hence the wattmeter reading can be taken as equal
to copper losses in the transformer. Let us consider wattmeter reading is Psc.

Where, Re is equivalent resistance of transformer.

If, Ze is equivalent impedance of transformer.

Therefore, if equivalent reactance of transformer is Xe.

These values are referred to the HV side of the transformer as the test is conducted on the HV
side of the transformer. These values could easily be converted to the LV side by dividing these
values with the square of transformation ratio.

Hence the short-circuit test of a transformer is used to determine copper losses in the
transformer at full load. It is also used to obtain the parameters to approximate the equivalent
circuit of a transformer.

https://www.electrical4u.com/open-and-short-circuit-test-on-transformer/
 PROBLEM SOLVING:

1. A 50kVA, 2300/230 volts, 60 Hz transformer was tested with the following result.
Short circuit test: 115V, 21.7, 570W and open circuit test: 230V, 6.5A,
187W .Determine the efficiency of the transformer at three quarter load at unity pf.

2. A 50kVA, 2300/230 volts, 60 Hz transformer was tested with the following result.
Short circuit test: 115V, 21.7, 570W and open circuit test: 230V, 6.5A,
187W .Determine the efficiency of the transformer at half load at 0.85 pf lag.

3. A 100kVa transformer has maximum efficiency of 98% at 10% underload and unity pf.
Evaluate the efficiency at quarter load at 0.8 pf lag.

4. The hysteresis loss in a 6,600 volts, 50 Hz transformer is 480 watts. What will be the loss
when the transformer is connected to a 6,900 volts, 40 Hz source?
5. What is the efficiency at full load and 85% pf lagging of a single phase 50kVA
11000/480V 50Hz transformer with a copper loss at full load of 1.2 times the rated core
loss and is 95% efficient when running at 0.8pf at three quarter load?

6. A 2400/240 V single phase transformer takes 0.5A at 0.3 pf on open circuit test. What is
the amount of core loss?

7. A 50kVA single phase 2400/240 V distribution transformer has primary resistance of 1.6
ohms and secondary resistance of 0.08 ohm. What is the total copper loss at full load and
0.85 pf lagging?

8. In a transformer, the iron loss is found to be 52 W at 40 Hz and 90W at 60Hz measured

with the same flux density. What is the iron loss at 50Hz?

9. A single-phase 37.5kVA 2300/230V 50Hz distribution transformer has a rated core loss
of 300W and full-load copper loss of 500W. What is the efficiency of the transformer at
full load and 80% pf lagging?

10. A single-phase 25kVA 2300/230V 50Hz distribution transformer has a rated core loss of
300W and full-load copper loss of 500W. What is the efficiency of the transformer at half
load and 85% pf lagging?

SOLUTION: