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These two windings are magnetically coupled and electrically isolated. But the transformer in which a part of windings is common to both primary and secondary is called Autotransformer. In Autotransformer two windings are not only magnetically coupled but also electrically coupled. The input to the transformer is constant but the output can be varied by varying the tapings. The autotransformer is both the most simple and the most fascinating of the connections involving two windings. It is used quite extensively in bulk power transmission systems because of its ability to multiply the effective KVA capacity of a transformer. Autotransformers are also used on radial distribution feeder circuits as voltage regulators. The connection is shown in Figure 1 below.
The primary and secondary windings of a two winding transformer have induced emf in them due to a common mutual flux and hence are in phase. The currents drawn by these two windings are out of phase by 180. This prompted the use of a part of the primary as secondary. This is equivalent to common the secondary turns into primary turns. The common section need to have a cross sectional area of the conductor to carry ( I2I1) ampere. Total number of turns between A and C are T1. At point B a connection is taken. Section AB has T2 turns. As the volts per turn, which is proportional to the flux in the machine, is the same for the whole winding,V1 : V2 = T1 : T2 When the secondary winding delivers a load current of I2 Ampere the demagnetizing ampere turns isI2T2. This will be countered by a current I1 flowing from the source through the T1 turns such that, I1T1 = I2T2 A current of I1 ampere flows through the winding between B and C. The current in the winding between Aand B is ( I2 I1 ) ampere. The cross section of the wire to be selected for AB is proportional to this current assuming a constant current density for the whole winding. Thus some amount of material saving can be achieved compared to a two winding transformer. The magnetic circuit is assumed to be identical and hence there is no saving in the same. To quantify the saving the total quantity of copper used in an autotransformer is expressed as a fraction of that used in a two winding transformer as: Copper in autotransformer / copper in two winding transformer = ( ( T1 T2 ) I1 + T2 ( I2 I1 ) ) / T1I1 + T2I2
Copper in autotransformer / copper in two winding transformer = 1 ( 2T2I1 / ( T1I1 + T2I2 ) ) But T1I1 = T2I2 so, The Ratio = 1 ( 2T2I1 / 2T1I1 ) = 1 ( T2/T1 ) This means that an autotransformer requires the use of lesser quantity of copper given by the ratio of turns. This ratio therefore the savings in copper. As the space for the second winding need not be there, the window space can be less for an autotransformer, giving some saving in the lamination weight also. The larger the ratio of the voltages, smaller is the savings. As T2 approaches T1 the savings become significant. Thus autotransformers become ideal choice for close ratio transformations.
The autotransformer shown in Figure 2 above is connected as a boosting autotransformer because the series winding boosts the output voltage. Care must be exercised when discussing primary and secondary voltages in relationship to windings in an autotransformer. In two-winding transformers, the primary voltage is associated with the primary winding, the secondary voltage is associated with the secondary winding, and the primary voltage is normally considered to be greater than the secondary voltage. In the case of a boosting autotransformer, however, the primary (or high) voltage is associated with the series winding, and the secondary (or low) voltage is associated with the common winding; but the voltage across the common winding is higher than across the series winding.
Application
Used in both Synchronous motors and induction motors. Used in electrical apparatus testing labs since the voltage can be smoothly and continuously varied. They find application as boosters in AC feeders to increase the voltage levels.
1. If we use normal transformer the size of transformer will be very high which leads to heavy weight, more copper and high cost. 2. The tertiary winding used in Autotransformer balances single phase unbalanced loads connected to secondary and it does not pass on these unbalanced currents to Primary side. Hence Harmonics and voltage unbalance are eliminated. 3. Tertiary winding in the Autotransformer balances amp turns so that Autotransformer achieves magnetic separation like two winding transformers.