Three-Phase Transformers

Three-Phase Transformers

Introduction Transformer power levels range from low-power applications, such as consumer electronics power supplies to very high power applications, such as power distribution systems. For higherpower applications, three-phase transforms are commonly used. The typical construction of a three-phase transformer is shown in Figure 1. The detailed analysis of this circuit is not straightforward since there are numerous combinations of flux paths linking various windings. For this reason, the three-phase transformer will be modeled as three independent single-phase transformers herein.

Three-Phase Transformers

For practical calculations, it is reasonable to model the three-phase transformer as three ideal transformers as shown in Figure 2. Since these transformers are ideal, the secondary voltages are related to the primary voltages by the turns ratio according to
= N2 V V 1a 2a N1 = N2 V V 2b 1b N1 = N2 V V 2c 1c N1

(1)

(2)

(3)

Three-Phase Transformers

Considering the individual transformers of Figure 2, and that both delta and wye connections are possible for the primary and secondary windings, there are four possible combinations of transformer connections. The most straightforward combinations are the wye-to-wye connection and the delta-to-delta connections shown in Figures 3 and 4 respectively. In these cases, the lineto-line voltages on the secondary side are directly proportional to those on the primary side through the turns ratio. Therefore, the following relationship holds for both connections.
= N2 V V ab AB N1

(4)

In Figures 3 and 4, the ideal transforms are schematically rotated by 120o from each other to represent a 120o electrical displacement in the voltages. The voltage labels on the individual coils correspond to the labels in Figure 2. An equation similar to (4) can be derived to relate the primary and secondary currents if desired.

Three-Phase Transformers

The delta-to-wye connection is shown in Figure 5. From the ideal transformer equations, it can be determined that
= N2 V V = N2 V +V V 1a 1b ab BC AB N1 N1

(5)

In this analysis A-B-C sequence is assumed. If a source does not have this sequence the input lines can be relabeled so that it does. With this sequence, (5) is equivalent to = N2 3V 30o V ab AB N1 As can be seen, the secondary line-to-line voltage leads the primary by 30o. A factor of also inserted in the magnitude calculation as well. (6) 3 is

The wye-to-delta connection is shown in Figure 6. With this arrangement, it can be shown that
= N2 1 V 30o V ab AB N1 3

(7)

In this case, the turns ratio is divided by

3 and the secondary phase lags by 30o.

Three-Phase Transformers

In early power systems, two-phase transmission was used as well as three-phase. To supply a two-phase system from a three-phase source, two transformers were connected in the Scott-T connection shown in Figure 7. In this case, the primary windings must have tap locations at 1/2 and 3 /2. As it turns out, many 240-V laboratory transformers have tap settings at 120-V and at 208-V (which is nearly 3 /2). Considering the connection diagram of Figure 7 and the ideal transformer relationships,

1 = N2 2 V a V AB + VBC 2 N1 3
= N2 V V b BC N1
, the secondary voltages are In terms of the primary voltage V AB

(8)

(9)

= N2 V 30o V a AB N1 = N2 V 120o V b AB N1

(10)

(11)

As can be seen, there is a 90o phase relationship between the two secondary voltages which is necessary in a two-phase system.

Three-Phase Transformers Laboratory Software

Figure 8 shows a screen-shot of the program used for the three-phase transformer experiments. This program displays the voltage, current, and power for the primary side (designated with 1) and secondary side (designated with 2). The secondary voltage waveforms are shown in the scope display. When the Connection Type is set to a three-phase type (such as delta-to-delta, delta-to-wye, wye-to-wye, or wye-to-delta), a three-phase set of line-to-line voltages will be plotted. When the Connection Type is set to the two-phase type (Scott-T), only two-phase waveforms will be displayed. Data can be logged by selecting the type of connection and clicking Add.

Three-Phase Transformers Laboratory Transformers

Figure 9 shows the laboratory transformer and a corresponding electrical connection diagram. The transformer has multiple primary and secondary windings which may be connected in series or parallel for different voltage ratings. Internally, the primary windings have been connected in series and the secondary has been connected in parallel yielding the ratings show in the table below. Laboratory transformer ratings. = 240 V = 120 V V V
1 2

= 4.17 A I 1

= 8.33 A I 2

N1 = 2 . The connection diagram N2 also shows the primary taps which are accessible through the connectors.

From the voltage ratings, it can be seen that the turns ratio is

As can be seen, primary taps at 120-V and 208-V are available using terminals H2-H3 and H4 respectively. In commercial applications, 120-V is a common voltage level. This is typically obtained by splitting a 240-V winding. Alternatively, 120-V can be obtained from the line-toneutral voltage of a 208-V three-phase system. For these reasons, 120-V and 208-V tap settings are commonly available on many 240-V transformers.

Three-Phase Transformers Laboratory Work

Connect the transformers in the delta-to-delta connection as shown in Figure 10. The load box should be set to use two resistors in series in each phase by setting the switches as shown in Figure 11. Note: it will be simpler to connect the source and load cables to the transformer first and place the interconnecting wires on top since these wires will be changed to make the other types of connections. Switch on the load box fans. Energize the circuit and increase the primary voltage to 100% (approximately 208-V line-to-line). Note the voltage ratio corresponds to the turns ratio according to (4). Select Delta-Delta as a Connection Type and add the data to the log. Reduce the voltage to zero and switch off the source power switch. Re-configure the transformer to the delta-to-wye configuration as shown in Figure 12. Note that this is very similar to the delta-to-delta configuration and only the interconnecting wires between the transformers need be changed. Repeat the above test with this configuration. Be sure to change the Connection Type to Delta-Wye and log the data. Repeat the above test for the wye-to-wye and then the wye-to-delta configurations as shown in Figures 13 and 14 respectively. Log the data for each case; labeling appropriate connection type. Connect the transformers in the Scott-T connection as shown in Figure 15. Before energizing the circuit, change the Connection Type to Scott-T so that the waveforms display properly. Switch on the source circuit breaker and increase the voltage to 100%. Notice the 90o phase relationship between the secondary voltages as predicted by (10-11) verifying two-phase output. Print the waveforms on the screen, lower the source voltage to zero and switch off the source circuit breaker.

Three-Phase Transformers

Three-Phase Transformers 10

Three-Phase Transformers 11

Three-Phase Transformers 12

Three-Phase Transformers 13

Three-Phase Transformers 14

Three-Phase Transformers 15 Calculations and Questions 1. Derive the wye-to-delta transformer equation (7) from the connection diagram of Figure 6 and the ideal transformer relationships of equations (1-3). Note that with A-B-C sequence, the transformer primary voltages can be expressed as

= V 0 V 1a rms

= V 120 o V 1b rms

= V 120 o V 1c rms

2. Sketch the phasor diagram for the Scott-T connection. Sketch the three-phase primary line-toline voltages

= 3 V 30 o V AB rms

= 3 V 90 o V BC rms

= 3 V 150 o V CA rms

and V according to (8-9). Include phasors for both terms on the as well as the voltages V a b right-hand side of (8) as well.
3. Using the lab measurements from the delta-to-delta and wye-to-wye configurations, verify equation (4). Verify equations (6) and (7) using the delta-to-wye and wye-to-delta measurements respectively.