a) Generator Transformer

The main components in Generator Transformer are:

1. Transformer core
2. Transformer oil
3. Conservator tank
4. Bushing
5. Radiator
6. Oil pumps
7. Cooling fans
8. Tap changer
9. Dehydrating breather
10. Control panel

1. Transformer core
The core of the transformer is made up of magnetic material made
from cold rolled grain oriented sheet steel to reduce losses.

Lower voltage winding is placed near the core and after placing the
insulation, higher voltage winding is placed.

2. Transformer oil
For high voltage transformers “lapthanic base” oil is used and for
low voltage transformer “paraffinic base” oil is used.
Cost of “lapthanic base” oil is near to Rs. 30 per litre and for “lapthanic
base” oil it is around Rs. 25-26 per litre.

3. Conservator tank
The purpose of conservator tank is to maintain a proper level of oil
in the transformer winding.

Conservator is used on transformer for providing adequate space for

expansion of oil when transformer is loaded or when ambient
temperature changes substantially.

It also conserves the insulating property of oil from deterioration and

protects the transformer against failure on account of bad quality of oil.

Conservator mainly consists of a cylinder closed from both ends by flat

plates to form a container. Large conservator is provided with detachable
end plate on one side to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.

Even the lowest oil level in conservator ensures that all live parts inside
the transformer are always immersed under oil.

Oil level indicator is marked with minimum and filling level of oil at 35
degree Celsius.

When the ambient temperature around the transformer rises or when the
transformer is loaded, the oil inside the transformer expands towards the
conservator pushing away corresponding quantity of air through breather.

Similarly, when ambient temperature lowers or when load on

transformer is reduced or switched off, oil in the tank contracts. The oil in
conservator flows towards the tank and outside air is then ‘breathed’ in
through the breather, to take place of oil going in the tank.
 4. Bushing
Bushings are placed on the outer side of the transformer for bringing out
the conducting wires from the winding.

They help to maintain an insulation level between conductor and

transformer body. The conducting wires from the bushing come out side
for further connections.

5. Radiators
Transformers are provided with pressed sheet radiators. The number of
sections per radiator and the number of radiators per transformer will
depend upon the cooling requirements of that transformer.

Large transformers are provided with detachable radiators with radiator

valves.

After filling the oil in radiators and venting air from them, radiator valves
at top and bottom must be kept in open position.

The radiator sections are made of 1mm thick cold rolled carbon steel
sheets. The distance between each section is 50mm.

When transformer is in operation, warm oil rises and enters the radiators
from the top valve cools and then descends to enter the bottom of the
tank through the bottom radiator valve.

This cycle is continuously repeated. Cooling is sometimes assisted by blast

of air provided by fans.

6. Oil pumps
 There are four oil pumps two of out of them are in running position
two are on standby.

Oil pumps are used for circulating the oil from the transformer to radiator
fins.

Since during the operation the oil in use is very much heated up so it is
very important to circulate this oil and cool it down.

For generating transformer forced oil and forced air cooling is used.

7. Cooling fans
The fans are intended for blowing air vertically upwards on the bank of
radiators to increase the rate of cooling in radiators.

The fan consists of a cylindrical sheet steel casing to which inter rotor
motor is attached.

There are total 22 cooling fans. These are divided in two groups of a, b and
c, d each having 11 cooling fans.

Generator transformer can work on 125 KV load radiators without fans

and oil.

It can work on 175 KV load with cooling fans.

It can work on 220 KV load with cooling fans and radiators.

8. Tap Changers
The transformer outputs voltage and hence providing taps either on
primary side or on secondary side can control the consumer terminal
voltage.
In transformer at generating station, primary voltage can be kept
constant, consequently the taps should be provided on secondary side.

If the transformer is energized at from a variable voltage source, as at the

receiving end of transmission line, the taps should be provided on
primary side.

Tap changers are of two types:

1. On load tap changers (ONLTC)

2. Off load tap changers (OFLTC)
If the tap changer is designed to operate with the transformer out of
circuit it is called off load tap changer.

A tap changer designed to operate with the transformer in the circuit is

called on load tap changer.

On load tap changer is used for short period voltage variations. On load
tap changers are always installed on high voltage side. Because on high
voltage size of wires is small and current is lesser. Thus danger of sparking
is lesser. Hence smooth control is possible.

On generator transformer only off load tap changer (OFLTC) is installed.

In UAT (Unit Auxiliary Transformer), S.T. (Station Transformer) there is

on load tap changers.

9. Dehydrating breathers
It gives back up protection to buchholz relay.
The dehydrating breather removes practically all moisture from the air,
which flows through it into the conservator, when transformer is cooling.
This has the effect of largely preventing any reduction of dielectric
strength of the insulation due to moist ambient air and any formation of
condensation in the conservator. Thus the dehydrating breather increases
the operational integrity of the transformer.

There are two types of dehydrations: -

 Nitrogen gas is filled with N2 cylinders in conservator tank to avoid

moisture.

 In this case silica gel breather passes air, which goes to conservator,
passed through the breather containing silica gel. As silica gel goes
on consumed, its color goes on changing from blue to red.
Dehydrating breather operates on the pressure of 0.42kg and is of
diaphragm construction.

10.Control Panel
A local control panel is situated near the every transformer.

However, all the controls are dually operated.

Manual control and automatic control can be done either from local panel
or from UCB.