Unit 29

Three-Phase Transformers

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Objectives:
Discuss the construction of three-phase
transformers.
Discuss the formation of a three-phase
transformer bank.
Discuss primary and secondary
connections.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Objectives:
Discuss different types of three-phase transformer
connections.
Show one-line diagram schematics.
Discuss power quality issues relating to harmonics.
Identify harmonic characteristics.
Discuss solutions to power quality problems
associated with harmonics.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Construction
A three-phase transformer is constructed
by winding three single-phase
transformers on a single core.
Three-phase transformers are connected
in either wye or delta configurations.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Three-phase transformer construction.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Three-phase transformer (Courtesy of Waukesha Electric Systems).

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Transformer Bank
Two or three single-phase transformers
can be connected together to deliver
three-phase power. This is referred to as a
transformer bank.
This allows greater maintenance and
replacement options.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Primary and Secondary Connections
The primary (input) side of a three-phase
transformer can be connected in a wye or
delta configuration.
The secondary (output) side of a threephase transformer can also be connected
in a wye or delta configuration.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Primary and Secondary Connections
This allows four basic connection patterns:
Wye-Wye
Delta-Delta
Wye-Delta
Delta-Wye

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Wye-delta three-phase connection

schematic.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Delta-wye three-phase connection schematic.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Winding identification.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Transformer bank without connections.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Transformer bank connected wye-delta.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

One-line Diagram
One-line diagrams are simplified
schematics used to show the main power
distribution systems for commercial or
industrial settings.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Industrial one-line power distribution schematic.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Safety test prior to closing the delta connection.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Example #1 schematic with all values.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Example #2 schematic with all values.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Harmonics
Harmonics are voltages or currents that
operate at frequencies that are multiples
of the fundamental power frequency. The
fundamental frequency is usually 50 or
60 Hz.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Sine wave distortion caused by harmonics.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Pulse Mode Power Supplies
Many power supplies for computers and
office machines use pulse-width
modulation. This can contribute to
harmonic and power quality problems.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Pulse-width modulation schematic.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Harmonic Reduction
1. Reduce the neutral current in threephase systems by balancing the currents
in the phase legs.
2. Reduce triplen harmonics on the neutral
by adding filters.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Harmonic Reduction
3. Avoid shared neutrals and provide a
separate neutral for each phase
conductor.
4. Install larger neutrals, especially on
multiphase circuits using a common
neutral.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Harmonic Reduction
5. Derate the load capacity of transformers
and consider buying harmonic-rated
transformers.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Review:
1. Three-phase transformers are constructed
by winding three separate transformers on
the same core material.
2. Single-phase transformers can be used
as a three-phase transformer bank by
connecting their primary and secondary
windings as either wyes or deltas.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Review:
3. It is common practice to center-tap one of
the transformers in a delta connection to
provide power for single-phase loads.
When this is done, the remaining phase
connection becomes a high leg.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Review:
4. The center connection of a wye is often
tapped to provide a neutral conductor for
three-phase loads. This produces a threephase four-wire system. Common
voltages produced by this type of
connection are 208/120 and 80/277.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Review:
5. Harmonics are generally caused by loads
that pulse the powerline.
6. Harmonic distortion on a single-phase line
is often caused by computer power
supplies, copy machines, fax machines,
and light dimmers.

Unit 29 Three-Phase Transformers

Review:
7. Harmonic distortion on three-phase power
lines is generally caused by variable
frequency drives and electronic DC
drives.
8. Triplen harmonics generally cause
overheating of the neutral conductor on
three-phase four-wire systems.