Why Transformer is rated in KVA?

Today we are going to know the Three Reasons Why Transformer is rated in KVA, not KW or
KVAR.
The transformer is the most important electrical machine which transfers electrical power. If you
do not know how a Transformer works then you can read our article working of a Simple
transformer. The link is given at the end of the article.

The three reasons why transformer ratings in KVA are given below,
(1) KVA= KV (kilo Volt) * A (ampere)
KW= KV (kilo Volt) * A (ampere) * Power factor
We already know that Power factor only depends on the type of Loads like,
 Inductive Load - Lagging Power factor
 Capacitive Load - Leading Power Factor
  Resistive Load - Unity Power Factor
The Transformer is not a Load; it is devices which can transfer power not consume power. If
you think that a Transformer is a Load that's wrong. So as the transformer does not consume
power it can only transfer power with increasing and decreasing voltage and current that is why
the Transformer always rated in KVA.

(2) When the transformer is designed the manufacturer does not know which type of load will be
connected in future. And the power factor depends upon the load. If an Inductive Load is
connected then the current will be lag which flows through the secondary winding of the
transformer as well as the primary winding of the transformer.
We also know that pure inductive and pure capacitive load does not practically exist. Every load
has some resistance even it inductive or capacitive. For example, a motor is connected to the
transformer which is inductive + resistive. So the motor draws both reactive (KVAR) and active
power (KW). So the power supplied by the transformer is the vector sum of reactive (KVAR)
power and active power (KW) that is KVA.
(3) The last reason is power loss. Most of the people think that is the main reason "Why
Transformer Ratings in KVA" but I will say that is not the main reason. The first and second
reason is more important which is described above.
The Copper loss (I2R) occurs due to the flow of the current in the transformer winding and the
Iron or core loss occurs due to the voltage. These losses do not depend on the power factor so
that is why the transformer rating in KVA not KW.
These are the Three Reasons Why Transformer is rated in KVA.

Why Transformer cannot work on DC Supply?

When DC supply is given to the primary winding of the transformer, current flow through the
winding and as a result flux is also produced. As in the case of DC, the magnitude, and direction
of the current does not change with time it remains constant. So the produced flux which linked
both windings also does not change. According to the Faraday's law when the flux linking with
the conductor changes the EMF will be induced on that conductor. As in this case, flux does not
change so the EMF also is not produced.
At the time when the switch gets ON the magnitude of the current increases from zero, the flux
will be change and EMF will be produced.
Again at the time when the switch gets OFF the magnitude of the current reduces to zero, the
flux will be change and EMF will be produced.
But for both cases, time is very short. It is cleared that a Transformer cannot work on DC
supply.

Which side of Transformer is provided for tapping and why?

What is Transformer Tapping?
When a no. of connections are brought outside from any points between the terminals of the
transformer winding maintaining a distance then it is called Transformer Tapping.

Why we need Tapping on the Transformer?

We know that a transformer has two voltage rating one is primary side voltage rating and other
is secondary side voltage rating. In the step-down transformer, the primary side voltage rating is
more than the secondary side but in the step-up transformer, the primary side voltage rating is
less than the secondary side.
The primary and secondary voltage ratio depends on the turn’s ratio of the transformer. When a
transformer is connected in supply it gives a particular fixed voltage as the output. But
sometimes we need a different voltage level.

According to the above equations, we can vary the secondary voltage by changing the turn ratio
and the turn ratio can be varied by changing the no. of turns of any winding. So to get the
desired output voltage level the tapping is provided on the transformer.
The changing of no. of turns sequence is,
 If we increase the no. of turns of the primary winding then the secondary voltage will be
decreased.
 If we decrease the no. of turns of the primary winding then the secondary voltage will be
increased.
 If we increase the no. of turns of the secondary winding then the secondary voltage will
be increased.
 If we decrease the no. of turns of the secondary winding then the secondary voltage will
be decreased.

Which side of the Transformer is provided for Tapping?

Actually, if you ask that which side of the transformer is used for tapping then I will say both
high voltage and low voltage sides, because you may notice in smaller transformers
(like 240/12V, 240/24V) tapings are provided on low voltage side but in case of large
transformers, tapping’s are provided on the high voltage side of the transformer. Let’s know the
reasons.

Why tappings are provided on the high voltage side of the

transformer?
There are some reasons for tapping on the high voltage side of the large transformer which are,
1. In large transformers, the high voltage (HV) winding is generally wound over the low
voltage (LV) winding for insulation saving purpose. So it is easier to provide the tapping
on the high voltage side instead of low voltage side.
2. As the no. of turns of the high voltage winding is more than low voltage winding so there
is a facility to make more on. of tapping’s than low voltage side.
3. As we know that the current on high voltage winding is always less than low voltage
winding so the tapping on the high voltage side gives low sparking and less Wear on tap
changer contacts.
In case of smaller size transformer, the tapping is provided on the low voltage side because,
1. Low Voltage winding is wound over on high voltage winding.
2. The current of low voltage winding not sufficient to create sparking or ARC.