TRANSFORMER POLARITY AND PARALLELING OF SINGLE-PHASE

TRANSFORMERS
Abdul Wahab Nasir (02), BSEE 16-20

Abstract

The main objective of this lab experiment is to understand and observe the criterion for transformer polarity
and paralleling of single-phase transformer. An understanding of polarity is essential to correctly construct
three-phase transformer banks and to properly parallel single or three-phase transformers with existing
electrical systems. Transformer Polarity refers to the relative direction of the induced voltages between the
high voltage terminals and the low voltage terminals. During the AC half-cycle when the applied voltage
(or current in the case of a current transformer) is from H1 to H2 the secondary induced voltage direction
will be from X1 to X2. In practice, Polarity refers to the way the leads are brought out of the transformer.
Parallel operation of two or more Transformers means that all the Transformers Primary is connected with
the common supply and their Secondary are feeding to a common bus through which load is connected.
Parallel operation of transformers requires that their primary as well as secondary are connected in parallel.

Index terms --- Transformer Polarity, Transformer paralleling, Paralleling of single-phase transformers,
Paralleling of transformer

I. INTRODUCTION

1. Transformer Polarity [1]

The polarity indications for transformers are well
established by standards that apply to all types of
transformers. There are two varieties of
polarity: subtractive and additive. Both follow the
same rules. Power and instrument transformers are
subtractive, whereas some distribution transformers
are additive. The polarity marking can be a dot, a
square, or an X, or it can be indicated by the
standardized transformer terminal markings, the
practices varying over the years.
It can also be seen in figure 01 that how to make the
connections of subtractive and additive polarity. In
other words, the transformer polarity simply refers to
the relative direction of induced voltages between the
HV leads and the LV terminals. The polarity of a
single-phase distribution transformer may be additive
or subtractive. With standard markings, the voltage
from H1 to H2 is always in the same direction or in
phase with the voltage from X1 to X2.
2. Single–Phase Transformer Paralleling [2]

Parallel operation of a single phase transformer

means that the two or more transformers having same
polarities, same turn ratios, same phase sequence and
the same voltage ratio are connected in parallel with
each other. When greater capacity is required in
emergency situations, two single-phase transformers
of the same or different kilo-volt-ampere ratings can
be connected in parallel. The single-phase
transformers can be of either additive or subtractive
Figure 01: Subtractive (left) and additive (right)
transformer polarity
polarity as long as the following conditions are
observed.

1. All transformers have the same turn’s ratio.

2. All transformers are connected to the same
primary phase.
3. All transformers have identical frequency
ratings.
4. All transformers have identical voltage
ratings.
5. All transformers have identical tap settings.
6. Per unit impedance of one transformer is
between 0.925 and 1.075 of the other in
order to maximize capability.
Figure 03: Circuit diagram of Task 1
The connections to be made are show in figure 02
below.

Figure 04: Graph of Task 1

Figure 02: Single Phase Transformer Paralleling

II. PROCEDURE [3] Task 2

We are required to learn and observe the polarity
characteristics of transformers as per given in Lab
manual. We performed calculations for different
tasks. Any method can be used to obtain results.
Later these results are verified using MATLAB as
given in Lab manual.
III. LAB TASKS
In task 2, the paralleling of single phase transformer
was performed on the MATLAB software. The
transformers were connected as per instructions given
lab manual. The circuit shown in figure 05 was made
and result in the form of graph were obtained and
observed. Figure 06 shows the output result of the
circuit obtained.

Task 1

In task 1, the polarity test was performed on the

MATLAB software. The transformers were
connected in subtractive and additive polarity form as
per given connections. The circuit shown in figure 03
was made and result in the form of graph were
obtained and observed. Figure 04 shows the output
result of the circuit obtained.

Figure 05: Circuit diagram of Task 2

 Table 03: Combined Additive and Subtractive Polarity

Source Multiplying Current Loading

Voltage (V) Factor (A)
240 0.1 68679 1.648
240 0.3 67266 1.614
240 0.5 65840 1.580
240 0.7 64409 1.546
240 0.9 62982 1.512
Figure 06: Graph of Task 2 240 1.1 61566 1.478
240 1.3 60168 1.444
The Current readings are as follow: 240 1.5 58791 1.411

I1 = 5817.4 ˂ -9.10o
Graph 01: Subtractive Polarity
I2 = 58174.27 ˂ -9.10o
Subtractive Polarity
Table 01: Subtractive Polarity 120
Source Multiplying Current 100
Loading
Voltage (V) Factor (A) 80
240 0.1 45375 1.089 60
240 0.3 44440 1.067 40
240 0.5 43496 1.044 20
240 0.7 42549 1.021 0
240 0.9 41407 0.994 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
240 1.1 40668 0.976 Multiplying Factor Percentage
240 1.3 39743 0.954
240 1.5 38832 0.932
Graph 02: Additive Polarity

Table 02: Additive Polarity Additive Polarity

120
Source Multiplying Current Loading
Voltage (V) Factor (A) 100
240 0.1 38832 0.932 80
240 0.3 44440 1.067 60
240 0.5 43496 1.044 40
240 0.7 42549 1.021
20
240 0.9 41605 0.999
0
240 1.1 40668 0.976
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
240 1.3 39743 0.954
240 1.5 38832 0.932 Multiplying Factor Percentage
 VI. REFRENCES
Graph 03: Additive and Subtractive Polarity
[1]. www.idc-online.com
Both Polarities
[2]. www.smartrecruiters.com
200
[3]. Lab Manual for PTDU, by Sir Abubakar,
150 DEE PIEAS, Nilore, Islamabad.

100

50

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Multiplying Factor Percentage

IV. DISCUSSION

From the experiment, we learned that the polarity of

transformer is quite important. From task 01 we can
see that the subtractive polarity of a transformer is
when it shows difference in the output voltage
measured. From task 2 we can see the phenomenon
of paralleling. Parallel operation of two or more
Transformers has many advantages when compared
with a single large transformer. Though using single
large transformer instead of two or more transformers
connected in parallel are cheap but still it has many
advantages like power system becomes more reliable,
transformer losses are reduced and the system
becomes more efficient and economical. Also, if the
power demand increases with time then extra spare
transformer can be taken into service to meet the
power demand.

V. CONCLUSION

The lab was conducted successfully. We learnt how

we can understand and calculate the polarity of a
transformer using voltmeter as well as using MTLAB
Simulink. The polarity can be considered as
subtractive as well as additive depending upon their
connection. The paralleling of single phase
transformers was observed in which all the
transformer’s primary is connected with the common
supply and their Secondary are feeding to a common
bus through which load is connected. It also helps
power system become more stable and reliable.