IETE Journal of Education

ISSN: (Print) 0974-7338 (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tije20

Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a

Single-Phase Power Transformer

Srimanti Roychoudhury, Anish Deb, Gautam Sarkar & Jitendranath Bera

To cite this article: Srimanti Roychoudhury, Anish Deb, Gautam Sarkar & Jitendranath Bera
(2014) Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer, IETE Journal
of Education, 55:1, 11-25, DOI: 10.1080/09747338.2014.921399

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/09747338.2014.921399

Published online: 07 Aug 2014.

Submit your article to this journal

Article views: 9902

View related articles

View Crossmark data

Citing articles: 1 View citing articles

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tije20
Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase
Power Transformer
Srimanti Roychoudhury1, Anish Deb2, Gautam Sarkar2 and Jitendranath Bera2
1
Department of Electrical Engineering, Budge Budge Institute of Technology, Nischintapur, Budge Budge, Kolkata-700137, India,
2
Department of Applied Physics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata-700009, India

ABSTRACT
This paper presents a virtual laboratory for testing a single-phase power transformer using MATLAB Simulink
environment. The models presented herein replicate the actual tests like no-load test, short-circuit test, load
test, and short heat run test successfully well within tolerable accuracy. The rating of the transformer is taken
to be 2 kVA, 230/115 V, 50 Hz which is a typical rating for transformers usually employed for practical classes
in the Electrical Machine Laboratory for undergraduate courses. This model is attractive to students and they
are able to gain insights into operational aspects of a single-phase power transformer. This model, in whole or
part, may also be used as final year projects of engineering undergraduate students.
Keywords:
Single-phase transformer, Simulation, Virtual tests, Virtual laboratory.

1. INTRODUCTION The MATLAB Simulink model of transformer was

In the undergraduate level study on electrical engi-
neering, the transformer [1,2] is a one of the most
important electrical machines. In electrical machine
laboratory the students perform some basic experi-
ments with single-phase transformer. These experi-
ments include open-circuit test, short-circuit test, load
test, and short heat run test [3,4]. In the present work,
all of the above-mentioned tests are replicated via
MATLAB Simulink [5] without the support of any
hardware what so ever.
From our experience as educators, we can assert that
such simulated tests will provide better as well as
detailed insight into the understanding of transformer
operation under different conditions.
In actual laboratory tests of a transformer, the students
are required to draw a few characteristics and obtain
some results related to transformer operation. With the
presented Simulink model, the students can familiarize
themselves with different characteristics for transformer
operation and can easily compute any required data,
e.g. efficiency, regulation, and maximum temperature
rise. After performing the “virtual” tests, students can
proceed to perform actual tests with a better insight.
The transformer under study has the following
specifications:
2 kVA, 230/115 V, single-phase, 50 Hz power
transformer.
attempted by Ayasun and Nwankpa [6] wherein
they have worked with the “linear transformer”
model available in Simulink which works with a lin-
ear B
H curve. Moreover, they could not draw dif-
ferent characteristics like we obtain in hardware-
based laboratory tests. They have used a single set
of readings each for the no-load test and the short-
circuit test.
These shortfalls are properly taken care of in the pre-
sented MATLAB Simulink model.
2. THE TRANSFORMER MODEL
In the Simulink environment we have two types of
transformer models: the linear transformer and the sat-
urable transformer. These models have the symbols
shown in Figure 1.
For the “linear transformer” model, the magnetiza-
tion curve is linear, and hence, saturation effects, as
in practical transformers, cannot be implemented
using this model. However, in the model of
“saturable transformer“, we use the magnetization
characteristic at our will, thus enabling us to realize
the magnetization curve compatible to the trans-
former be used in practice in the laboratory. This is
the main reason for selecting the “saturable trans-
former” model in our work.

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 11

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 1: Transformer models available in MATLAB

Simulink.

3. USING THE VARIABLE AC VOLTAGE

SOURCE
In the open-circuit and short-circuit tests, we need a
variable AC voltage source for providing input to the
transformer. This is because, for all the characteristics
to be drawn from these two tests the independent vari-
able is either the primary voltage or the primary cur-
rent. This variable voltage source should change its
magnitude gradually from zero with time with supply
frequency remaining constant.

In the case of open-circuit test, the final value of the

input voltage should be the rated voltage, while for
short-circuit test the input voltage is increased until
the rated currents flow in the primary and secondary
of the transformer.

This subsystem forming the variable AC voltage

source is built in the following way.

In MATLAB, there are mainly two types of sinusoidal

voltage sources: one is (1) Sine Wave (Simulink address:
Simulink
! Sources
! Sine Wave) and the other is
(2) AC Voltage Source (Simulink address: SimPower-
System
! Electrical Sources
! AC Voltage Source).

Referring to Figure 2, if we choose the first block we

cannot build a variable AC voltage source, because it
turns out a voltage with respect to time only and can-
not represent a voltage as a phasor. Since a transformer
requires as input a voltage phasor, in SimPowerSystem
environment, the controlled voltage source model can-
not automatically convert the time-domain signal into
its equivalent phasor signal. Figure 3 represents such a
non-functioning system built with sine wave blocks.

Figure 3: (a) “Variable AC voltage source” providing input

to the transformer model and (b) “subsystem1” made by
sine wave blocks.

Hence, the variable AC voltage source model was built

using the second block shown in Figure 2. The final
Figure 2: Two sinusoidal voltage source models available model of the input voltage using the AC voltage source
in MATLAB Simulink. model of SimPowerSystem is shown in Figure 4.

12 IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Here, in the new subsystem of variable AC voltage

source, individual AC voltage source models of the
same supply frequency are utilized. Magnitudes of the
voltages of these component sources are gradually
increased, so that while operated as a conglomerate sys-
tem, it can increase the input voltage of the transformer
model by small steps as is done with a variac in practice.

Component voltage sources are added one by one

through switching operation with the help of breaker
models (Simulink address: SimPowerSystem
! Ele-
ments
! Breaker).

In designing such a sub-system, we have used any par-

ticular amplitude of the supply voltage for a specified
period of time. Thus, every breaker model may have
equal time slots (of course, it is not a necessity) moving
along the increasing time scale.

4. STUDY OF B
H CURVES IN SIMULINK

In Simulink environment, the saturable transformer
model, once selected, considers automatically the mag-
netizing characteristic of the core. This characteristic,
in turn, generates a specific characteristic of the mag-
netizing current Im. However, for any saturable trans-
former model, the hysteresis or saturation
characteristic may easily be chosen with the help of
Hysteresis Design Tool of the Powergui block. This
increases the computational burden of that Simulink
model; and as a result, the overall simulation process
greatly slows down. To avoid this problem, we have
selected the required hysteresis characteristic manu-
ally according to our choice.

On the characteristic the magnetizing current Im in per

unit is the x-axis and flux Fm in per unit is represented
along the y-axis. Since Im is proportional to the electric
field H and Fm is proportional to Bm, the flux density,
the plot obtained with Fm and Im is essentially the
B
H curve. In drawing this saturation characteristic
we consider the presence or absence of residual flux at
our will. If we neglect the residual flux, the characteris-
tic will obviously start from the origin. Otherwise, it
will start from a point above it.

We have designed many types of B
H curves like in

Figures 5(a) to 5(e) and have run the Simulink model
using each characteristic. Most of the curves ended up
with distorted as well as unrealistic no-load current
(I0) characteristics. This indicated that these B
H
Figure 4: (a) New “variable AC voltage source” providing
curves are not suitable for this transformer. As a typi-
input to transformer model and (b) subsystem made by AC
cal example, in Figure 5(f), we have shown one imprac-
voltage source model of SimPowerSystem.
tical no-load current characteristic obtained using the
magnetization curve of Figure 5(e). However, by trial
and error, we have constructed the B
H curve of

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 13

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 5(g) which gives a realistic no-load current we have selected the most suitable magnetization
characteristic, shown in Figure 5(h). characteristic.

Thus, the B
H curve of Figure 5(g) is accepted as the

right choice for the Simulink based transformer. This
curve was used for building the saturable transformer
model.
5. SELECTING THE PROPER B
H CURVE
For selection of the proper B
H curve, we have used
each of the B
H curves to run the transformer model
for the open-circuit test. By inspection of the no-load
current characteristics obtained for each B
H curve,
6. SELECTING Im
Power transformers of small ratings usually have a no-
load current of the order of 3%
5% of the rated cur-
rent. In our model, the rating of the transformer is
taken as 2 kVA, 230/115 V, 50 Hz. For our transformer
model, the no-load current I0 is chosen as about 3% of
the rated primary current, whereas, by trial and error,
we finally converged upon the suitable B
H curve,
vide Figure 5(g), and from the model the magnetizing
current Im turns out to be 2.34% of the rated current.

Figure 5: Panels (a) to (d) show four unsuitable B
H curves. Panel (e) shows another wrong choice of B
H characteristic
while panel (f) shows the distorted unrealistic I0 characteristics obtained from the B
H curve of panel (e). Panel (g) shows
the right choice of B
H curve along with the acceptable I0 characteristic (panel (h)) it produced.

14 IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 5: (Continued)

The pattern of magnetizing current Im and no-load cur- reduce Ia further made the model to run extremely
rent I0 are shown in Figure 6. slowly. This restricted us to settle upon the value of Ia
as 2% of the rated primary current.
From Figure 6, we see that both the magnetizing compo-
nent and the no-load current have non-sinusoidal pat- Rated primary voltage (Vp) D 230 V.
tern. This is due to the saturation effect of the magneti- 2000
zation characteristic. The form factors of these current Rated primary current ðIp Þ ¼ ¼ 8:695 A:
230
waveforms obviously deviate from that of a pure sinu-
soid. Computation of true rms values of these currents is The active component of no-load current, Ia D 2% of
not possible via Simulink measurement blocks. How- rated current D 0.1739 A.
ever, to have an idea about the rms values, we employ 230
regular rms meters available in MATLAB Simulink. The value of resistance r0 ¼ ¼ 1322:6 V.
0:1739
Thus, the value of r0 is approximately 1320 V.
7. SELECTING Ia AND ro
For a realistic transformer, the active component of no- 8. MULTIMETER
load current, Ia, is much less than the magnetizing cur-
rent Im. With I0 3% and Im 2.34%, the active component In our Simulink models, we use many function blocks
Ia is about 2% of the rated primary current. Attempt to available in MATLAB Simulink. Table 1 tabulates

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 15

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

measurement blocks) is shown in Figure 8. In this model,

the secondary of the transformer is kept open and a vari-
able AC supply of constant frequency is fed to the pri-
mary side. Here, the current measurement block reads
the no-load current I0, voltage measurement block reads
the primary voltage Vp and a subsystem of wattmeter
gives us no-load power P0, which gives the value of
approximate rated core loss. Another voltmeter is
employed on the secondary side to measure the output
voltage.

The variation of no-load current I0, no-load power P0

and secondary voltage Vs are plotted against the vari-
able input voltage Vp. These curves are shown in
Figure 9. When the rated voltage is reached at the pri-
mary side, the readings from Simulink model meters
are as follows:

Vp ¼ 229:5 V; I0 ¼ 0:2682 A; P0 ¼ 40:03 W;

Figure 6: (a) Pattern of no-load current I0 and (b) magnetiz-
cosf0 ¼ 0:6506; Vs ¼ 114:75 V:
ing component of no-load current Im.

From these virtual test results, we can determine the

some major function blocks and their addresses, fre- values of resistance r0 and reactance x0 of the equiva-
quently used to build up Simulink models. Of these, lent transformer model. However, the calculated value
the “multimeter” block is used for measurement of pri- of power factor from above values of Vp, I0 and P0 is
mary voltage, secondary voltage, primary current, sec- given as follows:
ondary current, no-load current, magnetizing current P0
and flux F in different circuit models. The use of cosf0 ¼ ¼ 0:65034: ð1Þ
Vp I0
“multimeter” block, instead of a number of “current
measurement” blocks and “voltage measurement” Using all these values, the useful variables are deter-
blocks, leads to faster simulation. mined as follows:

Whenever a “multimeter” block is used in any circuit Ia ¼ I0 cosf0 ¼ 0:17442 A; ð2Þ

model, we have to specify our measurement require-
Vp
ment before the first run. Otherwise, the operation will r0 ¼ ¼ 1315:789 V; ð3Þ
Ia
lead to “mismatch in input/output port dimensions in qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
the multimeter block”. Im ¼ I02 ¡ Ia2 ¼ 0:20373 A; ð4Þ
Vp
To activate the multimeter block, we always select the x0 ¼ ¼ 1126:49 V: ð5Þ
measurements needed a priori. A double click on the Im
multimeter block is needed to set up the measurement
From the Vp¡Vs curve shown in Figure 9(c), we can
requirements. There will be two columns. On the left
determine the turns ratio of the transformer by com-
column, we have “available measurements” options.
puting the slope of the curve.
Depending on our requirement, we click on a specific
option and then consequently on “>>”. This will store
DVs 100 ¡ 80
our measurement requirement on the right column. In Thus; slope m ¼ ¼ ¼ 0:5: ð6Þ
this way the set of measurement variables is chosen. DVp 200 ¡ 160
Finally, we click “Ok” to make the multimeter block 1
Hence; the turns ratio; a ¼ ¼ 2: ð7Þ
functionally ready for simulation. m

9. OPEN-CIRCUIT TEST 10. SHORT-CIRCUIT TEST

Here Figure 7 shows the equivalent circuit of the trans- Figure 10 shows the equivalent circuit of the transformer
former under open-circuit condition, whereas the Simu- under short-circuit condition, whereas the Simulink
link model for the open-circuit test (with its model for the short-circuit test (with its measurement

16 IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Table 1: Address and function of frequently used basic blocks of MATLAB Simulink.
Measurement blocks MATLAB address sequence Purpose
SimPowerSystem
! Measurements
! Current Used as an ammeter
Measurement

SimPowerSystem
! Measurements
! Voltage Used as a voltmeter

Measurement

SimPowerSystem
! Extra Library
!Measurements Measures active power and reactive power

! Active and Reactive Power

SimPowerSystem
! Measurements
! Multimeter Replaces many “current measurement” and “voltage

measurement” blocks. Makes simulation faster

SimPowerSystem
! Extra Library
! Measurements Calculates rms values of currents and voltages

! RMS

Simulink
! Sinks
! Scope Records current, voltage, or power waveforms with

time

Simulink
! Sinks
! Display Displays numerical values of different measurements

Figure 7: Equivalent circuit of transformer under an open-circuit condition.

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 17

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 8: (a) Simulink model for open-circuit test with (b)

corresponding measurement blocks.

blocks) is shown in Figure 11. Here, the secondary of the

transformer is shorted through an ammeter and a vari-
able AC supply of constant frequency (as in the open-cir-
cuit test model) is applied to primary. The voltage is
gradually varied until the rated current flows through
the primary as well as secondary windings.

In the short-circuit test model, current measurement

block reads the short-circuit current Ip and the voltage
measurement block reads the primary voltage Vpsc. A
Figure 9: (a) Variation of no-load current I0 with input volt-
subsystem of wattmeter gives the full-load copper loss
age Vp, (b) variation of no-load power P0 with input voltage
or short-circuit power Psc. The small core loss due to
Vp, and (c) variation of secondary voltage Vs with input
low-voltage operation is neglected compared to the
voltage Vp.
copper loss. As shown in Figure 10, the secondary side
resistance rs and reactance xs are transferred to the pri-
mary side to make analysis easier.

18 IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 10: Equivalent circuit of transformer under short-circuit condition.

The readings from Simulink model meters are
given as
Vpsc ¼ 10:29 V; Ip ¼ 8:695 A; Is ¼ 17:39 A;
Psc ¼ 40:5 W; cos fsc ¼ 0:4528:
Under short-circuit condition, secondary current Is and
related short-circuit power Psc are plotted against the
primary current Ip. These curves are shown in
Figure 12.

Figure 12: (a) Variation of secondary current Is with pri-

Figure 11: (a) Simulink model for short-circuit test with mary current Ip and (b) variation of short-circuit power
(b) corresponding measurement blocks. against the primary current.

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 19

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer
From the short-circuit test results, we can compute the
equivalent impedance Zp, equivalent resistance Rp and
finally the equivalent reactance Xp of the transformer
model referred to the primary side. The different
parameters are given as follows:
Vpsc
Zp ¼ ¼ 1:183 V;
Ip
Psc
Rp ¼ ¼ 0:5356 V;
Ip2
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
Xp ¼ Z2p ¡ R2p ¼ 1:0548 V:
The calculated value of power factor from above val-
ues of Vpsc, Ip, and Psc is given as
Psc
cos fsc ¼ ¼ 0:4526:
Vpsc Ip
11. LOAD TEST
For predetermination of percentage efficiency and per-
centage regulation of the transformer, we perform the
load test. The equivalent circuit of the transformer
under load test is shown in Figure 13. For conducting
the test in the Simulink environment, we connect a
subsystem of variable resistance in the secondary of
the transformer as shown in Figure 14. The subsystem
termed as “Variable Resistive Load” is constructed to
vary the load of the transformer gradually. A typical
portion of the variable resistive load is shown in
Figure 15. Here we have utilized some switches
and resistance branches from SimPowerSystem of
MATLAB Simulink library. To achieve the desired
operation, one particular resistance branch of the
“Variable Resistive Load” is kept ON for one time
period of the input voltage cycle.
Figure 13: Equivalent circuit of transformer under load test.
20
It may be noted that an impedance load cannot be used
in this model, because, to vary load current, variation
of the impedance load is needed. This gives rise to
switching of inductive current leading to high didt and
consequently undesired model output.
During this time all other resistance branches are kept
ð8Þ in OFF state. Following this switching pattern, we vary
the connected resistive load continuously. This ensures
a variable load current. Finally, we plot the trans-
ð9Þ former efficiency curves against load fraction at differ-
ent power factors, shown in Figure 16(a). For clarity, a
portion of the family of curves of Figure 16(a) is shown
ð10Þ magnified in Figure 16(b).
The efficiency of the transformer is given by
x S cosf
%h ¼ £100; ð12Þ
x S cosf þ Pi þ x2 Pc
ð11Þ
where the symbols have their usual meaning.
In the transformer model, rated copper loss Psc D
40.5 W (obtained from short-circuit test) and iron
loss P0 D 40.03 W (obtained from no-load test). Obvi-
ously, the maximum efficiency occurs at the load
fraction of
rffiffiffiffiffi
Pi
x¼ ¼ 0:994: ð13Þ
Pc
Thus, for unity power factor, the maximum efficiency
can be calculated from Eqs. 4(a) and 4(b) as
%hmax ¼ 96:15%:
For a particular time interval, the connected load being
fixed, we obtain a particular value of efficiency. We
use different loads for equal time duration occurring
at different times, thus increasing the load current
gradually. These load currents are plotted against
respective efficiencies to obtain the efficiency (h) ver-
sus load fraction (x) curve. Three such curves, for three
IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014
 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 14: (a) Simulink model of load test for determining transformer efficiency with (b) corresponding measurement
blocks.

load power factors of 0.6, 0.8 and unity as chosen, are
shown in Figure 16, whereas Figure 17 shows the vari-
ation of efficiency with increasing power factors at dif-
ferent load fractions of 0.6, 0.8 and unity as chosen.
Figure 18 shows variation of percentage voltage regu-
lation for the same power factors.
12. LOAD TEST FOR DETERMINING
VOLTAGE REGULATION
Voltage regulation of a transformer depends upon its
load. It also depends upon the load power factor.
Hence, for predetermination of regulation, we design
the Simulink model in such a fashion that overall vari-
ation of voltage regulation with changing load power
factor at different load fractions is obtained.
13. CALCULATION OF LOAD POWER
FACTOR FOR ZERO REGULATION
In this transformer model, the total resistance per unit
is 2r D 0.02 pu and the total reactance per unit is 2x D
0.04 pu.

IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014 21

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer

Figure 15: Subsystem of variable resistance connected in

transformer secondary side.

Figure 17: (a) Curves showing the variation of transformer

efficiency at different load power factors with load frac-
tions of 1, 0.8, and 0.6. (b) Enlarged curve.

Figure 16: (a) Efficiency versus load fraction curves at dif- Figure 18: Curves showing variation of percentage voltage
ferent load power factors of 1, 0.8, and 0.6. (b) Enlarged effi- regulation with power factor angles, at different load frac-
ciency versus load fraction curves. tions of 1, 0.8, and 0.6.

22 IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014

 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer
Per unit regulation is given as
2 ¼ x ½ 2 r cos u § 2 x sin u:
2r
If regulation 2 ¼ 0; then tan u ¼ : ð15Þ
2x
Therefore, the power factor at which zero regulation
occurs is given as
  
¡1 2 r
p:f : ¼ cos tan : ð16Þ
2x
Putting the numerical values, we obtain
  
¡ 1 0:02
p:f : ¼ cos tan ¼ 0:8944 ðleadÞ:
0:04
14. SHORT HEAT RUN TEST
In the short heat run test, we determine the maximum
possible temperature rise of a transformer when it is
continuously operated at full load. This operational sit-
uation is simulated in “short heat run test” without
actually loading the transformer. The equivalent cir-
cuit of the short heat run test is shown in Figure 19.
In the short heat run test, the transformer is operated
under short-circuit condition and hence the input volt-
age is much smaller than the rated value. Due to such
low-voltage operation, the core loss of the transformer
is less than its core loss during full load. To simulate
the condition of full-load operation, we need to make
up for this short fall in core loss by adding extra copper
loss to the system. To achieve this under short-circuit
condition, the transformer is actually operated at over-
load (say, I > Ip). That is, the total watt loss under this
condition is made equal to the watt loss during full-
Figure 19: Equivalent circuit of short heat run test.
IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014
load operation. Thus, we have
ð14Þ rated loss ¼ Ip2 Rp þ Pi ¼ I 2 Rp þ pi ; ð18Þ
where Ip is the rated primary current of transformer, I
is the overload current during short heat run test, Rp is
the equivalent resistance of transformer referred to the
primary, Pi is the rated core loss, and pi is the iron loss
for low-voltage operation during the test.
In the above equation, since Pi > pi, I > Ip.
During short heat run test, the primary voltage of the
transformer is gradually increased from zero until the
wattmeter reads the total rated loss at full load. This
loading condition is maintained for about 2
3 hours
and the variation of temperature is plotted with time.
ð17Þ
Mathematically, this variation is represented by the
following equation:
u ¼ ua þ ðum ¡ ua Þð1 ¡ e ¡ t=a Þ; ð19Þ
where u is the winding temperature of the transformer
at time t, ua is the ambient temperature, um is the maxi-
mum temperature, and a is the heating time constant
of the transformer.
This experiment is performed on virtual platform to
determine the maximum possible temperature rise in
the designed transformer model. To draw the theoreti-
cal curve based upon the above equation, we need to
have the heating time constant a of the transformer
and also its um. Hence, we have used the values of a
and um of a transformer of our laboratory. Using these
values in the RHS of Eq. (19), we can plot the required
time
temperature curve. This seems to be illogical,
because to determine um, we are starting our simula-
tion procedure with the knowledge of, supposedly
unknown, um. However, in the virtual test, this is the
only way to go about determining um.
23
 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer
Figure 20: (a) Curve showing variation of temperature with
time. (b) Change in temperature versus temperature curve.
However, for any practical transformer, the time
tem-
perature curve is obtained via actual test only. The
simulated curve for temperature rise of the trans-
former with time (in minutes) is shown in Figure 20(a).
From this curve, we determine du dt at seven different
points and plot the u ¡ dudt curve shown in Figure 20(b).
The maximum temperature um is obtained by extrapo-
lating the straight line of Figure 20(b).
From the above two relations we can write
du
u ¼ um ¡ a : ð20Þ
dt
When du
dt is zero, the above equation will give the maxi-
mum temperature um. On the other hand at u D ua, the
24
um ¡ ua
dt ¼
value of du a . Hence, knowing um, u a, and dt , the
du
heating time constant a can be computed from the out-
put graph of Simulink.
15. CONCLUSION
The presented MATLAB Simulink model of trans-
former is attempted by “saturable transformer” model
available in Simulink which works with a nonlinear
B
H curve, from which we have drawn different char-
acteristics like we obtain in hardware-based laboratory
tests.
We have modelled a separate variable AC voltage
source which acts like a variac while operated as a con-
glomerate system. It is not a straightforward deal to
model a variable AC voltage source via Simulink. This
tricky part has been avoided in reference [6], whereas
this designed variable AC voltage source play one of
the major role in drawing different characteristics of a
single-phase transformer like in practice.
Here we have separately designed the magnetizing
characteristic that will suit the transformer under con-
sideration. From Figure 6, we see that both the magne-
tizing component and the no-load current have non-
sinusoidal pattern that will give better understanding
on saturation effect of the magnetization characteristic.
The virtual test models for open-circuit test, short-cir-
cuit test, load test, and short heat run test, presented
herein, can be used in the software laboratories which
obviously give detailed insights into different opera-
tional aspects of a single-phase power transformer. Par-
allel operation of two single-phase transformer using
the presented model is currently under investigation.
REFERENCES
1. M. G. Say, The Performance and Design of Alternating Current
Machines, 3rd ed. New Delhi: CBS Publishers, 1983.
2. A. C. Franklin, and D. P. Franklin, The J & P Transformer Books,
11th ed. New Delhi: Aditya Books, 1983.
3. Standards, Specification of Power transformers, S2026 (Part I),
1977.
4. International Standard IEC 60076-1, Edition 2.1, 2000-04
Power transformers
Part 1: General.
5. Duane Hanselman, and Bruce Littlefield, Mastering MATLAB 7.
Delhi: Pearson Education, 2005.
6. Ayasun Saffet, and Nwankpa, Chika O., “Transformer tests
using MATLAB/Simulink and their integration into undergradu-
ate electric machinery courses,” Comput. Appl. Eng. Educ.
Vol. 14, pp. 142
50, Jul. 2006; published online in Wiley Inter-
Science. doi:10.1002/cae.20077. Available: http://www.
interscience.wiley.com
IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014
 Roychoudhury S: Virtual Laboratory for Performing Tests on a Single-Phase Power Transformer
Authors
Srimanti Roy Choudhury did her BTech in
2006 from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering
College, under West Bengal University of
Technology, India and MTech (2010) from the
Department of Applied Physics, University of
Calcutta, India. During 2006 to 2007 she
worked in the Jalpaiguri Government Engi-
neering College in Department of Electrical
Engineering as a part-time teacher. Presently
she is an assistant professor (from 2010) in the Department of Electri-
cal Engineering, Budge Institute of Technology and also acted as a
guest lecturer in the Department of Polymer Science & Technology,
University of Calcutta, India. Her research area includes control theory
in general and application of ‘alternative’ orthogonal functions in dif-
ferent areas of systems and control. She has published four research
papers in different national and international journals.
E-mail: srimantiroychoudhury@ymail.com
Anish Deb (b.1951) did his BTech in 1974,
MTech in 1976, and PhD (Tech) degree in
1990 from the Department of Applied Physics,
University of Calcutta, India. He started his
career as a design engineer (1978) in industry
and joined the Department of Applied Physics,
University of Calcutta, India as a Lecturer in
1983. In 1990, he became reader in the same
Department. Presently he is a professor
(1998). His research interest includes automatic control in general
and application of ‘alternative’ orthogonal functions in systems and
control. He has published more than 60 research papers in different
national and international journals. He is the principal author of the
books “Triangular orthogonal functions for the analysis of continuous
time systems” published by Elsevier (India) in 2007 and Anthem
Press (UK) in 2011, and “Power Electronic Systems: Walsh Analysis
with MATLAB” to be published by CRC Press (USA) in March, 2014.
E-mail: anishdeb2000@yahoo.co.in
DOI: 10.1080/09747338.2014.921399; Copyright © 2014 by the IETE
IETE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION | VOL 55 | NO 1 | JAN
JUN 2014
Gautam Sarkar did his BTech in 1975, MTech.
in 1977, and PhD (Tech) degree in 1991 from
the Department of Applied Physics, University
of Calcutta, India. He started his career as a
research assistant in the Department of
Applied Physics, University of Calcutta, India
and joined the department as a lecturer in
1985. In 1998, he became reader in the same
department. Presently he is in the chair of Lab-
anyamoyee Das Professor (2002). His areas of research include auto-
matic control, fuzzy systems, microprocessor based control of
electric motors and application of piecewise constant basis functions
in systems and control. He has published more than 40 research
papers in different national and international journals. He is the co-
author of the book “Triangular orthogonal functions for the analysis of
continuous time systems” published by Elsevier (India) in 2007 and
Anthem Press (UK) in 2011.
E-mail: gautamgs2010@yahoo.in
Jitendranath Bera has obtained his post-BSC,
BTech and MTech degree in 1993 and 1995,
respectively from the Department of Applied
Physics, University of Calcutta with specializa-
tion in Electrical Machines and Power System.
He has obtained his PhD in the year 2005, from
Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India, in the field
of multimedia wireless communication. He
worked as Scientist-B in a project sponsored
by ADA, GOI at the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics, Calcutta
University for a period of almost two years. Then he joined Premier Irri-
gation Equipment Limited as AGM and worked for a period of about 10
years. Since 2005, he is an associate professor in the Department of
Applied Physics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata. His fields of interest
are wireless communication, electrical drives and condition monitoring
of electrical machines, embedded systems etc. His teaching experi-
ence is of about seven years. He has more than 55 national and inter-
national journal and conference papers.
E-mail: jitendrabera@rediffmail.com
25