Experiment 8 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE2208: Electrical Machines 1 Laboratory
Title: Study of Three Phase Transformers

Introduction:

Transformer power levels range from low power applications, such as consumer electronics power
supplies to very high power applications, such as power distribution systems. For higher power
applications, three-phase transformers are commonly used. The typical construction of a three-
phase transformer is shown in Figure-2(a). The detailed analysis of this circuit is not
straightforward since there are numerous combinations of flux paths linking various windings.

For this reason, the three-phase transformer will be modeled as three independent single-phase
transformers are shown in Figure-2(b).

The purpose of this experiment is to be able to study three phase transformer connections and the
current and voltage relationships. Also find the all phase and line voltage of all the five possible
connections of three phase transformers.

Theory and Methodology:

A transformer is a static piece of apparatus by means of which electric power in one circuit is
transformed into electric power of the same frequency in another circuit. It can raise or lower the
voltage in a circuit but with a corresponding decrease or increase in current. The physical basis of
a transformer is mutual induction between two circuits linked by a common magnetic flux. In its
simplest form, it consists of two inductive coils which are electrically separated but magnetically
linked through a path of low reluctance as shown in Figure-1.

The two coils possess high mutual inductance. If one coil is connected to a source of alternating
voltage, an alternating flux is set up in the laminated core, most of which is linked with the other
coil in which it produces mutually induced e.m.f. If the second coil circuit is closed, a current flow
in it and so electric energy is transferred from the first coil to the second coil. The first coil, in
which electric energy is fed from the a.c. supply mains, is called primary winding and the other
form which energy is drawn out, is called secondary windings.

In brief, a transformer is a device that

a) transfers electric power from one circuit to another b)it does so without a change of frequency
c) it accomplishes this by electromagnetic induction d) where the two electric circuits are in mutual
inductive influence of each other.

The simple elements of a transformer consist of two coils having mutual inductance and a
laminated steel core. The two coils are insulated from each other and the steel core. The
transformers are of two general types in terms of construction.

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual

i) Core-type Transformers: The coils used are form-wound and are of the cylindrical type.
The general form of these coils may be circular or oval or rectangular.
ii) Shell-type Transformers: The coils form-would but are multi-layer disc type usually
wound in the form of pancake.

Figure 1: An Ideal Transformer Figure 2: (a) Simple (b) Ideal Model of 3-Φ Transformer

Connection Varieties of Three Phase Transformers

The three-phase transformer may be a single transformer or three separate single phase
transformers connected in delta or wye. Sometimes only two transformers are used. Commercial
three-phase voltage from the power lines is often 415 V, and the standard values of single-phase
voltage (240 V) can be supplied from the line as shown in Figure-3. Wye connections are
sometimes referred to as star connections.

Figure-3

The windings a, b, and c, represent the three wye-connected transformer secondaries. The
threephase lines are designated A, Band C. The single-phase connections are from A, B or C to
neutral (earth). Three-phase transformers must be properly connected to these lines in order to
operate. Four of the most widely used transformer connections (see Figure-4) are:

a) Primary windings in delta, secondary windings in delta, or delta-delta (Δ- Δ)

b) Primary windings in wye, secondary windings in wye, or wye-wye (Y - Y)

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 2

 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
c) Primary windings in wye, secondary windings in delta, or wye-delta (Y - Δ)
d) Primary windings in delta, secondary windings in wye, or delta-wye (Δ - Y)

Of these four combinations, the one used most extensively is the last one listed the delta-wye.

Figure- 4
Regardless of what method of connection is used the windings must be connected in the proper
phase relationships. To determine these in a wye-connected secondary, the voltage is measured
across two windings as shown in Figure-5(a). The voltage A to B should be equal to √3 times the
voltage across either winding. If the voltage is equal to that across either winding, then one of the
windings must be reversed. The third winding c is then connected as shown in Figure-5(b) and the
voltage C to A or B should also equal √3 times the voltage across anyone winding.

If not, the winding c must be reversed.

Figure-5

To determine the proper phase relationships in a delta-connected secondary, the voltage is

measured across two windings as shown in Figure-6(a). The voltage A to C should equal the
voltage across either winding. If not, one of the windings must be reversed. The winding c is then
connected as shown in Figure-6(b), and the voltage across the three windings C1 to C should equal

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
zero. If not, winding c must be reversed. The open ends (C1 & C) are then joined and the
transformer has the proper phase relationships for delta connection as shown in Figure6(c).

Figure-6

The wye-wye connection has the same volts-per-turn ratio between primary and secondary
windings as that of an individual single-phase transformer. The voltage output of the delta-delta is
also dependent on the turn’s ratio of the primary and secondary windings. The delta-wye
connection has a higher 3-phase voltage ratio than either the delta-delta or wye-wye connection.
This is because the voltage across any two windings of the wye secondary is equal to √3 times the
3-phase primary line voltage. The wye-delta connection is the opposite of the delta-wye
connection.

Pre-Lab Homework:

Students will be provided the upcoming lab sheets and they will be asked to take preparation about
the theoretical (operations /working principle) information of the particular topic from the
reference book.

Apparatus:

Single-Phase Transformer
AC Voltmeter
Power Supply
Connection Leads

Precautions:

The delta should never be closed until a test is first made to determine that the voltage within
the delta is zero. If not, and the delta is closed on itself, the resulting current will be of short-
circuit magnitude, with resulting damage to the transformers.

Experimental Procedure

Warning: High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any
connections with the power on! The power should be turned off after completing each
individual measurement!

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
1. a) The circuit shown in Figure-7 has three transformers connected in a Wye-Wye configuration.
b) Calculate the expected voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.
c) Connect the circuit as shown.

Figure-7

d) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output for a primary line-to-line voltage of
240 V ac.
e) Measure the indicated voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.
f) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Repeat (d), (e) and (f) until all of the
listed voltages have been measured.
g) Record the calculated values and measured values in Table-1.

2. a) The circuit shown in Figure-8 has three transformers connected in a Delta-Wye configuration.

b) Calculate the expected voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

c) Connect the circuit as shown.

d) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output for a primary line-to-line voltage of
150 V ac.

e) Measure the indicated voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

f) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Repeat (d), (e) and (f) until all of the
listed voltages have been measured.

g) Record the calculated values and measured values in Table-2.

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual

Figure-8

3. a) The circuit shown in Figure-9 has three transformers connected in a ____Wye-Delta____

configuration.

b) Calculate the expected voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

c) Connect the circuit as shown. Open the delta connected secondary at point “A” and places a
voltmeter across the opened loop.

Figure-9

d) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output voltage. The voltmeter across the
open delta, at point "A", should not indicate any appreciable voltage if your delta connections
are phased properly. Some small voltage will be present because the normal3-phase supply does
not have all 3-phase voltages equal and the three transformers also have small differences.

e) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

f) Remove the voltmeter and close the delta loop at point "A".

g) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output for a primary line-to-line voltage of
240 V ac.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 6

 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
h) Measure the indicated voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

i) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Repeat (g), (h) and (i) until all of the
listed voltages have been measured.

j) Record the calculated values and measured values in Table-3.

4. a) The circuit shown in Figure-10 has three transformers connected in a ____Delta-Delta ____
configuration.
b) Calculate the expected voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

c) Connect the circuit as shown. Open the delta connected secondary at point “A” and places a
voltmeter across the opened delta

Figure-10

d) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output voltage. The voltmeter across the
open delta, at point "A", should not indicate any appreciable voltage if your delta connections
are phased properly.

e) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

f) Remove the voltmeter and close the delta loop at point "A".

g) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output for a primary line-to-line voltage of
240 V ac.

h) Measure the indicated voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

i) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Repeat (g), (h) and (i) until all of the
listed voltages have been measured.

j) Record the calculated values and measured values in Table-4.

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
5. a) The circuit shown in Figure-11 has two transformers connected in an open-delta
configuration.

b) Calculate the expected voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.
c) Connect the circuit as shown.
d) Turn on the Power Supply and slowly increase the output for a primary line-to-line voltage of
240 V ac.

e) Measure the indicated voltages and record the values in the spaces provided.

f) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Repeat (d), (e) and (f) until all of the
listed voltages have been measured.

g) Record the calculated values and measured values in Table-5.

Figure-11

Measurement:

Students will measure the all phase and line voltage of all the five possible connections of three
phase transformers and should place the measured value in the result section for the comparison
with the calculated value.

Results/Findings:

All the results should be put in the table (which is given below).

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
Table-1
Voltages Calculated Values Measured Values
(CV) (MV)
E1 240 240
E2 240 240
E3 240 240
E4 138.5 141
E5 138.5 140
E6 138.5 140
E7 240 242
E8 240 245
E9 240 245
E10 138.5 140
E11 138.5 142
E12 138.5 142

Voltages Calculated Measured Voltages Calculated Measured

Values Values Values Values
(CV) (MV) (CV) (MV)
E1 240 240 E1 240 240
E2 240 240 E2 240 240
E3 240 240 E3 240 240
E4 415.7 416 E4 138.5 141
E5 415.7 418 E5 138.5 140
E6 415.7 417 E6 138.5 140
E7 240 242 E7 240 142
E8 240 239 E8 240 140
E9 240 240 E9 240 140

Table-2 Table-3

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
Voltages Calculated Measured
Values Values Voltages Calculated Measured
(CV) (MV) Values Values
E1 240 240 (CV) (MV)
E2 240 240 E1 240 240
E3 240 240 E2 240 240
E4 240 242 E3 240 240
E5 240 241 E4 240 242
E6 240 242 E5 240 242
E6 240 240

Table-4 Table-5

Students will compare the measured value with calculated value. Comment according to the
comparison.

Discussion:

1. Compare the results of Procedure steps 4 and 5.

a) Is there a voltage difference in a delta-delta vs open-delta configuration?
b) Is the VA rating of the delta-delta configuration the same as for the open· delta configuration?
Explain.
c) If the current ratings for each winding were increased, could the open-delta configuration work
as well as the delta-delta configuration? Explain.

2. If each transformer has a capacity of 60 kVA what total 3-phase power (S) can be obtained in
each of the five types of configurations.

a) Wye-wye 3*60

S = 180 kVA

b) Wye-delta
_S= 180 kVA

c) Delta-wye
S = __180__ kVA

d) Delta-delta
S = __180__kVA

e) Open-delta
S = __103__kVA

3. If one of the secondary winding polarities were reversed in Procedure step 1:

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 Experiment 8 Lab Manual
a) Would there be a dead short?
Ans no
b) Would the transformer heat up?
Ans yes
c) Would the primary voltages become unbalanced?
Ans no
d) Would the secondary voltages become unbalanced?
Ans yes

4. If one of the secondary winding polarities were reversed in Procedure step 4:

a) Would there be a dead short?
Ans yes
b) Would the transformer heat up?
Ans yes
c) Would the primary voltages become unbalanced?
Ans no
d) Would the secondary voltages become unbalanced?
Ans yes

References:

1. B.L. Theraja & A.K. Theraja, “Electrical Technology (Volume II)”

[If you use any references (books/website) to answer the test your knowledge part, please
mention the proper references.]

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