A 65 -Types of Transformers - Part 2

 Published on March 18, 2022

P Ramachandran

Specialist, Power Transformers

73 articles

A list of various types of Transformers that power engineers may come across was
listed in an earlier article. These transformers are mainly for T&D applications,
traction or industrial applications. Small and mini transformers that are used in
lighting, control circuits, electronics, toys, home appliances etc are not included.
We will see brief definitions of these transformers and relevant National Standards
available for the selection and applications of different types of transformers. Later
in this series, we will cover in detail each of these transformers. This article is in
continuation to an earlier article.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/a55-types-transformers-p-ramachandran
A.   Based on Application or Use

 1.  Power Transformer (Step down, EHV, UHV, Industrial)

Power Transformer is a static piece of apparatus with two or more windings which,
by electromagnetic induction, transforms a system of alternating voltage and
current in to another system of voltage and current, usually of different values and
at the same frequency, for transmitting the electrical power (IEC Pub 50-421-01-01)

It can be a step-up transformer or step-down transformer at HV,EHV or UHV

voltages.

IEC 60076-1-2011 / IEEE C 57.12.00-2015; C57.12.10-2017/ IS 2026 (Part 1):2011

Power Transformers

2. Distribution Transformer

A distribution transformer is a transformer that provides the final voltage

transformation in the electric power distribution system, stepping down the voltage
used in the distribution lines to the level used by the customers. In India, the
distribution line voltages are 3.3 kV, 6.6 kV, 11 kV, 22 kV and 33 kV and the domestic
supply for the consumers is at 415 volts, 3 Phase (240 volt, single phase), 50 Hz.
Maximum rating for distribution transformer as per Indian standards (IS: 1180) is
2.5 MVA 33KV. In IEC world, ratings of 25 kVA to 3.15 MVA 36 kV (sometimes up to
5 MVA 72.5 kV)  and in USA up to 20 MVA 69 kV are considered as Distribution
Transformers.

IEC 60076-1-2011 /IEEE C57.12.36-2017/ IS 1180(part 1)-2014

3. Voltage Regulated Distribution Transformer (VRDT)

VRDT transformers (25 -3150 kVA 36 kV) are distribution transformers with an
OLTC (on-load tap-changer) on HV or LV side to regulate the LV network voltage
within limits specified by the regulating agencies. Variations of LV network voltage
is more when renewable energy power sources are connected to LV or MV grids.
These transformers must work as step up or step-down transformers due to the
power feed from renewable energy sources.

IEC 60076-24-2020 Voltage Regulating Distribution Transformers

 4. Generator Transformer or Generator step up Transformer (in USA, Unit

Transformer) for thermal, hydro, nuclear, pumped storage hydro power plants.
Generator transformer transforms all or a portion of the power output from the
generator to the high voltage for feeding to power system. The delta connected LV
side voltage of transformer will be the generator voltage and star connected
secondary side voltage will be the power grid HV or EHV voltage. Generally, these
are provided with DETC (de-energised tap-changer) for voltage control on HV side.

C57.116-2014 Guide for transformers directly connected to Generators

Typical generating station electric one-line diagram

 5. Station Start up Transformer (in USA, Station Service Transformer)

A transformer that supplies power from a station high-voltage bus to the station
auxiliaries and also to the unit auxiliaries during the generator start up and
shutdown or when the unit auxiliary transformer is not available or under both
conditions. High voltage side is connected to the HV grid and the secondary voltage
is same as the voltage of generator/auxiliary supply transformer.

  C57.116-2014 Guide for transformers directly connected to Generators

6. Unit Transformer (in USA, Unit Auxiliary Transformer)

A transformer intended primarily to supply all or a portion of the unit auxiliaries

associated with the power plant such as boiler feed pump, air blast fans etc. Voltage
of primary winding will be generator voltage and secondary voltage is the rated
voltage of auxiliary equipment, mainly high voltage motors.

 C57.116-2014 Guide for transformers directly connected to Generators

7. Station Auxiliary Transformer

These are small distribution transformers catering to the sub-station lighting and
motor loads. Sometimes the input for these transformers will be taken from the
tertiary circuit of power transformers in the station and these units will piggy ride
the main power transformer.

8. Earthing Transformer (in USA, Grounding Transformer)

There are two types of grounding transformers – neutral grounding transformers

(NGT) and neutral deriving transformers. (NDT)

NGT is used for earthing the neutral of generators or three phase transformers. This
is a single-phase distribution transformer of short time rating, with the HV primary
in series with neutral grounding lead of generator or transformer and appropriate
rated resistor connected across the LV secondary winding of transformer. In this
way using small standard resistors high impedance neutral earthing is achieved
through the use of NGT.

NDT is a three-phase transformer connected to an unearthed power network

without neutral (eg. delta connected) to get an artificial neutral to the network.
Earthing transformer can be a zig-zag connected single circuit transformer or a star
(neutral earthed) /delta transformer. (YNd).

Ground fault current will flow through them only for a short period and hence
transformers are rated for short time periods like 10 seconds. Earthing transformers
(NDT) are often provided with a secondary (low-voltage) winding to supply a local
auxiliary load, for example, the 415 V equipment within the substation

 IEC 60076-6 ed1.0-2007 Section 10 / IEEE C57.32-2015 / IS 5553-6 (R2001)/Section

L of CBIP Pub No.317 -Transformer Manual

 9. Traction supply Transformer (Track side Transformer)

Traction supply transformers are of different types- single-phase traction

transformers, three-phase to two-phase traction transformers, single- three- or
poly-phase rectifier-transformers, converter-inverter-transformers for d.c. or a.c.
traction systems, single phase auto-transformers for traction power supply. These
transformers provide power supply to catenary lines over the rails, taking power
from the main power grid.

IEC 62695 ed1.0-2014/ EN 50329-2003/ IEEE 1653.1-2016 Traction Transformers

for Fixed installations /Traction Power Rectifier Transformers for substations
10. Locomotive Transformer (Traction Transformer)-Under frame, vertical and
roof mounted.

Traction Transformers are installed on the board of rolling stock. They supply
power to propulsion circuits (traction motors) and other auxiliary circuits like
lighting, air conditioning, kitchen etc. Ratings extend from few hundred kVA to 7-10
MVA. There are HV windings connected to single phase 15 or 25 kV AC and
secondary traction windings and auxiliary load windings. They are generally of high
impedance, light weight and compact with forced-oil, forced-air cooling.
Alternatives are dry type or with alternate insulating fluids (silicon oil or synthetic
ester) and high temperature insulation for winding conductors. These transformers
are of robust construction to with stand continuous shock and vibrations in service.

IEC 60310 ed4.0-2016 Traction Transformers and Inductors

11. Furnace Transformer (Electric Arc Transformers)

Furnace transformers (single phase or three phase) are used for steel melting and
metallurgical industry. They are characterised by high secondary current (up to 90
kA electrode AC or DC current for steel and 160 kA for ferro-alloys) and a wide
secondary voltage range. The secondary voltage is normally regulated by on-load
tap-changers, located in high voltage winding or in an intermediate circuit of a two
cored design (booster regulation) within the transformer tank.

Reduction furnace transformers (usually single phase) are mainly used in

metallurgical industry to produce ferro alloys like ferro-silicon, ferro-manganese,
ferro-nickel, ferro-chrome and silicon metal. They are also used to produce silicon
carbide and non-ferrous metals like copper, nickel, tin, lead and zinc.

DC furnace transformers are also used to melt scrap metal. Since DC current is used
for melting, transformer is installed in combination with a rectifier that feeds the
furnace.

 IEEE C57.17-2012 / IS 12977-1990 Furnace Transformers

 12. Welding Transformer

Welding Transformers are used in welding machines to change the alternating

current from the power line into a low-voltage, high amperage current in the
secondary winding. A combination of primary and/or secondary taps on the
welding transformer are commonly used to provide a macro adjustment of the
welding current, as well as adjustment of secondary voltage. Transformer ratings
for welding machines are expressed in kVA (kilovolt-amperes) for a specified duty
cycle. This duty cycle rating is a thermal rating, and indicates the amount of energy
that the transformer can deliver for a stated percentage of a specific time period,
usually one minute, without exceeding its temperature rating. The RMS Short
Circuit Secondary Current specification indicates the maximum current that can be
obtained from the transformer. Since heating is a function of the welding current,
this parameter gives an indication of the thickness of the materials that can be
welded.

13. Phase shifting Transformer (Phase shifter; Quadrature Booster)

In phase shifting transformers, phase relationship between input and output can be
adjusted for controlling power flow in electrical grid. e.g.to shift power flow from a
shorter (but overloaded) link to a longer path with excess capacity. A phase angle
regulating transformer, phase angle regulator (PAR, American usage), phase-
shifting transformer, phase shifter (West coast American usage), or quadrature
booster (quad booster, British usage), is a specialized form of transformer used to
control the flow of real power  on three-phase electric -transmission  networks.

For an alternating current transmission line, power flow through the line is

proportional to the sine of the difference in the phase angle of the voltage between
the transmitting end and the receiving end of the line. Where parallel circuits with
different capacities exist between two points in a transmission grid (for example, an
overhead line and an underground cable), direct manipulation of the phase angle
allows control of the division of power flow between the paths, preventing
overload. Quadrature boosters thus provide a means of relieving overloads on
heavily laden circuits and re-routing power via more favourable paths.

A phase shifting transformer  typically consists of two separate transformers:

a shunt unit and a series unit. The shunt unit has its windings connected across the
phases, so that it produces output voltages shifted by 90° with respect to the supply.
Its output is then applied as input to the series unit, which, because of its secondary
winding is in series with the main circuit, adds the phase-shifted component. The
overall output voltage is hence the vector sum of the supply voltage and the 90°
quadrature component. The amount of phase shift is controlled by changing the
quadrature boosted voltage by means of an on-load tap-changer. Ratings of phase
shifting transformers are usually quite high, like 2000 MVA 3 phase units.

IEC 62032-ed2.0-2012 / IEC/IEEE 60076-57-1202-2017 / IEEE C 57.135-2011 -Phase

shifting Transformer

14. Wind Turbine Transformers

These are generator step up transformers connecting asynchronous generator of
the wind turbine to the power collection network of the wind farm, Typical ratings
are 200-10,000 kVA, three phase 0.6-4 /11-66 kV star/ delta connected (Dy) with de-
energised tap-changer on HV side. Oil filled and dry type (later case usually placed
on the nacelle platform of turbine tower) units are in use. When installed in
constrained enclosures, cooling ambient temperatures will be high and special
measures are taken to get proper cooling. Depending on harmonic current content
in generator current, extra rating to be provided to take care of the extra winding
heating from harmonic currents. Protection measures are required against high
frequency steep voltage surges and their resonance with internal frequency of
windings during the switching operation from HV or LV side.

IEC 60076-11:2011- Power Transformers for Wind Turbine