What is the classification of the transformer?

For the industrial electrical industry and some other fields, a transformer is an
indispensable device. The is widely used to solve electrical problems.

Table of Contents

1. Types of transformer based on the transformer's core

a. Core Type Transformer

b. Shell Type Transformer

c. Berry Type Transformer

2. Types of transformer based on voltage conversion

a. Step Up Transformer

b. Step Down Transformer

3. Types of transformer based on its purpose

a. Power Transformer

b. Distribution Transformer

c. Isolation Transformer

d. Instrument Transformers

e. Current Transformer

f. Potential Transformer

4. Transformer types based on windings

a. Two Winding Transformer

b. Autotransformer

5. Transformer types based on the insulation used

a. Dry Type Transformer

b. Oil Immersed Transformer

6. Transformer types based on the number of phases

a. Single Phase Transformer

b. Three Phase Transformer

Like many other electrical devices, there are many ways to classify types of
transformer

• Based on phase, we will divide into two types of transformers that is

single-phase transformers and three-phase transformers
• According to the function, there are Step-up transformers and Step down
transformers
• According to the usage: power transformers,distribution transformer,
isolation transformer
• Based on windings, we have Two Winding Transformers and
Autotransformers.
• Based on core design, we have Core Type Transformer, Shell Type
Transformer, and Berry Type Transformer.
1. Types of transformer based on the transformer's core
One of the main differences between a core-type transformer and a shell-type
transformer is how the winding surrounds the core. In shell-type transformers,
the core surrounds the transformer's windings, while on a core-type
transformer, the windings wrap around the core.

a. A core type transformer has two cylinders and two horizontal bars forming
the frame. The magnetic core is a square form with a common magnetic circuit.
The cylindrical coils (HV and LV) are located on two cylinders.
b. Shell type transformer has a center cylinder and two outer cylinders. Both the
HV and LV coils of it are located on a center column. This transformer has a
dual magnetic circuit.

c. Berry type transformer: Magnetic circuit looks like a wheel. The metal shell is
tightly fixed and filled with oil inside.
2. Types of transformers based on voltage conversion
a. Step-up transformer
The step-up transformer helps the voltage increase on the output side because
the number of turns on the secondary is always more than the number of turns
on the primary. A high voltage is developed on the secondary side of the
transformer.

In countries like India, electricity is generated at 11kv. For economic reasons,

AC power is transmitted at very high voltage (220v-440v) over long distances.
Hence a step-up transformer is applied at the generating station.

b. Step-down transformer
A step-down voltage transformer reduces the output voltage. In other words, it
converts high voltage, low current power into low voltage, high current power.
For example, the power supply has a voltage of 230-110v, but the doorbell only
requires 16v. Therefore, it is recommended to use a step-down transformer to
reduce the voltage from 110v or 220v to 16v.

For many regions, the voltage is reduced to 440v / 230v for safety reasons, so
the number of turns on the secondary is less than the primary ones; Less
voltage is generated at the transformer's output (secondary) end.
3. Types of transformers based on their purpose
a. Power Transformer
Power transformers are mainly used in transmission networks of higher
voltages. Its ratings are as follows 400kv, 200kv, 110kv, 66kv, and 33kv. Most
of the power transformer is rated above 200MVA. They are installed at the
generating stations, and transmission substations, which need a high-capacity
transformer. The power transformer is designed for maximum efficiency of
100% and is larger than the distribution transformer.

At a very high voltage, the power cannot be distributed to the consumer directly
because they need smaller voltage, so the power is stepped down to the
desired level with the help of a step-down power transformer. The transformer
is not loaded fully; hence the core loss occurs for the whole day, but the copper
loss is based on the load cycle of the distribution network.

Suppose the power transformer is connected to the transmission network. In

that case, the load fluctuation will be significantly less as it is not connected to
the consumer end directly. Still, if connected to the distribution network, there
will be fluctuations in the load.

The transformer is loaded for 24 hours at the transmission station; thus, the
core and copper loss will occur for the whole day. The power transformer is
cost-effective when the power is generated at low voltage levels. If the voltage
level is raised, then the current of the power transformer is reduced, resulting
in I2R losses and the voltage regulation is also increased.

b. Distribution Transformer
A distribution transformer, also known as a consumption transformer, is
responsible for switching from a low medium voltage source to the voltage used
for home appliances and industrial equipment.

Distribution transformers are intended to reduce the voltage for distribution for
users or commercial use. This machine has good voltage regulation and can
operate 24 hours a day with maximum efficiency at 50% load.

c. Isolation Transformer
Isolation transformers are transformers with the primary and secondary winding
independently of each other, and there is only a magnetic flux relationship
between them. Unlike autotransformers, isolating transformers are composed
of the primary and secondary windings linked only through a magnetic field. The
windings are separated so that they are electrically
d. Instrument Transformers
The instrument Transformer is generally called an isolation transformer. It is an
electrical device used to transform current as well as a voltage levels. The most
common use of instrument transformers is to safely isolate the secondary
winding when the primary has high voltage and high current supply. The
measuring instrument, energy meters, or relays connected to the transformer's
secondary side will not get damaged. The instrument transformer is further
divided into two types:

• Current Transformer (CT)

• Potential Transformer (PT)
e. Current Transformer
The current transformer is used for measuring electricity and also for protection.
When the current is high to apply directly to the measuring instrument, the
current transformer is used to transform the high current into the current
required value in the circuit.

The transformer's primary winding is connected in series to the main supply and
the various measuring instruments like an ammeter, voltmeter, wattmeter, or
protective relay coil to measure and control electricity. They have an accurate
current ratio and phase relation to enable the meter accurately on the
secondary side. The term ratio is significant in CT.

f. Potential Transformer
The potential transformer is an instrument transformer used to transform
voltage from a higher value in the primary windings to a lower value in the
secondary windings. This transformer steps down the voltage to a safe limit
value that the ordinary low voltage instrument like wattmeter, voltmeter, and
watt-hour meters can easily measure.

4. Transformer types based on windings

a. A two-winding transformer (conventional winding transformer) has a fixed
number of turns. They are separate; It is a static machine that transfers
electrical energy from one end to another without changing frequency. A two-
winding transformer has two separate winding, which is the primary and
secondary winding.

b. Auto-transformer shares the same turns (of wire) between the input and the
output connections. The primary and secondary winding are not electrically
insulated.
5. Transformer types based on the insulation used
a. Dry Type Transformer
The dry-type transformer is a type of transformer not using any insulating liquid
where its winding or core is immersed in liquid. Instead, the windings and core
are kept within a sealed tank that is pressurized with air. They are still very safe
without liquid.

We have two types of the dry-type transformer, that is Cast Resin Dry Type
Transformers (CRT) and Vacuum pressure Impregnated Transformers (VPI)

b. Oil ImmersedTransformer
It's also called an oil-filled transformer. The oil-immersed transformer is a kind
of voltage transformation device using an oil-cooling method to reduce the
transformer temperature. Unlike the dry-type transformer, the body of an oil-
immersed transformer is installed in the welded steel oil tank filled with
insulation oil. When operating, the coil and iron core heat is first transformed
into the insulation oil and then into the cooling medium. And according to the
capacity sizes, it can be divided into an immersed natural cooling transformer
and an immersed forced air cooling transformer.

6. Transformer types based on the number of phases

a. Single Phase Transformer
A single-phase transformer is an electrical device that accepts single-phase AC
power and outputs single-phase AC. A single-phase transformer is used in non-
urban areas as the overall demand and costs are lower than the 3-
phase distribution transformer. They decrease the home voltage to a suitable
value without a change in frequency, so it's used as a step-down transformers.
For this reason, it is commonly used in electronic appliances at residences.