Electrical Energy Systems Engineering, US-Pakistan Center for

Advance Studies in Energy, UET Peshawar

CAS-EESE-520 Power System Transformers (3-0)

Spring 2023

Instructor: Engr. Muhammad Aslam

Lecture No. 05
WHAT IS SATURATION IN
CURRENT TRANSFORMER?
The term saturation of the CT can be defined as a condition in which the CT is no
longer able to reproduce the secondary current in proportion to its primary current .
The basic principle on which the CT reproduces the secondary current is based on
the well known Transformer principle where current flowing through the primary
winding produces a flux in the core of the transformer which is normally
proportional to the current in the primary.
This flux is the basic reason for the current in the Secondary winding . Now if the
core is not able to reproduce a flux in proportion to the primary current then the
secondary current will not be in proportion to the primary current and hence the
measurement of the current become wrong .
REASON OF SATURATION
 The phenomena of the CT core unable to produce the flux in proportion to the primary
current is called saturation of CT or CT core.

 With constant VA applied in the CT secondary circuit the CT goes to saturation if the
primary current is increased beyond the designed value.

 With constant current in the primary and if the burden is increased beyond the
designed value , still we will find the same phenomena of CT saturation.

 The amount of the DC component available in the primary fault current etc.
EFFECT OF SATURATION ON METERING
AND PROTECTIVE CURRENT TRANSFORMER
Once the CT is saturated then it will not be able to reproduce the secondary current in
proportion to its primary current and hence the relays connected to this CT circuit
may malfunction indiscriminately and trips the circuit without coordination with other relays
in the network or it may completely fail to operate for a fault both the condition to be
avoided.
This will give wrong readings.
Due to this huge loss to cost will take place.
TREATMENT
OR
REMEDIES
It is the duty of the protection design engineer to do a CT sizing calculation so that
the CT will not saturate for the worst case through fault . There are number of
factors to be considered before a CT is designed for protection purposes which
included the maximum symmetrical and asymmetrical short circuit current and the
system X/R ratio.

The symmetrical and asymmetrical short circuit current can be calculated

by doing a short circuit study on the system under consideration . For small systems
manual calculation of the short circuit study is possible. However for large systems
the application of software are generally required,otherwise the calculation become
more tedious.
Auto-transformers
An autotransformer(some times called Auto step down transformers an Electrical
transformer with only one winding..

The "auto" ((Greek for"s self")) prefix rrefers to tthe ssingle coil acting on iitself and not
tto any kind of automatic mechanism..
Two-winding transformers have already been discussed, and in such transformers,
the two windings are electrically isolated and emf is induced in the secondary
winding due to mutual induction.

A. There also exists other type of transformers in which part of the winding is
common to both the primary and secondary circuits.

B. The auto-transformer using a single winding on an iron core, with a part of the
winding common to both primary and secondary, is frequently used.

C. In an auto-transformer, the two windings are electrically connected and it works

on
the principle of induction and conduction.
The figure above depicts an autotransformer in which only one winding is wound on
a laminated magnetic core.
a) It also shows that a single winding is used as primary and secondary and a part of
the winding is common to both primary and secondary.

b) Autotransformers can also be classified as step-up and step-down transformers

because voltage can be stepped up and stepped down using these transformers.

c) The input and output are electrically connected and the input and output
currents are superimposed in the common part of the winding.

d) Superimpose - place or lay (one thing) over another, typically so that both are
still evident or to put or join as an addition (usually followed by on or upon).

e) In an auto-transformer only a part of the kVA input is transferred from the

primary to the secondary side by transformer action, while the remainder is
transferred directly from the primary lines to the secondary lines.
Conventional two-winding Transformer connected as an Auto-
transformer
1) A conventional two-winding transformer can be changed into an auto-
transformer by connecting the primary and secondary windings in series.
2) Depending upon how the connection is made, the secondary voltage may
add to, or subtract from, the primary voltage.
3) The basic operation and behaviour of a transformer is unaffected by a
mere change in external connections.
Consequently, the following rules apply whenever a conventional transformer is
connected as an auto-transformer:
i. The current in any winding should not exceed its nominal current rating.
ii. The voltage across any winding should not exceed it nominal voltage rating.
iii. If rated current flows in one winding, rated current will automatically flow in
the other winding (reason: The ampere-turns of the windings are always equal).
iv. If rated voltage exists across one winding, rated voltage automatically exists
across the other winding (reason: The same mutual flux links both windings).
Applications of Auto-transformers

i. To give small boost to a distribution cable to correct for the voltage drop.

ii. As auto-starter transformer to give up to 50 to 60 % of full voltage to an

induction motor during starting.

iii. As furnace transformers for getting a convenient supply to suit the furnace
winding from a 230-V supply.

vi. As interconnecting transformers in 132 kV/330 kV system.

v. In control equipment for single-phase and three-phase electrical locomotives.

vi. In power applications to interconnect systems operating at different voltage
classes, for example 132 kV to 66 kV for transmission.
vii. In industry to adapt machinery built (for example) for 480 V to operate on a 600
V supply.
viii. For providing conversions between the two common domestic mains voltage
bands in the world (100 - 130 and 200 - 250).

ix. On long rural power distribution lines, special auto-transformers with automatic
tap-changing equipment are inserted as voltage regulators, so that customers at
the far end of the line receive the same average voltage as those closer to the
source. The variable ratio of the auto-transformer compensates for the voltage
drop along the line.

x. In audio applications, tapped autotransformers are used to adapt speakers to

constant-voltage audio distribution systems, and for impedance matching such
as between a low-impedance microphone and a high-impedance amplifier input.
Variable Auto transformer ( Variac or Dimmer Set)
Fixed turn ratio auto transformers are widely used for many applications but sometimes it is
required to have variable output voltage capability. Such transformers are very useful because
they can be adjusted to any required voltage by just rotating the knob. They can be used in
the place of step up and step down auto transformer.
The center part of this round inductor is the knob. The voltage varies by rotating the knob of
the autotransformer. Variable autotransformer can be equipped with many taps as required
by the particular application and act as Ac voltage regulator.
By addition of some sensing circuitry these variable auto transformer can be used as
automatic voltage regulator. This is also known as variac or dimmer set.
 3-Phase Autotransformer
A three phase auto transformer is special type in which common winding is being
shared by the high voltage and low voltage. Three phase AC being supplied at
primary and output is collected at secondary. Three phase auto transformer is used
for such application where small voltage is used in distribution system. There is no
electrical isolation is provided between them. It is designed for step up and step
down voltage and work on magnetic induction principle.
The key features of three phase auto transformer are as follows:
•3 KVA to 500 KVA rating
•50/60 Hz frequency
•Three phase
Three phase auto transformer is used in power application to connect system
operating at voltage level ranging from 66Kv to 138Kv transmission line.
 Auto transformer with Multiple Tapping Points

The Auto transformer can also be constructed with more than one
single tapping point. Auto-transformers can be used to provide
different voltage points along its winding.
The following table will explain the different types of auto transformers according to their
connection:
Advantages of Auto transformers
Following are the advantages of an auto-transformer:

A. Core/iron loss and copper loss are lowered.

B. Efficiency of an auto-transformer is therefore better as compared to that for a

normal transformer.

C. Saving of copper.

D. Leakage flux is lower than in normal transformer due to the common winding
and therefore the leakage impedance is lower.

E. The voltage regulation is superior to that of a normal transformer.

F. Due to smaller size, cost is less compared to two-winding transformer.

G. Volt-ampere rating is more compared to a two-winding transformer.

H. It is possible to get smooth and continuous variation of voltage.

 Disadvantages of Auto-transformers

In spite of various advantages of autotransformers, following are the disadvantages of

an auto-transformer:

i. There is a possibility of high short-circuit currents for short circuit on the

secondary side due to low impedance.

ii. If the value of a differs greatly from unity the economic advantages over a two-
winding transformer decreases.

iii. Main disadvantage is the direct connection between the low-voltage and high-
voltage windings.

iv. If primary is supplied by a high-voltage, then an open-circuit in the common

v. winding would cause a dangerously high-voltage on the low-voltage-side.
A 20-kVA, 2 300/230-V, two-winding transformer is to be used as
an auto-transformer with a source voltage of 2 300-V. At full-load,
unity power factor,
calculate the power out, power transformed and conducted. If the
efficiency of the two-winding transformer is 96 % at power factor
0.6, determine the efficiency for auto-transformer under the same
condition(s).
 Functions
This is a step up transformer of high voltagecapacity.
This is connected after the generator to step up voltage from 11kv
to 400kv.
The main function of this transformer is to step up voltage so as
to reduce transmission losses, line drop and to increase
Transmission efficiency .
Rating of the generation transformers will be almost equal tothe
rating of the generator (500MW generating unit will have
generating transformer rating about 588MVA).
Functions
In a generating plant for every generating unit one
generating transformer is required
Rated voltage on LV side corresponds to the rated
generating voltage
Rated voltage on the HV side corresponds to rated
voltage of the HV bus
Usually these transformers are outdoor type
LV terminals are connected to the generating
terminals via isolated phase bus duct
 Functions
Transformer at the generating station is required for
starting of the generating units when they are either
newly constructed.

These Power transformers are called station

transformer, which receives power from the grid and
feed power-to-power station distribution system.
 Functions

In general station service transformer is used for supplying

power to auxiliary equipment in the power plant when the
plant is not generating any power.
Rated HV voltage corresponds to the rated voltage of the
outer busbars.
Rated LV voltage corresponds to the auxiliary bus voltage
Rated KVA corresponds to the load of common auxiliaries of
the station.
These transformers are Outdoor type.
 Functions
The Purpose of Unit auxiliary Transformer is to feed power to
generator auxiliaries of that unit.
These transformers are connected to generators and are usedas
stepping down transformers. The HV side transformer voltage
corresponds to the voltage of the generating unit and theLV side
voltage is stepped down as per the need.

Usually these transformers are outdoor transformers

One Unit auxiliary transformer is present for every generating unit.
Auxiliary Transformers
These transformers are employed in the power plants
for delivering power to low voltage loads (voltage
below 1kV).
These transformers connects between HV distribution
buses and LV distribution buses of the plant. Their
rating will be around 1to 5MVA.
Natural oil cooling or air cooled transformers areused.
A Rectiformer is a rectifier and
transformer designed and built as a
single entity for converting alternating
current into direct current.

Rectiformers are used for supplying

power to different field of ESP
(electrostatic precipitator),metal
production,refining processes and DC
traction systems
NATURAL/NEUTRAL GROUNDING TRANSFORMER

The subject of grounding covers the problems relating to

the conduction of electric current to the earth and through
the ground. Theearth rarely serves as a part of the return
circuit, being used mainly for fixing the potential of circuit
neutrals.

The ground connection improves service continuity and

protects lives and equipment.
 Advantages of Neutral Grounding Transformer

 The neutral grounding stabilizes the neutral point.

 By employing resistance or reactance in earth connection, the earth
fault current can be controlled.
 The over voltage surge due to lightening are discharged to earth hence
less damages to the equipment. Useful amount of earth fault current is
required to operate earth fault relay.
 Greater safety to personnel and equipment due to operation of fuses
or relay on earth fault and limitation of voltages. Hence it is
economical to ground neutral point.
 PULSE TRANSFORMER AND RADIO
FREQUENCY TRANSFORMER

A pulse transformer is a transformer that is

optimized for transmitting rectangular electrical
pulses.

There are several types of transformer used in radio

frequency (RF) .
 QUESTION

Voltage creates current, then how come a transformer can

increase voltage yet decrease current? Isn’t it if you increase
voltage you are increasing current?