ELE 3122

ELECTRICAL MACHINES (2)

3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS

Mr. BAGAIGA RICHARD

 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• A transformer bank composed of three single-phase transformers may be
replaced by one 3-phase transformer (Fig.9).

Figure.9. Three-phase transformer for an

electric arc furnace, rated 36 MVA, 1 3.8
kV/1 60 V to 320 V, 60 Hz. The
secondary voltage is adjustable from 1 60
V to 320 V
by means of 32 taps on the primary
winding (not shown). The three large bus-
bars in the foreground deliver
a current of 65 000 A. Other
characteristics: impedance: 3.14%;
diameter of each leg of the core: 711 mm;
overall height of core: 3500 mm; center
line distance between adjacent core legs:
1220 mm.

(Courtesy of Ferranti-Packard)
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• The magnetic core of such a transformer has three legs that
carry the primary and secondary windings of each phase.
• The windings are connected internally, either in wye or in
delta, with the result that only six terminals have to be
brought outside the tank.
• For a given total capacity, a 3-phase transformer is always
smaller and cheaper than three single-phase transformers.
• Nevertheless, single-phase transformers are sometimes
preferred, particularly when a replacement unit is essential.
• For example, suppose a manufacturing plant absorbs 5000
kVA. To guarantee continued service we can install one 3-
phase 5000 kVA transformer and keep a second one as a
spare. Alternatively, we can install three single-phase
transformers each rated at 1667 kVA, plus one spare.
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• The 3-phase
transformer option is
more expensive (total
capacity: 2 X 5000 =
10 000 kVA) than the
single-phase option
(total capacity: 4 X
1667 = 6667 kVA).
• Fig.10. shows
successive stages of Figure .10a. Core of a 1 1 0 MVA, 222.5 kV/34.5
construction of a 3- kV, 60 Hz, 3-phase transformer. By staggering
phase 1 10 MVA, 222.5 laminations of different widths, the core legs can be
kV/34.5 kV tap- made almost circular. This reduces the coil diameter
changing transformer*. to a minimum, resulting in less copper and lower
l²R losses. The legs are tightly
bound to reduce vibration. Mass of core: 53560 kg.
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• *A lap-changing transformer regulates the secondary
voltage by automatically switching from one tap to
another on the primary winding. The tap-changer is a
motorized device under the control of a sensor that
continually monitors the voltage that has to be held
constant.
• Note that in addition to the three main legs, the
magnetic core has two additional lateral legs.
• They enable the designer to reduce the overall height of
the transformer, which simplifies the problem of
shipping. In effect, whenever large equipment has to be
shipped, the designer is faced with the problem of
overhead clearances on highways and rail lines.
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• Figure 12.10b: Same
transformer with coils in
place. The primary
windings are connected
in wye and the
secondaries in delta.
Each primary has 8 taps
to change the voltage in
steps of ±2.5%. The
motorized tap-changer
can be seen in the right
upper corner of the
transformer. Mass of
copper: 1 5 230 kg.
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• The 34.5 kV windings (connected in delta) are mounted
next to the core. The 222.5 kV windings (connected in
wye) are mounted on top of the 34.5 kV windings.
• A space of several centimeters separates the two
windings to ensure good isolation and to allow cool oil
to flow freely between them. The HV bushings that
protrude from the oil-filled tank are connected to a 220
kV line.
• The medium voltage (MV) bushings are much smaller
and cannot be seen in the photograph (Fig.10c).
 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
• Figure.10c: Same transformer ready for shipping. It has been
subjected to a 1050 kV impulse test on the HV side and a similar
250 kV test on the LV side. Other details: power rating: 110
MVA/146.7 MVA (OA/FA); total mass including oil: 158.7 t;
overall height: 9 m; width: 8.2 m, length: 9.2 m.
{Courtesy of ABB)
 Step-up and step-down
autotransformer
• When the voltage of a 3-phase line has to be stepped up or
stepped down by a moderate amount, it is economically
advantageous to use three single-phase transformers to
create a wye-connected autotransformer.
• The actual physical connections are shown in Fig.12.11a,
and the corresponding schematic diagram is given in Fig.
12.11b.
• The respective line-to-neutral voltages of the primary and
secondary are obviously in phase. Consequently, the
incoming and outgoing transmission line voltages are in
phase.
• The neutral is connected to the system neutral, otherwise a
tertiary winding must be added to prevent the line-to-neutral
voltage distortion mentioned previously
 Step-up and step-down
autotransformer
• Figures
 Step-up and step-down
autotransformer
• For a given power output, an autotransformer is
smaller and cheaper than a conventional
transformer (see Section 1 1 .2).
• This is particularly true if the ratio of the
incoming line voltage to outgoing line voltage lies
between 0.5 and 2.
• Figure 12.11c shows a large single-phase
autotransformer rated 404 kV/173 kV with a
tertiary winding rated 1 1 .9 kV. It is part of a 3-
phase transformer bank used to connect a 700 kV
transmission line to an existing 300 kV system.
 Figure 12.11c Single-phase autotransformer (one of a group of three) connecting a 700
kV, 3-phase, 60 Hz transmission line to an existing 300 kV system. The transformer
ratio is 404 kV/173 kV, to give an output of 200/267/333 MVA per transformer, at a
temperature rise of 55°C.

• Fi
 Worked Problem
• Example
– The voltage of a 3-phase, 230 kV line has to be
stepped up to 345 kV to supply a load of 200
MVA. Three single-phase transformers connected
as autotransformers are to be used. Calculate the
basic power and voltage rating of each
transformer, assuming they are connected as
shown in Fig. 12.11b.
 Worked Problem
• Solution