COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POWER AND

DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER

1.POWER TRANSFORMER:-
 Information:-
The Power transformer is a one kind of transformer, that is used to transfer electrical
energy in any part of the electrical or electronic circuit between the generator and the
distribution primary circuits. These transformers are used in distribution systems to
interface step up and step down voltages. The common type of power transformer is
liquid immersed and the life span of these transformers is around 30 years. Power
transformers can be classified into three types based on the ranges. They are small
power transformers, medium power transformers and large power transformers.

 The range of small power transformers can be from 500-7500kVA

 The range of medium power transformers can be from -100MVA
 The range of large power transformers can be from 100MVA & beyond

Power Transformer Design;

The skeleton of the power transformer is designed with
metal which is laminated by sheets. It is fixed into either a core type or shell type. The
skeletons of the transformer are wound and connected using conductors to make three
1-phase or one 3-phase transformer. Three 1-phase transformer requires each bank
isolated from the additional and thus offer continuity of service when one bank flops. A
single 3-phase transformer, whether the shell or core type, will not function even with
one bank out of service. The 3-phase transformer is inexpensive to make and it has a
smaller footprint, and functions comparatively with higher efficiency.

The skeleton of the transformer is absorbed in a fire retardant protecting oil

inside a tank. The conservatory on top of the oil tank lets for the increasing oil to fall into
it. The charger of the load taps to the side of the tank changes the no of turns on the
high voltage-low current winding for superior voltage regulation. The bushings of the
tank permit for conductors to carefully enter and exit the tank without stimulating the
outer shell. The power transformer can be worked beyond its small rating as long as it
stays within the 65ºC rise of the temperature. To allow the above nominal operation,
transformers are built-in with fans that cools the core of the transformer to a point below
the indicated temperature.

Power Transformer Specifications;

Power transformers can be designed as either a single phase or a three
phase configuration. There are numerous important specifications to identify when
searching for power transformers. The specifications of power transformer include a
maximum power rating, maximum secondary current rating, maximum voltage rating
and o/p type. Power transformer specifications mainly include
 Phase is 3Ø
 Frequency if 60Hz,50Hz
 Primary Voltage is 22.9 kV
 Secondary Voltage is 6.6/3.3 kV
 Tap Voltage 23.9-R22.9-21.9-20.9-19.9kV
 Vector Dd0, Dyn11, etc.

 Advantage:-
1.Power can be transfer to long distance with less cost.
2.You can get required voltage and current by a current.
3.Transformer reduce the cable cost.
4.Very useful in stepping up or down the voltage,thereby making transmission of power
easier and cheaper.
5.Efficiency more than 99%.

 Disadvantage:-
1.Power transformer is very costly.
2.Transportation is difficult and repaire not easy.
3.Genrates harmonics which are pollution in transmission system.
 4.Testing equipment is very costly.
5.Tailor made and thus not readily available.

 Application:-
 Power transformers are used in transmission network of higher voltages for step up and
step down application (400KV,200KV,110KV,66KV,33KV) and are generally rated above
200MVA.
 A power transformer used in power distribution system.


2.DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER:-
 Information:-
A distribution transformer or service 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 customer. [1] The invention of a practical
efficient transformer made AC power distribution feasible; a system using distribution
transformers was demonstrated as early as 1882.
If mounted on a utility pole, they are called pole-mount transformers. If the distribution
lines are located at ground level or underground, distribution transformers are mounted on
concrete pads and locked in steel cases, thus known as distribution tap pad-mount transformers.
Distribution transformers normally have ratings less than 200 kVA although some national
standards can allow for units up to 5000 kVA to be described as distribution transformers. Since
distribution transformers are energized for 24 hours a day (even when they don't carry any load),
reducing iron losses has an important role in their design. As they usually don't operate at full
load, they are designed to have maximum efficiency at lower loads. To have a better
efficiency, voltage regulation in these transformers should be kept to a minimum. Hence they are
designed to have small leakage reactance.

Single phase distribution transformer. Three phase distribution transformer.

  General Purpose of Distribution Transformer;
They are generally used for supply appliance, lighting, motorized
machine and power loads from electrical distribution systems. They are either ventilated or
totally enclosed, and are available with either aluminum or copper windings in standard ratings
from 50VA up to 750 kVA.
Since small distribution transformers do not generate much heat, a higher proportion of theses
tend to be dry-type. Dry-types are less flammable, and are therefore often selected for use
when they must be located in confined spaces on a customer's premises. Distribution
transformers are used in electric power systems. The final part of the distribution system at
medium voltage are the distribution transformers. Due to the low impedance voltage, this type
of power distribution transformer will not substantially limit the short circuit current in the case
of a fault on its secondary side. It is therefore common practice that power distribution
transformers have to be type tested to their ultimate short-circuit conditions. Power
distribution transformers may be oil filled or dry-filled. Distribution Transformers consist of two
primary components: Core and Coil. Coil is a conductor, or winding, typically made of a low
resistance material such as aluminum or copper. Copper or aluminum conductors are wound
around a magnetic core to transform current from one voltage to another. Liquid insulation
material or air (dry-type) surrounds the transformer core and conductors to cool and
electrically insulate the transformer.
A core made of magnetically permeable material like grain oriented steel.
Distribution transformers are either mounted on an overhead pole or on a concrete pad at
ground level. There is some evidence to suggest that pole mounted transformers dissipate heat
more easily than pad mounted units and may therefore be more fully loaded.

 Types
Distribution transformers are classified into different categories based on factors such as:

 Mounting location – pole, pad, underground vault

 Type of insulation – liquid-immersed or dry-type
 Number of phases – single-phase or three-phase
 Voltage class

 Advantage:-
 This type of transformer need less maintenance.
 Powe transmitted is low.
 A transformer with lower losses reduces the amount of power generation needed to
accommodate the losses.This in tum reduces the emission of green house gases,
i.e.carbon dioxiode produced by fossil fuel generators.
 It reduces electrical losses.
 Distribution transformer is small and easy to install.
  Disadvantage:-
 Distribution transformer has lower efficiency.
 The cost of losses are so high.
 The losses is not constant when operating at full load.
 This type of transformer cannot be designed for very high voltage and are designed up to
the MV range.

 Application:-
 Distribution transformer are used for lower voltage distribution networks as a means to
end uses connectivity.(11KV,6.6KV,3.3KV,440V,230V)and are generally rated less than
200MVA.
 This type of transformer mainly used in the countryside or low-density populated areas.
 Transformer of this type are used for receiving the energy from higher voltage levels
and to transform and distribute the energy to lower voltage level substation.
 Distribution transformer are mostly used in indoor application such as ,Hospital,
commercial buildings ,etc. where safety and reliability are ,mandatory.

3.COMPARISON BETWEEN POWER TRANSFORMER AND

DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER:-

Parameter Power Transformer Distribution

Defination Stepping up the voltage for
efficient transmission.
Specification Higher voltages and
commonly rated above
200MVA.
Efficiency Operating at maximum
efficiency (100%).
Size Larger and heavier
Transformer
Stepping down the voltage in
order to be consumed.
Middle to lower voltage
ranges,and commonly rated
below 200MVA.
Around (60-70%).
Smaller compared to power
transformer.
Losses More constant,optimal losses
at full load operation
Winding connection Primary winding connected in
star,secondary in delta.
Power transmitted High
Regulation High
Installation At substation (generation
side).
Cooling system ONAF,OFAF,ONWF,OFWF.
Protection 1) Buchholz relay.
2) Oil level gauge.
3) Lightning arrestors.
4) Diffential protection,over
current over flux,restricted
earth fault.
Fluctuating,optimal losses
when operating around 75%
of full load.
Primary winding connected in
delta,secondary in star.
Low
Low
At distribution and
transmission (consumer side).
Usually ONAN.
1) HRC fuse.
2) Over current,Buccholz relay
andrestricted earth fault
protection for large
transformer larger than
500KVA.