Three phase transformer

Normally , when three-phase is required, a single enclosure with

three primary and three secondary windings wound on a common
core is all that is required. However three single-phase
transformers with the same rating can be connected to form a
three-phase bank. Since each single-phase transformer has a
primary and a secondary winding, then 3 single-phase
transformers will have the required 3 primary and 3 secondary
windings and can be connected in the field either Delta-Delta or
Delta-Wye to achieve the required three-phased transformer bank. 3
Three Phase Transformer Construction

The three-limb core-type three-phase transformer is the most common

method of three-phase transformer construction allowing the phases to be
magnetically linked.
 Flux of each limb uses the other two limbs for its return path with the
three magnetic flux’s in the core generated by the line voltages differing in
time-phase by 120 degrees.
The shell-type five-limb type three-phase transformer construction is
heavier and more expensive to build than the core-type. Five-limb cores
are generally used for very large power transformers as they can be made
with reduced height.
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Three Phase Voltages and Currents

A transformer can not act as a phase changing device and

change single-phase into three-phase or three-phase into
single phase
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Three Phase Transformer Connections

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 Phase Phase
Connection Line Voltage Line Current
Voltage Current

Star VP = VL ÷ √3 VL = √3 × VP IP = IL IL = IP

Delta VP = VL VL = VP IP = IL ÷ √3 IL = √3 × IP

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There are four different ways in which three single-phase transformers
may be connected together between their primary and secondary
three-phase circuits. These four standard configurations are given as:
Delta-Delta (Dd), Star-Star (Yy), Star-Delta (Yd), and Delta-Star (Dy).

Connection Primary Winding Secondary Winding

Delta D d

Star Y y

Interconnected Z z

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 Three Phase Transformer Star and Delta Configurations:

Transformers for high voltage operation with the star connections has the advantage of reducing
the voltage on an individual transformer, reducing the number of turns required and an increase in the size
of the conductors, making the coil windings easier and cheaper to insulate than delta transformers.

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Transformer Delta and Delta Connections:

• The delta-delta connection nevertheless has one big

advantage over the star-delta configuration, in that if one
transformer of a group of three should become faulty or
disabled, the two remaining ones will continue to deliver
three-phase power with a capacity equal to approximately
two thirds of the original output from the transformer unit.

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Transformer Delta and Delta Connections:

• The disadvantage of delta connected three phase

transformers is that each transformer must be wound for the
full-line voltage, (in our example above 100V) and for 57.7 per
cent, line current. The greater number of turns in the winding,
together with the insulation between turns, necessitates a
larger and more expensive coil than the star connection.

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Transformer Star and Star Connections

In the star-star arrangement ( Yy ), (wye-wye), each transformer

has one terminal connected to a common junction, or neutral
point with the three remaining ends of the primary windings
connected to the three-phase mains supply. The number of turns
in a transformer winding for star connection is 57.7 per cent, of
that required for delta connection. 12
When the primary and secondary have
different types of winding connections, star or
delta, the overall turns ratio of the
transformer becomes more complicated.
If a three-phase transformer is connected as
delta-delta ( DD ) or star-star ( YY ) then the
transformer could potentially have a 1:1 turns
ratio. That is the input and output voltages for
the windings are the same.
With a 1:1 turns ratio, a star–delta connected
transformer will provide a √3:1 step-down
line-voltage ratio.
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 The star connection requires the use of three transformers, and if any one
transformer becomes fault or disabled, the whole group might become
disabled. Nevertheless, the star connected three phase transformer is
especially convenient and economical in electrical power distributing
systems, in that a fourth wire may be connected as a neutral point, ( n ) of
the three star connected secondaries as shown.

Primary-Secondary Line Voltage Line Current

Configuration Primary or Secondary Primary or Secondary

Delta – Delta

Delta – Star

Star – Delta

Star – Star
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Open-Delta or V-V Connection

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 Consider a bank of three one phase transformers working as Dd or
Yd mode (secondary always delta) to run a three phase load.
 It may happen that due to some reason, one of the transformers is
removed; like maintenance, damage, faults etc. In such a case, the
secondary delta is broken and the connection resembles a V. Hence
this sort of connection is also known as V-V connection or Open-
delta connection.
 Open-delta connection is often used to provide power to
new under-construction projects such as a new power station or a
substation, to reduce the initial investment. This reduces the
project cost.
 An open-delta connection may be used to provide three phase
power up to 57.7 % of the actual capacity of the three phase bank.
 If the three phase load is not reduced while using open-delta, there
is high chance that one transformer gets overloaded; which can be
more dangerous.
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• The disadvantages of this connection are :
1. The average power factor at which the V-bank operates is less than
that of the load. This power factor is actually 86.6% of the
balanced load power factor. Another significant point to note is
that, except for a balanced unity power factor load, the two
transformers in the V – V bank operate at different power factors

2. Secondary terminal voltages tend to become unbalanced to a great

extent when the load is increased, this happens even when the
load is perfectly balanced.

3. for an increase in cost of 50% for the third transformer, the

increase in capacity is 73.2% when converting from a V – V system
to a D – D system.

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Summary on three phase transformers:
• Four common methods of connecting three transformers for 3-
phase circuits are Δ-Δ, Y-Y, Y-Δ, and Δ-Y connections.

• An advantage of Δ-Δ connection is that if one of the

transformers fails or is removed from the circuit, the remaining
two can operate in the open-Δ or V connection. This way, the
bank still delivers 3-phase currents and voltages in their
correct phase relationship. However, the capacity of the bank
is reduced to 57.7 % of its original value.

• In the Y-Y connection, only 57.7% of the line voltage is applied

to each winding but full line current flows in each winding. The
Y-Y connection is rarely used.

• The Δ-Y connection is used for stepping up voltages since the

voltage is increased by the transformer ratio multiplied by 3.

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 Parallel operation:

The Transformer is said to be in Parallel Operation when their primary windings

are connected to a common voltage supply, and the secondary windings are
connected to a common load
Advantages:
it increases the efficiency of the system, makes the system more flexible and reliable

Disadvantages:
it increases the short-circuit current of the transformers.
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Necessary Conditions For Parallel Operation
For the satisfactory parallel operation of the transformer, the two main conditions are
necessary.
• Polarities of the transformers must be same.
• Turn Ratio of the transformer should be equal.

The other two desirable conditions are as follows:-

The voltage at full load across the transformer internal impedance should be
equal.

The ratio of their winding resistances to reactance's should be equal for both
the transformers. This condition ensures that both transformers operate at the
same power factor, thus sharing their active power and reactive volt-amperes
according to their ratings.

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Reasons For Parallel Operation
• It is impractical and uneconomical to have a single large transformer for heavy and large
loads. Hence, it will be a wise decision to connect a number of transformers in parallel.
• In substations, the total load required may be supplied by an appropriate number of the
transformer of standard size. As a result, this reduces the spare capacity of the substation.
• If the transformers are connected in parallel, so there will be scope in future, for
expansion of a substation to supply a load beyond the capacity of the transformer already
installed.
• If there will be any breakdown of a transformer in a system of transformers connected in
parallel, there will be no interruption of power supply, for essential services.
• If any of the transformers from the system is taken out of service for its maintenance and
inspection, the continuity of the supply will not get disturbed.
 Various conditions that must be fulfilled for the successful parallel operation of
transformers:
• Same voltage Ratio & Turns Ratio
• Same Percentage Impedance and X/R ratio.
• Identical Position of Tap changer.
• Same KVA ratings.
• Same Phase angle shift (vector group are same).
• Same Frequency rating.
• Same Polarity.
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• Same Phase sequence.
The combinations that will operate in parallel:
•Following Vector group of Transformer will operate in parallel.
Operative Parallel Operation

Sr.No Transformer-1 Transformer-2

1 ∆∆ ∆∆ or Yy
2 Yy Yy or ∆∆
3 ∆y ∆y or Y∆
4 Y∆ Y∆ or ∆y
The combinations that will not operate in parallel:
•Following Vector group of Transformer will not operate in parallel.

Inoperative Parallel Operation

Sr.No Transformer-1 Transformer-2
1 ∆∆ ∆y
2 ∆y ∆∆
3 Y∆ Yy
4 Yy Y∆
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 Power Transformer

 The Power Transformer is installed at various power stations for

generation and transmission of power.
 It acts as a step-up or a step-down transformer for increasing and
decreasing the level of voltages as per the requirement, and it’s also
used as an interconnection between two power stations.

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 Distribution Transformer
• The Distribution Transformer is used to bring down
or step down the voltage and current level of a
transmission line to a predefined level, which is
called safety level for the end-user consumer in
domestic and industrial purpose.

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BASIS OF DIFFERENCE POWER TRANSFORMER DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER
Type of network It is used in transmission network It is used in the distribution
of higher voltages network for lower voltages.
Availability of ratings 400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV , 66 kV, 33 11 Kv, 6.6 Kv, 3.3 Kv, 440 V,230 V
kV.
Maximum rating of usage Power transformers are used for Distribution transformers are used
rating above 200 MVA for rating less than 200 MVA
Size Larger in size as compared of Smaller in size
distribution transformers
Designed Efficiency Designed for maximum efficiency Designed for 50-70% efficiency
of 100%
Application Used in generating stations and Used in distribution stations, also
transmission substations for industrial and domestic
purposes
Losses Copper and iron losses take place Iron losses take place for 24 hours
throughout the day and copper losses are based on
load cycle
Load fluctuation In power transformer the load Load fluctuations are very high
fluctuations are very less
Operating condition Always operated at full load Operated at load less than full load
as load cycle fluctuates
Considering time It is independent of time It is time dependent
Flux density In power transformer flux density As compared to power transformer
is higher the flux density is lower in
distribution transformer 38