Autotransformers

The primary and secondary windings of a two winding

transformer have induced emf in them due to a
common mutual flux and hence are in phase.
The currents drawn by these two windings are out of
phase by 1800.
This prompted the use of a part of the primary as
secondary.
This is equivalent to fusing the secondary turns into
primary turns.
This ingenious thought led to the invention of an
autotransformer. 1
 Continued
Sometimes, it is desirable to change the voltage by a
small amount (for instance, when the consumer is far
away from the generator and it is needed to raise the
voltage to compensate for voltage drops).
In such situations, it would be expensive to wind a
transformer with two windings of approximately
equal number of turns.
An autotransformer (a transformer with only one
winding) is used instead.
Since the autotransformer’s coils are physically
connected, a different terminology is used for
autotransformers.
2
 Continued
The voltage across the common winding is called a
common voltage VC, and the current through this coil
is called a common current IC.
The voltage across the series winding is called a series
voltage VSE, and the current through that coil is
called a series current ISE.

a, step-up b, step-down 3
 Continued
The voltage and current on the low-voltage side are
called VL and IL; the voltage and current on the
high-voltage side are called VH and IH.
For the autotransformers:
VC NC

VSE N SE NC IC  NSE I SE
VL  VC  I L  IC  I SE VH  VC  VSE  I H  I SE

Voltage and Current relationships for the high-side

voltage
N SE N SE VL NC
VH  VC  VC  VL  VL 
NC NC VH NC  N SE
4
 Continued
The current relationship will be:
N SE N SE I L N C  N SE
I L  I SE  I SE  I H  IH 
NC NC IH NC

It is used in voltage stabilizers, variable DC

arrangements (with a diode bridge) in laboratories,
motor starters, dimmers etc.
Example 1: A 100 VA, 120/12 transformer will be
connected to form a step-up autotransformer with the
primary voltage of 120 V.
a. What will be the secondary voltage (VH)?
b. What will be the currents (IL and IH)?
c. What will be the maximum power rating? 5
 Continued
Solution:
a. NC  N SE 120  12
VH  VL  120  132V
NC 120

b. Smax 100
I SE ,max    8.33 A
VSE 12
I SE ,max  I H  8.33 A
NC  N SE 120  12
IL  IH   8.33  9.163 A
NC 120
c. The secondary apparent power
Sout  V2 I 2  VH I H  132  8.33  1100VA
6
Auto transformer

7
Power transfer by autotransformer

8
9
10
THE END

11