Experiment 2
Voltage Regulation of Single Phase Transformer Using RC Load
OBJECTIVE
- To understand the concept of voltage regulation in transformers and its implication in load
variation in practical systems
- To observe the voltage regulation differences for capacitive load compared to resistive load
- To theoretically build the concept of voltage regulation improvement methods such as shunt
regulators and tap changers
APPARATUS REQUIRED
- A single phase transformer - Resistive load bank
- Capacitive load bank - Ammeter
- Voltmeter - Connecting Wires
BACKGROUND
If the primary of a transformer is connected to a source, the voltage at secondary under no
load conditions is known as VNL (No load voltage). When load is connected at the secondary,
the voltage is known as VL (Load voltage). VNL is typically greater than VL for load of unity
and lagging p.f. but it may be less for load of leading p.f. This diference in V NL and VL is
represented in normalized/percentage form as voltage regulation (V.R.) and can be expressed
as
V NL−V L V NL−V L
V . R .= or %V. R .= x 100
V NL V NL
The change in voltage is due to following reasons
(i) Voltage drop due to resistance of primary/secondary winding
(ii) Voltage drop due to leakage reactance of primary/secondary winding
Voltage regulation under full load conditions should not be more than 5%. It gives an
idea about the quality of the transformer. If voltage regulation is more than 5%, it is not a
properly designed transformer. While designing transformer, above factors must be
properly controlled to keep voltage regulation within limit. The resistance of primary and
secondary is controlled by selecting
ELECTRICAL MACHINES
(i) Proper size of conductor for winding
(ii) Pure copper conductor
The leakage reactance can be minimized by
(i) Placing primary and secondary windings at the same limb, one upon the other
(ii) Sand witching the high voltage and low voltage winding
In practical transformers, tap changers are embedded in the secondary side of transformer to
stabilize its output voltage with changing load. Also in many sections of a power systems, shunt
regulators/shunt compensators are also utilized to stabilize the voltage. In this experiment, you
are supposed to get the basic idea on how a shunt regulator works.
PROCEDURE:
Figure 1 Circuit Diagram
You have observed a pattern of voltage regulation (i.e. output voltage) w.r.t. load current. Change your
primary voltage Now apply capacitive load (series RC load)
1. Make connections with the given lab equipment according to the symbolic diagram above.
2. At start do not connect the load and take primary voltage to rated voltage. Note down the
value of secondary voltage. This will be the no load (VNL) voltage.
3. For first sets of readings, connect resistive load only and set to minimum resistive load
(maximum resistance) and gradually increase load. Note value of load current (I L), secondary
voltage (VL) at each step and calculate corresponding voltage regulation. Tabulate your
values below.
4. For first sets of readings, connect resistive load only and set to minimum resistive load
(maximum resistance) and gradually increase load. Note value of load current (I L), secondary
voltage (VL) at each step and calculate corresponding voltage regulation. Tabulate your
values below.
5. Make a graph of V.R. vs IL to see the relation of voltage regulation with load current
Sr.# IL VNL VL % V. R.
(VNL-VL)/VNLx100
3 ELECTRICAL MACHINES
4
5
Figure 2 Results Graphs
QUESTION:
1. Why the reading of %V.R. comes negative for capacitive load
2. Can you relate the idea of negative %V.R. with voltage compensators?
ELECTRICAL MACHINES
