An autotransformer is a transformer having part of its winding included in both the input and output circuit.

A simple autotransformer connection is shown in Fig. 1. Note that because there is a common portion of the winding (Section 1-2), there is no isolation between the input and output circuits. Also note that there is only one winding. As shown in the diagram, the line current is 10A for a 2000VA output (10A x 200V). The load current is 20A at 100V or 2000VA output. The winding is tapped at 100V so that the autotransformer functions as a 200V-to-100V stepdown transformer. While this is an acceptable transformer connection, its application is rather limited because of the absence of isolation between input and output circuits. Note that the load current flows in the opposite direction as the line current, which is typical in all transformers. The current in Section 1-2 is, therefore, the difference between these two currents, or 10A (20A load minus 10A line). Calculating equivalent size The equivalent size of the autotransformer in the diagram below can be found as follows. Section 2-3 VA equals 100V times 10A, or 1000VA. Section 1-2 VA equals the quantity of the load current minus the line current times 100V[(20A-10A) x 100V], or 1000VA. Therefore, the equivalent physical size is equal to Section 1-2 VA plus Section 2-3 VA, divided by 2[(1000VA + 1000VA)/2], or 1000VA. Thus, we have a transformer whose equivalent size is 1000VA but supplies a load of 2000VA. Are we getting something for nothing here? Not really. The transformation noted here is, in reality, only half of the load kVA rather than all of it, as it would be with an isolated transformer. The following equation can be used for calculating the equivalent size of any autotransformer. Equivalent physical size = [([V.sub.H] - [V.sub.L])/[V.sub.H]] x [kVA.sub.load] (equation 1) where [V.sub.H] = input voltage [V.sub.L] = output voltage Referring back to the diagram and inserting the known values into Equation 1, we have the following. Equivalent physical size = [([V.sub.H] - [V.sub.L])/[V.sub.H]] x [kVA.sub.load] = [(200V - 100V)/200V] x 2kVA = 1kVA Note that the larger the transformation ratio, the larger the transformer's equivalent physical size and the smaller the transformation ratio, the smaller the equivalent physical size. For example, let's suppose we have an autotransformer with a 200V-to-50V ratio feeding the same size load kVA (2kVA). The equivalent physical size is as follows. Equivalent physical size = [([V.sub.H] - [V.sub.L])/[V.sub.H]] x [kVA.sub.load] = [(200V - 50V)/200V] X 2kVA = 1.5kVA Now let's suppose we have an autotransformer having a smaller transformation ratio, 200V-to-190V, but feeding the same size load kVA. Its equivalent physical size is as follows. Equivalent physical size = [([V.sub.H] - [V.sub.L])/[V.sub.H]] x [kVA.sub.load] = [(200V - 190V)/200V]/200kVA = 0.1kVA As you can see, the larger the transformation ratio, the less economical an autotransformer becomes. As a result, autotransformers with transformation ratios over 2 are seldom used.

An autotransformer is an electrical transformer with only one winding. This single coil has one or more extra taps or electrical connections in various positions along the winding. Each tap corresponds to a different voltage so that effectively a portion of the same inductor acts as part of both the primary and secondary winding. Depending on the application, that portion of the winding used solely in the higher-voltage (lower current) portion may be wound with wire of a smaller gauge, though the entire winding is directly connected. A failure of the insulation or the windings of an autotransformer can result in full input voltage and current to be applied to the output. This is an important safety consideration when deciding to use an autotransfomer in a given application. However, autotransformers are frequently used in power applications to interconnect systems operating at different voltage classes, for example 138 kV to 66 kV for transmission. Another application is in industry to adapt machinery built for 480 V supplies to operate on the local 600 V supply. They are also often used for providing conversions between the two common domestic mains voltage bands in the world (100-130 and 200-250). In some rural applications, power companies distribute deliberately-incorrect voltage, for example, starting at a slightly-overvoltage 254V (instead of 240) and 127V (instead of 120) in order to compensate for losses over long distribution lines. An autotransformer can be used to provide a slight boost (or step-up) to correct an undervoltage condition or buck (step-down) to correct an overvoltage condition. Some autotransformers are equipped with many taps and automatic switchgear to allow them to act as automatic voltage regulators, to maintain a steady voltage at the customers' service during a wide range of load conditions. Because it requires both fewer windings and a smaller core, an autotransformer for power applications is typically lighter and less costly than a two-winding transformer, up to a voltage ratio of about 3:1 - beyond that range a twowinding transformer is usually more economical. In three phase power transmission applications, autotransformers have the limitations of not suppressing harmonic currents and as acting as another source of ground fault currents. A large three-phase autotransformer may have a "buried" delta winding, not connected to the outside of the tank, to absorb some harmonic currents. A special form of autotransformer called a "zig zag" is used to provide grounding (earthing) on three-phase systems that otherwise have no connection to ground (earth). A zig-zag transformer provides a path for current that is common to all three phases (so-called "zero sequence" current). Like multiple-winding transformers, autotransformers operate on time-varying magnetic fields and so are not used directly on DC.

Auto Transformers
HOW THEY DIFFER FROM OTHER TRANSFORMERS
Auto Transformersare actually built with the equivalent of only one winding. Two-winding transformers can be connected to reproduce the same effect. The single winding version has as a

limit that it is most efficient when the difference between the input and output voltages are closest. As the difference becomes greater, efficiency suffers, and so does the advantage of this design. While an Auto Transformer loses the advantage of the isolation existing between two separate windings, there are several advantages to an Auto Transformer.

A single circuit that is split into a primary and secondary produces the desired effect using less materials for both wire and core. This is economically desirable. In Auto Transformers converted from two-winding transformers, they lose some advantage in savings of materials, but gain back economic advantage by virtue of the inseries nature of the configuration causing it to produce far higher output. Lower losses contribute to increased efficiency. Less material used results in lower weight. This can be a factor in where and how they are installed, and the difficulties encountered. It can also be a positive factor in portable applications. Reactance is reduced in an Auto Transformer and thus results in better regulation characteristics.

Auto Transformers are used in static balancers, boosters and motor starters. They are used in adjusting single and three-phase line voltages to meet specified needs, and are particularly useful in matching line voltage to a protected equipment application. They are often a form of Low Voltage Transformer, Step Up Transformeror Step-Down Transformer. Another wide-spread use of Auto Transformers is in a specialized arrangement in which one of the contacts for the secondary winding in a single winding transformer is adjustable. The contact is tapped via a brush which can be moved and therefore allows the output voltage to be changed. A fixed A.C. voltage supply thus becomes variable. These are used in:

Variable D.C. arrangements (incorporating a diode bridge) Voltage Stabilizers Dimmers Motor Starters Etc.

An autotransformer is an electrical transformer in which there is one winding, a portion of which is common to both the primary and the secondary circuits. In other words, the primary and secondary coils have some or all windings in common. An autotransformer is commonly used for the voltage conversion of local power line voltage to some other Voltage value needed for a particular piece of electrical equipment. Most often, this conversion is from 125 Volts to 250 Volts, or 250 Volts to 125 Volts. Unlike an isolation transformer, an autotransformer uses common windings and offer no interference or disturbance isolation.

A given size autotransformer will support a load equal to its rated value whether it is connected in the 125 Volts to 250 Volts configuration, or in the 250 Volts to 125 Volts configuration. These units are employed in custom designs or when converting industrial/military equipment between various operating voltage systems. Most often, this conversion is from 125 Volts to 250 Volts, or 250 Volts to 125 Volts. Unlike an isolation transformer, it uses common windings and offer no interference or disturbance isolation. You add any suppression or filtering networks your system requires. With a single tapped winding, an autotransformer is generally preferred to an isolation transformer, with two separate windings, for numerous reasons. It is much smaller and lighter than an isolation transformer. It also has better voltage stability and greater overload tolerance. It performs in much the same way as the electrical transformer that the electric utility uses to bring power to a building. An autotransformer is a tapped winding transformer that changes the voltage available locally to the voltage required by a particular load. Thus, a load may operate anywhere around the world, as long as a transformer is available to convert the local voltage to the voltage it requires. "Variac" is a trademark of General Radio (mid-20th century) for a variable autotransformer intended to conveniently vary the output voltage for a steady AC input voltage. The term is often used to describe similar variable autotransformers made by other makers. An autotransformer is an efficient and quiet method for adjusting the voltage to incandescent lamps. While lightweight and compact semiconductor light dimmers have replaced variacs in many applications such as theatrical lighting, these transformers are still used when an undistorted variable voltage sine wave is required.