Transformer Tests

The performance of a transformer can be calculated on the basis of equivalent

circuit which contains four parameters, the equivalent resistance R01 as referred to
primary (or secondary R02), the equivalent leakage reactance X01 as referred to
primary (or reactance in secondary X02), the core loss conductance G0 (or resistance
R0) and the magnetizing susceptance B0 (or reactance X0).
These constants or parameters can be easily determined by two tests
(i) open-circuit test and
(ii) short-circuit test
Open-Circuit or No-Load Test

The purpose of this test is to determine no-load loss or core loss and no-load
current I0 which is helpful in finding X0 and R0.
Low voltage side connected with normal voltage and frequency and high voltage
side is left open.
A wattmeter W, voltmeter V and an ammeter A are connected in the low-voltage
winding i.e. primary winding in the present case as shown in Fig. 32.43.
The voltage V1 is measured using the voltmeter (V). With normal voltage applied to
the primary, normal flux will be set up in the core, hence normal iron losses will
occur which are recorded by the wattmeter (W). As the primary no-load current I0
(as measured by ammeter, A) is small, Cu loss is negligibly small in primary and null
in secondary. Hence, the wattmeter reading represents practically the core loss
under no-load condition (and which is the same for all loads).
The no-load vector diagram is shown in Fig. 32.16.
If W0 is the wattmeter reading as shown in Fig. 32.43, then
W V I cos ; Since the current is practically all-
0 10 0
 cos W /V I exciting current when a transformer is
0 0 10 on no-load (i.e. I0=Im) and as the voltage
I   I sin  ; drop in primary leakage impedance is
0 0
I w  I cos small, hence the exciting admittance
0 0
Y0(=1/Z0) of the transformer is given by
X V / I  ;
0 1 I0=V1Y0 or Y0=I0/V1.
R V / I w
0 1 The exciting conductance G is given by
0
W0=V12G0 or G0(=1/R0)= W0 /V12.
The exciting susceptance
B (1/ X )  Y 2  G2
0 0 0 0
 Short-Circuit or Impedance Test
This is an economical method for determining the following:
(i) Equivalent impedance (Z01 or Z02), leakage reactance (X01 or X02) and total
resistance (R01 or R02) of the transformer as referred to the winding in which
the measuring instruments are placed.
(ii) Cu loss at full load. This loss is used in calculating the efficiency of the
transformer.
(iii) Knowing Z01 or Z02, the total voltage drop in the transformer as referred to
primary or secondary can be calculated and hence regulation of the
transformer determined.

In this test, one

winding, usually
the low-voltage
winding is solidly
short-circuited by
a thick conductor
as shown in Fig.
32.45.
A low-voltage (usually 5 to 10% of normal primary voltage) at correct frequency is applied to
the primary and is cautiously increased till full-load currents are flowing both in primary and
secondary (as indicated by the respective ammeters).
Since the applied voltage is a small percentage of the normal voltage, the mutual flux 
produced is also a small percentage of its normal value.
Hence, core losses are very small with the result that the wattmeter reading represents the
full-load Cu loss or I2R loss for the whole transformer i.e. both primary Cu loss and secondary
Cu loss.
The equivalent circuit of the transformer under short-circuit condition is shown in Fig. 32.46.

If VSC is the voltage required to circulate rated load currents.

Then Z01=VSC/I1. Also W=I12R01.  R01=W/I12 and X  Z 2  R2
01 01 01
If R1 and X1 can be measured, then knowing R01 and X01, we can find R2’=R01-R1 and X2’=X01-X1.
Hence, the secondary resistance and reactance can be calculated by using the following
equation: R2= R2’K2; X2= X2’K2 .
Example 32.36 Obtain the equivalent circuit of a 200/400 V, 50 Hz, 1-phase
transformer from the following data:
O.C (Open Circuit) test: 200V, 0.7A, 70W on l.v (low voltage) side
S.C (Short Circuit) test: 15V, 10A, 85W on h.v (high voltage) side
Calculate the secondary voltage when delivering 5kW at 0.8 pf (power factor)
lagging, the primary voltage being 200V.

Solution: From O.C Test: V1I0cos0=W0. 200×0.7×cos0=70.

cos0=70/(200×0.7)=0.5 and sin0=0.866.
Iw=I0cos0= 0.7×0.5=0.35 A. Im=I0sin0= 0.7×0.866=0.606 A.
R0=V1/Iw=200/0.35=571.4 . X0=V1/Im=200/0.606=330 .
From S.C Test: It may be noted that in this test, instruments have been placed in the
secondary i.e high-voltage winding whereas the low voltage side i.e primary has
been short circuited. Where K=400/200=2;
Z02=VSC/I2=15/10=1.5 . Z01=Z02/K2=1.5/4=0.375 .
Also, I22R02=W; R02=85/100=0.85 . R01=R02/K2=0.85/4=0.21 .
X  Z 2  R2  (0.375)2  (0.21)2  0.31  X  Z 2  R2  (1.5)2  (0.85)2 1.24 
01 01 01 02 02 02
The equivalent circuit is shown in Fig. 32.49.

The values of parameters are referred to primary i.e. low voltage side.
Output kVA=5/0.8=6.25; Output current, I2=6.25×1000/400=15.6 A
Total transformer drop as referred to secondary
=I2(R02cos2+X02sin2)
=15.6× (0.85×0.8+1.24×0.6)=22.2 V
V2= 400-22.2=377.8 V