An example of calculating transformer size and voltage drop due to

starting of large motor

Example

Let’s calculate voltage drop in transformer 1000KVA, 11/0.480 kV, impedance 5.75% due to
starting of 300 kW, 460V, 0.8 power factor, motor code D (kva/hp). Motor starts 2 times per
hour and the allowable voltage drop at transformer secondary terminal is 10%.

Calculation can be checked by using this MS Excel Spreadsheet dedicated especially to this kind
of problem.

Ok, let’s get into the calculations…

Motor current / Torque

Motor full load current = (Kw x 1000) / (1.732 x Volt (L-L) x P.F

 Motor full load current = 300 × 1000 / 1.732 x 460 x 0.8 = 471 Amp.
 Motor locked rotor current = Multiplier x Motor full load current

Locked rotor current (Kva/Hp)

Motor Code Min Max

A 3.15
B 3.16 3.55
C 3.56 4
D 4.1 4.5
E 4.6 5
F 5.1 5.6
G 5.7 6.3
H 6.4 7.1
J 7.2 8
K 8.1 9
L 9.1 10
M 10.1 11.2
N 11.3 12.5
 P 12.6 14
R 14.1 16
S 16.1 18
T 18.1 20
U 20.1 22.4
V 22.5
 Min. motor locked rotor current (L1) = 4.10 × 471 = 1930 Amp
 Max. motor locked rotor current (L2) = 4.50 × 471 = 2118 Amp
 Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = Volt x locked rotor current x Full load current x
1.732 / 1000
 Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = 460 x 2118 x 471 x 1.732 / 1000 = 1688 kVA

Transformer

 Transformer full load current = kVA / (1.732 x Volt)

 Transformer full load current = 1000 / (1.73 2× 480) = 1203 Amp.
 Short circuit current at TC secondary (Isc) = Transformer full load current / Impedance
 Short circuit current at TC secondary = 1203 / 5.75 = 20919 Amp
 Maximum kVA of TC at rated Short circuit current (Q1) = (Volt x Isc x 1.732) / 1000
 Maximum kVA of TC at rated Short circuit current (Q1) = 480 x 20919 x 1.732 / 1000 =
17391 kVA
 Voltage drop at transformer secondary due to Motor Inrush (Vd) = (Irsm) / Q1
 Voltage drop at transformer secondary due to Motor inrush (Vd) = 1688 / 17391 = 10%
 Voltage drop at Transformer secondary is 10% which is within permissible limit.
 Motor full load current ≤ 65% of Transformer full load current
 471 Amp ≤ 65% x 1203 Amp = 471 Amp ≤ 781 Amp