Lecture 5: Transformers(continued)

Equivalent circuit of a transformer

Figure (1) shows an equivalent circuit of a transformer. R1 and R2
represent the resistances of the primary and secondary windings and X1 and X2
represent the reactances of the primary and secondary windings.

Figure (1)

The core losses due to hysteresis and eddy currents are allowed for by
resistance R which takes a current IC, the core loss component of the primary
current. Reactance X takes the magnetizing component IM.
Equivalent circuit of a transformer (continued)
- In a simplified equivalent circuit shown in Figure (2), R and X are omitted since the
no-load current I0 is normally only about 3–5% of the full load primary current.

Figure(2) Figure(3)

- It is often convenient to assume that all of the resistance and reactance as being
on one side of the transformer. Figure(3)
- Resistance R2 in Figure (2) can be replaced by inserting an additional resistance R2
in the primary circuit such that the power absorbed in R2 when carrying the primary
current is equal to that in R2 due to the secondary current,
I12(R2’) = I22(R2)
Equivalent circuit of a transformer (continued)

- Then the total equivalent resistance in the primary circuit Re is equal to the
primary and secondary resistances of the actual transformer.

- By similar reasoning, the equivalent reactance Xe in the primary circuit is given

by:

- The equivalent impedance Ze of the primary and secondary windings referred to

the primary is given by:

- If φe is the phase angle between I1 and the volt drop I1Ze then:
Example (1): A transformer has 600 primary turns and 150 secondary turns. The
primary and secondary resistances are 0.25Ω and 0.01 Ω respectively and the
corresponding leakage reactances are 1.0 Ω and 0.04 Ω respectively. Determine:
(a) the equivalent resistance referred to the primary winding,
(b) the equivalent reactance referred to the primary winding,
(c) the equivalent impedance referred to the primary winding, and
(d) the phase angle of the impedance.
Answer:
Resistance matching
- Varying a load resistance to be equal, or almost equal, to the source internal resistance
is called matching.
- A method of achieving maximum power transfer between a source and a load is to
adjust the value of the load resistance to ‘match’ the source internal resistance.
- A transformer may be used as a resistance matching device by connecting it between
the load and the source.

Hence by varying the value of the turns ratio, the equivalent input resistance of a
transformer can be ‘matched’ to the internal resistance of a load to achieve maximum
power transfer.
Example. The output stage of an amplifier has an output resistance of 112Ω.
Calculate the optimum turns ratio of a transformer which would match a load
resistance of 7 Ω to the output resistance of the amplifier.

Answer:
Auto transformers

An auto transformer is a transformer which has part of its winding common to the
primary and secondary circuits.

Electric symbol of
auto transformer
Example. A single-phase auto transformer has a voltage ratio 320V:250V and
supplies a load of 20 kVA at 250V. Assuming an ideal transformer, determine the
current in each section of the winding.

Answer
Advantages of auto transformers
The advantages of auto transformers over double-wound transformers
include:

1. a saving in cost since less copper is needed

2. less volume, hence less weight
3. a higher efficiency, resulting from lower I2R losses
4. a continuously variable output voltage is achievable if a
sliding contact is used

Disadvantages of auto transformers

The primary and secondary windings are not electrically separate, hence if
an open-circuit occurs in the secondary winding the full primary voltage
appears across the secondary.
Isolating transformers
Transformers not only enable current or voltage to be transformed to
some different magnitude but provide a means of isolating
electrically one part of a circuit from another when there is no
electrical connection between primary and secondary windings. An
isolating transformer is a 1:1 ratio.

Three-phase transformers
Three-phase double-wound transformers are mainly used in power
transmission and are usually of the core type. They basically consist
of three pairs of single-phase windings mounted on one core, as
shown in Figure below.
Three-phase transformers(continued)
The windings may be with the primary delta-connected and the secondary star-
connected, or star-delta, star-star or delta-delta, depending on its use. A delta
connection is shown in Figure (a) and a star connection in Figure (b).
Example. A three-phase transformer has 500 primary turns and 50 secondary turns. If the
supply voltage is 2.4 kV find the secondary line voltage on no-load when the windings are
connected (a) star-delta, (b) delta-star.
Current transformers

- For measuring currents in excess of about 100A a current transformer is normally

used.
- With a d.c. moving-coil ammeter the current required to give full scale deflection is
very small typically a few milli-amperes.

- Current transformer circuit diagram

symbols are shown in Figure below:
Example: A current transformer has a single turn on the primary winding and a
secondary winding of 60 turns. The secondary winding is connected to an ammeter
with a resistance of 0.15 Ω . The resistance of the secondary winding is 0.25 Ω . If the
current in the primary winding is 300A, determine (a) the reading on the ammeter,
(b) the potential difference across the ammeter and (c) the total load (in VA) on the
secondary.
Answer:
Voltage transformers

- For measuring voltages in excess of about 500 V it is often safer to use a voltage
transformer.

- These are normal double-wound transformers with a large number of turns on

the primary, which is connected to a high voltage supply, and a small number of
turns on the secondary.