How to Calculate/Find the Rating of Transformer in kVA

(Single Phase and Three Phase)?

In this post, we’ll detail how to calculate the required KVA for a 3 phase transformer. Actually, The
calculation of KVA capacity for a Three Phase Transformer is based on Winding Voltage and Amperage
information. The simple formula to calculate the rating of three phase Transformers is:
KVA = (√3. V x I) /1000
Where: V is the voltage (volts) and I is the current (amps).

Calculate & Find the Rating of Single Phase & Three Phase Transformers in kVA

We know that, Transformer always rated in kVA. Below are the two simple formulas to find the rating of
Single phase and Three phase Transformers.

Rating of Single Phase Transformer:

P = V x I.

Rating of a single phase transformer in kVA

kVA= (V x I) / 1000

Rating of a Three Phase Transformer:

P = √3. V x I

Rating of a Three phase transformer in kVA

kVA = (√3. V x I) /1000

But Wait, A question is raised here… Look at the General nameplate rating of a 100kVAtransformer.
Did you notice something????Anyway, I don’t care what is your answer 😉 but lets me try to explain.
Here is the rating of Transformer is 100kVA.
But Primary Voltages or High Voltages (H.V) is 11000 V = 11kV.
And Primary Current on High Voltage side is 5.25 Amperes.
Also Secondary voltages or Low Voltages (L.V) is 415 Volts
And Secondary Current (Current on Low voltages side) is 139.1 Amperes.

In simple words,
Transformer rating in kVA = 100 kVA
Primary Voltages = 11000 = 11kV
Primary Current = 5.25 A
Secondary Voltages = 415V
Secondary Current = 139.1 Amperes.

Now calculate for the rating of transformer according to

P=V x I (Primary voltage x primary current)
P = 11000V x 5.25A = 57,750 VA = 57.75kVA
Or P = V x I (Secondary voltages x Secondary Current)
P= 415V x 139.1A = 57,726 VA = 57.72kVA
Once again, we noticed that the rating of Transformer (on Nameplate) is 100kVA but
according to calculation…it comes about 57kVA…
The difference comes due to ignorance of that we used single phase formula instead of
three phase formula.

Now try with this formula

P = √3 x V x I
P=√3 Vx I (Primary voltage x primary current)
P =√3 x 11000V x 5.25A = 1.732 x 11000V x 5.25A = 100,025 VA = 100kVA
Or P = √3 x V x I (Secondary voltages x Secondary Current)
P= √3 x 415V x 139.1A = 1.732 x 415V x 139.1A= 99,985 VA = 99.98kVA
Consider the (next) following example.
Voltage (Line to line) = 208 V.
Current (Line Current) = 139 A
Now rating of the three phase transformer
P = √3 x V x I
P = √3 x 208 x 139A = 1.732 x 208 x 139
P = 50077 VA = 50kVA
Note: This post has been made on the request of our Page fan Anil Vijay.

Example:
the following figure presents a nameplate of a three phase transformer. It’s rating is 100 KVA. Using
the aforementioned formula, let’s confirm this rating:

 Primary Voltages or High Voltages (H.V) is 11000 volts.

 Primary Current (current on High Voltage side) is 5.25 amps.
 KVA = (√3. V x I) /1000= (1.732 × 11000 × 5.25)/1000=100 KVA
Similarly:

 Secondary voltages or Low Voltages (L.V) is 415 volts.

 Secondary Current (Current on Low voltages side) is 139.1 amps.
 KVA = (√3. V x I) /1000= (1.732 × 415 × 139.1)/1000=100 KVA
This leads to the fact that the KVA rating of a transformer is the same for either the primary or
secondary.

(KVA)in = (KVA)out

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How to Calculate Three Phase Amps From Megawatts

Megawatt 3 phase power applies primarily to large power distribution systems.
In fact, the unit of watts represent the actual power used by system after a
percentage of the power is lost due to inefficiencies of the load. Therefore, the
total power supplied by the power supply is higher than the actual power and is
in the form of volt-amperes, or in this case, Megavolt-amperes or MVA. You
need to know the MVA to figure 3-phase amps. To figure MVA from megawatts,
you need to know the power factor associated with the load, which measures
the level of inefficiency of the load.

Find the phase voltage, or "Vphase," associated with the 3-phase system. Refer
to system specifications. For example, assume 4,000 volts, which is typical for
power in the megawatt range

Find the power factor, "pf," of the load powered by the megawatt power
distribution system. Refer to specifications of the load. A typical power factor for
3-phase loads is 0.8.

Find the total power delivered by the power distribution system in Megavolts-
amperes or "MVA." Use the formula MVA = MW/pf where MW is the megawatt
value of the system. For example, if MW is 20MW and pf is 0.8:

MVA = 20/0.8 = 25 MVA

Calculate 3 phase amps, or "I", using the formula: I = (MVA x 1,000,

000)/(Vphase x 1.732). The 1,000,000 represents "mega" where 1 megavolt is
1,000,000 volts. Continuing with the example:

I = (25 x 1,000,000)/(4,000 x 1.732) = 25,000,000/6,928 = 3608.5 amps.

For three phase transformer HT/LT Current-

I=(KVA*1000)/(1.732*V)

for example-

Find out the HT/LT current of 22KV/415V,1250 KVA transformer?

HT Current =(1250*1000)/(1.732*22000)=1250000/38104=32.80 Amp.

LT Current=(1250*1000)/(1.732*415)=1250000/718.78=1739.057 Amp.

For Single phase transformer HT/LT Current-

I=(KVA*1000)/V

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Calculation of KVA or MVA capacity of single phase and three phase

transformer:
KVA- kilo volt ampere or MVA- mega volt ampere is the main rating information of a transformer. This
can be calculated from primary or secondary winding voltage and current information.

KVA is calculated by multiplying the line to line maximum voltage & maximum phase current; then
multiplying this value with 1.732 in case of three phase ; lastly dividing the final value by 1000 for KVA
and 100,000 for MVA

Mathematical calculation for KVA and MVA for transformer

This calculation applicable for both the primary and secondary winding of a transformer. V= line to line
voltage (maximum), I= phase current (maximum)

KVA calculation
For three phase KVA= (V*I*1.732)/1000

For single phase KVA= (V*I)/1000

MVA calculation-
For three phase MVA= (V*I*1.732)/100,000

For single phase MVA= (V*I)/1000,000