Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi)

Department of Engineering

Electrical Engineering Principles 2 Laboratory Sheet:

EEE3405/LAB03

Student name: ________________ Course / Year: ______________ Date: ____________

Tests on a Single Phase Transformer

Objectives
• To determine the parameters of the equivalent circuit, efficiency and voltage regulation of
the given transformer by open circuit test and short circuit test.

• Apparatus

• 1 1kVA, 300:150V single-phase transformer

• 1 1kVA, 220V/ 0 to 250V variac (China model LTDGC)
• 1 electronic wattmeter (Feedback model EW604)
• 1 ammeter 0/5A (BEW model BP-80)
• 1 DMMs

Components

• Connection wires

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 1 of 8
PART A: BACKGROUND

Transformer is used to step-up or step-down voltages and may be designed in a number of

different forms for various functions. It is thus commonly used in transmission and
distribution systems.

A single-phase transformer (with the exception of the auto-transformer, which commonly

called variac) consists of two windings, primary and secondary, electrically insulated from
each other but wound on a common laminated core. To minimize magnetic leakage, primary
and secondary windings are wound close to each other on both limbs of the iron core, forming
either a sandwich or a concentric arrangement. The transformer is a highly efficient machine,
with extremely small losses. Therefore, it can be taken that:

I 1 V2 N 2
= =
I 2 V1 N 1

To determine the efficiency of the given transformer, the methods commonly used are the
Open circuit test and Short circuit test.

Open Circuit Test

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The connection diagram and the equivalent circuit for the open circuit test are shown in
Figure 1 and Figure 2 respectively.

Open circuit test is used to find the magnetizing branch of the equivalent circuit of the given
transformer.
For supply voltage = Voc
supply current = Ioc
Supply power = Poc
then

Poc
the power factor of the open circuit test is : cos φ =
Voc × I oc

and

I p = I oc × cos φ
I m = I oc × sin φ

V oc
Hence, R p = (magnetizing resistance accounted for iron loss)
Ip

Voc
and X m = (magnetizing resistance)
Im

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 3 of 8
Short Circuit Test

The connection diagram and the equivalent circuit for the short circuit test are shown in
Figure 3 and Figure 4 respectively.

Short circuit test is used to find the leakage branch of the equivalent circuit of the given
transformer.
For supply voltage = Vsc
supply current = Isc
Supply power = Psc
then

Psc
the power factor of the open circuit test is : cos φ =
V sc × I sc

Hence

V sc
Ze =
I sc
Psc
Re = 2
I sc
X e = Z e − Re
2 2

where Ze is equivalent leakage impedance; Re is leakage branch resistance accounted for

copper loss and Xe is leakage branch reactance.

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 4 of 8
After we carried out the open circuit test and short circuit test of the given transformer, we
can find out the parameters of the equivalent circuit, which is

The voltage regulation of the given transformer can also be known at any given value of
power factor, lagging or leading.
V1 − V2
V . R. = ( per unit value) or
V2
I 1 ( Re cos φ ± X e sin φ )
V . R. = ( per unit value)
V2

where
+ for lagging power factor
- for leading power factor
φ is the power factor angle of the load

The efficiency of the given transformer is

Efficiency = Power output

Power input

= 1- Iron loss + Copper loss

Power output + Iron loss + Copper loss

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 5 of 8
PART B: PROCEDURE

1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.

2. Connect the terminals for the 150V at the primary side of the transformer under test
(step up connection). Do not switch on the power supply.
3. Check the circuit connection at least by two group members.

4. Ask the technician to check the circuit

5. Set the output of the variac to zero before switching on the supply.

6. Increase the output of the variac to 70V and take the wattmeter, ammeter and voltage
readings.

7. Repeat step (6) at an interval of 10V each up to 150V with all meter readings being
taken.

Input supply voltage Ammeter Voltmeter Wattmeter

(V) (A) (V) (W)
70

80

90

100

110

120

150

8. Decrease the input voltage of the variac to zero and switch off the power supply.

9. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3 (step down connection). Do not switch on the
power supply.

10 Short circuit of the secondary terminals of the transformer will cause a large current
flow in the short circuit link, so ensure the short circuit link is installed securely.

11 Check the circuit connection at least by two group members.

12 Ask the technician to check the circuit.

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 6 of 8
13 Set the output of the variac to zero before switching on the supply.

14 Increase the output voltage at the variac slowly until the full-load current is seen at the
ammeter. Take the readings of the wattmeter, ammeter and voltmeter immediately.

Wattmeter =

Ammeter -=

Voltmeter =

15 Decrease the input voltage of the variac slowly to zero and switch off the power
supply.

PART C: Calculation & Discussion

1. From the open circuit test results, calculate the parameters Ip, Im, Rp and Xm, at rated
voltage.

.2. From the short circuit test results, calculate the parameters Re and Xe, referred to the
high voltage side or low – voltage side.

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 7 of 8
3. Plot the graph of Ioc and Poc against the applied voltage. and comment it

EEE3405/LAB03 Page 8 of 8