TRANSFORMERS:

Definition, Types, Applications, Operations, And Constructional Features

Delivered by: EWETUMO, A.A.

TRANSFORMERS IN THE ELECTRIC GRID

TRANSFORMERS
Definition: The Transformer is an electrical device without continuously moving parts in its basic design, which by electromagnetic induction transforms electric energy from one or more circuits to one or more other circuits at the same frequency, usually with a change in Voltage and Current.

TYPES AND APPLICATIONS OF TXFS

Transformers may be classified into 5 general categories:
- a. Voltage Transformation Transformers; - b. Voltage Regulation Transformers; - c. Current Regulation Transformers; - d. Metering & Protection Transformers; - e. Accessory Transformers.

(1) Voltage Transformation Transformers - - -(a) Power Transformers - - -(b) Distribution Transformers

 (2) Voltage Regulation Transformers

- - -(a) Regulating Transformers - - -(b) Step Voltage Transformers - - -(c) Induction Regulator Transformers - - -(d) Phase Shifter Transformers

(3) Current Regulation Transformers

- - - Constant Current Transformers for Arc-Welding Machines

 (4) Metering & Protection Transformers - - -(a) Instrument Transformers [i] Voltage (Potential) Transformers [ii] Current Transformers - - -(b) Grounding Transformers [i] Power Grounding Transformers [ii] Relay Grounding Transformers
(5) Accessory Transformers - - - Special Transformers for Accessories like Door Bells, Telephone Transducers, Toys, Gaming Machines (XBox, PS3, Nintendo), etc.

PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
A Transformer consists of two or more windings linked by a magnetic circuit. The Magnetic circuit is usually in form of a laminated iron core, and in most transformers, there is no metallic connection between the windings. Though Autotransformers have both Primary and Secondary windings connected in series. The Electrical circuit consist of the copper windings on the laminated cores.

 The winding connected to the source of power is called the Primary, and the winding supplying power to the load is called the Secondary. The Voltage across the secondary winding will vary directly with the voltage across the primary winding as the ratio of the number of turns in the secondary (Ns) to the number of turns in the primary (Np). This is called the turns ratio of the transformer. Turns ratio = (Ns) (Np)

 With the secondary winding open circuited, the current drawn by the primary winding will be almost 90% out of phase with the voltage across it and lagging. This is called the exciting current. If a load is connected across the secondary, current will flow in it producing a magnetic flux which by Lenzs Law will oppose the main magnetic flux. With the secondary supplying a load, the secondary voltage will be lower than it was at no load because of the voltage drop to resistance and leakage reactance of the windings. This reduction in voltage under load is called The Regulation.

 Core losses will generate heat in the transformer. I2R (Copper) losses will be present when the transformer is on load. The Current flowing in the primary and secondary windings vary inversely as the number of turns in the windings = Ip Is = Primary ampere turns = Secondary ampere turns The Voltage in the primary and secondary windings varies directly as the number of turns. Esec = Nsec = Ipri Epri Npri Isec Isec x Esec = Ipri x Epri = VA = VA = KVA = KVA = MVA 1000 1000

 Polarity and Terminal Markings: Polarity of a transformer denotes the relative instantaneous directions of current in its terminals. Terminals are said to have the same polarity when, at a given instant, the current enters the primary terminal in question and leaves the secondary terminal as though the two leads is a continuous circuit. Terminals having the same polarity are given the same number, i.e. H1 and X1. Subtractive Polarity is standard for Power Transformers, while Additive Polarity is standard for Pole-mounted distribution transformers, though there are some exceptions to these rules. Polarity becomes important when transformers are to be connected in parallel across the same load.

 Transformer Impedance: The impedance voltage of a transformer is the voltage required to cause full load current to flow in one winding of a transformer with the other winding short-circuited. It is usually expressed in Percent of normal winding voltage. When operating transformers in parallel, their relative impedance will determine how they share load, and this is in inverse proportion to their impedances, i.e. the lower the impedance, the more load it will tend to carry. A 10% difference is the maximum limit for satisfactory load sharing.

 Transformer Construction: consists of the followings: - (a) The Tank or Enclosure and associated accessories or fittings; - (b) The Core and Winding assembly; - (c) The Insulating and Cooling medium.

Constructional Parts
The transformer is comparatively simple structure since there are no rotating parts, or bearings. The chief elements of the construction are (1) Magnetic circuits, comprising limbs, yokes and clamping structures. (2) Electric circuits, the primary and secondary windings, formers, insulation and bracing devices. (3) Terminals, tappings and tapping switches, terminal insulators and leads. (4) Tank, oil, cooling devices, conservators, dryers and ancillary apparatus

 1. Tank and Associated Accessories: - a. Tank or Enclosure of a modern power transformer is fabricated of welded steel and painted. - b. Radiator and Cooling Fins; - c. Cooling Fans; - d. Oil Pump; - e. Conservator (Expansion) Tank; - f. Oil Gauge; - g. Explosion Vent; - h. Relief Diaphragm; - i. Breather and Silica Gel; - j. High Voltage Bushings; - k. Manhole and Cover; - l. Gas Detector Relay; - m. Low Voltage Bushing; - n. Terminal (Head) Board; - o. On-Load (or Off-Load) Tap Changer - p. Temperature (Wining and Oil) Indicators; - q. Gas Sampling Valves; - r. Sump, Drain and Oil Sampling Valves; - s. Vacuum valves;

 2. The Insulating and Cooling Medium - a. Air; - b. Gas (Nitrogen or SF6 gas); - c. Mineral (Transformer) Insulating Oil; - d. Synthetic Nonflammable Insulating Liquid (Askarel); - e. Water (External Cooling) 3. Type of Circulation - a. N = Natural : Self-Cooled, Natural Convection - b. F = Forced : Forced Circulation : Pumps : Forced Cooling : Fans

 Standard Type Designations 1. Air Natural Cooling - - - AN 2. Air Forced Cooling - - - AF 3. Gas Natural Cooling - - - GNS 4. Gas Forced Cooling - - - GPS (The Gas could either be SF6 gas or Nitrogen) 5. Oil-immersed natural cooling - - - ONAN 6. Oil-immersed water cooling - - - ONWN 7. Oil-immersed forced-air cooling - - ONAF 8. Oil-immersed forced-oil water cooling - - OFWN 9. Oil-immersed forced-oil forced-air cooling - -OFAF 10. Oil-immersed forced-oil natural cooling - - - OFAN

 11. Nonflammable liquid-immersed natural cooling - - LNAN 12. Nonflammable liquid-immersed forced-air cooling - - LNAF 13. Nonflammable liquid-immersed forcedliquid water cooling - - LFWN 14. Nonflammable liquid-immersed forcedliquid forced-air cooling - - LFAF 15. Nonflammable liquid-immersed forcedliquid natural cooling - - LFAN

 Transformer Circuits : Types

1. The Magnetic Circuits:
- a. The Core Type: has one magnetic circuit linking the high and low voltage windings. This circuit forms a core through the coils. Cheaper than the Shell type and is used extensively in Power Distribution transformers. - b. The Shell Type: has two or more magnetic circuits in the form of a shell around the coils. Naturally requires more iron for the extra-cores and costlier to construct than the Core-type. Used only in special applications and in small sizes. - c. The Torroidal Type: which is a core-less circuit, with the high and low laying side by side and on top of one another. Very cheap and Compact in size, limited in usage to Accessory transformers.

 2. The Electrical Circuits :

There are basically two types of windings from a geometrical aspect, namely: - a. Layer (Barrel) Type and - b. Disc Type. However manufacturers have enlarged these categories to make for easier identification as follows: - a. Layer (Barrel) type: - -(i) Single-layered; - -(ii) Multi-layered; - -(iii) Helical winding; - -(iv) Multi-section winding.

 In both the single-layered and multi-layered design, each layer extends the full length of the winding and there are no spaces between the individual turns. The Helical winding is similar to a layered-type winding with the addition of the spacers between turns. When higher currents are required, a double helix is used, consisting of two separate sets of conductors separated by radial spacers, but wound in parallel on the same cylinder. The Multi-section is a combination of the layer and helical design. The winding is multi-layered with each layer divided into a number of sections. Secondly, each section is separated by spacers. By winding in sections, the voltage between layers is reduced so that the winding is suitable for higher voltages than the multilayer winding.

 - b. The Disc Type:

- -(i) Disc and Continuous Disc Winding; - -(ii) Interleaved Disc winding; - - (iii) Sheet (Strip) Windings; - -(iv) Pancake Winding.
The Disc winding is made up of several discs of rectangular conductors, i.e. each disc is a number of turns radially. A pair of discs can be wound on a special form in such a manner that no centre connection (crossover) is required. The full winding is then made by brazing together the outside connections between pairs of discs. To avoid brazing, a continuous disc winding is formed.

 The Interleaved disc winding is not continuously wound. It is made up of pairs of discs which are joined to the next pair by a brazed connection.
Sheet (Strip) windings are generally made to have more than one section, each section being composed of several layers. The Pancake coil is used in large shell-type high voltage transformers. Pancake coils are usually wound with square or rectangular conductors, one or more conductors in parallel, depending upon the current. This winding exposes a large amount of conductor surface to the cooling medium.