NAME: OKEGBILE OLAWALE EMMANUEL

MATRIC NO: MEE/18/6973

DEPARTMENT: MEE
COURSE CODE: EEE 351

ASSIGNMENT
1. Explain the term Transformer
2. Mention and explain parts of a transformer
3. Mention and explain tests to be carried out on a transformer
4. How can we maintain a transformer
5. List and explain the types of transformers

ANSWERS
1. A transformer is a device used in the power transmission of electric energy. It converts
one AC voltage to another AC voltage at the same frequency. It consists of one or more
coil(s) of wire wrapped around a common ferromagnetic core.
2.

 Core
 Winding
 Insulation
 Tank
 Terminals and bushings
 Transformer oil
 Oil Conservator
 Breather
 Radiators and fans
 Explosion vent
 Tap Changers
 Buchholz relay

Core

The core provides a low reluctance path for electromagnetic flux and supports the primary and
secondary windings. It is made by stacking thin sheets of high-grade grain-oriented steel, which
are separated by thin insulating material. In order to minimize the hysteresis and eddy currents,
the carbon content of the core steel is maintained below 0.1%. When it is alloyed with silicon,
eddy currents can be reduced.

Winding

Transformer carries two sets of winding per phase – Primary winding and secondary winding.
These winding consists of several turns of copper or aluminium conductors, insulated from each
other and the transformer core. The type and arrangement of winding used for transformers
depend upon the current rating, short circuit strength, temperature rise, impedance and surge
voltages.

Out of the primary winding and secondary winding, the one which is rated for higher voltage is
known as High voltage (HV) winding and the other is known as the Low voltage (LV) winding.

Insulation

Insulation is the most important part of transformers. Insulation failures can cause the most
severe damage to transformers. Insulation is required between the windings and the core,
between windings, between each turn of the winding and between all current-carrying parts and
the tank. The insulators should have high dielectric strength; good mechanical properties and
high-temperature withstand ability. Synthetic materials, paper, cotton etc. are used as insulation
in transformers.

Tank

The main tank is a part of a transformer serves two purposes: it protects the core and the
windings from the external environment and serves as a container for oil and support for all other
transformer accessories. Tank bodies are made by fabricating rolled steel plates to containers.
They are provided with lifting hooks and cooling tubes. In order to reduce weight and stray
losses, aluminum sheets are also used instead of steel plates. However, aluminum tanks are
costlier than steel ones.

Terminal and bushings

For connecting incoming and outgoing cables, terminals are present in transformers. They are
mounted upon the bushings and is connected to the ends of the windings.

Bushings are insulators that forms a barrier between the terminals and the tank. They are
mounted over the transformer tanks. They serve as a safe passage for the conductors connecting
terminals to the windings. They are made from porcelain or epoxy resins.

Transformer oil

In all oil-immersed transformers, transformer oil provides added insulation between the
conducting parts, better heat dissipation, and fault detection features. Hydro-carbon mineral oil is
used as transformer oil. It is composed of aromatics, paraffin, naphthenes, and olefins.
Transformer oil has a flashpoint of 310 degrees Celsius, relative permeability of 2.7, and a
density of 0.96 kg/cm3.

Oil Conservators

The oil conservator is moved on the top of the transformers and is located well above the tank
and bushings. Normally a rubber bladder is present in some oil conservators. The transformer oil
expands and contracts with an increase and decrease in temperature. The oil conservator provides
adequate space for oil expansion. It is connected to the main tank through a pipe. A level
indicator is fitted to the conservator to indicate the oil level inside.

 Breather

Breather is present in all oil-immersed transformers that have a conservator tank. It is necessary
to keep the oil-free from moisture. As the temperature variations cause the transformer oil to
expand and contact, air flows in and out of the conservator tank. This air should be free from
moisture. Breather serves this purpose.

Radiators and fans

The power lost in the transformer is dissipated in the form of heat. Dry transformers are mostly
natural air-cooled. But when it comes to oil-immersed transformers, a variety of cooling methods
are followed. Depending on the kVA rating, power losses, and level of cooling requirements,
radiators and cooling fans are mounted on the transformer tank.

Explosion vent

An explosion vent acts as an emergency exit for oil and air gases inside a transformer. It is a
metallic pipe with a diaphragm at one end, held slightly above the conservator tank. Faults
occurring under oil elevates the pressure inside the tank to dangerous levels. Under such
circumstances, the diaphragm ruptures at a relatively low pressure to release the forces from
within the transformer to the atmosphere.

Tap changers

Tap changers are used to adjust the secondary voltage of transformers. They are designed to
change the turns ratio of the transformer as required. There are two types of tap changers: On-
load tap changers and Off-load tap changers. Off-load tap changers are designed to operate only
when the transformer is not supplying any loads whereas on-load tap changers are capable of
operating without interrupting the current flow to the load. Automatic tap changers are also
available.

Buchholz relay
Buchholz relay is one of the most important parts of oil-immersed transformers rated over
500kVA. It is an oil and gas actuated relay that is used to sense faults occurring in the parts
immersed in the oil. Short circuits occurring under the transformer oil generate enough heat to
decompose the oil into hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane etc. These gases gradually move
towards the conservator tank through the connecting pipe. Buchholz relay, which is mounted on
the pipe connecting the conservator tank and the main tank, senses these gases and activates the
trip and alarm circuits. The trip circuit opens the circuit breaker supplying current to the primary
winding and interrupts the current flow.

3.

 Turns Ratio Test

 Insulation Resistance Test

 Power Factor Test

 Resistance Test

 Polarity Test

 Phase Relation Test

 Oil Test

Turns Ratio Test

The transformer turns ratio test is used to make sure that the ratio between the windings of the
primary and secondary coils follow the proper specifications. This test ensures that the
transformer will provide the proper step-up or step down in voltage. The turns ratio is calculated
by dividing the number of turns in the primary winding by the number of turns in the secondary
coil. .

Insulation Resistance Test

Commonly known as the Megger test, insulation resistance testing measures the quality of

insulation within the transformer. Testing is typically done with a megohmmeter, a tool similar
to a multi-meter but with a much higher capacity. The insulation resistance test involves
measuring the insulation resistance of a device while the phase and neutral are short-circuited
together. 
Power Factor Test

The power factor test determines the power loss of the transformer's insulation system by
measuring the power angle between an applied AC voltage and the resultant current. Power
factor is defined as the cosine of the phase angle between voltage and current. For ideal
insulation, the phase angle is 90 degrees, but in practice, no insulation is ideal. The closer the
phase angle is to 90 degrees, the better the insulation.

The test is performed with a power factor test kit, and the connections are the same as for the
Megger test (the insulation resistance test). This test can be repeated during the service life of the
transformer and verified against the result obtained during manufacturing, as a check to
determine if the insulation is malfunctioning or decaying. 

Resistance Test

Resistance testing is conducted several hours after a transformer has stopped conducting current
when it reaches the same temperature as its surroundings. The purpose of this test is to check for
differences in resistance between windings and opens in the connections. This test ensures that
each circuit is properly wired properly and that all connections are tight. Resistance testing is
performed using a transformer ohmmeter.

Polarity Test

Polarity refers simply to the direction of current flow in a transformer, and testing is done
to ensure that the windings are all connected the same way, and not in opposing ways that can
cause a short circuit. Polarity is a vital concern if several transformers are to be paralleled or
bank-connected.

Polarity in a transformer is categorized as either additive or subtractive, and it is tested using a

voltmeter. When voltage is applied between the primary bushings and the resultant voltage
between the secondary bushings is greater, then it means that the transformer has additive
polarity. Three-phase transformers are also checked for polarity by the same means.

Phase Relation Test

This test will detect if two or more transformers have been connected in a correct phase
relationship. This test calculates the angular displacement and relative phase sequence of the
transformers and can be conducted at the same time as ratio and polarity tests. The voltages of
the phase of primary and secondary windings in each transformer can be recorded and
comparisons made to get the phase relation between them.

Oil Tests

The oil that provides insulation and cooling properties for a transformer should be tested before
the transformer is energized, and periodically as a part of a regular maintenance schedule. It is
generally done with a portable testing unit which applies test voltage that increases in intensity
until a breakdown point of the oil is detected. An oil sample test can detect several things on a
transformer:

 Acid number
 Dielectric breakdown
 Power factor
 Moisture content
 Interfacial tension

Oil tests are very useful for determining the condition of the insulation and the oil. Based on
these results, a maintenance program for the transformer can be established.

4.