EEE 203

Energy Conversion I

Three Phase Transformer

Department of EEE, UIU

Three phase Transformers

A three-phase transformer bank composed of independent transformers

A three-phase transformer wound on a single three-legged Core

Department of EEE, UIU

 Three Phase Transformers
In the operation of power systems, transformers are required to change the voltage levels
throughout the network
– three-phase circuits use three-phase transformers
• can be achieved by using a bank of three single-phase transformers
• may be a 3-phase unit having three primary windings and three secondary
windings on a 3-legged core
➢ A single three-phase transformer is lighter, smaller, cheaper, and slightly more efficient.
➢ Three separate single-phase transformers has the advantage that each unit in the bank could be
replaced individually in the event of trouble.
➢ A utility would only need to stock a single spare single-phase transformer to back up all three phases,
potentially saving money.
Construction of three-phase transformers

Shell type Core type

Department of EEE, UIU

Y-Y Connection

VLP : Primary Line Voltage VLS

: Secondary Line Voltage
VΦP : Primary Phase Voltage
V ΦS : Secondary Phase Voltage
Disadvantages of Y-Y connection :
1. Any unbalanced load connected to this
transformer may create serious unbalancing in
the voltages.
2. Also, non linearity may result in third harmonic
components and as the phase voltages are 1200
out of phase, their third harmonic components
may add up to a very high value.
Remedy:
1. Connecting neutral of the transformer to ground
so as to provide a path for the third harmonic
current to flow.
2. Using a three winding transformer which has its
tertiary winding connected in delta providing a
closed path for the third harmonic component.

Department of EEE, UIU

Y- Δ Connection

Advantages of Y-Δ connection :

The Y-Δ connection has no problem with third-harmonic components in its
voltages, since they are consumed in a circulating current on the a side. This
connection is also more stable with respect to unbalanced loads, since the a
partially redistributes any imbalance that occurs.

Disdvantages of Y-Δ connection :

Because of the connection, the secondary voltage is shifted 30° relative to the
primary voltage of the transformer.
The fact that a phase shift has occurred can cause problems in paralleling the
secondaries of two transformer banks together.
The phase angles of transformer secondaries must be equal if they are to be
paralleled, which means that attention must be paid to the direction of the 30°
phase shift occurring in each transformer bank to be paralleled together.

Department of EEE, UIU

Δ - Y Connection

Department of EEE, UIU

Δ - Δ Connection

Department of EEE, UIU

 Special Transformers-Open delta or V-V connection

Figure (a) Figure (b)

➢ Maintains three phase supply from a defective Δ-Δ bank at reduced capacity.
➢ If one transformer is out of order or, removed in the D-D connection of three single-phase transformers, the resulting
connection becomes open delta or, V-V connection and the connection can maintain three phase supply using the available
two transformers.
➢ V-V connection can be used for inspection, maintenance, testing and replacement of transformers one at a time.
➢ In complete D-D connection, the voltage of any one phase is equal and opposite to the sum of the voltages of the other two
phases.
➢ Therefore, under no-load conditions if one transformer is removed, the other two will maintain the same three line voltages
on the secondary side.
➢ Figure (a) shows the original D-D connection , and Figure (b) open delta (or V-V) connection with one transformer, T1
removed. For simplicity, the load is considered to be star connected.
➢ Here Vab, Vbc and Vca represent the line-to-line voltages of the primary; Va’b’, Vb’c’ and Vc’a’ represent line-to-line voltages of
the secondary and Va’n, Vb’n and Vc’n represent the phase voltages of the load.
➢ For inductive load, the load currents Ia’n, Ib’n and Ic’n will lag the corresponding voltages Va’n, Vb’n and Vc’n by the load phase
angle f.
 Analysis of V-V connection through vector diagram
Transformer T2 and T3’s secondary windings connected in between b’c’
and a’c’ will deliver power given by;
P2 = Vb’c’ Ib’n cos(30 + f)
P3 = Va’c’ Ia’n cos(30 - f)
Let Vb’c’ = Va’c’ = V, the voltage rating of transformer secondary winding
Ib’n = Ia’n = I, current rating of the transformer secondary winding
p.f. = 1 i.e. f = 0° ... For resistive load (assumed for simplicity)
\ Power delivered to the resistive load by V-V connection is
PV-V = P2 + P3 = VI cos30 + VI cos30 = 2V I cos30
With all the three transformers connected in delta, the power delivered to
the resistive load is,

Hence the power-handling capacity of a V-V circuit (without overheating

the transformers) is 57.7% of the capacity of a complete D-D circuit of
the same transformers.
In a V-V circuit, only 86.6% of the rated capacity of the two transformers
is available. This can be readily proved.
 Scott T connection
➢ Two transformers are used to convert 3-phase supply to 2-phase supply.
➢ One is called the main transformer and the other is called ‘Teaser’ or ‘T’ transformer.
➢ Main transformer has Np turns in its primary and has a center-tap position. Also, one end of its
primary is connected to B-phase and the other to C-phase.
➢ Teaser transformer’s primary is connected between phase ‘A’ and the center-tap position of the
main transformer and it is having a 86.6% tapping on total Np turns.
➢ Teaser’s secondary is having the same number of turns as the main transformer.

Analysis of Scott T connection

➢ Applying KVL in the upper loop of the primary part, -Vab + Vp2 –Vbc/2 =0

Vp2= Vab + Vbc/2 = = 0.866

For Teaser transformer, Vp2/Vs2= 0.866 Np / Ns

 Vs2= (Vp2 x Ns)/ 0.866Np

 (0.866 ) x Ns /0.866 Np = /(Np / Ns)=

➢ For main transformer, Vp1/Vs1=Np/Ns=a
=> Vs1= / (Np/Ns)= /a
Thus voltages Vs1 and Vs2 constitute balanced 2-phase system consisting of two voltages of
equal magnitude having a phase difference of 90°.
 Problem #1

Three 30 kVA, 11 kV/400 V, 50Hz single-phase transformers are connected in delta-delta to

supply a load of 80 kVA in a certain area of Badda. Now if accidentally one of the transformers
fails to operate, is it possible to supply electricity using the remaining two transformers? If the
answer is yes, how much load can be connected without overloading the remaining two
transformers?

Department of EEE, UIU