Experiment – 2

Direct load Test on a Single Phase Transformer

Introduction:
In this experiment, the students will get familiarized with direct loading test on single phase transformer
to find out its efficiency as well as the regulation of the transformer.

Objectives: To conduct the direct load test on a given single phase transformer and
1. To determine the efficiency and regulation of the transformer at various loading conditions.
2. To compare the results obtained from both OC & SC test and direct load test.

Theory:

Procedure:
a) Direct load test with resistive load :
1. All the connections should be done as per the circuit diagram of direct load test as shown in Fig.
1(c).
2. Make sure that all the switches corresponding to load in the secondary side of the transformer are
switched off.
3. Supply switch (MCB) has to be closed and the single phase auto transformer has to be adjusted to
rated voltage of the transformer.
4. The readings of voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter have to be noted down under no-load condition.
5. Load the transformer by turning on the switches in the load box at desired loading condition and
note down the readings of the voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter in primary as well as secondary side.
6. Repeat the above step for various loading conditions.
7. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and the supply has to
be made switched off.
EEE253 Electrical Machines Lab I 2023-24________________________Experiment 2: Direct Load Test-Single phase Transformer

Ammeter
Ammeter Wattmeter Wattmeter
MCB Fuse Transformer
under test
A A
P1 S1

Single Phase V V
Power Supply
Voltmeter Voltmeter

P2 S2
N1 : N2 Load

230/230 V, 2 kVA,
Auto-Transformer 1 – ϕ, 50 Hz

Fig. 1(c) Circuit diagram for testing of the transformer by direct loading method

b) Direct load test with resistive and inductive load

1. Follow the same procedure as it is done for resistive load.
2. During loading, load the transformer by turning on the switches in the load box at desired loading
condition along with adjusting the wheel of the variable inductive load and note down the readings
of the voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter in primary as well as secondary side.
3. Repeat the above step for various loading conditions.
4. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and the supply has to
be made switched off.

Formulae:
 To determine the efficiency through Direct Load Test :
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
% 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = × 100
𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

 To determine the Regulation through Direct Load Test:

𝐸2 − 𝑉2
% 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = × 100
𝐸2
Where, E2 = No-load secondary terminal voltage

V2 = secondary terminal voltage at load

EEE253 Electrical Machines Lab I 2023-24________________________Experiment 2: Direct Load Test-Single phase Transformer

Observation Table:
Table 1: Direct load Test
No Load Voltage E2= Rated I2 =

Load V1(Volts) I1(Amps) W1(Watts) V2(Volts) I2(Amps) W2(Watts) Fraction of Power

load (n) factor
R

RL

Result Tables:
Table 2: Comparison of Efficiency

% Efficiency
Fraction of Load
Sl No. PF Theoretical Practical
(n)
(OC & SC Test) (DL Test)
1
2
UPF
3
4
5
6
Lag PF=
7
8
EEE253 Electrical Machines Lab I 2023-24________________________Experiment 2: Direct Load Test-Single phase Transformer

Table 3: Comparison of Voltage Regulation

% Regulation
Power Factor Theoretical Practical
(OC & SC Test) (DL Test)
UPF

Lagging


Graphs:
a. Output vs Efficiency b. Power factor vs Regulation

Result:
Conclusion:

Questions:
Q.1. What is the significance of O.C. & S.C. test?
Q.2. Why h.v. winding is kept open during O.C. test in case of large transformers?
Q.3. Why l.v. winding is shorted during S.C. test in case of large transformers?
Q.4. In O.C. test, a voltmeter is connected across secondary winding and still it is called as O.C. test.
Why?
Q.5. What will happen if DC supply instead of AC supply is applied to a transformer?
Q.6. Which is the alternate method for finding efficiency and regulation of a transformer other than
O.C. & S.C. tests? What are their advantages over each other?
Q.7. What is the importance of equivalent circuit?
Q.8. Why regulation of transformer is negative for leading p.f. load?
Q.9. “The wattmeter reading during O.C. test is considered as core loss while wattmeter reading during
S.C. test is considered as copper loss” Justify.
Q.10. Why LPF wattmeter is used in OC test?
Q.11. Why UPF wattmeter is used in SC test?
EEE253 Electrical Machines Lab I 2023-24________________________Experiment 2: Direct Load Test-Single phase Transformer

Q.12. What are the different losses in a transformer?

Q.13. Why the transformers are rated in KVA?
Q.14. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under zero power factor lagging condition.
Q.15. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under zero power factor leading condition.
Q.16. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under unity power factor condition.
Q.17. What are the merits and limitations of direct load test?
Q.18. Draw the phasor diagram for lagging load.

Reference:
1. P. S Bimbhra “Electrical Machinery” 7th Edition, Khanna Publishers, 2008.
2. J. Nagarath, D. P. Kothari, “Electric Machines” Tata McGraw Hill, 4th Edition, 2010
3. S.G. Tarnekar, P.K. Kharbanda, S. B. Bodkhe, S.D. Naik and D.J. Dahigaonkar, “Laboratory
Courses In Electrical Engineering”, S. Chand, 6th Edition, 2013