Transformers-Construction

• Main elements of the transformer as below:

         1) Magnetic circuit: limbs, yokes
         2) Electrical circuit:primary secondary and tertiary windings, formers, 
             insulation and bracing devices.
         3) Terminals, tappings and tapping switches, terminal insulators 
         4) Tank oil, cooling devices, conservators, dryers 

• Special alloy steel of high resistance and low hysteresis loss is used as transformer core, CRGO steel.
• Cut the transformer sheets as far as possible along the grain which is the direction in which the material has a higher permeability
• For large three phase transformer, the core is five-limbed core than , which needs a cross section in the yokes less than that required in usual three limbed core but core losses increase
• 
• on account of the easier insulation facilities, the low voltage winding is placed nearer to the core in case of core type and on the outside positions in the case of shell type transformers. 
• Cylindrical concentric helix windings, commonly employed for core-type transformers.
• Cross over coils are suitable for currents not exceeding about 20A. They are used for HV windings in comparatively small transformers, and comprise wires of small circular section with double cotton covering
• Disc coils are made up of a number of flat sections, generally with rectangular wire
• In Disc coils every turn is contact with oil hence better cooling
• Sandwich windings , commonly employed for shell-type transformers, allow of easy control over reactance.
• Bushings are the porcelain insulators used to provide the insulation between conductor end terminals and whole part of the T/F. 
• Conservators are required to take up the expansion and contraction of the oil with changes of temperature in service without allowing the oil to come in contact with air. 
• Breather extracts the moisture from the air. It consists of calcium chloride or silica gel.
• Transformer oil serves the double purpose of cooling and insulating.
• Sludging is the slow formation of semi-solid hydrocarbons, sometimes of an acidic nature, which are deposited on windings and tank walls. The formation of sludge is due to heat and oxidation. 
• Sludge formation is more in the presence of bright copper surfaces

Objective Questions:

1) Sludge formation in transformer oil is due to which one of the following?

 a. Ingress of dust particles and moisture in the oil.
 b. Appearance of small fragments of paper, varnish, cotton and other organic materials in the oil
 c. Chemical reaction of transformer oil with the insulating materials
 d. Oxidation of transformer oil

Ans: d

Explanation: Refer above theory

2) Cores of large power transformers are made from which one of the following? 
a. Hot-rolled steel
b. Cold-rolled non-grain oriented steel
c. Cold-rolled grain oriented steel
d. Ferrite

Ans: c
Explanation: to increase the relative permeability

3)The function of oil in a transformer is to provide

a. Insulation and cooling
b. Protection against lightning
c. Protection against short circuit
d. Lubrication

Ans: a

Explanation: Refer above theory

4)Consider the following statements relating to the constructional features of a large power transformer:

1. The conservator is used to maintain the level of oil in the transformer tank 2. The bushing is used to protect transformer insulation against lightning over-voltages
3. The Buchholz relay is an over current relay
4. Silica gel is used to absorb moisture.
Which of these statements are correct?
a. 1, 2, 3 and 4
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 4
d. 1, 2 and 4 

Ans: c

Explanation: Refer above theory

5) In  large power transformer, a "conservator" drum is provided above the tank and connected to it by a short pipe. The conservator drum is linked to external air through a breather. What is the purpose pf providing the conservator?

a) To store reserve oil to make up oil losses due to leakage.

b) To prevent explosion due to rise in oil pressure inside the tank during a fault.

c) To accommodate change in oil level during the "load cycle" of the transformer load

d) To exert additional pressure by the conservator oil on the inside the main tank to prevent disintegration of oil at high temperature. 

Ans: c

Explanation: Refer above theory

6)Match List I (Type of Coil) with List II (Use of Coil) and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I
A. Sandwitch coils
B. Disc coils
C. Cross-over coils
D. Spiral type

List II
1. Low voltage coils for currents above 100 A
2. High voltage windings of small transformers
3. Cooling oil is in contact with each turn of the winding
4. Shell-type transformer core

Codes;
   A B C D
a. 2 3 4 1
b. 4 1 2 3
c. 2 1 4 3
d. 4 3 2 1

Ans: b

Explanation: Refer above theory

7) Assertion(A):For obtaning improved magnetic properties, the transformer magnetic core is assembled using cold rolled silicon steel sheets.

   Reason(R):  The laminations for the core could be cut out of the cold rolled

  silicon steel sheets, cutting either in the direction of rolling or transverse

 therof, without affecting the magnetic properties in any way. 

a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are individually true but  R is not the correct explanation of A  
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true

Ans: c

Explanation: Refer above theory

8) Assertion(A):Transformer is not used in a D.C. line

   Reason(R): Losses in the Dc circuit are not negligible  

a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are individually true but  R is not the correct explanation of A  
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true

Ans: b

Explanation: Both are true. R is not reason to A. because when T/F operates on Dc line it burns. 

9) Match List I  with List II  and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

List I
A. Silica gel
B. Porcelain
C. Mercury
D. Fins

List II
1. Bushing
2. Buccholz relay
3. tank
4. Breather

Codes;
    A B C D
a. 2 1 4 3 
b. 4 3 2 1
c. 2 3 4 1 
d. 4 1 2 3

Ans: d

Explanation: Refer above theory

10) When are eddy current losses in a transformer reduced?   
a. if laminations are thick
b. if the number of turns in primary winding is reduced
c. if the number of turns in secondary winding is reduced
d. if laminations are thin

Ans: d
Explanation: Pe=ke*f^2*B^2*t^2 

Transformers basics1

 

• The physical basis of transformer (T/F) is mutual induction between two circuits linked by a common magnetic field. It is a static device.

• Mutual inductance is the same irrespective of which circuit is primary and which circuit is secondary.

• The voltage applied to the primary is almost completely concerned in opposing the induced e.m.f.

• If the primary voltage is constant, the mutual flux remains approximately constant regardless of the load connected across the secondary coil.
• Important tasks performed by T/F are 

            1) Changing voltage and current levels in power system.     

            2) Matching source and load impedance for maximum power transfer 

            3) Electrical isolation

• In core type, to avoid leakage flux, it is usual to have half the primary and half of the secondary winding side-by-side or concentrically on each limb; not primary on one limb and secondary on other limb.

• The three phase core type, the principle that the sum of the fluxes in each phase in a given direction along the cores is zero.

• In core type inspection of coils and core is easy.

• The shell type is more robust mechanically.

• In shell type core, the cooling is good.

• The e.m.f induced in transformer given by: E = 4.44fΦmT volts

• Volt/turn is same in primary winding and secondary winding provided only that it links the same flux in both winding.

• Both primary and secondary e.m.f.’s are in phase.

• The e.m.f’s lag by 90 degree in time on the flux.

• The applied voltage V1 opposes E1, while E2 provides the secondary output voltage V2. 

• E1/E2 = I2/I1 = T1/T2

• A small magnetizing current is needed to maintain the magnetic circuit or core in magnetized state, when the secondary is open
• The m.m.f. of the primary on no load is of the order of 5 per cent of its m.m.f. on full load.

• The no load current, Io has two components, magnetizing component, I_m and loss component, I_r.

• Leakage between primary and secondary could be eliminated if the winding could be made to occupy the same space.
• Reductions in leakage flux can achieve by sectionalizing and interleaving the primary and secondary coils.

• An equivalent circuit is useful for calculations of regulation, efficiency, parallel operation, etc.
• I2R loss and per-unit reactance voltage in primary and secondary is same.

• Core loss due to the pulsation of the magnetic flux in the iron producing eddy current and hysteresis loss.
• I2R loss due to heating of the conductors by the passage of current.
• Stray loss due to stay magnetic field causing eddy currents in the conductors or in surrounding metal (tank).
• Dielectric loss in the insulating materials (oil and solid insulation of HT T/F).
• Efficiency of transformer is given by:

• Where S is full load kVA, x is per-unit load, P_i is iron loss, P_c is full load copper loss.
• For maximum efficiency occurs when the variable loss is equal to the constant loss, i.e. x² P_c= P_i.
• Maximum efficiency occurs below full load.
• Maximum efficiency point independent of power factor.
• The regulation of a transformer refers to the change of secondary terminal voltage between no-load and load conditions: it is usually quoted as a percent value for full load at given power factor.

• Per unit regulation:

• Maximum regulation occurs when

• Zero regulation occurs when

i.e. leading p.f.

• On account of the easier insulation facilities, the low-voltage winding is placed nearer to the core in the case of core type and on the outside positions in the case of shell type transformers.
• Under no-load conditions, the “hum” developed by energized power transformer originates in the core, where the lamination tend to vibrate by magnetic forces
• The essential factors in noise production are magnetostriction, mechanical vibrations by the lamination.
• In an Ideal transformer, there are no voltage drops in resistance or leakage reactance, the MMF required to maintain the main flux is small and there are no core losses.
• Magnetizing MMF is a function of the length, the net cross sectional area and the permeability of the iron path. 

Objective Questions:

1).If the applied voltage of a certain transformer is increased by 50% and the frequency is reduced to 50% (assuming) that the magnetic circuit remains unsaturated), the maximum core /flux density will

a. Change to three, times the original value
b. Change to 1.5 times the original value
c. Change to 0.5 times the original value
d. Remain the same as the original value

Ans: d

Explanation: B∝ V/f

2). In a transformer, zero voltage regulation at full load is

     a. not possible
     b. possible at leading power factor load
     c. possible at lagging power factor load
     d. possible at unity power factor load

Ans: b
Explanation: 

• Zero regulation occurs when

i.e. leading pf.
3). The full load copper loss and iron loss of a transformer are 6400W and 500W respectively. The above copper loss and iron loss at half load will be

    a) 3200 W and 250 W respectively
    b) 3200 W and 500 W respectively
    c) 1600 W and 125 W respectively
    d) 1600 W and 500 W respectively


Ans: d
Explanation: Refer above theory 
                  Pcu=x^2*Pcu.fl=(0.5)^2*6400=1600W
                  Pi=500W  ( independent of on the load)

4). A 4KVA, 400V/200V single phase transformer has resistance of 0.02 pu and reactance of 0.06 pu. The resistance and reactance referred to high voltage side are

    a) 0.2 Ω and 0.6 Ω
    b) 0.8 Ω and 2.4 Ω
    c) 0.08 Ω and 0.24 Ω
    d) 1 Ω and 3 Ω


Ans: c
Explanation: R2+jX2=0.02+j0.06
                  a=V2/V1=200/400=0.5
                  R2'+jX2'=(R2+jX2)/(a^2)=0.08+j0.24

5). A single-phase transformer rated for 220/440 V, 50 Hz operates at no load at 220 V, 40Hz.  This frequency operation at rated voltage results in which one of the following?
a. Increases of both eddy-current and hysteresis losses
b.  Reduction of both eddy-current and hysteresis losses
c. Reduction of hysteresis loss and increase in eddy-current loss
d. Increase of hysteresis loss and no change in the eddy-current loss


Ans: d
Explanation: Ph=kh*f*B^x;   B∝ V/f    hysteresis loss increases with decrease in frequency. 
                  Pe=ke*f^2*B^2*t^2 , B∝ V/f  eddy current loss depend on the square of the applied voltage and independent of the frequency. 


6). What is the load at which maximum efficiency occurs in case of a 100 kVA transformer with iron loss of 1 kW and full–load copper loss of 2 kW?
a. 100 kVA
b. 70.7 kVA
c. 50.5 kVA
d. 25.2 kVA


Ans: b
Explanation: Pcu*x^2=Pi;   x=sqrt(Pi/Pcu)= sqrt(1/2);
                  load KVA=100*x=100*sqrt(1/2)=70.7 KVA


7). Cores of large power transformers are made from which one of the following? 
a. Hot-rolled steel
b. Cold-rolled non-grain oriented steel
c. Cold-rolled grain oriented steel
d. Ferrite


Ans: c
Explanation: to increase the relative permeability


8). A transformer has a percentage resistance of 2% and percentage reactance of 4%. What are its regulations at power factor 0.8 leading, respectively?
a. 4% and - 0.8%
b. 3.2% and – 1.6%
c. 1.6% and – 3.2 %
d. 4.8% and – 0.6%


Ans: a
Explanation: Per unit regulation:



                                 %regulation, lagging = 2*0.8+4*0.6= 4%
                      %regulation, leading = 2*0.8-4*0.6= -0.8%

9) Assertion(A): Both the efficiency and regulation of a 3 winding ideal

 transformer are 100%

Reason(R): The flux leakage and the magnetic reluctance of the magnetic core 

in an ideal transformer is zero.moreover losses are absent in ideal 

transformers

a) Both A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A
b) Both A and R are individually true but  R is not the correct explanation of A  
c) A is true but R is false
d) A is false but R is true


Ans: d
Explanation: Ideal transformer has 100% efficiency and 0% regulation

10) When are eddy current losses in a transformer reduced?
      


a. if laminations are thick
b. if the number of turns in primary winding is reduced
c. if the number of turns in secondary winding is reduced
d. if laminations are thin


Ans: d
Explanation: Pe=ke*f^2*B^2*t^2  

11) on which of the following factors does hysteresis loss depend?
   1. flux density
   2. frequency
   3. thickness of lamination
   4. time
   
select the correct answer using the codes given below. 
  a) 2 and 3        a) 1 and 2       a) 3 and 4         a) 1 and 4


Ans: d
Explanation:  Ph=kh*f*B^x;

12) If P1 and P2 are the iron and copper losses of a transformer at full load, and the maximum efficiency of the transformer is at 75% of the full load, then what is the ratio of P1 and P2?
a. 9/16
b. 10/16
c. 3/4
d. 3/16


Ans: a
Explanation: Pcu*x^2=Pi;  x=0.75=3/4;  P1/P2=Pi/Pcu=x^2= (3/4)^2=9/16;

13). If the iron core of a transformer is replaced by an air core, then the hysteresis losses in the transformer will 
a. increase 
b. decrease
c. remain unchanged
d. become zero


Ans: d
Explanation:  air core transformer is free from hysteresis loss

14). The equivalent circuit of a transformer has the leakage reactance X1, X '2 and the magnetizing reactance Xm. What is the relationship between their magnitudes?
a. X1 >> X'2 >> Xm
b. X1 << X'2 << Xm
c. X1≈ X2 >> Xm
d. X1≈ X'2 << Xm


Ans: d
Explanation: Xm is parallel circuit in  equivalent  circuit 


16). If the voltage applied to a transformer primary is increased by keeping the V/f ration fixed, then the magnetizing current and the core loss will, respectively, 
a. decrease and remain the same
b. increase and decrease
c. remains the same and remains the same
d. remains the same and increase


Ans: d
Explanation: Im ∝ V/f;   Im unchanged and core loss depends on the frequency so increases. 

17) The use of higher flux density in the transformer design
a. Reduces the weight per kVA
b. Increases the weight per kVA
c. Has no relation with the weight of transformer
d. Increases the weight per kW


Ans: a
Explanation:   B=Φ/A . for same Φ, A is less. so weight will reduce 

18) The function of oil in a transformer is to provide
a. Insulation and cooling
b. Protection against lightning
c. Protection against short circuit
d. Lubrication  


Ans: a
Explanation: Insulation and cooling

19)A single-phase transformer when supplied from 220 V, 50 Hz has eddy current loss of 50 W. If the transformer is connected to a voltage of 330V, 50 Hz, the eddy current loss will be
a. 168.75 W
b. 112.5 W
c. 75W
d. 50W


Ans: b
Explanation: Pe=ke*f^2*B^2*t^2 , B∝ V/f  eddy current loss depend on the square of the applied voltage and independent of the frequency.

         Pe2/Pe1=(V2/V1)^2= (330/220)^2=2.25;

          Pe2=50*2.25=112.5 W

20) Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
List I
A. Shell type with wound core
B. Core type with core of laminated sheets
C. Shell type with laminated core
D. Core type with wound core
List II



   A B C D
a. 4 3 1 2
b. 4 2 1 3
c. 1 2 4 3
d. 1 3 4 2

Ans: b
Explanation: Refer above theory