I.

OBJECTIVES
1. To be able to learn and study the characteristics of an autotransformer.
2. To compare the characteristics of autotransformer and a two-winding
transformers.
II. THEORY AND PRINCIPLES

In the ordinary transformers the primary and secondary windings are completely insulated
from each other but are magnetically coupled by a common core. In the autotransformer, the
coils are electrically connected, in fact, a portion of the single continuous winding is common to
both the primary and secondary. Since the supply and output voltages are not insulated from each
other the autotransformer should not be used to transform energy from a dangerously high
voltage to a lower voltage normally considered safe using two-winding transformers. An analysis
of the currents and voltages of the different parts follows using figure 6.05.

Fig. 6.05 Circuit of an autotransformer

The ac portion is the primary winding and V1 in the impressed voltage. The bc portion is the
secondary which is also a part of the primary resulting in economy of materials.

Øm = mutual flux linking all turns of primary and secondary

Eca = 4.44fNoaØmax x 10-8 volts

With equal voltages induced in each turn, the transformation ratio will be
𝑁
a = 𝑁𝑎𝑐
𝑏𝑐
 𝑁𝑎𝑐 𝐸𝑐𝑎
a= =
𝑁𝑏𝑐 𝐸𝑐𝑏

With the voltage drops neglects,

𝑉1
a= approximately
𝑉2

Due to the load on the secondary,

I1 + Icb = I2

Iab = I1

I2 = Iab + Icb

I1Nac = I2Nbc
𝐼2 𝑁𝑎𝑐
= =a
𝐼1 𝑁𝑏𝑐

Also,

Capacity = V1I1 = V2I2

𝐼2 𝑉1
= = a approximately
𝐼1 𝑉2

The ratio of currents in the portions cb and ab are shown below, currents can be expressed as
vectors by actually magnitudes are enough as will be shown later.

I2 = Iab + Icb

Icb = I2 - Iab
𝐼𝑐𝑏 𝐼2 − 𝐼𝑎𝑏
= =a–1
𝐼𝑎𝑏 𝐼𝑎𝑏

It is also true that,

𝐸𝑎𝑏
= a–1
𝐸𝑏𝑐

Which means that an autotransformer with a turn ratio of a is equivalent to the ordinary
transformer with a ratio of a – 1 .
 Fig. 6.06 vector diagram of a loaded autotransformer

In fig. 6.06 the no load current is exaggerated in value. This In increases the current in part ab
and reduces the current in portion cb due to its relative direction with respect to Icb. Since the In
adds and subtracts from the parts of the winding ab and bc respectively, I2 is not changed in
value or direction by its consideration. If In is entirely neglected, LIab will be used instead of Iab
and LIcb will be used instead of Icb. This means that the arithmetic addition of the vectors will
give I2 also. Since the drops due to In in a well-designed autotransformer are very small, In is
always neglected and vector additions and subtractions are not needed. Arithmetic additions and
subtractions of voltages and currents always give the true performance of the machine.

Fig. 6.07 Equivalent two-winding transformer

If a two-winding transformer is made out of the transformer whose primary is the portion ab
and the secondary is the portion bc, an equivalent two-winding transformer is formed. The
characteristics are given in the following relations.
𝑉1 − 𝑉2
Ratio of transformation = =a–1
𝑉2

Capacity of two-winding transformer = (V1 – V2) I1

= V2(I2 – I1)
Capacity of two−winding transformer (𝑉1 − 𝑉2 )𝐼1 1
= =1–
Capacity of autotransformer 𝑉1 𝐼1 𝑎

(𝐼2 − 𝐼1 )𝑉2 1
= =1–
𝑉2 𝐼2 𝑎
 Capacity of two−winding transformer 𝑎−1
=
Capacity of autotransformer 𝑎

Re’ = rab + (a – 1)2rbc

Xe’ = Xab + (a – 1)2Xbc

The Re’ and Xe’ of equations above are for the autotransformer also.

The preceding analysis means that the autotransformer acts exactly like a two-winding
transformer if it is considered that the portion ab of the winding is the primary and the portion bc
is the secondary. Also an autotransformer of a given physical size can handle more load than an
equivalent two-winding transformer.

III. METHO]DS AND PROCEDURES

IV. LIST OF INSTRUMENT AND APPARATUS

1 - transformer trainer

2 – AC multimeter

1 – AC voltmeter

1 – DPDT switch or circuit breaker

1 – variac

10 – connecting wires

V. DATA SHEET

TABLE 6.1
 TRIAL V1 V2 I1 I2 Icb
1
2
3
4

Show the graph and curves

QUESTIONS AND PROBELEMS

1. What is the importance of an autotransformer in power system? Enumerate and discuss

other applications of an autotransformer.
2. An autotransformer is to be used to step-up a 2400 V supply to 3000 V. if the secondary
load is 500 A. calculate the current in each part of the winding and the supply current.
Neglect lossesand magnetizing current.
3. A 110 V single-phase load is to be connected to a 220 V line through an autotransformer.
If the load needs a current of 20 A determine the current in each part of the winding if the
exciting current is neglected.
4. A 2400/2200 v autotransformer delivers a load of 90.5 kW at a pf of 0.75. calculate (a)
the current in all parts of the winding; (b) the transformation ratio, and (c) KVA of the
equivalent two-winding transformer.
5. An autotransformer designed for 4000 to 2300 V operation supplies a load of 32 kW at a
pf of 0.8 lagging. Calculate the KVA capacity of the equivalent two-winding transformer.