Lesson 11:

Three Phase Transformers

A set of three similar single phase transformers may be connected to form a three-phase
transformer (three-phase transformer bank). The primary and secondary windings may be
connected in either star or delta configurations
 Three Phase Transformers
Three Similar Single-phase Transformers
Connected to form a three phase Transformer
Four possible connections∆/λ, λ/∆, ∆, and λ/λ Step down

Step up

One can be removed

Seldom used

Figure 11.2.1 a, b, c and d for 3 phase transformers connections

 Three Phase Transformer Bank

1.Three single-phase transformers connected in a three-phase bank.

2. Three sets of windings wrapped on a common core.

Ease of transportation
Inefficient magnetic circuit, less efficient
Higher capital cost than a single one
1-phase of the transformer at fault, the other two are not affected
 3-phase Transformer

Usually 3-limb core structure

5-limb core may be used to reduce the overall height of a 3-limb core
Magnetic flux shares the magnetic circuit
Fault on one-phase very likely affects the other two

Figure 11.2.2 three-phase transformer structure

Tertiary Winding

A third set of windings usually exists in 3-phase transformer and used to:

Providing voltage to auxiliary power purposes in the substation or to supply local

distribution system

Power factor correction

Delta connected tertiary windings will provide a circuit for the third harmonics of the
exciting current
 Wye / Wye connection

IA Ia
A a
VAB VAN Van Vab

B VBN N n Vcn b
VCN Vbn

C c
Figure 11.2.3
 Single Phase Diagram of 3 phase transformers

T ra ns form er
S u p p ly Three-phase network supplies a load
L oad
N etw o rk through a transformer.
Y -Y

V net_AN V AN V an V load_an
X net X tr_s
A
Ia a
IA
n
Equivalent circuit of the wye-wye
N

Supply Network Transformer Load

Xnet Xtr_s
Single-phase equivalent circuit for phase
IA Ia A of the three-phase wye-wye
Vnet_AN VAN Van Vload_an transformer system

Figure 11.2.4 Single Phase Diagram of 3 phase transformers

 Wye / Delta connection

IA Ia
A a
a Iac
VAB VAN
Ib Vab
Iba c
VCA B VBN VCN b V
ca

N Icb
b Vbc
VBC Ic
C c

Figure 11.2.5
Physical connections of 3 phase Transformers
VAN
Transformer
A IA Iba a Ia

AC
VAN Vab Iab
VBN VAB Vab
VCA Vca
B IB Icb b
Ib
Ica
Iac
AC
VBN Vbc Ibc
VCN VBC Vbc

C IC Iac c Ic

Load
AC
VCN Vca
Supply N

Figure 11.2.6 Wye-delta connected transformer

 Rtr_p Xtr_p Xtr_s Rtr_s
Tspe

IA Ia
Rc Xm VAN Van Vs_an
Vp_AN

Y-∆

Figure 11.2.7 Single-phase equivalent circuit of a wye-delta transformer

 Delta / Wye connection

IA Ia
A Vbn
a
IAB
VAB Vab
IB n Van I
b
VCA B ICA V b Vca
cn
VBC Ic Vbc
IBC
IC c
C
Figure 11.2.8
 Delta / Delta connection

IA Ia

A a
IAB Iba
VAB Vab
B ICA Iac
b

c
C

Figure 11.2.9
 Table 11.2.1Three-phase Transformer Relations

Primary and Secondary Voltage Phase

Transformer Connection Phase Shift* Windings Placed on the Same Leg
Relation

Wye-Wye VAN is in phase with Van Zero A and a

Wye-Delta VAN is in phase with Vab 30° A and ab

Delta-Wye VAB is in phase with Van –30° AB and a

Delta-Delta VAB is in phase with Vab Zero AB and ab

* Note: Phase shift lead between line-to-line voltages, VAB and Vab, and line-to-neutral voltages, VAN and Van, and line currents,
IA and Ia.
 Three-phase transformer - Phase shift
• Y-∆

• VAB // Va

• VAB leads Vab by 30o

• ∆-Y also provides line-to-line phase

shift

• Y-Y and ∆-∆ connections have no

phase shift

Figure 11.2.10
 Three-phase transformer - single-phase equivalent circuit

• Validity conditions:

• Identical transformers balanced

source and load

• Only one phase variables are used,

• the other phases are similar. ∆-Y transformation

• equivalent Y-representation

• line-to-neutral = phase voltage

Figure 11.2.11 a, b, c, and d

 Three-phase transformer - open delta connection

• One phase can be removed

• Operation at reduced load

• Possible only in ∆ - ∆ connection

Pab = Vab I a cos(30 + φ )

Pab = Vbc Ic cos(30 − φ )

PV = Pab + Pbc = 2VI cos(30° )

P∆ = 3VI

PV 2 cos30°
= = 0.58
P∆ 3

Figure 11.2.12 a, and b

 Three-phase transformer unit
• Balanced three-phase voltage
• Balanced three-phase flux
• Return leg can be removed
• In-plan construction easy to
• manufacture
• Same operation as transformer bank

Figure 11.2.13 a, b, c, and d

 Example 11-1

Three-single phase transformers are connected grounded Y-Y to two three

phase loads connected in ∆ and Y

a) Draw single-line diagram.

b) The single-phase equivalent circuit with transformer referred to HV side.

Solution:
c
VφP 240 120 VφS

VLS
VLP
100kVA
5%

a
240
120

100kVA
5%

b
240
120

100kVA
SL1 = 75kVA SL2 = 24kVA
5%
Pf = 0.9 lagging Pf = 0.9 leading
 a)

~
300KVA
415/207.6 SS1 SL2
5%
Y-Y

VLP = 240x 3 = 415.2V

VLS = 120x 3 = 207.6V

b)
(J.05) ZbHV

S1φ S2φ

240 120
100KVA

S1 = 25 kVA S 2 = 8 KVA
φ Φ
c)
Vb=240 J.05 Vb=120

S1p.u. S2p.u.

Sb=100KVA

1. Y-Y 2. Y-∆ 3. ∆ -Y 4. ∆ - ∆

VLP 3 Vφ P
Y-Y = =a
VLS 3 Vφ S
 Y-∆
a

a’
b NP1 NS2
NP2 NS3
VφP
NS1
VLP b’

NP3 VφS VLS

c’

b’
b
V φP N P 1 N S 1 V φS

a’
V L P
a
N P 2 N S 2

c’
c
N P 3 N S 3

VLP = 3VΦP VLS = VΦS

The voltage ratio of each phase

VΦP
= a
VΦS

The line voltage ratio

V LP 3V Φ P VLP
= = 3a a=
V Ls VΦS 3VLS
From the above

V LP
V LP VΦP
a = = 3
=
3V LS V LS V LS
„ Y-∆. The secondary voltage is shifted 30° relative to the primary voltage.

c’
c

a HV Vb’c’ Vc’a’

30°

Va’n LV b’ a’
HV Va’b’
b
LV
„ Because of the phase shift. transformers can not be connected in
parallel unless they have proper phase sequence. (i.e. They are in
phase with each other).

„ Y Y parallel Y- ∆ ? NO

„ Y- ∆ parallel Y- ∆ ? Yes. However, you must identify the correct

phase sequence.
 V φS
∆-Y +
V φP
a’
V LP
- V LS

b’
c’

VLP = VΦP VLS = 3VΦS

VLP VΦP a 3VLP

= = ⇒a=
VLS 3VΦs 3 VLS
3VLP VLP VΦP
From above we have
a= = =
VLS VLS VΦS
3
„ For ∆-Y connection, the secondary Voltage Lags the primary Voltage by
30°

a N S2
V φP ∆-∆ a’
+ +
V LP N P1 V LS
- N S3 b’
-
V φS
N S1
b c’
c

VLP = VΦP VLS = VΦS

V LP V Φ P
= =a
V LS V Φ S for ∆-∆
3- Phase Real Power Transformer
Appliances Transformer
 Harmonics in Transformer

Harmonics in transformer occur due to the effect of saturation and Hysteresis which are
to produce non-sinusoidal current if the applied voltage is sinusoidal.

Upon saturation, the flux waveform is flat topped and contains mainly 3rd harmonic
component.
 Effects of harmonic currents

(i) Additional I2R losses due to circulating currents .

(ii) Increased iron loss in core.

(iii) Magnetic interference with protective gear and communication circuits.

 Effects of harmonic voltages

(i) Increased dielectric stress.

(ii) Electric field interference with communication circuit.

(ii) Harmonic resonance may occur between the inductance of

transformer windings and the capacitance of a feeder to which it is
connected.
 In 3-ph Supply System (1/2)

• Star-connected with isolated neutral the line voltage contains no 3rd

harmonic component and 3rd harmonic current is precluded.

• Star connected with neutral wire, the 3rd harmonic currents can flow and
still no 3rd harmonic line voltages.
 In 3-ph Supply System (2/2)

• Delta Connected, the 3rd harmonic emf’s around the 3-phase windings are
summed, which causes a circulating 3rd harmonic current around the 3-phase
windings.

• But the line voltages across any two lines contain no 3rd harmonic component,
since they are short circuited by the windings.