Three Phase Transformers

EE3003 Electrical Machines I

By:
A.Paranietharan
Electrical Engineer
Ceylon Electricity Board

Winding connections
Standard terminal marking of HV & LV windings of 3Phase Transformer,

Note: -

a1

a2

A1

A2

B1

B2

b1

b2

C1

C2

c1

c2

Voltage induced in all windings in a given leg are in-phase (because all

are wound in the

same sense)

There are three different options of connections,

1) Star
2) Delta
3) Zig-zag

Winding connections . . .
1. Star

A1

A2

A
1

B1
C1
N

B2
A

C2

C
1

B
2

B
1

Voltage Phasors Star connection

Winding connections . . .
2. Delta

A1

A2

C
2

B1

B2

A
1

C
1B
2

A
2

C1

C2
Voltage Phasors Delta connection

Winding connections . . .
3. Zig-zag
A1
B1

A2

A3

B2

B
3

C1

C
2

C
3

C1

A4
C2
A4

B4
C4

C3 A3
B3

B
1

C4
B2

B A2
4

A1

Voltage Phasors Zig zag connection

Winding connections . . .
Zig-zag . . .
voltage wise zig-zag connection gives only 86.6% star
voltage. However, zig-zag connection has very useful
aspects such as for creating artificial neutral point in an
isolated part of a system (e.g. Earthing transformer),
suppressing harmonics in case of harmonic rich loads (Power
Electronic converter systems) etc.

Per phase equivalent circuit

r1

r2

jx

V1

rc

jx

jxm

E1

r1 Primary winding resistance per phase

E2

V2

x1 Primary leakage reactance per phase

r2 Secondary winding resistance per phase x2 Secondary leakage reactance per phase
rc Core-loss resistance per phase
Xm Magnetizing reactance per phase
V1, V2 Primary and Secondary voltages per phase
I1, I2 Primary and Secondary currents per phase
E1, E2 Induced emf of Primary and Secondary per phase
N1, N2 Number of turns in the Primary and Secondary windings

Vector Symbol
The following shall be specified to identify a transformer in full,
1. Line voltage ratio
2. MVA capacity
3. Vector symbol

e.g. 33/11 kV, 5MVA, Dy11 transformer

Vector Symbol
Vector symbol has three parts,
a) Uppercase letter (D, Y or Z) signifying HV connection (Delta,

Star or Zig-zag)
b) Lowercase letter (d, y or z) signifying LV connection
c) Vector number representing the phase shift of LV side line

voltage with respect to HV side line voltage

- standard vector number is given as the Hour-No assuming
long hand (minute hand) to be at clock position 12.
For example vector number 11 implies Hour-hand (LV phasor)
at 11 & long hand at 12.
i.e. LV line voltage is 30 leading ahead of HV line voltage

Vector Symbol . . .
Hour No

Phase shift of LV line voltage

w.r.t HV line voltage

180

- 30

11

+30

Vector Symbol . . .
E.g.

Yd1

Y- HV side is in star
d LV side is in delta
1 LV line voltage is 30 lagging HV line voltage
If we have tertiary winding too, the vector symbol must contain its
information too.
E.g:

Yy0d11

Y- HV side is in star
y LV side is in star
0 LV line voltage in-phase with HV line voltage
d tertiary in delta
11 tertiary line voltage is 30 leading HV line voltage

Classes of 3 phase transformers:

There are four (04) basic classes,
1. Class 1 transformers
2. Class 2 transformers
3. Class 3 transformers
4. Class 4 transformers

The basis of classification is phase shift (of LV line voltage w.r.t

HV line voltage)

Classes of 3 phase transformers . . .

Class 1 transformers

0 phase shift

Class 2 transformers

180 phase shift

Class 3 transformers

- 30 phase shift

Class 4 transformers

+ 30 phase shift

Winding Interconnections
Each winding in a transformer is insulated to work at some
voltage rating and we must ensure that this rating is not
exceeded. Subject to this constraint we can decide any
suitable interconnection.

To put in a different way we can determine the

interconnection as per the given vector symbol.

Some of these interconnections are illustrated in the following

slides,

Winding Interconnections . . .
Yy0
A2
a2
A

C
1

Vector Diagram

B
1

a1

c2

b
1

b
2

A1

A2

a2

a1

B1

B2

b2

b1

C1

C2

c2

c1

Terminal connection

Winding Interconnections . . .
Dd0
C
2

Vector Diagram
C
1
A1

B1

1
A2

B2

a2

b2

a1

b1

Terminal connection
C1

C2

c2

c1

Winding Interconnections . . .
Yy6
A2
b1

c1

b2

C
1

a2

c2

Vector Diagram

B
1

a1

B
2

A1

A2

a1

a2

B1

B2

b1

b2

C1

C2

c1

c2

Terminal connection

Winding Interconnections . . .
Dy1
C

c2

b2

b1
a1

1B
2

A1

A
B2

Vector Diagram
a2

A2

c1

a2

a1

B1

B2

b2

b1

C1

C2

c2

c1

Terminal connection

Winding Interconnections . . .
Dy11
C

2B
1

A1

a2

A
B1

c b
1

A2

Vector Diagram

a1
2

c2

a2

a1

B1

B2

b2

b1

C1

C2

c2

c1

Terminal connection

Winding Interconnections . . .
Dz0

a4

A2
a3
c1

c2

c3

Vector Diagram

a2

A1
c4

A1

B1

C1

A2

B2

C2

a4
b4
c4

a3
b3
c3

a2
b
2

c2

a1
b1
c1

Terminal
connecti
on

Winding Interconnections . . .
i. Zy1
ii. Zy11
iii. Yd11
iv. Yd1

Effects of wrong polarity connection

When connecting transformer terminals especially polarity
connections, we
should not make errors, the consequences may be either fatal to
the
transformer or unexpected voltage outputs.
A2

A1

A2

B1

B2

C1

C2

Consider a polarity error in a Yy0 transformer,

A

C
1

C
2

a2

B
1

B
2

1
c2

a1

c
b
1

Correct connection of polarity

b
2

a2

a1

b2

b1

c2

c1

Effects of wrong polarity connection . . .

A1

A2

a2

a1

B1

B2

b2

b1

C1

C2

c1

c2

Erroneous connection with

LV winding c1c2 connected
with wrong polarity

A2
a2
c1

C
1

C
2

a1 c2

B
1

B
2

b
1

b
2

It results, unbalanced
3phase LV output.
Also phase shift
among 3 phases are
unbalanced.

Example
A Dz three phase transformer has 400V between lines in the low
side. What will
be three line voltages if one of the half sections of a low voltage
phase winding
is reconnected with reverse polarity?

Magnetization behaviour of 3 phase transformers

Magnetization:
To magnetize a transformer means to set magnetic flux in its iron
core.

Typical Magnetization Curve

Im

The iron core has a non-linear magnetic behaviour & this leads to
either non-linear magnetizing current or non-linear magnetic flux.

Magnetization behaviour of 3 phase transformers . . .

If the applied voltage is sinusoidal then the induced emf and

hence flux will be sinusoidal. Non-linear Im/ behaviour then

results in a non-sinusoidal Im. i.e. Harmonic rich Im. The dominant
is third harmonic current.

Im

Im

Magnetization behaviour of 3 phase transformers . . .

The graph in red shows magnetizing current containing a

significant amount of 3rd harmonic component can be as
high as 20% of fundamental component.

Magnetization behaviour of 3 phase transformers . . .

On the other hand, if magnetizing current Im is sinusoidal the
resulting flux will contain harmonics

Im

Flux waveforms becomes somewhat flat-top waveforms

containing 3rd harmonics.

Magnetization behaviour of 3 phase transformers . . .

This harmonic rich current or flux can influence the
operation of a three phase transformer. Harmonic flux
produces harmonic induced voltages. In particular,

Harmonic rich magnetizing current can raise losses

significantly and produce interference with
communication systems

Harmonic voltage can apply significant stresses on

transformer insulation and produce interference with
communication systems

Case 1:

Yy transformer without neutral

Third harmonic magnetizing current can not exist (They are

co-phasal and can not add to zero when there is no neutral)
Therefore, flux should contain third harmonic voltage and
can be as high as 60% of fundamental

Case 1:

Yy transformer without neutral . . .

Va

Va1
1 , Vb1, Vc1 fundamental frequency induced voltages
Va3

Va3, Vb3, Vc3 3rd harmonic frequency induced voltages

Presence of 3rd harmonic voltage in phase windings does not

result in a 3rd harmonic voltage between lines.
VAC = (Va1 + Va3) (Vc1 + Vc3)
= Va1 Vc1

Case 1:

Yy transformer without neutral . . .

Fundamental frequency line voltage and additional 3 rd harmonic

component in the phase voltage causes the neutral voltage to
fluctuate.

locus of neutral voltage

Illustration of neutral voltage fluctuation in Yy transformer

without neutral

Case 2:

Yy transformer without neutral (Core type)

As in case 1 the transformer can not carry 3 rd harmonic

magnetizing current. Because of the three limb core
structure, the core can not support third harmonic flux either.
Therefore, this transformer does not contain third harmonic
current or voltage problems.
Some small voltage 3rd harmonic flux can flow via
transformer oil, leading to some 3 rd harmonic voltage in the
phases. We minimize this problem too either by keeping a
sufficient clearance between the core and the transformer
tank or by inserting an iron-ring enclosing the core.

Yy transformer with neutral

Case 3:

Im

3I
m

Im
Im

3rd harmonic current can exist in the lines, so flux will be

sinusoidal. There will be no 3rd harmonic voltage problem.
If the length of lines carrying 3rd harmonic current is larger
the risk of interference with communication systems (& also
losses) will be greater.

Case 4: Yd transformer without neutral

Third harmonic current can not exist in the lines. The tendency then will be
to create 3rd harmonic flux and voltage.
If a 3rd harmonic component is created they will be added on at the delta
secondary creating large 3rd harmonic circulating current and thereby cancel
off the original inducing 3rd harmonic flux in the core and hence 3rd harmonic
voltage goes down to a negligible level, about 1% of fundamental voltage.
Therefore, this transformer does not have 3rd harmonic current or voltage
problem.

Case 4: Yyd transformer without neutral

Y
d

Case 4: Yyd transformer without neutral . . .

Here too, we have no 3rd harmonic current or voltage problem

Delta tertiary can feed auxiliary services, and provides access

to connection of external devices such as VAR compensators.

Unbalanced Loading:
Some transformer connection can not support unbalanced
loads.

a
I

I/2
I/2

b
c

Yy transformer with load on one phase (phase a) only.

Unbalanced Loading . . .
On the primary, current I appears in phase A because the load
is on phase a (in secondary). This I comes via phases B and C,
each giving I/2. There are no current in phases b and c (in according) to
keep ampere-turn balance. So the total I/2 of each becomes magnetizing
current. Flux in cores B and C will now be large and accordingly voltages.

Voltage collapse at the load in Yy transformer

Transformer losses & Efficiency

The amount power input to the transformer not converted to
useful format is considered as loss.
Transformer losses can be categorized into two,
1. Core losses (Iron losses)
a)

Hysteresis losses

b)

Eddy current losses

2. Copper losses (Ohmic losses)

Efficiency = Power output / Power input in p.u.

where, Power input = Power output + losses

Parallel operation of Transformer

Advantages of parallel operation:

Power system becomes more reliable

Ease the maintenance of transformers without shutting down the

system

Requirements for parallel operation:

a)

Identical voltage ratings

b)

Same phase sequence

c)

Equivalent leakage impedances

d)

Same ratio of equivalent leakage reactance to equivalent

resistance

e)

Shall be connected properly by considering the polarity