2/24/2017 DifferencebetweenPowerTransformerandDistributionTransformer|EEP

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DifferencebetweenPowerTransformerand
DistributionTransformer

Difference between Power Transformer and Distribution Transformer (photo credit: dorazioenterprises.com)

MainDifferences
Power transformers are used in transmission network of higher voltages for step-up and step down application
(400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV, 33kV) and are generally rated above 200MVA.

Distribution transformers are used for lower voltage distribution networks as a means to end user connectivity.
(11kV, 6.6 kV, 3.3 kV, 440V, 230V) and are generally rated less than 200 MVA.

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TransformerSize/InsulationLevel:

Power transformer is used for the transmission purpose at heavy load, high voltage greater than 33 KV &
100% efficiency. It also having a big in size as compare to distribution transformer, it used in generating station
and Transmission substation .high insulation level.

The distribution transformer is used for the distribution of electrical energy at low voltage as less than 33KV in
industrial purpose and 440v-220v in domestic purpose. It work at low efficiency at 50-70%, small size, easy in
installation, having low magnetic losses & it is not always fully loaded.

IronLossesandCopperLosses

Power Transformers are used in Transmission network so they do not directly connect to the consumers, so load
fluctuations are very less. These are loaded fully during 24 hrs a day, so Cu losses & Fe losses takes place
throughout day the specific weight i.e. (iron weight)/(cu weight) is very less.

The average loads are nearer to full loaded or full load and these are designed in such a way that maximum
efficiency at full load condition. These are independent of time so in calculating the efficiency only power basis is
enough.

Power Transformers are used in Distribution Network so directly connected to the consumer so load fluctuations
are very high. these are not loaded fully at all time so iron losses takes place 24hr a day and cu losses takes place
based on load cycle. the specific weight is more i.e. (iron weight)/(cu weight).average loads are about only 75% of
full load and these are designed in such a way that max efficiency occurs at 75% of full load.

As these are time dependent the all day efficiency is defined in order to calculate the efficiency.

Power transformers are used for transmission as a step up devices so that the I2r loss can be minimized for a
given power flow. These transformers are designed to utilize the core to maximum and will operate very much
near to the knee point of B-H curve (slightly above the knee point value).This brings down the mass of the core
enormously.

Naturally these transformers have the matched iron losses and copper losses at peak load (i.e. the maximum
efficiency point where both the losses match).

Distribution transformers obviously cannot be designed like this. Hence the all-day-efficiency comes into picture
while designing it. It depends on the typical load cycle for which it has to supply. Definitely Core design will be
done to take care of peak load and as well as all-day-efficiency. It is a bargain between these two points.

Power transformer generally operated at full load. Hence, it is designed such that copper losses are minimal.
However, a distribution transformer is always online and operated at loads less than full load for most of time.
Hence, it is designed such that core losses are minimal.

In Power Transformer the flux density is higher than the distribution transformer.

MaximumEfficiency

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The main difference between power and distribution transformer is distribution transformer is designed for
maximum efficiency at 60% to 70% load as normally doesnt operate at full load all the time. Its load depends
on distribution demand. Whereas power transformer is designed for maximum efficiency at 100% load as it always
runs at 100% load being near to generating station.

Distribution Transformer is used at the distribution level where voltages tend to be lower .The secondary
voltage is almost always the voltage delivered to the end consumer. Because of voltage drop limitations, it is
usually not possible to deliver that secondary voltage over great distances.

As a result, most distribution systems tend to involve many clusters of loads fed from distribution transformers,
and this in turn means that the thermal rating of distribution transformers doesnt have to be very high to support
the loads that they have to serve.
.

All day efficiency = (Output in KWhr) / (Input in KWhr) in 24 hrs which is always less than power efficiency.

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AboutAuthor//
Jignesh Parmar

jiguparmar - Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power System Control)

,B.E(Electrical). He is member of Institution of Engineers (MIE),India. Membership
No:M-1473586.He has more than 13 years experience in Transmission -Distribution-
Electrical Energy theft detection-Electrical Maintenance-Electrical Projects (Planning-
Designing-Technical Review-coordination -Execution). He is Presently associate with one
of the leading business group as a Deputy Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He has published
numbers of Technical Articles in "Electrical Mirror", "Electrical India", "Lighting India",
"Industrial Electrix"(Australian Power Publications) Magazines. He is Freelancer Programmer of Advance Excel
and design useful Excel base Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC, IEC,IEEE codes. He is Technical Blogger and
Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to Share his experience & Knowledge and help
technical enthusiasts to find suitable solutions and updating themselves on various Engineering Topics.

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