Distribution Transformer

The step down transformers used for electric power distribution purpose are
referred as distribution transformer. There are several types of transformer used in
the distribution system. Such as single phase transformer, three phase transformer, pole
mounted transformer, pad mounted transformer, and underground transformer.
Distribution transformers are generally small in size and filled with insulating oil.
These transformers are available in the market in various sizes and efficiencies.
Selection of distribution transformer depends upon the purpose and budget of the end
users.

Efficiency of Distribution Transformer

The efficiency of distribution transformer is defined as the ratio between
output power to input power of the transformer at full load condition, but in
case of a distribution transformer, the concept is a little bit different as the
possibility of running a distribution transformer at its full load condition is
nearly nil. The efficiency of the transformer is maximum at 50% of full load.

A transformer has mainly two types of losses, these are, iron losses
and copper losses. Iron loss, which is also referred as core loss, consists of
hysteresis loss and eddy current loss. These two losses are constant when
the transformer is charged. That means the amount of these losses does not
depend upon the condition of secondary load of the transformer. In all
loading condition, these are fixed. But the copper loss which is also referred
as I2R loss entirely depends upon load I. A distribution transformer cannot
be run with constant load throughout 24 hours. At day peak time its loading
is high, whereas in night lean time its loading may be negligible. So selecting
a transformer depending upon its conventional efficiency is not practical and
economical, too. As a solution of these problems, the concept of all day
efficiency of distribution transformer came into the picture. So this efficiency is same
as the efficiency of distribution transformer.

In this concept, we use the ratio of total energy delivered by the transformer to
the total energy fed to the transformer, during a 24 hrs span of time instead of ratio of
power output and input of the transformer. Hence, all day efficiency is determined as,
total KWh at the secondary to the total KWh at the primary of the transformer for
a long specific time period preferably 24 hrs. i.e,
 This is very much useful to judge the performance of a distribution transformer,
whose primary is connected to the system forever, but secondary load varies
tremendously throughout the day.

Secondary Terminals of Distribution Transformer

Secondary terminals of distribution transformer deliver electrical power at a utilization

voltage level to the consumer end via energy metering system.

In case of three phase distribution system three phase four wire secondary systems are
adopted. Here, three phases, which means red, yellow and blue phase conductors,
come out from three low voltage bushing studs of the transformer. The neutral wire is
connected to the fourth bushing which is also referred as a neutral bushing of the
transformer.

The neutral point of the distribution transformer is projected from the tie point of 3
phase winding inside the transformer. In case of industrial heavy three phase load, four
wire system is directly delivered to the consumer end, but in case of single phase light
load, one phase and neutral connection of the three phase distribution transformer, are
connected to the consumers energy meter.
The secondary terminals of distribution transformer at first are connected to the three
phase bus of distribution kiosk, located nearby the transformer. This connection is
essentially made via a fuse unit to provide protection from external fault to the
transformer. From this three phase bus in the distribution kiosk, different, three phase or
single phase service mains or sub distributors are connected.

Classification of Transformers

1. As per phase
Single Phase
Three Phase

2. As per Core

Core Type

The secondary terminals of distribution transformer at first is connected to

the three phase bus of distribution kiosk, located nearby the transformer.
This connection is essentially made via a fuse unit to provide protection
from external fault to the transformer. From this three phase bus in the
distribution kiosk, different, three phase or single phase service mains or
sub distributors are connected.
 Shell type
In shell-type transformers the core surrounds a considerable portion of the
windings. The comparison is shown in the figure below.

The coils are form-wound but are multi layer disc type usually wound in the form of
pancakes. Paper is used to insulate the different layers of the multi-layer discs. The
whole winding consists of discs stacked with insulation spaces between the coils.
These insulation spaces form the horizontal cooling and insulating ducts. Such a
transformer may have the shape of a simple rectangle or may also have a distributed
form. Both designs are shown in the figure below:
A strong rigid mechanical bracing must be given to the cores and coils of the
transformers. This will help in minimizing the movement of the device and also
prevents the device from getting any insulation damage. A transformer with good
bracing will not produce any humming noise during its working and will also reduce
vibration.

A special housing platform must be provided for transformers. Usually, the device is
placed in tightly-fitted sheet-metal tanks filled with special insulating oil. This oil is
needed to circulate through the device and cool the coils. It is also responsible for
providing the additional insulation for the device when it is left in the air.

3. As per cooling System

Self Cooled
Air Cooled
Oil Cooled
Distribution Transformer Location

INOVERHEAD
In overhead distribution systems(mostly in rural or suburban areas)small transformers,
either single- phase or three phase, maybe mounted directly on the overhead line poles
where as larger transformers are mounted on special frames supported by a two-poles
structure.

UNDERGROUND
Distribution transformers can be installed in ventilated underground or above-ground
vaults, away from public access. Depending on the type of distribution system and the
vaults exposure to standing water, the transformer maybe referred to as vault-type,
network, or submersible. It is dry type based.

PADMOUNTS
Outdoor transformers utilized as part of an underground distribution system, have three
separate enclosed compartments for high voltage equipment, for low voltage equipment
and for the transformer itself and are known as packaged transformer substations.

INTERIOR INSTALLATIONS
Building codes generally prohibit the installation of a distribution transformer containing
mineral oil inside or immediately adjacent to an occupied building. The options available
include use of a dry-type transformer and there placement of mineral oil with a less
flammable coolant.

Uses of Distribution Transformer

Used in pumping stations where the voltage level is below 33 KV

Power supply for the overhead wires railways electrified with AC
In urban areas, many houses are fed with single phase distribution transformer
and in rural areas, it may be possible that one house requires one single
transformer depending upon the loads.
Multiple distribution transformers are used for Industrial and commercial areas.
Used in wind farms where the electrical energy is generated by the windmills.
There it is used as a power collector to connect the substations which are away
from the wind energy generation system.

Transformer Connections

1. Star Delta
In this type of transformer connection, then primary is connected in star fashion
while the secondary is connected in delta fashion shown in the figure 1 below.
 Figure 1

The voltages on primary and secondary sides can be represented on the

phasor diagram as shown in the Figure 2 below.

Figure 2

Application:

It is commonly employed for power supply transformers. This type of connection

is commonly employed at the substation end of the transmission line. The main use
with this connection is to step down the voltage. The neutral available on the primary
side is grounded. It can be seen that there is phase difference of 30 between primary
and secondary line voltages.

Commonly used in a step-down transformer, Y connection on the HV side reduces

insulation costs the neutral point on the HV side can be grounded, stable with respect
to unbalanced loads. As for example, at the end of a transmission line. The neutral of
the primary winding is earthed.
In this system, line voltage ratio is 1/3 Times of transformer turn-ratio and secondary
voltage lags behind primary voltage by 30. Also third harmonic currents flow in the to
give a sinusoidal flux.

2. Delta Star

A delta-wye transformer is a type of three-phase electric power transformer design

that employs delta-connected windings on its primary and wye/star connected
windings on its secondary. A neutral wire can be provided on wye output side. It can
be a single three-phase transformer, or built from three independent single-phase
units. An equivalent term is delta-star transformer.

One possible delta-wye transformer configuration.

Delta-wye transformers are common in commercial, industrial, and high-density

residential locations, to supply three-phase distribution systems.
An example would be a distribution transformer with a delta primary, running on three 11
kV phases with no neutral or earth required, and a star (or wye) secondary providing a
3-phase supply at 415 V, with the domestic voltage of 240 available between each
phase and the earthed (grounded) neutral point.
The delta winding allows third-harmonic currents to circulate within the transformer, and
prevents third-harmonic currents from flowing in the supply line. Delta connected
windings are not common for higher transmission voltages (138 kV and above) owing to
the higher cost of insulation compared with a wye connection.
Delta-wye transformers introduce a 30, 150, 270 or 330 degree phase shift Thus they
cannot be paralleled with wye-wye (or delta-delta) transformers. However, they can be
paralleled with identical configurations and some different configurations of other delta-
wye (or wye-delta with some attention) transformers.
 Delta Star connection

3. Delta Delta
In this type of connection, both the three phase primary and secondary
windings are connected in delta as shown in the Figure 1

Delta Delta

The voltages on primary and secondary sides can be shown on the phasor
diagram (Figure 2)
Application

Suitable for large, low voltage transformers.

This type of connection is normally uncommon but used in some industrial
facilities to reduce impact of SLG faults on the primary system.
It is generally used in systems where it need to be carry large currents on
low voltages and especially when continuity of service is to be maintained
even though one of the phases develops fault.

Star Star

The windings of three phase transformers may be connected in by Y or in

the same manner as for three single phase transformer.

In Primary Winding Each Phase is120electrical degrees out of phase with the other
two phases.

In Secondary Winding Each Phase is120electrical degrees out of phase with the
other two phases.

Each primary winding is magnetically linked to one secondary winding through a

common core leg. Sets of windings that are magnetically linked are drawn parallel to
each other in the vector diagram. In the Y-Y connection, each primary and secondary
winding is connected to a neutral point.

The neutral point may or may not be brought out to an external physical connection
and the neutral may or may not be grounded.
Transformer magnetizing currents are not purely sinusoidal, even if the exciting
voltages are sinusoidal. The magnetizing currents have significant quantities of odd-
harmonic components. If three identical transformers are connected to each phase
and are excited by 60 Hz voltages of equal magnitude, the 60 Hz fundamental
components of the exciting currents cancel out each other at the neutral.

This is because the 60 Hz fundamental currents of A, B, and C phase are 120 out of
phase with one another and the vector sum of these currents is zero.

The third, ninth, fifteenth and other so-called zero-sequence harmonic currents are in
phase with each other; therefore, these components do not cancel out each other at
the neutral but add in phase with one another to produce a zero-sequence neutral
current, provided there is a path for the neutral current to flow.

Due to the nonlinear shape of the B-H curve, odd-harmonic magnetizing currents are
required to support sinusoidal induced voltages. If some of the magnetizing current
harmonics are not present, then the induced voltages cannot be sinusoidal.

Application

This Type of Transformer is rarely used due to problems with unbalanced loads.

It is economical for small high voltage transformers as the number of turns per
phase and the amount of insulation required is less.