TRANSFORMERS, COOLING METHODS AND WINDINGS

Group 12 / 16.3.2016

Power transformers are being used to transfer electric energy between the generation stations and primary
distribution networks. They are used to step up voltage level at the generating stations before being
transferred and further stepped down at sub transmission networks. These power transformers are big in
size and they generally have high insulation levels.

In addition, another type of transformers found in power systems is the distribution transformers which are
used to distribute energy throughout distribution networks for local consumption. These transformers step
voltage down to the domestic consumer voltage level [usually 400 V or less].

Distribution transformers have different sizes and application areas; for example, pad mount transformers
are designed for use at shopping centers, schools, and office buildings. Also, medium-size distribution
transformers are used to step down three phase high voltage to low voltage for energy distribution mainly
in metropolitan area and industrial applications, while small-size distribution transformer are mainly used in
country side or low populated areas.

Pole mounted transformers are generally single phase and oil immersed. They are suitable for residential
loads, light commercial or industrial loads.

Potential or current transformer are used as instrumentation transformers to accurately and safely represent
voltage, current or phase position of high voltage or high power circuits.

Cooling arrangements
There are several factors contributing to power losses in transformers. These are copper losses, which
represent the major source of losses in a transformer, and core losses; namely hysteresis and eddy current
losses. These losses components are produced in the form of heat energy which should be dissipated in a
quick and rather efficient manner. If the transformer has otherwise failed to get rid of such heat generated,
many problems could arise and in some cases severe consequences may occur. In fact, the improperly
dissipated heat would further accumulate and thus cause the transformer temperature to increase. This
process may lead to failure of paper insulation and liquid insulation medium of the transformer. Furthermore,
excessive heat may result in damage of the transformer windings, the matter which, in particular, is
considered as a catastrophe for expensive high power rating transformers. Therefore, numerous ways are
introduced to keep the temperature within acceptable limits which in turn would help to maintain a long
lifetime of the transformer.

Various types of cooling arrangements have been used in transformers. These different cooling schemes are
identified in electrical standards and are given the following naming convention.

For Oil-Immersed Transformers

ONAN Cooling of Transformer
This method stands for Oil Natural Air Natural. The cooling purpose is achieved by that the hot mineral oil is
naturally circulated throughout loaded transformer through convection. In this simple cooling method, cold
oil replaces the hot oil already flown to the top part of the transformer tank. This heat carried by the
insulating medium is dissipated out to the ambient atmosphere through walls of transformer tank. All heat
transfer mechanisms [i.e. conduction, convection, and radiation] are employed in this process. This implies
the dissipation- process dependence on the tank surface area. That is why radiators or tubes/fins are usually
used to effectively solve the tradeoff between the required increase in surface area available for heat transfer
and the undesired increase in tank size. While these radiator banks are utilized for larger transformers,
integrated fins are however used for smaller ones. Generally, this method of transformer cooling is used with
low rating distribution-type transformers.

ONAF Cooling of Transformer

This method stands for Oil Natural Air Forced. For larger transformers units, electric fans can be installed as
a mean for forced air cooling. This method depends in principal on blowing air on the cooling dedicated
surface. This way it can thus accelerate the rate of dissipation of heat generated. This is due the increased
amount of air pushed across the surface, which makes this cooling method offer improved cooling
performance compared to ONAN method. The transformer loading capacity is therefore allowed to be
increased by about 20-30 % without being at risk exceeding the temperature limits. It is worth noting in this
arrangement that, similar to ONAN, natural convectional flow still govern the circulation of heated oil. This
cooling method best suits large step up and step down outdoor transformers used in transmission power
networks.

OFAF Cooling of Transformer

This method stands for Oil Forced Air Forced. It had been found that the underlying principal of increasing
the heat removal rate could be further improved when an accelerating force is applied to the circulation path
of oil in the transformer tank. In this regard, oil pumps are used in large transformers where the radiators
and fans do not suffice to meet their cooling requirements. In addition, from an economic perspective, it may
be advantageous to benefit from this methods much lower space requirements when compared to those
imposed by simple radiator batteries. These compact circulation pumps have their motors already
submerged into oil. Noise levels produced are deemed to be very low in comparison to that produced by the
transformer equipment itself.

OFWF Cooling of Transformer

This method stands for Oil Forced Water Forced. Water can be considered a better substitute for air as a
medium for heat exchange. For same climate conditions, this is due to water temperature is much lower than
that of air. Although oil is forced toward the heat exchanger using pumps similar to OFAF method; however,
this time the heat exchanger used is an oil to water one. The cooling process is achieved through cold water
being sprayed over the hot oil flowing through the exchangers piping system. Two coolers are used although
only one is sufficient for the transformer operation; however, a tripping action should be activated if both
fails. The water coolers are positively compact in size yet they can be negatively affected by the transformer
environmental operating conditions. This is especially true in very low temperature surroundings where
water may freezes and in very hot climate where abundance of water should be secured for proper operation.
Moreover, the problem of water tube materials subject to corrosion may call for utilization of more complex
materials like titanium during cooler manufacturing process. More importantly, ensuring totally sealed and
isolated systems is crucial to avoid risky leakage into oil. This type of cooling is used for very large power
transformers [above 500 MVA]

ODAF Cooling of Transformer

This method stands for Oil Directed Air Force. This transformer cooling scheme is the modified version of
OFAF. To ensure higher rate of heat clearance, guided flowing paths between the insulated windings inside
the transformer are provided for the oil coolant to pass through. This cooling method is specifically
appropriate for transformers with considerably high power ratings.

ODWF Cooling of Transformer

This method stands for Oil Directed Water Forced. This cooling system is similar to that discussed for ODAF
except for the fluid used for cooling down the hot oil. Instead of air, water is forced in the cooler as a cooling
system.

If Pumps and fans suffer breakdown for some reason and need to be inspected, this should be done without
affecting the service continuity of the transformer. Therefore various valves are used to make it possible, if
necessary, to temporarily disconnect individual oil circuits for maintenance or replacement. In addition, a
given transformer can have a combination of cooling types, for example ONAN/ONAF, to allow a change in
the type of cooling.

For Dry-type transformers

Self-air cooled (for transformers up to 3 MVA)

This method depends on the transformer surrounding air flow to naturally cool down the unit.

Forced Air Cooled (for transformers up to 15 MVA)

Air is pushed blowers to circulate through the transformer windings. This cause the air to heat up and then
it starts to be cooled by ambient natural air
Three-phase winding arrangements and their purpose
Transformers utilize windings to transfer electrical power between separate circuits. These windings can be
connected in several different ways, depending on the requirement. A three phase transformer has three
sets of primary and secondary windings. Each side can be connected in three different configurations, in star
(Y), delta (D) or zig-zag (Z).

A combination of letters are used to indicate which winding arrangement is used in a transformer, for
example, Dyn11. The first letter, which is capitalized, refers to the winding arrangement of the high voltage
primary side. While the second letter specifies the secondary sides winding configuration. If there is a letter
N/n after the winding letter, the winding is connected to neutral in the case of zig-zag or star winding.
Moreover, the phase displacement between the primary and secondary windings are expressed as a clock
hour number, ranging from 0 to 12 oclock. Each hour represents 30 degree lag between the secondary and
primary windings phase. In other words, the previously mentioned Dyn11 transformer has a delta-star
configuration, with a neutral connected secondary winding, and the low voltage side is lagging 330 degrees.

Star (wye), delta and zig-zag (interconnected star) windings

Vector groups
The different winding arrangements are divided into vector groups. They are separated according to their
phase differences between the primary and secondary winding. It is important to know the vector group
when connecting transformers in parallel. Since parallel connecting transformers with different vector groups
leads to large current flows between the transformers, consequently, damaging the transformers. Thus, the
transformer vector groups is generally indicated on the rating plate. Additionally, winding polarity should be
considered, since reversing the connections across a set of windings affects also the phase-shift. However,
the vector group does not affect the performance of the transformer.

Usage of different winding types

Different winding types are chosen according to the demands of the application. If there is a need to remove
specific harmonics, phase displacement should be considered and if there is a need for parallel transformers,
the vector group should be the same in both transformers. If there is a nonlinear load, Dyn11 might be a
solution. Neutral point can be used in star or zig-zag windings, if the neutral point needs to be grounded or
there is an unbalanced load. The neutral point in star winding without delta is not stable. If the application
has higher voltage in comparison to current, in star connection voltage over one winding is 57,7 % from the
mains voltage and current in the winding is the phase current. Then again in D-winding the current is 57,7 %
and voltage is the phase voltage.

Delta-star and star-delta (Dy, Yd)

Dyn11 is widely used in the distribution networks as a step-down
transformer with high rated power, it is commonly used in commercial,
industrial and high density residential locations. The delta-part reduces the
third harmonics, and the star provides a neutral point. For example when
using Dyn11, 11 kV system has zero phase shift compared with the 400 kV
system. In delta-star the transformer does not require 4-wire input. In
delta-star 3-wire primary feeder supplies a 4-wire secondary circuit, and the
secondary coil is connected to neutral. The Dy system also reduces zero-
sequence fluxes and associated currents.

YNd1 in can be used as step-up or generator transformers, especially when

using Dyn11. In this case YNd1 will neutralize the phase angle created by Dyn11.

Star-star (Yy)
Star-star-connected transformers can be used as a system tie-up transformer. Under a balanced load the
star-star connection operates like three separate single phase transformers. The configuration is simpler than
most of the connection types, and provides 0 phase shift. The system is not, however, useful when the load
is unbalanced and the zero sequence component is not eliminated, and in case of a line-to-earth fault, the
fault flow through the transformer. This can be eliminated by adding a tertiary winding in delta. The
transformer YY0 can be used when connecting for example two delta sides, so that both sides can be
grounded. Yy-transformers can also be converted to autotransformers.

Delta-delta (Dd)
The advantages of using Dd connection is, that if one winding fails, it can still be operated in reduced capacity
(57,7 %). Using delta-delta connected transformers is practical in remote locations where the replacement
service is not necessary always available.

References:

Sen, P.C. (1997). Principles of Electric Machines and Power Electronics. Second Edition. New York. John wiley
& sons.

https://dotorresg.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/abbtransformerhandbook.pdf

http://ecetutorials.com/transformer/types-of-transformers/

http://www.electrical4u.com/transformer-cooling-system-and-methods/

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/transformer-cooling-classes

Elovaara, Harla; Shkverkot II: verkon suunnittelu, jrjestelmt ja laitteet s. 142

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/transformer-routine-test-measurement-voltage-ratio-phase-
displacement

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/understanding-vector-group-transformer-1
http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/transformer/three-phase-transformer.html

http://www.noratel.com/fileadmin/content/downloads/school/3phTransformer.pdf

The J & P Transformer Book, 12th edition p.18

http://www.aeso.ca/downloads/4040.002-Rev02_Transformer_Modelling_Guide.pdf