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February 2014, IEEMA Journal, Page 95 to 97

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Basics of Dual Ratio Transformer
Dr K Rajamani and Bina Mitra, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd., Mumbai
1.0 Introduction
Dual ratio transformer has been used both in utilities as well as industries where
the input can be from two sources at different voltage levels. As an example,
some power transformers in Reliance Mumbai Distribution System are either
connected to upstream 33 kV or 22 kV supply. These voltage levels have
evolved over time. Similarly in industries, the old connection to grid can be at one
voltage level and the additional (new) connection can be at different voltage
level. However the user may like to use either of connection as per availability of
supply. In these cases, dual ratio transformer is specified, with primary having
two voltage levels. The article explains the concepts behind functioning of dual
ratio transformer.
2.0 Primary connection
For illustration purposes, typical transformer used in Mumbai Distribution System
is considered. The rating of transformer is 33 22 / 11 kV, 20MVA, Dzn10.
Secondary current, I
s
= 20
(3 x 11)
= 1050 A
Primary current at 33 kV,
P
3
= 20
(3 x 33)
= 350 A
Primary current at 22 kV,
P
2
= 20
(3 x 22)
= 525 A
Transformer theory demands the following:
(a) Ampere Turns (AT) balance: Primary AT = Secondary AT
(b) Volts per turn (V/T) equality: V/T of Primary = V/T of Secondary
N
S
: Total number of turns in secondary
N
P
3
: Total number of turns in primary for 33 kV connection
N
P
2
: Total number of turns in primary for 22 kV connection
The secondary voltage (11 kV) is same for both 33 kV and 22 kV primary
connections.

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2.1 AT Balance
Primary is connected either in series connection or series parallel connection.
The selector switch for winding connection is mounted on tank and is operated
off line. Refer Fig 1.













Fig. 1

P
3
x N
P
3
=
P
2
x N
P
2

=
S
x N
S

(N
P
3
/ N
P
2
) = (
P
2
/
P
3
)
= (525 / 350)
= 1.5 .(1)
Series Connection:
Primary AT at 33 kV =
P
3
x 6 N
Series Parallel Connection:
Primary AT at 22 kV = [2 x
P
2
x N + 4 x {(
P
2
/2) x N}]
= 4 x
P
2
x N
= 4 x 1.5
P
3
x N
=
P
3
x 6 N
Thus Primary AT is same for both 33 kV and 22 kV connections.


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2.2 V/T equality
As shown in Fig 2, the series connection or series parallel connection satisfies
the Volts / Turn equality.
In both cases, flux = V = 5.5
T N















Fig. 2
3.0 Tap Step Size
If primary winding has taps, the step size as percentage of rated voltage will be
different for both connections. Assume N turns are shorted in both cases. Refer
Fig 3.



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Fig. 3
Step size for 33 kV,
3
= (N / 6N) x 100%
Step size for 22 kV,
2
= (N / 4N) x 100%

2
= 1.5
3

If
3
is 1.2%,
2
= 1.8%
This is further illustrated with an example in Table-I. The transformer rating is 20
MVA, 33-22/11kV. The on load tap changer (OLTC) has 10 taps (+5.4% to -
10.8% for 22 kV and +3.6% to -.7.2% for 33 kV). The number of turns shorted is
same for 33 / 22 kV. Voltage change for each tap is 396V.
Table-I
Tap No
Tap Step
(%)
Primary Voltage
22 kV
Tap Step
(%)
Primary
Voltage 33 kV
1 +5.4 23,188 +3.6 34,188
2 +3.6 22,792 +2.4 33,792
3 +1.8 22,396 +1.2 33,396
4(N) 0 22,000 0 33,000
5 -1.8 21,604 -1.2 32,604
6 -3.6 21,208 -2.4 32,208
7 -5.4 20,812 -3.6 31,812

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Table-I
Tap No
Tap Step
(%)
Primary Voltage
22 kV
Tap Step
(%)
Primary
Voltage 33 kV
8 -7.2 20,416 -4.8 31,416
9 -9.0 20,020 -6.0 31,020
10 -10.8 19,624 -7.2 30,624
Secondary Voltage at all taps 11 kV
Voltage change for one tap = 396V at all taps and for 22 kV and 33 kV.
4.0 Losses
No load loss will be same for 33 kV and 22 kV since volts per turn (flux) is same
in both cases. However load loss at 22 kV will be higher than at 33 kV. For
example, test results for a 20 MVA transformer are given below:
Ratio No load loss (KW) Load loss (KW)
33 / 11 kV 12.17 74.81
22 / 11 kV 12.17 86.59

For normal design, load loss can be
guaranteed at one ratio only. The loss at
other ratio will change correspondingly.
Refer Fig 4.
Let R be the resistance per N turns.
Load loss at 33 kV, P
3
=
3
2
x 6 N x R
Load loss at 22 kV, P
2

= [2 x
2
2
x N x R] + [4 x (
2
/2)
2
x N x R]
=
2
2
x 3N x R
P
2
/ P
3
= (
2
/

3
)
2
/ 2
= 1.5
2
/ 2
= 1.125
Load loss at 22 kV will be 12.5% higher
than at 33 kV.
Fig. 4

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It is possible to design a transformer with same load loss at 33 kV and 22 kV.
This will be a special design in which
part of the winding will have different
cross section. Refer Fig 5.
The resistance of N turns of part
winding is only 70% (0.7R). The
corresponding increase in cross
section is 43% (1/0.7 = 1.43).
Load loss at 33 kV, P
3

=
3
2
x 4N x R + 2 x
3
2
x N x 0.7R
= 5.4
3
2
x N x R
Load loss at 22 kV, P
2

= [2 x
2
2
x N x 0.7R]
+ [4 x (
2
/2)
2
x N x R]
= 2.4 x
2
2
x N x R
= 2.4 x (1.5
3
)
2
x N x R
= 5.4
3
2
x N x R Fig. 5
Load losses at 33 kV and 22 kV are same. This is achieved by increasing the
cross section of part of the winding. This will result in increased cost of
transformer. Unless both ratios will be used for approximately same amount of
time, it is not recommended to specify same load losses at both the voltage
ratios.
5.0 Conclusion
Dual winding transformers are used only in special circumstances and intricacies
involved are not generally known. The concepts behind dual winding transformer
operation are explained here. This article will be very helpful to practicing
engineers during specification stage.







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Comments from Scrutineers and Authors Replies

1.0 Scrutineers Comment
The author should discuss the advantages and disadvantages of dual ratio
transformer including cost, space required for installation etc; when
compared to single ratio units.

Authors Reply:
Dual ratio transformer is procured only in cases the applied voltage could be from
any of two sources with different voltage levels. In this case, the same
transformer could be used to connect two different voltage sources. The voltage
selection (carried out in off line mode) is done easily, for example, using a
rotating wheel (see Fig 6).












Fig. 6
There are no disadvantages that are specific only to dual ratio transformer.
Regarding the cost, the cost of 33-22/ 11 kV, 20/25 MVA dual ratio transformer is
about 15% higher than the cost of 33 / 11 kV, 20/25 MVA single ratio
transformer.
The foot prints for both transformers are nearly same and there is no significant
difference. Approximate overall dimensions of the above transformers are 6.5 x
5.5 x 5.2 M (L x B x H).