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Home / Technical Articles / Autotransformer Connection Explained
Posted Jul 2 2012 by jiguparmar in Energy and Power, Transformers with 0 Comments
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Autotransformer Connection
http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/autotransformer-connection-explained?goback=%2Egde_118369_member_129718527 (1 de 10)3/7/2012 09:32:47
Explained
July 2, 2012
Engineering Trainings
High efficiency autotransformer with 6%, 4%, 2% tap settings (photo by Legend Power)
Autotransformer Connection
An Ordinary Transformer consists of two windings called primary winding and secondary winding. These two
windings are magnetically coupled and electrically isolated. But the transformer in which a part of windings is
common to both primary and secondary is called Autotransformer.
In Autotransformer two windings are not only magnetically coupled but also electrically coupled. The input to the
transformer is constant but the output can be varied by varying the tapings.
The autotransformer is both the most simple and the most fascinating of the connections involving two windings.
It is used quite extensively in bulk power transmission systems because of its ability to multiply the effective KVA
capacity of a transformer. Autotransformers are also used on radial distribution feeder circuits as
voltage regulators.
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Electrical Training
The primary and secondary windings of a two winding transformer have induced emf in them due to a common
mutual flux and hence are in phase. The currents drawn by these two windings are out of phase by 180. This
prompted the use of a part of the primary as secondary. This is equivalent to common the secondary turns into
primary turns.
Technical Categories
The common section need to have a cross sectional area of the conductor to carry (I2I1) ampere. Total number
of turns between A and C are T1. At point B a connection is taken. Section AB has T2 turns. As the volts per turn,
which is proportional to the flux in the machine, is the same for the whole winding, V1 : V2 = T1 : T2
When the secondary winding delivers a load current of I2 Ampere the demagnetizing ampere turns is I2T2. This
will be countered by a current I1 flowing from the source through the T1 turns such that,
I1T1 = I2T2
A current of I1 ampere flows through the winding between B and C. The current in the winding between A and B
is ( I2 I1 ) ampere. The cross section of the wire to be selected for AB is proportional to this current assuming a
constant current density for the whole winding. Thus some amount of material saving can be achieved compared
to a two winding transformer. The magnetic circuit is assumed to be identical and hence there is no saving in the
same.
To quantify the saving the total quantity of copper used in an autotransformer is expressed as a fraction of that
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This means that an autotransformer requires the use of lesser quantity of copper given by the
ratio of turns. This ratio therefore the savings in copper.
As the space for the second winding need not be there, the window space can be less for an autotransformer,
giving some saving in the lamination weight also. The larger the ratio of the voltages, smaller is the savings. As
T2 approaches T1 the savings become significant. Thus autotransformers become ideal choice for close ratio
transformations.
The autotransformer shown in Figure 2 above is connected as a boosting autotransformer because the series
winding boosts the output voltage. Care must be exercised when discussing primary and secondary
voltages in relationship to windings in an autotransformer.
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In two-winding transformers, the primary voltage is associated with the primary winding, the secondary voltage is
associated with the secondary winding, and the primary voltage is normally considered to be greater than the
secondary voltage. In the case of a boosting autotransformer, however, the primary (or high) voltage is
associated with the series winding, and the secondary (or low) voltage is associated with the common winding;
but the voltage across the common winding is higher than across the series winding.
The Y-Y connection must share a common neutral between the high-voltage and low-voltage windings,
so the neutrals of the circuits connected to these windings cannot be isolated.
A autotransformer connection is theoretically possible; however, this will create a peculiar phase shift. The
phase shift is a function of the ratio of the primary to secondary voltages and it can be calculated from the vector
diagram.
This phase shift cannot be changed or eliminated and for this reason, autotransformers are very seldom
connected as transformers.
Application
Used in electrical apparatus testing labs since the voltage can be smoothly and continuously varied.
1. If we use normal transformer the size of transformer will be very high which leads to heavy weight, more
copper and high cost.
2. The tertiary winding used in Autotransformer balances single phase unbalanced loads connected to
secondary and it does not pass on these unbalanced currents to Primary side. Hence Harmonics and
voltage unbalance are eliminated.
3. Tertiary winding in the Autotransformer balances amp turns so that Autotransformer achieves magnetic
separation like two winding transformers.
TAGS
autotransformer, primary, ratio, secondary, transformer, voltage, winding, windings
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