WHAT IS Transformer?

a device that transfers an alternating current from one circuit to one or more other
circuits, usually with an increase (step-up transformer) or decrease (step-
down transformer) of voltage. The input current is fed to a primary winding,
the output being taken from a secondary winding or windings inductively linked to the
primary.

A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another
through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils.

How is it used? A: A transformer is used to bring voltage up or down in an AC

electrical circuit. A transformer can be used to convert AC power to DC power. There
are transformers all over every house, they are inside the black plastic case which you
plug into the wall to recharge your cell phone or other devices. These types are often
called "wall warts". They can be very large, as in national utility systems, or it can be
very small embedded inside electronics. It is an essential part of all electronics
today.

Who invented the transformer? Ottó Bláthy, Miksa Déri, Károly

Zipernowsky of the Austro-Hungarian Empire First designed and used the
transformer in both experimental and commercial systems. Later on Lucien
Gaulard, Sebstian Ferranti, and William Stanley perfected the design. See the
next question for more details.

When was the transformer invented? A: The property of induction was

discovered in the 1830's but it wasn't until 1886 that William Stanley, working
for Westinghouse built the first reliable commercial transformer. His work was built
upon some rudimentary designs by the Ganz Company in Hungary (ZBD Transformer
1878), and Lucien Gaulard and John Dixon Gibbs in England. Nikola Tesla did not
invent the transformer as some dubious sources have claimed. The Europeans
mentioned above did the first work in the field. George Westinghouse, Albert Schmid,
Oliver Shallenberger and Stanley made the transformer cheap to produce, and easy to
adjust for final use.
REFERENCE:

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/transformer

http://www.edisontechcenter.org/Transformers.html

https://owlcation.com/stem/Parts-of-a-power-transformer

https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-transformer

http://engg-learning.blogspot.com/2011/03/valves-valve-is-mechanical-device-that.html

http://www.electricaleasy.com/2014/06/cooling-methods-of-transformer.html

http://mycomsats.com/types-of-transformers/
PARTS OF A TRANSFORMER

Laminated Core

- The core acts as support to the winding in the transformer. It also provides a low
reluctance path to the flow of magnetic flux. It is made of laminated soft iron core in
order to reduce eddy current loss and Hysteresis loss. The composition of a transformer
core depends on such as factors voltage, current, and frequency. The diameter of the
transformer core is directly proportional to copper loss and is inversely proportional to
iron loss. If the diameter of the core is decreased, the weight of the steel in the core is
reduced, which leads to less core loss of the transformer and the copper loss increase.
When the diameter of the core is increased, the vice versa occurs.
 Windings

- Two sets of winding are made over the transformer core and are insulated from each
other. Winding consists of several turns of copper conductors bundled together, and
connected connected in series.

Winding can be classified in two different ways:

Based on the input and output supply

Based on the voltage range

Within the input/output supply classification, winding are further categorized:

Primary winding - These are the winding to which the input voltage is applied.

Secondary winding - These are the winding to which the output voltage is applied.

Within the voltage range classification, winding are further categorized:

High voltage winding - It is made of copper conductor. The number of turns made shall
be the multiple of the number of turns in the low voltage winding. The conductor used
will be thinner than that of the low voltage winding.

Low voltage winding - It consists of fewer number of turns than the high voltage winding.
It is made of thick copper conductors. This is because the current in the low voltage
winding is higher than that of high voltage winding.

Input supply to the transformers can be applied from either low voltage (LV) or high
voltage (HV) winding based on the requirement.
 Insulation Materials

- Insulating paper and cardboard are used in transformers to isolate primary and
secondary winding from each other and from the transformer core.

Transformer oil is another insulating material. Transformer oil performs two important
functions: in addition to insulating function, it can also cool the core and coil assembly.
The transformer's core and winding must be completely immersed in the oil. Normally,
hydrocarbon mineral oils are used as transformer oil. Oil contamination is a serious
problem because contamination robs the oil of its dielectric properties and renders it
useless as an insulating medium.
 Conservator

The conservator conserves the transformer oil. It is an airtight, metallic, cylindrical drum
that is fitted above the transformer. The conservator tank is vented to the atmosphere at
the top, and the normal oil level is approximately in the middle of the conservator to
allow the oil to expand and contract as the temperature varies. The conservator is
connected to the main tank inside the transformer, which is completely filled with
transformer oil through a pipeline.
 Breather

The breather controls the moisture level in the transformer. Moisture can arise when
temperature variations cause expansion and contraction of the insulating oil, which then
causes the pressure to change inside the conservator. Pressure changes are balanced
by a flow of atmospheric air in and out of the conservator, which is how moisture can
enter the system.

If the insulating oil encounters moisture, it can affect the paper insulation or may even
lead to internal faults. Therefore, it is necessary that the air entering the tank is
moisture-free.

The transformer's breather is a cylindrical container that is filled with silica gel. When the
atmospheric air passes through the silica gel of the breather, the air's moisture is
absorbed by the silica crystals. The breather acts like an air filter for the transformer and
controls the moisture level inside a transformer. It is connected to the end of breather
pipe.
 Tap Changer

The output voltage of transformers vary according to its input voltage and the load.
During loaded conditions, the voltage on the output terminal decreases, whereas during
off-load conditions the output voltage increases. In order to balance the voltage
variations, tap changers are used. Tap changers can be either on-load tap changers or
off-load tap changers. In an on-load tap changer, the tapping can be changed without
isolating the transformer from the supply. In an off-load tap changer, it is done after
disconnecting the transformer. Automatic tap changers are also available.
 Cooling Tubes

Cooling tubes are used to cool the transformer oil. The transformer oil is circulated
through the cooling tubes. The circulation of the oil may either be natural or forced. In
natural circulation, when the temperature of the oil rises the hot oil naturally rises to the
top and the cold oil sinks downward. Thus the oil naturally circulates through the tubes.
In forced circulation, an external pump is used to circulate the oil.
 Buchholz Relay

The Buchholz Relay is a protective device container housed over the connecting pipe
from the main tank to the conservator tank. It is used to sense the faults occurring inside
the transformer. It is a simple relay that is operated by the gases emitted during the
decomposition of transformer oil during internal faults. It helps in sensing and protecting
the transformer from internal faults.
 Explosion vent

The explosion vent is used to expel boiling oil in the transformer during heavy internal faults in order
to avoid the explosion of the transformer. During heavy faults, the oil rushes out of the vent. The
level of the explosion vent is normally maintained above the level of the conservatory tank.
Advantages:

 High efficiency.(comparison)
 No moving parts.
 Less capital cost.(comparison)
 Less maintenance cost.(comparison)
 Easy to move.(comparison)
 Easy to add and remove.
 Easy to increase or decrease voltage.
 Less monitoring required.
 No starting time.

Disadvantages:

 Emits heat and requires a cooling system (Eddy currents, Winding resistance,
Stray losses, Hysteresis losses, Mechanical losses, and Magnetostriction)
 Works only for ac supply.

Transformers method of cooling

Different cooling methods of transformers:

For dry type transformers

 Air Natural (AN)

 Air Blast

For oil immersed transformers

 Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN)

 Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF)
 Oil Forced Air Forced (OFAF)
 Oil Forced Water Forced (OFWF)
Cooling Methods For Oil Immersed Transformers

Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN)

This method is used for oil immersed transformers. In this method, the heat generated
in the core and winding is transferred to the oil. According to the principle of convection,
the heated oil flows in the upward direction and then in the radiator. The vacant place is
filled up by cooled oil from the radiator. The heat from the oil will dissipate in the
atmosphere due to the natural air flow around the transformer. In this way, the oil in
transformer keeps circulating due to natural convection and dissipating heat in
atmosphere due to natural conduction. This method can be used for transformers upto
about 30 MVA.
Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF)

The heat dissipation can be improved further by applying forced air on the dissipating
surface. Forced air provides faster heat dissipation than natural air flow. In this method,
fans are mounted near the radiator and may be provided with an automatic starting
arrangement, which turns on when temperature increases beyond certain value. This
transformer cooling method is generally used for large transformers upto about 60 MVA.
Oil Forced Air Forced (OFAF)

In this method, oil is circulated with the help of a pump. The oil circulation is forced
through the heat exchangers. Then compressed air is forced to flow on the heat
exchanger with the help of fans. The heat exchangers may be mounted separately from
the transformer tank and connected through pipes at top and bottom as shown in the
figure. This type of cooling is provided for higher rating transformers at substations or
power stations.
Oil Forced Water Forced (OFWF)

This method is similar to OFAF method, but here forced water flow is used to dissipate
hear from the heat exchangers. The oil is forced to flow through the heat exchanger with
the help of a pump, where the heat is dissipated in the water which is also forced to
flow. The heated water is taken away to cool in separate coolers. This type of cooling is
used in very large transformers having rating of several hundreds MVA.
UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST
Caloocan Campus
College of Engineering

Project In AC/DC Machine

Submitted by:
Mandang, Silvester John. B
20131174866
NEE 410 – 1ME

Submitted to:
ENGR. ROMEO C. HIPOL

Date of Submission: