Ecodesign of Transformers in EU

The long-term efforts of the European Union to reduce transformer losses and emissions of transformers put
into service were completed in May 2014 with the publication of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 548/2014
on implementing Directive 2009/125/ES of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning ecode-
sign requirements on distribution and power transformers. The Regulation applies to transformers placed on
the market or put into service in EU after the entry into force of the Regulation, of which Tier 1 begins on 1
July 2015 and Tier 2 begins on 1 July 2021.

Even though we take into consideration the fact
that the efficiency of transformers (and especially
modern transformers) is very high, it is estimated
that, if we take into account the overall number of
transformers put into in service and a relatively long
standard duration of their service (life expectancy),
that is 30 years; even a minimum increase in
efficiency, or reduction of losses, would result in
significant energy savings. Making the reduction of
transformer losses an EU strategy was already an
objective of the programme THERMIE. This initiative
resulted in Standards for oil distribution transformers
– Harmonization document HD 428, as well as for
dry-type distribution transformers – Harmonization
document HD 531. These documents became the
foundation of the European Standards EN 50464-1
and EN 50541-1.
Nowadays, oil distribution transformers are
subject to Standard EN 50464-1/A1 Three-phase oil-
immersed distribution transformers, 50 Hz from 50 kVA
to 2500 kVA with highest voltage for equipment not
exceeding 36 kV, which defines four categories of no-
load losses (A0, B0, C0, D0) and three categories of load
losses (AK, BK, CK) for transformers with Um ≤ 24 kV
and two categories for no-load and load losses each
for transformers with Um ≤ 36 kV.
Dry-type transformers are subject to Standard
EN 50541-1 Three-phase dry-type distribution
transformers 50 Hz, from 100 kVA to 3150 kVA, with
highest voltage for equipment not exceeding 36 kV,
which usually defines, in terms of Um and impedance
voltage, three categories of no-load losses (A0, B0, C0)
and two categories of load losses (AK, BK).
The new Directive on distribution transformers
determines only one category of losses. It also
introduces new terminology – the term distribution
transformer is replaced with the term “medium
power transformer – for rated power higher than
5 kVA but lower than 40 MVA and Um higher than
1.1 kV but not exceeding 36 kV”. The Directive
specifies the amount of losses on the basis of the
cited Standards, therefore, Tier 1 (from 1 July 2015)
determines the following maximum losses for oil
“medium power transformers with rated power
≤ 3150 kVA” and Um ≤ 24 kV:
≤ 25 kVA - 1000 kVA A0 CK
1250 kVA - 3150 kVA A0 BK
During Tier 2 (from 1 July 2021) further 10 %
reduction of no-load losses A0 – 10 % and reduction
of load losses to the currently lowest ratings of AK are
estimated.
The Directive determines the following losses
for dry-type “medium power” transformers: for rated
power lower than 630 kVA the losses A0 BK and for
rated power higher than 800 kVA but lower than
3150 kVA the losses A0 AK.
During Tier 2 (from 1 July 2021), as with oil
transformers, further 10 % reduction of no-load
losses A0 – 10 % and reduction of load losses to the
currently lowest ratings of AK for all transformers are
estimated.
Under standards for manufacturing transformers
which are currently in force, the permitted limits on
both no-load and load losses are + 15 % and limits on
total transformer losses are + 10 %. Any exceeding of
the determined limits in specific cases requested by
customers is not allowed – the measured losses are
defined as maximum losses, i.e. they cannot exceed
the guaranteed losses. Under the new Directive this
requirement shall be in force on a global level, i.e.
losses are defined as maximum losses.

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The Directive applies to temporary distribution Table 1: Maximum load and no load losses (in W)
transformers as well as power transformers. for three-phase liquid-immersed medium power
It does not apply to the following: transformers with one winding with Um ≤ 24 kV
• instrument transformers specifically designed to and the other one with Um ≤ 1.1 kV
supply measuring instruments, meters, relays and Tier 1 Tier 2
(from 1 July 2015) (from 1 July 2021)
other similar apparatus, Rated
Maximum
Power Maximum Maximum Maximum no-
• transformers with low-voltage windings no-load
(kVA) load losses load losses load losses
specifically designed for use with rectifiers to losses
Pk (W)(*) Pk (W)(*) Po (W)(*)
Po (W)(*)
provide a DC supply,
≤ 25 CK (900) A0 (70) AK (600) A0 – 10% (63)
• transformers specifically designed to be directly
connected to a furnace, 50 CK (1 100) A0 (90) AK (750) A0 – 10% (81)
• transformers specifically designed for offshore 100 CK (1 750) A0 (145) AK (1 250) A0 – 10% (130)
applications and floating offshore applications,
160 CK (2 350) A0 (210) AK (1 750) A0 – 10% (189)
• transformers specifically designed for emergency
installations, 250 CK (3 250) A0 (300) AK (2 350) A0 – 10% (270)

• transformers and auto-transformers specifically 315 CK (3 900) A0 (360) AK (2 800) A0 – 10% (324)
designed for railway feeding systems, 400 CK (4 600) A0 (430) AK (3 250) A0 – 10% (387)
• earthing or grounding transformers, i.e. three-
500 CK (5 500) A0 (510) AK (3 900) A0 – 10% (459)
phase transformers intended to provide a neutral
point for system grounding purposes, 630 CK (6 500) A0 (600) AK (4 600) A0 – 10% (540)
• traction transformers mounted on rolling stock, 800 CK (8 400) A0 (650) AK (6 000) A0 – 10% (585)
i.e., transformers connected to an AC or DC contact
1000 CK (10 500) A0 (770) AK (7 600) A0 – 10% (693)
line, directly, or through a converter, used in fixed
installations of railway applications, 1250 BK (11 000) A0 (950) AK (9 500) A0 – 10% (855)
• starting transformers, specifically designed for 1600 BK (14 000) A0 (1 200) AK (12 000) A0 – 10% (1 080)
starting three-phase induction motors so as to
2000 BK (18 000) A0 (1 450) AK (15 000) A0 – 10% (1 305)
eliminate supply voltage dips,
• testing transformers, specifically designed to 2500 BK (22 000) A0 (1 750) AK (18 500) A0 – 10% (1 575)
be used in a circuit to produce a specific voltage 3150 BK (27 500) A0 (2 200) AK (23 000) A0 – 10% (1 980)
or current for the purpose of testing electrical
equipment, (*) Maximum losses for kVA ratings that do not match
any of the ratings given in Table 1 shall be obtained
• welding transformers, specifically designed for use
by linear interpolation
in arc welding equipment or resistance welding
equipment,
Table 2: Maximum load and no load losses (in
• transformers specifically designed for explosion- W) for three-phase dry-type medium power
proof and underground mining applications, transformers with one winding with Um ≤ 24 kV
• transformers specifically designed for deep water and the other winding with Um ≤ 1.1 kV
(submerged) applications, Tier 1 Tier 2
• medium Voltage (MV) to Medium Voltage (MV) (from 1 July 2015) (from 1 July 2021)
Rated
Maximum
interface transformers up to 5 MVA, Power Maximum
no-load
Maximum Maximum no-
(kVA) load losses load losses load losses
• large power transformers where it is demonstrated Pk (W)(*)
losses
Pk (W)(*) Po (W)(*)
that for a particular application technically feasible Po (W)(*)
alternatives are not available to meet the minimum ≤ 50 BK (1 700) A0 (200) AK (1 500) A0 – 10% (180)
efficiency requirements set out by this Regulation 100 BK (2 050) A0 (280) AK (1 800) A0 – 10% (252)
(Directive),
160 BK (2 900) A0 (400) AK (2 600) A0 – 10% (360)
• large power transformers which are like
for like replacements in the same physical 250 BK (3 800) A0 (520) AK (3 400) A0 – 10% (468)
location/installation for existing large power 400 BK (5 500) A0 (750) AK (4 500) A0 – 10% (675)
transformers, where this replacement cannot
be achieved without entailing disproportionate 630 BK (7 600) A0 (1 100) AK (7 100) A0 – 10% (990)
costs associated to their transportation and/or 800 AK (8 000) A0 (1 300) AK (8 000) A0 – 10% (1 170)
installation
1 000 AK (9 000) A0 (1 550) AK (9 000) A0 – 10% (1 395)

1 250 AK (11 000) A0 (1 800) AK (11 000) A0 – 10% (1 620)

Distribution transformers
1 600 AK (13 000) A0 (2 200) AK (13 000) A0 – 10% (1 980)
Requirements for three-phase medium power
transformers with rated power ≤ 3 150 kVA

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 2 000 AK (16 000) A0 (2 600) AK (16 000) A0 – 10% (2 340) In case of transformers with one
low-voltage winding with two
2 500 AK (19 000) A0 (3 100) AK (19 000) A0 – 10% (2 790) voltages available from a tapped
high-voltage winding, losses
3 150 AK (22 000) A0 (3 800) AK (22 000) A0 – 10% (3 420) shall be calculated based on
the higher voltage of the high
(*) Maximum losses for kVA ratings that fall in voltage winding and shall be in
between the ratings given in Table 2 shall be compliance with the maximum
obtained by linear interpolation allowable losses in Tables 1 and
2. The maximum available power
on the lower voltage of the
Table 3: Maximum load and no load losses (in Case of dual voltage on high-voltage winding on such
W) for medium power liquid-immersed pole- one winding transformer shall be limited to
mounted transformers 0.85 of the rated power assigned
to the high-voltage winding at its
Tier 1 Tier 2
higher voltage.
(from 1 July 2015) (from 1 July 2021)
Rated If the full nominal power is
Maximum
Power Maximum Maximum Maximum no- available regardless of the
no-load
(kVA) load losses load losses load losses combination of voltages, the
losses
Pk (W)(*) Pk (W)(*) Po (W)(*) levels of losses indicated in
Po (W)(*)
Tables 1 and 2 can be increased
25 CK (900) A0 (70) BK (725) A0 (70) by 15% for no load losses and by
50 CK (1 100) A0 (90) BK (875) A0 (90) 10% for load losses.
The maximum allowable losses in
100 CK (1 750) A0 (145) BK (1 475) A0 (145) Tables 1 and 2 can be increased
CK + 32% CK + 32% by 20% for no load losses and
160 A0 (300) C0 – 10% (270) by 20% for load losses for
(3 102) (3 102)
transformers with dual voltage
200 CK (2 750) A0 (356) BK (2 333) B0 (310) Case of dual voltage on
on both windings. The level of
both windings
250 CK (3 250) A0 (425) BK (2 750) B0 (360) losses is given for the highest
possible rated power and on
315 CK (3 900) A0 (520) BK (3 250) B0 (440) the basis that the rated power
is the same regardless of the
(*) Maximum allowable losses for kVA ratings that combination of voltages.
fall in between the ratings given in Table 3 shall be
obtained by linear interpolation Requirements for medium power transformers
with rated power ≤ 3 150kVA equipped with
tapping connections suitable for operation
Table 4: Correction of load and no load losses in while being energized or on-load for voltage
case of other combinations of winding voltages adaptation purposes. Voltage Regulation
or dual voltage in one or both windings (rated Distribution Transformers are included in this
power ≤ 3 150 kVA) category. The maximum allowable levels of losses
The maximum allowable losses in set out in Tables 1 and 2 shall be increased by 20 %
One winding with Um ≤ 24
Tables 1 and 2 shall be increased for no load losses and 5 % for load losses in Tier 1 and
kV and the other with Um
by 10% for no load losses and by by 10 % for no load losses in Tier 2.
> 1.1 kV
10% for load losses
The maximum allowable losses in
One winding with Um = 36
Tables 1 and 2 shall be increased
kV and the other with Um
by 15% for no load losses and by
Power Transformers
≤ 1.1 kV When it comes to power transformers, that is
10% for load losses
The maximum allowable losses
medium power transformers with rated power
One winding with Um = 36 higher than 3150 kVA and ≤ 40 MVA, as well as large
indicated in Tables 1 and 2 shall
kV and the other with Um
> 1.1 kV
be increased by 20% for no load power transformers, the directive does not directly
losses and by 15% for load losses define the no load and load loss ratings. It defines
In case of transformers with the Peak Efficiency Index PEI values in (%):
one high-voltage winding and
two voltages available from a
2ðP0 þ Pc0 Þ
tapped low-voltage winding,
losses shall be calculated based
PEI ¼ 1− rffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
P þP
on the higher voltage of the low Sr 0 c0
voltage winding and shall be in Pk
Case of dual voltage on compliance with the maximum
one winding allowable losses in Tables 1 and
2. The maximum available power P0 the no load losses measure
on the lower voltage of the low- Pc0 the electrical power of the cooling system for no
voltage winding winding on such load operation
transformers shall be limited to
0.85 of the rated power assigned
Pk the load losses measure
to the low-voltage winding at its Sr the rated power
higher voltage

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Table 5: Minimum Peak Efficiency Index (PEI) between the ratings given in Table 6 shall be
values for liquid immersed medium power calculated by linear interpolation
transformers
Table 7: Minimum Peak Efficiency Index
Tier 1 Tier 2
(1 July 2015) (1 July 2021) requirements for liquid immersed large power
Rated Power (kVA) transformers
Minimum Peak Efficiency Index values
(%) Tier 1 Tier 2
(1 July 2015) (1 July 2021)
3 150 < Sr ≤ 4 000 99,465 99,532 Rated Power (kVA)
5 000 99,483 99,548 Minimum Peak Efficiency Index values
(%)
6 300 99,510 99,571
≤4 99,465 99,532
8 000 99,535 99,593
5 99,483 99,548
10 000 99,560 99,615
6,3 99,510 99,571
12 500 99,588 99,640
8 99,535 99,593
16 000 99,615 99,663
10 99,560 99,615
20 000 99,639 99,684
12,5 99,588 99,640
25 000 99,657 99,700
16 99,615 99,663
31 500 99,671 99,712
20 99,639 99,684
40 000 99,684 99,724
25 99,657 99,700
Minimum PEI values for kVA ratings that fall in 31,5 99,671 99,712
between the ratings given in Table 5 shall be
calculated by linear interpolation 40 99,684 99,724

50 99,696 99,734
Table 6: Minimum Peak Efficiency Index (PEI) 63 99,709 99,745
values for dry-type medium power transformers
80 99,723 99,758

Tier 1 Tier 2 ≥ 100 99,737 99,770

(1 July 2015) (1 July 2021)
Rated Power (kVA)
Minimum Peak Efficiency Index values Minimum PEI values for MVA ratings that fall in
(%) between the ratings given in Table 7 shall be
3 150 < Sr ≤ 4 000 99,348 99,382
calculated by linear interpolation

5 000 99,354 99,387

Product Information Requirements
6 300 99,356 99,389 From 1 July 2015, the following product information
8 000 99,357 99,390 requirements for transformers that are subject to the
Regulation shall be included in any related product
≥ 10 000 99,357 99,390
documentation, including freely accessible websites
Minimum PEI values for kVA ratings that fall in of manufacturers:

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a) information on rated power, load loss and no
load loss and the electrical power of any cooling
system required at no load operation,
b) for medium power (if relevant) and large power
transformers, the value of the Peak Efficiency
Index and the power at which it occurs,
c) for dual voltage transformers, the maximum rated
power at the lower voltage according to Table 4
d) information on weight of all the main components
of a power transformer (including at least the
conductor, the nature of the conductor, and the
core material),
e) for medium power pole mounted transformers a
visible sign “For pole mounted operation only”

The information under a), c) and d) shall be also

included on the rating plate of power transformers.

BEZ TRANSFORMÁTORY was already actively involved

in the THERMIE programme. The reduction of losses
has been a permanent goal when developing new
types of transformers. Nowadays, it is a standard for
energy companies to produce oil transformers with
the maximum losses A0 BK. In the case of industrial
and other applications, the customers will not be
allowed to purchase a “cheaper” transformer with
losses higher than determined by the Directive. They
will not be able to import such transformers from
countries outside of EU either, as they will not be
allowed to put such transformers into service.

When it comes to dry-type transformers, the

standard for transformer losses is currently lower
than the standard of BEZ.

Publisher / copyright © 2014:

International BEZ Group spol. s.r.o.
Rybničná 40, 835 54 Bratislava, bez.or@bez.sk

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