10/18/2010 Transformer Basics Chapter 1

Application of Standard Dry Type

Transformers in an Electrical System

Most utilities will only provide a customer with one service or

electrical system. This system may be either single-phase or
three-phase. Single-phase installations will normally be 120/240V
AC, 3 wire systems. Three-phase installations could be 240 volt, 3
wire , 480 volt 3 wire, 600 volt, 3 wire, 208Y/120 volt, 4 wire , or
280Y/277 volt,4 wire. These are the most popular installations and
their selection can be either on customer preference or availability
of the system from the serving utility. With this many choices
available , you may wonder why anyone would need a transformer,
so let us offer an example. A new industrial plant moves into town
and requires an electrical service in their new building. They have a
great many motors in use at their company, so they decide it
would be more economical to use 480 volt three-phase motors.
For this reason they request a 480Y/277 volts three-phase
system. This takes care of their motor loads at 480 volts and their
office and plant lighting loads at 277 volts. However, to operate
their office machinery and incandescent lighting they require 120
volts. They also have some small horsepower motors they want to
operate at 208 volts. Since the utility will only provide them with
480Y/277 volt three-phase system , they require a dry-type
distribution transformer to provide the 208 and 120 volt loads.

This is the most typical of applications for dry-type distribution

transformers. Other applications could be matching the voltage of
a motor which does not match your system, isolating a computer
or solid state device from system voltage due to voltage drop in an
extremely long run of wire. The more important thing is to
recognize what transformers can and cannot do . Below is a table
of some of those things.
Operation Yes No
Change Voltage *
Change Frequency *
Convert single -phase current to three-phase current *
Protect equipment (isolate line voltage from load
*
voltage)
*
Stabilize fluctuating line voltage (constant voltage)
Note

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Compensate for voltage drop *
Improve “power factor” *
*Note: There are special purpose constant
voltage transformers that can do this.

Selection of a Transformer

When a customer calls you for help in the selection of a

transformer these are things you need to know:

1 What is the voltage of this load? The transformer you select

must have an output voltage which matches his load voltage.
(don’t get confused between system and utilization voltage - See
Section V, Paragraph D.)
2 Is the load single-phase or three-phase? Remember the
transformer cannot change phases. Three-phase loads must be
fed from the three-phase transformer/banks.
3 What is the power requirement for this load? We ultimately need
to arrive at a KVA value. If only amps are known, use the full load
chart or the following formulas.

Single -phase “KVA”= Volts (loads) x Amps (load)

1000
Three=phase “KVA” = Volts (load) x Amps (loads) x 3
1000
Where 3 = 1.732

4 What is the frequency(hertz or Hz) of the load and line (source)?

Remember, transformers cannot change frequency. Generally, all
U.S. power companies generate power at 60 Hz. Therefore, the
load must also be rated 60 Hz.
5 What is the supply or source voltage? Are primary taps
required?
6 Is there a special temperature rise or insulation system
requirement ? If not, quote our standard general purpose
transformers.
7 Is the transformer to be installed indoors or outdoors? Some
transformers, particularly small encapsulated units are rated for
indoor or outdoor applications. Others sizes will require the
addition of a weather shield for outdoor use.

With the above information you should be able to quickly select a

transformer from the catalog.

Note: Other considerations which may require special units may

include, but are not limited to: copper windings; low temperature
rise units; units for applications in ambient temperatures higher
than 40(C;units to be used at a high altitude above 3300 feet;
special impedances; and many others. If requirements arise that
do not fit the description of our standard units, be sure to contact
your Federal Pacific representatives for assistance.
Problem: What is the proper transformer for a customer to supply
an electric heater rated 100 amps, @240 volts, three-phase, 60
Hz? His available supply voltage is 480 volts, three-phase, 60 Hz.
The transformer is installed indoors. 150 C with standard taps is
required.
Solution: We have all of the information required with the
exception of the load KVA. We know that:

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10/18/2010 Transformer Basics Chapter 1
Three-phase KVA = Volts (load) x Amps (load) x 3 = 240 x 100 x
1.732 = 41.6
1000 1000

A 480 volt to 240 volt (Delta-Delta), three-phase, 45 KVA (which is

the next standard KVA rating) general purpose transformer is
required
Problem: A single line shows a 25 KVA, single-phase, 60 Hz,
150(C rise, 240X 480V to 120/240 volt transformer fed from a three-
phase volt system. Is it correct?
Solution: Yes, the transformer has series-multiple primary
windings so connection to 480 volt is acceptable. Remember, that
if the transformer is single-phase, the source can be single-phase
or three-phase. When the supplies three-phase, any two (2) lines
or one (1) line and neutral will be used as shown below . Figure 1
applies for the 480 volt primary voltage in the above problem.

Problem: An industrial plant requests a transformer that ca step down

480 volt three-phase to 240 volt three-phase and supply 200 KVA of
load at 240 volt three-phase and 5 KVA of load at 120 volt single-phase.
What would you quote?
Solution: A general purpose 300KVA, 480volt to 240 volt three-phase
transformer with 120 volt lighting tap will work. Remember that the use
of the 120 volt lighting tap requires a 30 % derating of the nameplate
KVA and that the 120 volt loads cannot exceed 5% of the nameplate
KVA. (See below)

Derating Calculations:
300 KVA x .30 KVA
300 KVA
-90KVA
210KVA (Available capacity for 30 (loads)

120 Volt Lighting Tap Calculations:

300 KVA x .05 = 15 KVA (Available capacity for 120 volt loads)

The following must be known before a transformer can be

selected:

KVA the rating or capacity of the transformer

Phase Load requirements (single-phase or three-phase)
If the load is three-phase, both the supply and the transformer
must be three-phase.
If the load is single-phase, the supply can be either single or three-
phase, but the transformer must be single-phase.
Frequency usually 60 Hz (Hertz).
Primary Voltage Designates the load voltage for wich the primary
winding is designated.
Secondary Voltage Designates the load voltage for which the
secondary winding is designed.
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Taps Adjustment capability for voltage variations.
Location of Installation Indoor or Outdoor
Other Considerations Mounting Requirements, Sound Levels,
Impedance, Special Applications, K-Rating, Copper Windings,
Electrostatic Shields, Temperature Rise, Insulation Class
Cost Comparison
Secondary Unit Substation Transformers

Mineral Oil Field 100%

High Fire Point Liquid
R- Temp 120%
Silicone 140%
Nonflamable Liquid 125%
Perclene TG 125%
Wescosol 125%
Wemco NF
VPI 120%
VPI-Epaxy Shieded 130%
Cast Soil 160%
Sealed Dry-Type 200%
University Top Table of
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