Introduction

TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 Transformer Concepts Introduction to Distribution Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Transformer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Formulas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Power Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Transformer Ratings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Transformer Taps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Transformer Losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Transformer Terminal Designations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Wye, Delta Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Transformer Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Completely Self-Protected Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Ferroresonance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Vectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Why 3 , or 1.73? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Angular Displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Paralleling Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Chapter 2 Transformer Connections Index to the Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notes to the Connection Diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single-Phase Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Transformer Banks Wye - Wye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wye - Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Wye - Open Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delta - Wye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delta - Delta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three-Phase Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

27 28 30 32 35 37 39 40 42

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Distribution Transformer Handbook

Chapter 3 Installing Transformers Lifting and Handling Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nameplates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installation Procedure for Overhead Transformers . . . . . . . . . Backfeed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Single-Phase Transformer Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Load Checks on Single-Phase Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Three-Phase Bank Loads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Load Checks on Delta, Wye Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Make or Break Parallel Circuits at Transformer Banks . . . . . . Phasing and Paralleling Three-Phase Installations . . . . . . . . . . Minimum Pole Class Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strength of Wood Poles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grounding Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fusing Transformers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Padmounted Transformer Installations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Clearances Around Padmount Transformers . . . . . . . . Work Clearances Around Padmount Transformers . . . . . . . . . . Guard Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45 46 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 57 58 62 63 64 71 73 77 78 79

16

Distribution Transformer Handbook

Arresters create a safe, low-resistance path for lightning to get to ground, that bypasses the transformer. Lightning strikes can exceed one million volts, so the connections at the arrester must be tight, and the ground wire properly sized for surge currents that accompany these high voltages.

Arrester
Shunts lightning and other high voltage spikes to ground

Cutout
Fuse opens the primary line when current is excessive

Wildlife protector
Discourages wildlife from resting on a transformer primary wire and shorting a high-side line to ground

Pressure relief valve

Allows excessive tank pressure to escape to the atmosphere

Transformer protective devices.

32

Distribution Transformer Handbook

Wye-Wye
Three-phase, four-wire wye primary Three-phase, four-wire wye secondary Secondary services 120 volts, phase-to-neutral 208 volts, phase-to-phase A B C N

a b c n C N A H2 H1 H1 H2 H1 H2 A B C N

B Three-phase, four-wire wye primary

x3 c n a

x2

x1

x3

x2

x1

x3

x2

x1 a b c n

b Three-phase, four-wire wye secondary 0 angular displacement

Transformer Connections

35

Wye-Delta
Three-phase, three-wire wye primary Three-phase, four-wire delta secondary Secondary services 240 volts, phase-to-phase 120 volts, b-to-neutral, c-to-neutral 208 volts, a-to-neutral A B C

-a -b -c n C Float the primary neutral A N A B C

B Three-phase, three-wire wye primary H1 H2 H1 H2 H1

Do not permanently ground

H2

b x3 n 208 V x2 x1 x3 x2 x1 x3 x2 x1 -a -b -c n

c Three-phase, four-wire delta secondary 210 angular displacement

When concerned about ferroresonance, install a temporary grounding jumper between the floating primary neutral and ground, when switching the transformer bank in or out of service.

40

Distribution Transformer Handbook

Delta-Delta
Three-phase, three-wire delta primary Three-phase, four-wire delta secondary Secondary services 240 volts, phase-to-phase 120 volts, a-to-neutral, b-to-neutral 208 volts, c-to-neutral A B C

a b c n B A B C A C Three-phase, three-wire delta primary H1 b n x3 x2 x1 x3 x2 x1 x3 x2 x1

H2

H1

H2

H1

H2

c a b c n

Three-phase, four-wire delta secondary 208 V 0 angular displacement

45

CHAPTER

3
INSTALLING TRANSFORMERS
LIFTING AND HANDLING TRANSFORMERS Lift overhead transformers by their lifting lugs only, using a nylon web sling or a rope sling. Sling angles of greater than 45 are preferred. Avoid sling angles of less than 30 because of the high tension in the sling. If the vertical clearance above the transformer is limited, use a spreader bar in place of a sling, and install cover-up on any energized conductors nearby.

Sling angle

Do not lift a transformer from beneath a bushing, pressure relief valve, drain plug, or any other attachment not specifically designed for lifting. Do not move or shift a transformer by grasping the bushings, fins, or plugs. Porcelain bushings can be damaged during handling in ways not visually obvious, then fail when the unit is put into service. The windings can be damaged if the transformer is dropped or severely jolted. When handling a transformer, take care to not damage the tank finish. Paint scratches can lead to rust.

46

Distribution Transformer Handbook

NAMEPLATES Each transformer has a manufacturers nameplate with important technical information. The nameplate shown here is for an overhead single-phase transformer.
1 2
H V L V

7200 / 12470Y 120/240 CP123456790 5

CUST I.D.
K V A S E R
NON-PCB MINERAL OIL W H E N M A N U FA C T U R E D C O N TA I N E D LESS THAN 1PPM PCB

9 10

3 4 5

M F G

CP 000000556
HV AL 95 BIL TK 10 60 HZ A D D P O L . LV AL 50 BIL MS CLASS OA 65 C RISE
C A T
NOTES:

1.8 %IZ

85 C

GAL 11 W T 2 0 2 L B MFG DATE AUG 98

11 12 13

E
POSITION 1 OR A 2 OR B 3 OR C 4 OR D 5 OR E

211072 05W5
H1 H2
SW

READ INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS S201-10-1

6 7 8
H V TA P 100% 97.5% 95% 92.5% 90%

14
C A B D IA C B D

x3

x2

x1 x3

x2

x1

1 HV High-voltage (primary) winding. The low number (7200) is the phase-to-neutral (coil) voltage. The high number (12470) is the phase-to-phase voltage. This transformer is for installation in a wye system. Note: On nameplates for padmount transformers and single-bushing overhead transformers, the low number appears last instead of first. 2 LV Low-voltage (secondary) winding delivers 120 and 240 volts.

Installing Transformers

53

LOAD CHECKS ON SINGLE-PHASE TRANSFORMERS Quick Check b To determine the approximate kVA n a load on a single-phase transformer: 1. Measure the current in the two line conductors 2. Add the amps together 0V 3. Multiply by 120 12 4. Move the decimal point three 0V places to the left 0V 12 24 Example: If the readings are 55A and 60A: 55A Note: Dont use this quick check if there is +60A considerable imbalance between the two 115A current readings. Instead, use the Complete 115 120 = 13800 Calculation, and verify that each load is less The load is 13.8 kVA than half the kVA rating of the transformer. Complete Calculation Calculate the load on each half of the transformer separately, then add them together to determine the full load. current a voltage a-to-n + Total load in kVA = 1,000 current b voltage b-to-n 1,000 Example: The readings on a 25 kVA transformer are 30A and 160A: 30 120 160 120 + Total load in kVA = 1,000 1,000 = 3.6 + 19.2 =22.8 kVA The total load is within the transformer rating, but one secondary winding exceeds 12.5 kVA and is severely overloaded.

68

Distribution Transformer Handbook

Grounding Single-Phase Two-Bushing Transformers, Neutral on the Crossarm

Secondary neutral Connect service neutral to tail Tank grounding lug Pole ground

Recommendation: Keep the primary neutral separate and distinct from the many other connections at the secondary rack. Failure to keep the primary neutral separated introduces the high risk of inadvertently cutting the primary neutral while the transformer is energized. This will result in a primary voltage across the cut!

Installing Transformers

73

PADMOUNT TRANSFORMER INSTALLATIONS The transformers illustrated here are typical, but many different configurations exist. All padmount transformers have primary connections on the left side of the panel, secondary connections on the right.
Warning High Voltage Warning High Voltage kVAkVA rating 75 rating Company ID ID Company Landscaping Landscaping suggestions suggestions
75

Secondary Secondary voltage voltage Used on on Used reduced reduced flammablity flammablity transformers transformers only only Grid number Grid number Lock Lock

Labeling Detail Labeling Single-phase minipad transformer labeling. Detail

H1B

H1B H1A

X3 X2 X1

NEMA safety labels NEMA safety labels Lock mechanism Lock mechanism

H1A

X3 X2 X1

Externally accessible Externally accessible expulsion fuse expulsion fuse with drip cupcup with drip H1B H1B Parking stand for for Parking stand elbow connectors elbow connectors H1A H1A High voltage High voltage bushing wells bushing wells Tank ground provision Tank ground provision Drain plug Drain plug
Single-phase minipad transformer layout.

Flip-top hood Flip-top hood opens 180 opens 180 Pressure relief valve Pressure relief valve plug X3 X3 Fill Fill plug X1 X1 Low voltage threaded Low voltage threaded X2 X2 stud bushings stud bushings Removable ground strap Removable ground strap Removable sill sill Removable EyeEye for padlock for padlock