MCA ENGINEER OFFICERS

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

TRANSFORMERS

G. Young – January 2022

 Recommended Reading

• Marine Electrical Equipment & Practice

• H. D. McGeorge
• Library 623.8503 ISBN 0 75061 647 4

• Practical Marine Electrical Knowledge

• D. T. Hall
• Library 623.8503 ISBN 1 85609 182 1

• Diesel Generator Handbook

• LLJ Mahon
• Library Electrical reference section only
 CONTENT
01 | FARADAY’S LAWS

02 | LENZ’S LAW

03 | LAND BASED DISTRIBUTION – BASIC

OVERVIEW

04 | TRANSFORMERS
1 DEFINITIONS
2 LOSSES
3 TYPES AND CONSTRUCTION
4 CURRENT TRANSFORMERS
5 3-PHASE TRANSFORMERS
6 TRANSFORMER OPERATION
7 FAILURES
8 MAINTENANCE / REGULATIONS / PROTECTION

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 FA R A D AY ’ S L AW S
Michael Faraday (1791 – 1867)
English Scientist

Whenever the magnetic flux linking with

an electrical circuit is changing, an EMF
is induced in the circuit
The magnitude of the EMF produced by
electro-magnetic induction is
proportional to;

the rate of change of flux linkages

or
the rate at which flux is cut…
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 FA R A D AY ’ S L AW S

FLUX

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 Faraday’s Laws
Imagine we have two fixed permanent magnets
What do we get between
the magnets?

Take a conductor & pass

N S it through the field

Direction of the current

is out of board

Pass the conductor the

other way and the
current is into the board
If we move it back and
forth we get
“alternating current”
 Faraday’s Laws

N S

Taking the same magnetic field, what happens now?

 L E N Z ’ S L AW
Heinrich Lenz (1804 – 1865)
Russian Physicist

There is an induced current in a closed

conducting loop if, and only if, the
magnetic flux through the loop is
changing

The direction of the induced current is

such that the induced magnetic field
always opposes the change in flux

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 Lenz’s Law
Think of an electrical motor for this example

Flemings Right Hand

N S Generator Rule

By connecting a 3-phase supply to the stator we produce a rotating magnetic field which induces an
EMF in the rotor conductors by transformer action

This produces a current that flows within a magnetic field & therefore produces a force. Any force
exerted at a radius gives torque.
 Lenz’s Law

Flux reinforced
Rotating flux

N S

Flux weakened

This produces a current that flows within a magnetic field & therefore produces a force. Any force
exerted at a radius gives torque.
 Rotating A Conductor

N S

If we rotate our conductor, what happens?

We create an alternating EMF

 Rotating Two Conductors

N S

Whatever happens in one, the opposite happens in the other

If we connect the two to each other, at one end to form a loop, a current will
flow. This current will be alternating – i.e. we have produced AC
 LAND BASED DISTRIBUTION

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Land Based
Fawley power station -
Distribution Require very large
cables
2.2kV, 50Hz. 2x
Generators = 950MW
Current 295,000 A
HOWEVER
Immediately after
generation the
voltage is
= Very Large Cables
increased to 400kV
Post generation the
As a result the
voltage is increased
current drops to
to 400kV
around 1567A – a
much more
As a result the
economical
current drops to
prospect
around 1567A

Houses = 30A at 220V

What impact does a 30A supply have on the grid?

[0.0165A, or 16.5mA]
Therefore AC is easier and cheaper to distribute…
R OT
BROATN
S SIFNO D
R IMSEGRUSI S E
If an alternating voltage is applied to a coil it sets up an alternating magnetic field. This produces an
EMF of self inductance in the coil opposing the source EMF.
If a piece of soft iron is introduced, this will intensify the magnetic field – also the EMF induced
If another coil is now placed in the field
The magnetic field will induce an EMF in this coil – EMF of mutual induction
The action of generating the voltage in the second coil is referred to as transformer action…
 Definitions

• Primary
• Always the ‘side’ of the transformer that the AC supply is connected to

• Secondary
• Always the ‘side’ of the transformer that the EMF is generated in

• Core
• The iron part that assists the magnetic flux
Transformer If a transformer has the same number of turns on the primary & the
secondary V1 = V2

Ratio If the number of turns on the primary is GREATER than the secondary,
then the secondary voltage will be LESS than the primary

V1 V2

V1 V2

If the number of turns on the primary is LESS than secondary, then the
secondary voltage will be GREATER than the primary
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 Transformer Losses
• Copper losses
– I2R
• Reduced by using heavy gauge low resistance copper

• Iron losses
– Hysteresis: Due to alternating flux
• Reduced by using soft iron in the core to reduce the area of the
hysteresis loop
– Eddy Current:
• Reduced by laminating the core
 Hysteresis
Flux Density (T)
+

_ +
Magnetic Field
Strength (At/m)

Saturation Flux
Remanance Flux
Coercive Force

_
Eddy Current Losses

These are reduced by Laminating the core

 Core laminations

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 Transformer Rating

• Relationship between primary & secondary

– Voltages are directly proportional to the ratio of primary to
secondary turns
– Currents are inversely proportional to the ratio of primary to
secondary turns
• At any time V × I is the same for primary and secondary
(losses are considered to be minimal)
• Transformers normally quoted by VA (or kVA) rating

How efficient is a transformer?..

 Transformer Types
• Voltage transformers
– Step up (increasing voltage)
– Step down (reducing voltage)
– Auto-transformers (step-up or step-down)

• Current transformers
– For instruments, indicators, trips

• Isolating transformers
– Safety – primary and secondary electrically isolated
 Transformer Construction – Cores
• Soft iron core
– Induced EMF in core creates eddy currents
• I2R losses in core material
• Heating – Reduction in I2R losses reduces heating & increases
efficiency
• Laminated
– Each lamination reduces induced eddy currents
– 200 laminations will reduce eddy currents to a level of
1/40,000 compared with a solid core
Laminations
 Transformer Core Types
• Two basic constructions
• CORE type
– Cheaper
• Use
– Power transformers
• SHELL type
– Less flux leakage
• Use
– Light current
– Instruments

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Mumetal Magnetic Shielding
 Transformer Windings

• Normally pre-formed on bobbins and fitted during

assembly as a unit
• Enamelled copper wire or flat strip
• Protective outer insulation
• May have
– Enhanced cooling
• Fans, oil, water – Oil is not recommended for ships and not fitted to
new builds
– Temperature supervision
 Why we do not use
oil filled transformers
onboard
Voltage Transformers
Low Power - voltage transformer

High Power - high turns ratio

(20/1) transformer

Voltage Transformer - outer

insulation removed, with
thermistor temperature protection
on primary winding
 Auto Transformers

N1 N2
Two winding transformer

N1 N2
Auto Transformer
 Click to edit Master title style

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Step-down Auto Transformer

Tapping
Point
Click to edit Master title style
Click to edit Master title style
 CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

• Basic Theory
• Why we use CT’s
• CT Precautions

38

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 Current Transformers (CT) - Theory

• Any current carrying conductor generates a magnetic

field
• A coil in close proximity to a conductor carrying AC will
have an EMF induced

E~
 Why Use A Current Transformer?
• Reduce current to a practical level for instruments and
control circuits
– Most instruments cannot carry current over 100A
– Control systems probably less

• Standardise current indicating device range

– Most current indicators will have Full Scale Deflection of 5A
– CTs convert operating current to a suitable range

• Isolate instruments from high voltage

Current Transformers
 CT Precautions

• Transformer ratio of a current transformer may be

2500:1
• Transformer secondary MUST be connected to a low
impedance device
• If secondary disconnected all I2 creates magnetic flux
causing very high secondary voltages
• Secondary winding MUST be earthed for safety
– Overheating, permanent damage, fire
 Transformers – Summary

• Voltage Transformers • Current Transformers

1. Potential differences 1. Potential differences

Constant Vary with load
2. Currents 2. Currents
Vary with load Constant
3. Danger 3. Danger
Short circuit currents Open circuit voltages
 Three Phase Transformation

• Common core
• Three Phase Transformer
• Lighter and cheaper
 Three Phase Transformers
• Separate
single phase
transformers
– “Three phase
transformer bank”
– Easier
replacement in
case of damage
Common Core 3-phase Transformer

Transformer ratio 2:1

Primary VL = 440V

Primary VPH = 440/√3 = 254V

Secondary VL = VPH = 254/2 = 127V

Voltage ratio 440/127 = 3.465:1

 T R A N S F O R M E R O P E R AT I O N

• Normally no problems
• Static equipment
• No moving parts or lubrication

• Special considerations
• Different frequency
• Different voltage
• Overload

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 Transformer Equation
• Voltage, frequency and magnetic flux in a transformer
are connected by the formula:
E = BmAƒN
(22.51 × 104) This is a constant based on core design
• E = VRMS
• A = CSA, mm²
• Bm = Flux density, Tesla
• N = No. of turns
• ƒ = frequency, Hz
 Different Voltage
E = BmAƒN
(22.51 × 104)
• No attempt should ever be made to operate a transformer
on a voltage higher than design
– Core flux density proportional to voltage
– Insulation breakdown due to overstressing
• Lower voltages
– Permissible provided kVA rating not exceeded
 Overload

• May be permissible
– Design – short term overload
– Maximum temperature
• 95°C to prevent excessive hot spot temperatures
• “Six Degree Rule”
– For every 6°C temperature rise, the deterioration rate of
insulation doubles…
 FA I L U R E S

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 Transformer Failure

• Four basic classes of failure

1. Magnetic circuit failure
Cores, yokes, clamps
2. Electrical circuit failure
Windings, terminals
3. Dielectric failure
Major insulation, cooling
4. Structural failure
Enclosure, mountings…
 Magnetic Circuit Failure
• Core bolt insulation
• Inter-lamination insulation
• Vibration due to inadequate core clamping
• Poorly manufactured laminations
• Metal filings or other inclusions
• Damage due to operating conditions (V, ƒ)…
 Winding Failure

• Short circuit between turns

– Sharp edges on conductors
– Vibration damaging winding insulation
– Short circuit damage
• Shorting to earth
– Sharp edges on core or bobbin
• Sustained high temperatures
• Local heating due to poor electrical connections…
 Dielectric Failure – Predominantly oil filled transformers
• Insulation failure
– Moisture
– Overheating
– Incompatible materials
– Poor manufacture
• Oil failure
– Moisture, carbonising, circulation failure
– Not generally applicable to marine transformers
 Failure Statistics

• 70% – 80% due to inter-turn short circuit

– Local overheating
– Further breakdown
– Severe overheating
– Total failure
• Difficult to monitor entire winding
• Careful monitoring
– Especially new installations
 M A I N T E N A N C E / R E G U L AT I O N / P R O T E C T I O N

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 Maintenance

• Minimal
• Insulation resistance checks
• Cleaning
• Checking of temperature alarms (if fitted)
• Checking of cooling arrangements (if fitted)
• Check of mechanical security
– Electrical connections
– Earth bonding connections
– Mounting devices
– Core fastenings
 Regulations for Power Transformers

• Must be “Double Wound”

• Must comply to the same regulations as generators i.e.
must have a backup
• The windings must be capable of withstanding a short
circuit current for a minimum of 2 seconds
• They must have temperature monitoring if force cooled
• Provision must be fitted to isolate both primary &
secondary windings…
 Protection Devices
• Short circuit protection is required on the primary side
• Overload protection is required on the secondary side

• On HV transformers the trip circuit is arranged so that

fault on one side of the transformer will automatically
isolate the other side
• Oil filled transformers have many additional safety
requirements, Class & MCA do not like them being used
at sea…
TRANSFORMERS