Experiment – 1

Open Circuit and Short Circuit Test and Direct load Test on a
Single Phase Transformer

Introduction:
In this experiment, the students will get familiarized with Open circuit (OC) and Short circuit (SC) test
on a single phase transformer to find out its equivalent circuit parameters. Based on the parameters obtained,
the efficiency as well as the regulation of the transformer at any load can be found out without loading the
transformer.

Objectives:
A. To conduct the OC & SC test on a given single phase transformers and
1. To determine the equivalent circuit parameters of transformer.
2. To estimate the efficiency of transformer for different loads at different power factors.
3. To estimate the regulation of transformer at full load for different power factors.
Theory:
a. Open Circuit Test
The equivalent circuit diagram is given in Fig. 1(a). The purpose of this test is to determine the shunt
branch parameters (i.e., Rc and Xm) of the equivalent circuit of the transformer as shown in the figure. The
primary winding is to be connected to supply at rated voltage, while the secondary one remains open circuited.
The input power (Po), no-load current (Io) and applied voltage (V1) are measured. With the help of these three
parameters, Rc and Xm are to be calculated as follows:
𝑃0 = 𝑉1 𝐼0 cos 𝜃0
𝐼𝑐 = 𝐼0 cos 𝜃0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑚 = 𝐼0 sin 𝜃0

𝑉1 𝑉1
𝑅𝑐 = and 𝑋𝑚 =
𝐼𝑐 𝐼𝑚
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

Io

Ic Im
Rc
Xm

Fig. 1(a) Equivalent circuit diagram of a single phase transformer referred to primary side.

b. Short Circuit Test

With the help of this test, the series parameters (i.e., Xe1 and Re1) of a transformer can be determined.
This test is usually conducted at the primary side of the transformer while the secondary side is short-circuited.
Since the transformer resistance and leakage reactance are very small, the voltage Vsc, needed to circulate the
full load current under short circuit, is as low as 5-8% of the rated voltage. The exciting current is only about
0.1to 0.5% of the full load current. Hence, the shunt branch of the equivalent circuit can be neglected. While
conducting the SC test, the supply voltage is gradually raised from zero till the transformer draws full load
current. The power input corresponds only to the copper loss corresponding to primary and secondary side.
The input power (Psc), short-circuit current (Isc) and applied voltage (Vsc) are measured. With the help of these
three parameters, Re1 and Xe1 are to be calculated as follows:
Vsc Psc
Z e1  ; Re1  ; X e1  (Z e21  Re21 )
I sc I sc2
Where, Ze1 is equivalent series impedance referred to primary.

Procedure:
a) For OC Test:
1. All the connections should be done as per the circuit diagram of OC test as shown in Fig. 1(b).
2. Supply switch (MCB) has to be closed and the single phase auto transformer has to be adjusted to
rated voltage of the transformer.
3. The readings of voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter should be noted.
4. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and again bring it to
rated voltage to get the second reading. The same procedure has to be done for third reading also.
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

5. Finally, the auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero voltage and the supply has to be
switched off.
6. Calculate the shunt branch (R0 and X0) of the transformer using mentioned formulae.
Wattmeter
MCB Fuse Ammeter Transformer
A under test

P1 S1

Single Phase V
Power Supply
Voltmeter
P2 S2
N1 : N2

230V, 1:1, 2 kVA, 50 Hz

Auto-Transformer

Fig. 1(b) Circuit diagram for testing of the transformer

b) For SC Test
1. All the connections have to be made as per the circuit diagram as shown in Fig. 1(b). In addition to
this, the secondary terminals have to be made shorted.
2. Supply switch is closed and the single phase auto transformer is adjusted to rated current of the
transformer.
3. The readings of voltmeter, ammeter and wattmeter are to be noted.
4. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and again bring it to
a particular voltage for which rated current will flow through secondary. The same procedure has to
be done for third reading also.
5. Finally, the auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero and the supply has to be made
switched off.
6. Calculate the series branch or short circuit parameters (Re1 and Xe1) of the transformer using
necessary formulae.
c) Direct load test with resistive load :
1. All the connections should be done as per the circuit diagram of direct load test as shown in Fig.
1(c).
2. Make sure that all the switches corresponding to load in the secondary side of the transformer are
switched off.
3. Supply switch (MCB) has to be closed and the single phase auto transformer has to be adjusted to
rated voltage of the transformer.
4. The readings of voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter have to be noted down under no-load condition.
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

5. Load the transformer by turning on the switches in the load box at desired loading condition and
note down the readings of the voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter in primary as well as secondary side.
6. Repeat the above step for various loading conditions.
7. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and the supply has to
be made switched off.
d) Direct load test with resistive and inductive load
1. Follow the same procedure as it is done for resistive load.
2. During loading, load the transformer by turning on the switches in the load box at desired loading
condition along with adjusting the wheel of the variable inductive load and note down the readings
of the voltmeter, ammeter & wattmeter in primary as well as secondary side.
3. Repeat the above step for various loading conditions.
4. The single phase auto transformer voltage has to be reduced to zero gradually and the supply has to
be made switched off.
Ammeter
Ammeter Wattmeter Wattmeter
MCB Fuse Transformer
under test
A A
P1 S1

Single Phase V V
Power Supply
Voltmeter Voltmeter

P2 S2
N1 : N2 Load

230/230 V, 2 kVA,
Auto-Transformer 1 – ϕ, 50 Hz

Fig. 1(c) Circuit diagram for testing of the transformer by direct loading method
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

Formulae:
 To determine the efficiency at different power factors for different loads:
𝑛𝑆 cos ∅ × 103
% 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑛𝑆 cos ∅ × 103 + (𝑊0 ) + 𝑛2 (𝑊𝑆𝐶 )
S = Rated KVA of the Transformer n = Fraction of load*
W0 = No-load losses or Core losses Wsc = Full- load Copper losses
*for Example n = ¼ for 1/4th of full load, and n= ¾ for 3/4th of full load

 To determine the Regulation at different power factors for full load:

% 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = %𝑅 cos ∅ ± %𝑋 sin ∅
(Positive for lagging power factor and negative for leading power factor)
𝐼 ·𝑅𝑒1 𝐼 ·𝑋𝑒1 (𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐾𝑉𝐴 𝑋 103 )
% 𝑅 = (𝑉1 ) ∗ 100 % 𝑋 = (𝑉1 ) ∗ 100 Where, 𝐼1 =
𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑉𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

Observation Tables:
Table 1: OC & SC Test-Transformer A
Open Circuit Test Short Circuit Test
V1(Volts) I0(Amps) P0(Watts) Vsc(Volts) Isc(Amps) Psc(Watts)

Table 2: OC & SC Test-Transformer B

Open Circuit Test Short Circuit Test
V1(Volts) I0(Amps) P0(Watts) Vsc(Volts) Isc(Amps) Psc(Watts)
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

Result Tables:
Table 3: Voltage Regulation predetermined by OC & SC test

% Voltage Regulation
Power Factor
Transformer A Transformer B
0.2

0.4
Leading
0.6

0.8

0.2

0.4
Lagging
0.6

0.8
Unity 1.0

Table 4: Efficiency predetermined by OC & SC test

% Efficiency
Fraction of Load ,n
Transformer A Transformer B
1/4

1/2
0.8 Lag PF
3/4

1/4

1/2
UPF
3/4

1
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

1. Draw the equivalent circuit of both transformers.

2. Find the power factor at which maximum regulation occurs (verify from formulae and graph)
2. Find the power factor at which zero regulation occurs (verify from formulae and graph)
3 .Find the fraction of load at which maximum efficiency occurs.

Graphs:
a. Output vs Efficiency b. Power factor vs Regulation
Result:
Conclusion:

Questions:
Q.1. What is the significance of O.C. & S.C. test?
Q.2. Why h.v. winding is kept open during O.C. test in case of large transformers?
Q.3. Why l.v. winding is shorted during S.C. test in case of large transformers?
Q.4. In O.C. test, a voltmeter is connected across secondary winding and still it is called as O.C. test.
Why?
Q.5. What will happen if DC supply instead of AC supply is applied to a transformer?
Q.6. Which is the alternate method for finding efficiency and regulation of a transformer other than
O.C. & S.C. tests? What are their advantages over each other?
Q.7. What is the importance of equivalent circuit?
Q.8. Why regulation of transformer is negative for leading p.f. load?
Q.9. “The wattmeter reading during O.C. test is considered as core loss while wattmeter reading during
S.C. test is considered as copper loss” Justify.
Q.10. Why LPF wattmeter is used in OC test?
Q.11. Why UPF wattmeter is used in SC test?
Q.12. What are the different losses in a transformer?
Q.13. Why the transformers are rated in KVA?
Q.14. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under zero power factor lagging condition.
Q.15. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under zero power factor leading condition.
Q.16. Draw the phasor diagram of transformer under unity power factor condition.
Q.17. What are the merits and limitations of direct load test?
Q.18. Draw the phasor diagram for lagging load.
EE253 Electrical Machines-I Lab 2023-24_________________________Experiment 1: OC & SC Test of Single phase Transformer

Reference:
1. P. S Bimbhra “Electrical Machinery” 7th Edition, Khanna Publishers, 2008.
2. J. Nagarath, D. P. Kothari, “Electric Machines” Tata McGraw Hill, 4th Edition, 2010
3. S.G. Tarnekar, P.K. Kharbanda, S. B. Bodkhe, S.D. Naik and D.J. Dahigaonkar, “Laboratory
Courses In Electrical Engineering”, S. Chand, 6th Edition, 2013