No.
of the experiment : 01
Name of the experiment : Regulation of the Transformer in Various Loads.
Objectives :
To study the voltage regulation of the transformer with varying loads.
To study transformer regulation with resistive, inductive and capacitive loading.
Theory :
Voltage regulation is the measure of how well a transformer can maintain a constant
secondary voltage under varying load conditions, as the output secondary voltage
may not be what we expect.
When the primary winding of a transformer is energised, it produces a secondary
voltage and current at an amount determined by the transformers turns ratio, (TR).
If a single-phase transformer has a step down turns ratio of 2:1 and 240V is
applied to the high voltage primary winding, we would expect to see an output
terminal voltage on the secondary winding of 120 VAC as we assume it to be ideal.
In practical scenarios, this ideal scenario doesn't always hold true due to
inherent losses in transformers, such as copper losses (I2R) and magnetic core
losses, which diminish the expected secondary voltage. So in our used example, the
secondary voltage would typically be around 117 VAC. This phenomenon is common and
expected.
But there is also another value related to transformers (and electrical machines)
which also has an affect on this secondary voltage value when the transformer is
supplying full power, and this is called “regulation”. Regulation determines the
variation in secondary terminal voltage which occurs inside the transformer as a
result of variations in the transformers connected load thereby affecting its
performance and efficiency if these losses are high and the secondary voltage
becomes too low.
Transformer Voltage Regulation = [(No Load Voltage - Full Load Voltage)/Full Load
Voltage]*100%
In this experiment, volatage regulation for different types of variable loads have
been observed.
Ckt Diagram :
Data Table :
Calculation :
Discussion :
Observing the results of the experiment, we can see that when no load is connected,
there is no secondary current. So, secondary voltage is at maximum value. Then, we
increased the load gradually, so secondary current began to generate. For resistive
and inductive load, as secondary current increased, secondary voltage decreased,
producing a downwards graph. We know that inductive loads are lagging (current lags
voltage). For lagging power factor, the secondary terminal voltage decreases. This
is why voltage regulation is positive.
For capacitive load, the opposite was observed. As secondary current increased,
secondary voltage also began to increase. So we see an upwards graph. This happened
because capacitive loads are leading (current leads voltage). For leading power
factor, the secondary terminal voltage rises. Thus, voltage regulation is negative.
So we can say that, positive regulation produces a voltage drop in the winding,
while a negative regulation produces a voltage rise in the winding. Voltage
regulation is never zero. But the value being closer to zero shows more efficiency.
Voltage regulation is a very important concept in our everyday life. Voltage
regulators are like guardians for electrical devices, keeping them safe from sudden
changes in power. These changes, like power sags (when voltage drops) or surges
(when voltage spikes), can mess up sensitive electronics in things like household
appliances, computers, or battery chargers. Voltage regulation helps make sure the
power supply is good quality by keeping the voltage steady and preventing problems
like changes in voltage, strange patterns in the electricity, and other issues that
could mess up how electrical devices work. Moreover, many industries and
organizations have rules about how high or low voltage should be. Following these
rules keeps electrical systems safe and in line with what's expected. In these
cases too, voltage regulators are required.
Report Questions :
1. Explain why the output voltage increases when capacitance loading is used.
Ans : When capacitance loading is introduced to transformers, the output voltage
increases due to the interaction between the capacitive load and the transformer's
magnetic field. Capacitors store electrical energy during one part of the AC cycle
and release it during another, effectively smoothing out voltage fluctuations. This
process results in a higher overall voltage output from the transformer.
2. A transformer has very low impedance (small R and X):
a) What effect does this have on the regulation?
Ans : A transformer with very low impedance (small R and X) has a positive effect
on regulation.
We know, Voltage Loss, V = IZ
This means that when impedance is low, voltage loss will also be low.
b) What effect does this have on short-circuit current?
Ans : When a transformer has very low impedance (small resistance and reactance),
it typically results in a higher short circuit current. This is because low
impedance allows the transformer to deliver more power to the load, and when a
short circuit occurs, there is little impedance to limit the flow of current. As a
result, the short circuit current tends to be higher in transformers with low
impedance.
3. Very large transformers are sometimes designed not to have optimum regulation
properties in order for the associated circuit breakers to be within reasonable
size. Explain.
Ans : Transformers with highly efficient regulation properties tend to produce very
high short-circuit currents during faults. To mitigate this, designers
intentionally introduce some impedance into the transformer, which reduces the
short-circuit current to a more manageable level. By doing so, they can use circuit
breakers that are of a more practical size and cost, without compromising overall
system reliability. Moreover, designing the circuit breaker for optimum voltage and
current ratings would require a large number of turns of low voltage, heavy current
windings, which are costly.
4. Will transformer heating be approximately the same for resistive, inductive or
capacitive loads of the same VA rating? Explain. Yes /No.
Ans : The heating of transformers will not be the same for resistive, inductive,
capacitive loads of the same VA rating. Resistive loads draw current in phase with
the voltage, while capacitive loads draw current leading the voltage, and inductive
loads draw current lagging behind the voltage. This difference in power factor
affects the current drawn by the transformer. As a result, the heating will also be
different.
5. Why regulation of Transformer is negative value for Capacitive Load? Explain.
Ans : Voltage regulation is negative for capacitive loads because as load current
decreases, the voltage across the load tends to increase due to the phase
relationship between current and voltage in capacitive circuits. In a capacitive
load, the current leads the voltage waveform. In other words, the current flows
ahead of the voltage in a capacitive circuit. When the load current decreases, the
voltage across the load tends to increase because of this phase relationship. This
results in secondary voltage being higher than primary voltage, causing voltage
regulation to be negative.
