advanced search

Basics of Transformer Voltage Efficiency

Sep 1, 2000 12:00 PM, By Mark Lamendola

Find more articles on: Transformers

Efficiency is a function of a transformer's power losses, but it's easy to lose sight of what transformer efficiency means in the real world.

Last month, we discussed transformer voltage regulation. Closely related to that concept is transformer efficiency. You calculate this the same way you calculate efficiency for other equipment: Divide the output by the input. If you multiply the result by 100, you can show this number as a percentage.

Efficiency is a function of a transformer's power losses, and two factors account for nearly all of these losses. One is winding copper loss. Since you have two sets of windings, you have two components to copper loss: primary and secondary winding copper loss.

The second factor accounting for transformer power losses is core loss. You get core losses due to hysteresis - a function of several characteristics of the core steel (or iron), all determined by the manufacturing process. Fortunately, the core losses for any given transformer stay constant (provided supply frequency is constant). You obtain maximum efficiency when winding copper loss equals core loss.

To calculate transformer efficiency in any condition other than no-load, you must first calculate the equivalent resistance (ER) of both the primary and secondary (including the load). The effort needed to arrive at the ER (which changes with facility reconfigurations) is hard to justify for typical applications.

Nonetheless, you can easily calculate no-load efficiency. First, multiply the output voltage by the output current (for load conditions, you would multiply the result by the cosine of the ER). Repeat this step for the input. Then, divide the output results by the input results. No-load efficiency gives you a basis for comparing transformers or testing a transformer against a specification. It won't tell you how efficient your transformer is when in use. That's why we still - at least in theory - calculate transformer efficiency in conditions other than no-load. Yet, the no-load calculation - because it is so easy - is often worthwhile. For example, you first establish a baseline for each transformer. When you experience problems that indicate a transformer malfunction, recalculating no-load efficiency again can shorten troubleshooting time dramatically.

Does the transformer efficiency, under load conditions, have any real value to you? Yes, if you can calculate the ER of everything on the load side - something few installations merit paying for. Thus, in the real world, we go back to the basic rule of thumb for maximizing transformer efficiency: Load the transformer to about 80% of capacity. In a lightly loaded transformer, the equivalent secondary resistance will not bring the winding and core losses anywhere close.

Once you load a transformer properly, you can safely assume it will run as efficiently as it's going to run. Now, just ensure it has proper cooling and is not subject to excessive harmonics. If you have problems with efficiency or voltage regulation, don't automatically upgrade to a larger or K-rated transformer. On the other hand, once you have the proper loading and cooling, you'll have eliminated key variables so an upgrade is easier to justify.

Don't jump into a purchase of harmonics mitigation equipment either. Inspect the grounding and bonding system from the transformer to the service entrance. This will often reveal the source of your problem.

 

Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2012 Penton Business Media, Inc.

---

Acceptable Use Policy blog comments powered by Disqus

Browse Back Issues Select an Issue November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 1, 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 1, 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 1, 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 1, 2006 May 1, 2006 April 2006 March 1, 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 1, 2004 January 1, 2004 December 1, 2003 November 1, 2003 October 1, 2003 September 1, 2003 August 1, 2003 July 1, 2003 June 1, 2003 May 1, 2003 April 1, 2003 March 1, 2003 February 1, 2003 January 1, 2003 December 1, 2002 November 1, 2002 October 1, 2002 September 1, 2002 August 1, 2002 July 1, 2002 June 1, 2002 May 1, 2002 April 1, 2002 March 1, 2002 February 1, 2002 January 1, 2002 December 1, 2001 November 1, 2001 October 1, 2001 September 1, 2001 August 1, 2001 July 1, 2001 June 1, 2001 May 1, 2001 April 1, 2001 March 1, 2001 February 1, 2001 February 1, 1995 January 1, 2001 December 1, 2000 November 1, 2000 October 1, 2000 September 1, 2000 August 1, 2000 July 1, 2000 June 1, 2000 May 1, 2000 April 1, 2000 March 1, 2000 February 1, 2000 January 1, 2000 December 1, 1999 November 1, 1999 October 1, 1999 September 1, 1999 August 1, 1999 July 1, 1999 June 1, 1999 May 1, 1999 April 1, 1999 March 1, 1999 February 1, 1999 January 1, 1999 December 1, 1998 November 1, 1998 October 1, 1998 September 1, 1998 August 1, 1998 July 1, 1998 June 1, 1998 May 1, 1998 April 1, 1998 March 1, 1998 February 1, 1998 January 1, 1998 December 1, 1997 November 1, 1997 December 1, 1996 November 1, 1996 October 1, 1996 September 1, 1996 August 1, 1996 July 1, 1996 June 1, 1996 May 1, 1996 April 1, 1996 March 1, 1996 February 1, 1996 January 1, 1996 December 1, 1995 November 30, 1995 November 1, 1995 October 1, 1995 September 1, 1995 August 1, 1995 July 1, 1995 June 1, 1995 May 1, 1995 April 1, 1995 March 1, 1995

browse e-newsletters