Parallel Operation &

Cooling of Transformer
Why Parallel operation?

1. Non-availability of a single large transformer to meet the total load

requirement.
2. The power demand might have increased over a time necessitating
augmentation of the capacity. More transformers connected in parallel will
then be pressed into service.
3. To ensure improved reliability. Even if one of the transformers gets into a
fault or is taken out for maintenance/repair the load can continued to be
serviced.
4. To reduce the spare capacity. If many smaller size transformers are used
one machine can be used as spare. If only one large machine is feeding the
load, a spare of similar rating has to be available. The problem of spares
becomes more acute with fewer machines in service at a location.

5. When transportation problems limit installation of large transformers at

site, it may be easier to transport smaller ones to site and work them in
parallel.
Figure: Parallel Operation of Two Single Phase Transformers - Physical
Certain conditions have to be met before two or more transformers are
connected in parallel and share a common load satisfactorily.

1. The voltage ratio must be the same.

3. The polarity must be the same, so that there is no circulating current

between the transformers.

2. The per unit impedance of each machine on its own base must be the
same.

4. The phase sequence must be the same and no phase difference must exist
between the voltages of the two transformers.
Parallel Operation
Single Phase High circulation
currents will flow

Incorrect Polarity
Parallel Operation
Single Phase Correct Polarity
 Parallel Operation
Testing for Polarity

Place a voltmeter across

the transformer terminal
and the supply line

Correct polarity = 0 Volts

Incorrect polarity = Transformer voltage or higher
The voltage drop across the two
transformers must be the same by
virtue of common connection at input
as well as output ends.

Figure: Equivalent Circuit for Transformers working in Parallel -Simplified

circuit and Further simplification for identical voltage ratio.
Figure: Phasor Diagram of Operation for two Transformers working
in Parallel
 If the terminal voltage is V = IZL then the active and reactive power
supplied by each of the two transformers is given by
PA = Real(V I*A) and QA = Imag(V I*A) and
PB = Real(V I*B) and QB = Imag(V I*B)

From the above it is seen If transformers of dissimilar ratings are The per unit
that the transformer with paralleled the trans-former with larger impedances must
higher impedance rating shall have smaller impedance as it therefore be the same
supplies lesser load has to produce the same drop as the on their respective
current and vice versa. other transformer, at a larger current. bases.
 3 Phase
Transformers
PRIMARY Types SECONDARY
Star Star

No Phase Shift

Reference
 3 Phase
Transformers
PRIMARY Types SECONDARY
Delta Delta

No Phase Shift
n ce
fere
Re
 3 Phase
Transformers
PRIMARY Types SECONDARY
Star Delta

V2 Leads V1 by
Reference 30 30
 3 Phase
Transformers
PRIMARY Types SECONDARY
Delta Star

V2 Lags V1 by 30
ce 30
en
e fer
R
 Paralleling 3 Phase
Transformers
Must be from the same vector group
Must have the same effect on voltage:

-Δ paralleled with -Δ 

Δ- paralleled with Δ- 

Δ- paralleled with -Δ 

Δ- -30 & -Δ +30
The voltage phase difference would be 60
Problem: Two single phase transformers A and B are connected in parallel. They
have same kVA ratings but their resistances are respectively 0.005 and 0.01 per unit
and their leakage reactance's 0.05 and 0.04 per unit. If A is operated on full-load at
a p.f of 0.8 lagging, what will be the load and p.f of B.

Solution:

and then

It is obvious transformer B is working 22% over-load and its power factor

cos28.57=0.878(lag)
No transformer is truly an ideal transformer and hence each
will incur some losses most of which get converted into heat.
If this heat is not dissipated properly, the excess temperature
in transformer may cause serious problems like insulation
failure. It is obvious that transformer needs a cooling system.

Transformers can be divided in two types:

(i) dry type transformers and
(ii) oil immersed transformers.
 Transformer Cooling
• Transformer ratings can be increased if their windings are cooled by some
external means

• The most common cooling mediums are in direct with transformer

windings;

Air and/or Oil

• The most common methods of circulation are

Forced and/or Natural

 Transformer Classification
• Transformers are allocated symbols which indicate the type of cooling
used
• Can consist of up to 4 letters indicating the cooling system

1st Letter 2nd Letter 3rd Letter 4th Letter

The cooling medium in contact The cooling medium in contact

with the windings with the external cooling system

Kind of Medium Circulation type Kind of Medium Circulation type

Different cooling methods of transformers are -

•For dry type transformers

1. Air Natural (AN)
2. Air Blast

•For oil immersed transformers

1. Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN)
2. Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF)
3. Oil Forced Air Forced (OFAF)
4. Oil Forced Water Forced (OFWF)
Transformer Cooling Methods
 Transformer Cooling Methods
Air Natural Or Self Air Cooled Transformer
This method of transformer cooling is generally used in small transformer (upto 3
MVA). In this method the transformer is allowed to cool by natural air flow
surrounding it.

Air Blast
For transformers rated more than 3 MVA, cooling by natural air method is
inadequate. In this method, air is forced on the core and windings with the help of
fans or blowers. The air supply must be filtered to prevent the accumulation of
dust particles in ventilation ducts. This method can be used for transformers upto
15 MVA.
 Transformer Classification
Type AN Air Natural
Dry Transformer with
Natural Air Flow
Transformer Classification
Type AF Air Forced
Dry Transformer with
Forced Air Flow
Cooling Methods For Oil Immersed Transformers
Oil Natural Air Natural (ONAN)
This method is used for oil immersed
transformers. In this method, the heat
generated in the core and winding is
transferred to the oil. According to the
principle of convection, the heated oil
flows in the upward direction and then in
the radiator. The vacant place is filled up by
cooled oil from the radiator. The heat from
the oil will dissipate in the atmosphere due
to the natural air flow around the
transformer. In this way, the oil in
transformer keeps circulating due to
natural convection and dissipating heat in
atmosphere due to natural conduction.
This method can be used for transformers
upto about 30 MVA.
Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF)

The heat dissipation can be improved

further by applying forced air on the
dissipating surface. Forced air provides
faster heat dissipation than natural air
flow. In this method, fans are mounted
near the radiator and may be provided
with an automatic starting
arrangement, which turns on when
temperature increases beyond certain
value. This transformer cooling method
is generally used for large transformers
upto about 60 MVA.
Oil Forced Air Forced (OFAF)

In this method, oil is circulated with

the help of a pump. The oil circulation
is forced through the heat exchangers.
Then compressed air is forced to flow
on the heat exchanger with the help
of fans. The heat exchangers may be
mounted separately from the
transformer tank and connected
through pipes at top and bottom as
shown in the figure. This type of
cooling is provided for higher rating
transformers at substations or power
stations.
Oil Forced Water Forced (OFWF)

This method is similar to OFAF

method, but here forced water
flow is used to dissipate hear
from the heat exchangers. The
oil is forced to flow through the
heat exchanger with the help of
a pump, where the heat is
dissipated in the water which is
also forced to flow. The heated
water is taken away to cool in
separate coolers. This type of
cooling is used in very large
transformers having rating of
several hundreds MVA.
 Transformer Oil
Acts as Coolant & Insulator
• Low Viscosity
• High Flash point
• Chemically inert
• Good insulator
 Transformer Oil Tests
• Dielectric Strength
• Acidity
• Power factor
• Interfacial tension
• Dissolved Gas
THE END
Transformer Classification
ONAF
Type
Oil Natural Air Forced

Oil Tank Cooling Natural Oil Flow - Forced Air Flow

Transformer Classification
Type OFAF
Oil Forced Air Forced

Oil Tank Cooling Forced Oil Flow – Forced Air Flow