Power Transformer and Distribution Transformer

The power transformer and distribution transformer are an important part of an electrical power distribution network. They are classified based on some of their characteristics.

Differences between Power Transformer and Distribution Transformer

A power transformer is used in transmission network of higher voltages for step-up and step down the application (400 kV, 200 kV, 110 kV, 66 kV, 33 kV) and are generally rated above 200 MVA.

Distribution transformer is used for lower voltage distribution networks as a means to end user connectivity. (11 kV, 6.6 kV, 3.3 kV, 440 V, 230 V) and are generally rated less than 200 MVA.

Table of Contents

Transformer Size / Insulation Level:

The power transformer is used for the transmission purpose at heavy load at a higher voltage greater than 33 kV and 100% efficiency.

It is big in size as compared to the distribution transformer. They are used in generating station and transmission substation with high insulation level.

Read more about electrical substations.

The distribution transformer is used for the distribution of electrical energy at low voltage as less than 33 kV in industrial purpose and 440 V-220 V in domestic purpose.

It works at low efficiency at 50-70%, small size, easy in installation, having low magnetic losses & it is not always fully loaded.

Iron Losses and Copper Losses

Power Transformers are used in Transmission network so they do not directly connect to the consumers, so load fluctuations are very less.

Power Transformers are loaded fully during 24 hr’s a day, so Cu losses & Fe losses take place throughout the day. The specific weight i.e. (iron weight)/(copper weight) is very less.
The average loads are nearer to full loaded or full load and these are designed in such a way that maximum efficiency at full load condition. These are independent of time so in calculating the efficiency only power basis is enough.

Read Percentage Impedance of Transformers.

Distribution Transformers are used in distribution network so directly connected to the consumer so load fluctuations are very high.

These are not loaded fully at all time so iron losses take place 24 hours a day and copper losses take place based on load cycle.
The specific weight is more i.e. (iron weight)/(copper weight) average loads are about only 75% of full load and these are designed in such a way that max efficiency occurs at 75% of full load.
As these are time dependent the all-day efficiency is defined in order to calculate the efficiency.

Power transformers are used for transmission as a step up devices so that the I²R loss can be minimized for given power flow.

These transformers are designed to utilize the core to the maximum and will operate very much near to the knee point of the B-H curve (slightly above the knee point value).
This brings down the mass of the core enormously. Naturally, these transformers have the matched iron losses and copper losses at peak load (i.e. the maximum efficiency point where both the losses match).

Distribution transformers obviously cannot be designed like this. Hence the all-day-efficiency comes into picture while designing it.

It depends on the typical load cycle for which it has to supply. Definitely, Core design will be done to take care of peak load and as well as all-day-efficiency. It is a bargain between these two points.

Power transformer generally operated at full load.

Hence, it is designed such that copper losses are minimal.

However, a distribution transformer is always online and operated at loads less than the full load for most of the time.

Hence, it is designed such that core losses are minimal.

In the power transformer, the flux density is higher than the distribution transformer.

Maximum Efficiency

The main difference between power and distribution transformer is the distribution transformer is designed for maximum efficiency at 60% to 70% load as normally doesn’t operate at full load all the time.

Its load depends on distribution demand.

Whereas power transformer is designed for maximum efficiency at 100% load as it always runs at 100% load being near to generating station.

Distribution Transformer is used at the distribution level where voltages tend to be lower. The secondary voltage is almost always the voltage delivered to the end consumer.

Because of voltage drop limitations, it is usually not possible to deliver that secondary voltage over great distances.
As a result, most distribution systems tend to involve many ‘clusters’ of loads fed from distribution transformers, and this, in turn, means that the thermal rating of distribution transformers doesn’t have to be very high to support the loads that they have to serve.

All-day efficiency = (Output in KWhr) / (Input in KWhr)

in 24 hrs which is always less than power efficiency.

Power Transformer	Distribution Transformer
Power Transformers include all transformers of large rating (250 kVA and above) used in generating stations and substations for transforming voltage at each end of power transmission line They may be single-phase or 3-phase; 3-wire Δ/Δ or Δ/Υ connected; and voltage rating 220/11 kV or in high voltage range. They are put in operation during load hours and disconnected during light load hours i.e power transformers are usually operated on approximately full load. This is possible because they are arranged in banks and can be thrown in parallel with other units or disconnected. Power transformers are designed to have maximum efficiency at or near full load (iron loss to full load copper loss ratio of 1:1) Power transformers are designed to have considerably greater leakage reactance than is permissible in distribution transformers. It is because in power transformers inherent voltage regulation is not as much important as the current limiting effect of the higher leakage reactance. The usual flux density of power transformers is of 1.5 T to 1.7 T. Percentage Impedance ranging from 6-18%. Regulation ranging from 6-10%. They may be self oil-cooled, forced air-cooled or forced water-cooled.	Transformers of rating up to 250 kVA, used to step down the distribution voltage to a standard service voltage are known as distribution transformers. They are kept in operation all the 24 hours a day whether they are carrying any load or not. In such transformers, iron loss occurs all the time where the copper loss occurs only when they are loaded. Therefore distribution transformers should be designed with iron loss smaller in comparison with full load copper loss (say of the ratio 1:3). In other words, we can say, distribution transformers are designed for good all-day efficiency and not for highest efficiency on full load. They are of self-cooling type. The distribution transformers are usually 3-phase 4 wire 11 kV/400 V Δ/Υ connected. They are designed to have an inherently good voltage regulation. It is possible by arranging the coils in minimum leakage reactance. Percentage impedance of distribution transformers ranging from 4 – 5%. Voltage regulation is of 4-8%. They are made with cold-rolled steel with a flux density of 1.7 T.

Power Transformer

Distribution Transformer

Power Transformers include all transformers of large rating (250 kVA and above) used in generating stations and substations for transforming voltage at each end of power transmission line
They may be single-phase or 3-phase; 3-wire Δ/Δ or Δ/Υ connected; and voltage rating 220/11 kV or in high voltage range.
They are put in operation during load hours and disconnected during light load hours i.e power transformers are usually operated on approximately full load.
This is possible because they are arranged in banks and can be thrown in parallel with other units or disconnected.
Power transformers are designed to have maximum efficiency at or near full load (iron loss to full load copper loss ratio of 1:1)
Power transformers are designed to have considerably greater leakage reactance than is permissible in distribution transformers.
It is because in power transformers inherent voltage regulation is not as much important as the current limiting effect of the higher leakage reactance.
The usual flux density of power transformers is of 1.5 T to 1.7 T.
Percentage Impedance ranging from 6-18%.
Regulation ranging from 6-10%.
They may be self oil-cooled, forced air-cooled or forced water-cooled.

Transformers of rating up to 250 kVA, used to step down the distribution voltage to a standard service voltage are known as distribution transformers.
They are kept in operation all the 24 hours a day whether they are carrying any load or not.
In such transformers, iron loss occurs all the time where the copper loss occurs only when they are loaded.
Therefore distribution transformers should be designed with iron loss smaller in comparison with full load copper loss (say of the ratio 1:3).
In other words, we can say, distribution transformers are designed for good all-day efficiency and not for highest efficiency on full load.
They are of self-cooling type.
The distribution transformers are usually 3-phase 4 wire 11 kV/400 V Δ/Υ connected.
They are designed to have an inherently good voltage regulation. It is possible by arranging the coils in minimum leakage reactance.
Percentage impedance of distribution transformers ranging from 4 – 5%.
Voltage regulation is of 4-8%.
They are made with cold-rolled steel with a flux density of 1.7 T.

Transformer Size / Insulation Level:

Iron Losses and Copper Losses

Maximum Efficiency

Related Articles

Leave a Comment Cancel reply