2.1.

OPEN-CIRCUIT AND SHORT-CIRCUIT TESTS

(i) The parameters of the equivalent circuit of a transformer

A. Open Circuit (or No-Load) Test

The circuit diagram for performing open circuit test on a single phase transformer is given in Figure
2.9 (a). In this diagram, a voltmeter, wattmeter and an ammeter are shown connected on the low
voltage side of the transformer. The high voltage side is left open circuited. The rated frequency
voltage applied to the primary, i.e. low voltage side, is varied with the help of a variable ratio auto-
transformer. When the voltmeter reading is equal to the rated voltage of the L.V. winding, all three
instrument readings are recorded.

Auto-
transformer Ie
A + Ie
W Ic Im

V1=E1 R Xm
c

H.V L.V _

(a) (b)

Figure 2.9 (a) Circuit diagram for open-circuit test on a transformer and (b) approximate equivalent
circuit at no load

The-ammeter records the no-load current or exciting current Ie. Since Ie is quite small (2 to 6%) of
rated current), the primary leakage impedance drop is almost negligible, and for all practical
purposes, the applied voltage V1 is equal to the induced emf E1.
In view of this fact, the ohmic loss during open circuit test is negligible in comparison with the
normal core loss (approximately proportional to the square of the applied voltage). Hence the
wattmeter reading can be taken as equal to transformer core loss.

V1 = Applied rated voltage on L.V. side,

Ie = exciting current ( or no-load current) and

Pc = core loss

Then Pc  V1I e cos o

Pc
 No load p.f.  cos o 
V1I e

From phase diagram, it follows that

I c  I e cos o and I m  I e sin o

P
Ic  c
V1

V V1
R CL  1 
I c I e cos o
 Core loss resistant
V12 V121
 
V1I e cos o Pc o

Also I c2 R CL  Pc

P Pc
 R CL  c 
I c2 I e cos o 2

Magnetizing reactance

V Pc
X mL  1 
I m I e sin o

The subscript L with Rc and Xm is used merely to emphasize that these values are for the L.V.
side.
It must be kept in mind that the values of Rc and Xm, in general, refer to the side, in which the
instruments are placed (the L.V. side in the present case). A voltmeter is sometimes, used at the
open-circuited secondary terminals, in order to determine the turns ratio.

Thus the open-circuit test gives the following information: (i) core loss at rated voltage and
frequency, (ii) the shunt branch parameters of the equivalent circuit, i.e. Rc and Xm and (iii) turns
ratio of the transformer.

B. Short-Circuit Test

The low voltage-side of the transformer is short-circuited and the instruments are placed on the
high voltage side, as illustrated in Figure 2.10 (a).

Auto-
transformer
A

W
Short circuit

H.V L.V

Figure 2.10 (a) connection diagram for short circuit test on a transformer

r1 x1 x2 r2
Short circuit

Rc Xm

Figure 2.10 (b) Equivalent circuit with short-circuit on the secondary side
 r1 x1 x2 r2

Isc

Short circuit
Vsc

Figure 2.10 (c) Transformer equivalent circuit with secondary short-circuited

The applied voltage is adjusted by auto-transformer, to circulate rated current in the high voltage
side. In a transformer, the primary m.m.f. is almost equal to the secondary m.m.f., therefore, a
rated current in the H.V. winding causes rated current to flow in the L.V. winding.

The wattmeter, in short circuit test, records the core loss and the ohmic loss in both windings.
Since the core loss has been proved to be almost negligible in comparison with the rated voltage
core loss, the wattmeter can be taken to register only the ohmic losses in both windings.

Let VSC, ISC and PSC be the voltmeter, ammeter and wattmeter readings; then from Figure 2.10 (c),
equivalent leakage impedance referred to H.V. side,

V
ZeH  SC
ISC

P
Equivalent resistance referred to H.V. side, reH  SC and equivalent leakage reactance referred
2
ISC

2 2
to H.V. side, X eH  ZeH  reH

In reH, XeH and ZeH„, the subscript H is used to indicate that these quantities are referred to H.V.
side. These parameters can however, be referred to the L.V. side, if required.

In the analysis of transformer equivalent circuit, the values of equivalent resistance and equivalent
leakage reactance referred to either side are used.

Thus, the short-circuit test gives the following information: (i) ohmic loss at rated current and
frequency and (ii) the equivalent resistance and equivalent leakage reactance.
Generally the most important tasks performed by transformers are:-
i. Changing voltage and current levels in electrical power systems
ii. Matching source and load impedances for maximum power transfer in electronic and
control circuit and
iii. Electrical isolation (isolating one circuit from another )