Electronic – Open and Short Circuit tests of Transformers

transformer

I have knowledge that a transformer in

  1. Open ckt is used to find Copper loss and
  2. Short ckt is used to find Iron loss

But I don't know how to interpret the result of such tests?

Further what do each of the following measurements indicate for open and short ckt tests?

  1. Power measured in Wattmeter
  2. Current in Ammeter
  3. Voltage in Voltmeter

Best Answer

With the secondary open circuit, only the primary winding has effects on results and therefore the current that flows is the magnetizing current. The magnetizing current produces losses and these are called iron losses and they are partly due to eddy currents circulating in the the iron laminates that make the core. Iron isn't the best conductor of electricity and so it's resistance dissipates power due to these eddy currents.

Hysteresis loss is also measured by this test and, strictly speaking the total "loss" with the secondary open circuit is eddy current loss plus hysteresis loss (Remanence effects in the iron material leading to energy loss every cycle of ac).

Shorting the secondary tests copper losses and this is usually done at a much lower applied voltage to the primary. Because of this, iron losses are negligible and can be ignored. In this test you are measuring the I^2*R losses of primary and secondary together. If you know the turns ratio you can make reasonable assumptions about the distribution of loss in primary and secondary.

Below is the equivalent circuit of a transformer with the secondary (copper losses) referred back into the primary. This referral is done by multiplying them with turns ratio squared: -

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Note component Xm - this is the reactance of primary inductance of the transformer. Xp and Xs are leakage reactances (turns of copper that don't couple magnetically).

Measurements

Watt-meter measurements will indicate the losses on both tests.

Ammeter tests will tell you the current in the primary and/or the secondary - this can also help you gain knowledge about the turns ratio. Ammeter tests also tell you that you are at the limit of current for testing with the secondary shorted i.e. at the manufacturer's recommended limit. Don't go higher is the rule.

Voltmeter tests only apply to primary testing when the secondary is shorted and apply to both primary and secondary when the secondary is open circuit.

If you don't have a watt-meter, voltmeter and ammeter tests plus a little bit of common sense and knowledge can help you calculate powers that would be indicated by the watt-meter.

This answer applies to regular power transformers - it isn't intended to cover high frequency transformers although the principles are the same BUT dielectric loss and resonance effects can play a big part.

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