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An example of calculating transformer size and voltage drop due

to starting of large motor

Medium-voltage motor starting transformer (man. J. Schneider Elektrotechnik; photo credit: DirectIndustry)

Example
Lets calculate voltage drop in transformer 1000KVA, 11/0.480 kV, impedance 5.75% due to starting of 300 kW,
460V, 0.8 power factor, motor code D (kva/hp). Motor starts 2 times per hour and the allowable voltage drop at
transformer secondary terminal is 10%.
Calculation can be checked by using this MS Excel Spreadsheet dedicated especially to this kind of problem.
Ok, lets get into the calculations

Motor current / Torque

Motor full load current = (Kw x 1000) / (1.732 x Volt (L-L) x P.F
Motor full load current = 300 1000 / 1.732 x 460 x 0.8 = 471 Amp.

Motor locked rotor current = Multiplier x Motor full load current

Locked rotor current (Kva/Hp)

Motor Code

Min

Max

3.15

3.16

3.55

3.56

4.1

4.5

4.6

5.1

5.6

5.7

6.3

6.4

7.1

7.2

8.1

9.1

10

10.1

11.2

11.3

12.5

12.6

14

14.1

16

16.1

18

18.1

20

20.1

22.4

22.5
Min. motor locked rotor current (L1) = 4.10 471 = 1930 Amp
Max. motor locked rotor current (L2) = 4.50 471 = 2118 Amp
Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = Volt x locked rotor current x Full load current x 1.732 / 1000
Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = 460 x 2118 x 471 x 1.732 / 1000 = 1688 kVA

Transformer
Transformer full load current = kVA / (1.732 x Volt)

Transformer full load current = 1000 / (1.73 2 480) = 1203 Amp.

Short circuit current at TC secondary (Isc) = Transformer full load current / Impedance
Short circuit current at TC secondary = 1203 / 5.75 = 20919 Amp
Maximum kVA of TC at rated Short circuit current (Q1) = (Volt x Isc x 1.732) / 1000
Maximum kVA of TC at rated Short circuit current (Q1) = 480 x 20919 x 1.732 / 1000 = 17391 kVA
Voltage drop at transformer secondary due to Motor Inrush (Vd) = (Irsm) / Q1
Voltage drop at transformer secondary due to Motor inrush (Vd) = 1688 / 17391 = 10%
Voltage drop at Transformer secondary is 10% which is within permissible limit.
Motor full load current 65% of Transformer full load current
471 Amp 65% x 1203 Amp = 471 Amp 781 Amp
Here voltage drop is within limit and Motor full load current TC full load current.
Size of Transformer is Adequate.

About Author //
Jignesh Parmar
jiguparmar - Jignesh Parmar has completed his B.E(Electrical) from Gujarat University.
He is member of Institution of Engineers (MIE),India. Membership No:M-1473586.He has
more than 12 years experience in Transmission -Distribution-Electrical Energy theft
detection-Electrical Maintenance-Electrical Projects (Planning-Designing-Technical
Review-coordination -Execution). He is Presently associate with one of the leading
business group as a Assistant Manager at Ahmedabad,India. He has published numbers of
Technical Articles in "Electrical Mirror", "Electrical India", "Lighting India", "Industrial
Electrix"(Australian Power Publications) Magazines. He is Freelancer Programmer of
Advance Excel and design useful Excel base Electrical Programs as per IS, NEC, IEC,IEEE codes. He is Technical
Blogger and Familiar with English, Hindi, Gujarati, French languages. He wants to Share his experience &
Knowledge and help technical enthusiasts to find suitable solutions and updating themselves on various Engineering
Topics.

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14 Comments
1.
Djarot Prasetyo
Nov 15, 2014
Hi! Id like to know, what standard did you use for the locked rotor current?
Thanks!
(reply)

2.
Benn Richey
Sep 02, 2014
Theres an error in the calculations above: Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = 460 x 2118 x
471 x 1.732 / 1000 = 1688 kVA
It should be: Motor inrush Kva at Starting (Irsm) = 460 x 4.5 x 471 x 1.732 / 1000 = 1688 kVA
(reply)
3.
Mujeeb Raza
Aug 28, 2014
Hi All,
I want to get this into detail, if the output of this transformer is connected to load of small industries (assume
same data), What factors are to look into while selecting cable for the secondary of transformer up to the LV
panel.
(reply)
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