1

Abstract
Transformers are the backbone of power systems. They are used to step-up
or step-down primary voltage and gives output voltage known as secondary
voltage. They work according to Faradays law of electromagnetic induction.
Transformers have design ratings so they should be operated with in their
limits in order to maintain their operational reliability and prolong their life.
However carelessness can make transformer suffer from overloading,
insulation deterioration, bushings damaging, oil burning etc. But most
devastating issue is overloading. In order to get rid of overloading help from
another on-load transformer is taken. Upon overloading, transformer
requests the on-load transformer for load sharing. If acknowledge signal is
obtained from on-load transformer, load sharing begins and prolongs until
overloading halts. In case no acknowledge is obtained, the transformer will
automatically switch off.

1.Introduction
Transformers are electrical machines which are most commonly used
wherever there is need of step up or step down the voltage which is supplied
at receiving end and is delivered at transmitting end. Transformers have two
types of ends; the receiving end which is called Primary Side and
transmitting end which is called Secondary side. Both the ends have fixed
number of turns which are wounded on some ferromagnetic materials. If
primary end has more number of turns than secondary side such type of
transformer is called step down transformer, and vice versa is called step up
transformer. Step down transformer brings down secondary voltage
compared to primary voltage and enhances secondary current while step up
transformer boosts up secondary voltage compared to primary voltage and
decreases secondary current. In ideal case power is maintained at fixed level
in the above two cases.
Transformers work according to Faradays law of electromagnetic induction.
When an alternating voltage is supplied at primary side of a transformer then
there is a continuous change of flux which flows in the entire transformer

body. The changing flux continuously cuts the secondary winding and
resultantly induced emf is generated in it. If N 1 is number of primary turns &
N2 is number of secondary turns, V 1 is primary side voltage & V2 is secondary
side voltage then V1 and V2 are related by:

V1
V2

N1
N2

Transformers vary in the sizes ranging from small sized coupling

transformers used in stage microphone to thousands of tons weighing power
transformers used in power stations to interconnect power stations. All of
them operate under same basic principle irrespective of their capacity and
size. Each transformer has certain ratings, and transformer operates
accordingly. In case prescribed ratings are not taken into account and ratings
are crossed beyond their limit something serious happens to transformer like
coil insulation deterioration, coil burning, bushings damaging, burning of oil
etc. All such cases deteriorate operation reliability of transformers. So some
preventive method should be suggested that can help the transformer not to
face the above unwanted cases even if carelessness happens on consumer
premises.

2.Literature Review
The reliability of transformer is a key factor which influences the operational
efficiency of transformer [1] which in turn affects the operation of power
system [2]. Reliability of transformer is only possible if it is operated, in
routine life, in secure way by taking into account precautionary steps which
are provided in the users manual. So there should be no compromise on
transformer health if one wants to prolong the transformer life and enhance
power system reliability.
According to a survey on the internet Hartford Steam Boiler has spent
decades on investigating transformers failures [3]. Table 1 shows those
causes that Hartford Steam Boiler has handed over to HSB:
Table 1
Serial
#

Failure Causes

1
2
3
4
5
6

Line Surges
Erosion of Insulation
Overloading
Lighting Surges
Inadequate Maintenance
Moisture

Line surges are minimized using Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) also known
as Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSSs). They are connected across
the lines which are to be protected in parallel with transformer [4]. Under
normal operation condition SPD is in high impedance state. As soon as line
voltage is increased under transient condition to a level upto which SPD
clamping threshold can reach, SPD then rapidly goes down to low impedance
state allowing the transient voltage (current) to ground. By this way transient
voltage is brought to a safe level. Lighting surges are also controlled using
this method.
Transformer insulation deteriorates due to moisture, dust and electrostatic
stresses [5]. These factors lower the breakdown strength of oil below
specified level which significantly causes transformer failure. In order to
monitor oil breakdown strength, Partial Discharge Test is performed on the
oil. In case the breakdown strength has deteriorated the oil is changed
before causing the transformer failure.

3. Problem Statement
One of the most common causes of transformer failure is its overloading.
Overloading refers to the flow of current in the secondary winding more than
the design current of transformer. It happens due to the excess load on the
consumers premises. As overloading continues, secondary winding gets
overheated and may burn. So there is need of a system that can tackle the
overload condition and prevent the secondary winding from damaging.

Present Existing Solution: One reasonable solution for protecting

transformer from overloading is to connect another transformer called
sharing transformer, in parallel with the load feeding transformer [6] [7]. The

sharing transformer will be in stand by condition under normal operation of

the load feeding transformer. It means sharing transformer will be in-active
when the feeder operates normally. But as soon as overloading gets started
the sharing transformer will become active. As it gets active the feeder starts
sharing the extra load with it. By this way the feeder can be protected from
overloading.

Problem with this Solution: The existing solution if deeply observed on

economical bases reveals the un-economical solution to the posed problem ie installing a separate standby transformer with each feeder. For poor
country like Pakistan installing a separate standby transformer with each
feeder in national grid station is too much uneconomical. It means that now
the price of purchasing feeder is doubled: one feeder price plus the price of
extra standby transformer. For example, nowadays 160kva 11/0.4KV 3 phase
S11 Dyn11 oil immersed power transformer costs $ 1000-17800. It means a
complete set of this transformer plus one extra at standby condition will cost
$ 2000-35600.

4. Proposed Methodology
We propose a solution which will be reliable as well as economical. Instead of
installing a separate standby transformer, help from a conjunctional
transformer will be taken. Conjunctional transformer will also feed the load
under normal condition. The only thing is that it will accept the load from the
overloaded transformer upon the request of overloaded transformer.
Overloaded transformer (T1) will first check status of conjunctional
transformer (T2) i-e T1 will request T2 to share the load. So T2 will check its
status whether it is able to accept extra load from T1. If T2 is able, load
sharing will start otherwise T1 will automatically switch off.

Fig 1. Representation of Proposed Methodology through a Flow Chart.

5. Gantt Chart
Since the beginning of 7th Semester Classes, we have read plenty of research
papers regarding our project. Our future work has been divided according to
the gantt chart shown below.

Phase
#
1
2

Task

Software Based Project

Development
Hardware Based Project
Development

No
v

Dec

Feb

Ja
n

Mar

Ap
r

May

6
3

Thesis writing

In the first phase of our project we will try to implement whatever idea and
tactics we gain using a Simulator. The ideas will come to our minds by
reading reasearch papers extensively. Whatever idea we implement in
Simulator if the results come out satisfactory it will be implemented in hardform then. Also we will engage ourselves in thesis writing side by side. We
hope that our project will be accomplished in the end of May 2016 by the
grace of Almighty.

References
1. KAPINOS Jan (2012) Operating Damages of Bushings in Power Transformers , Transactions on
Electrical Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 3 edn., Poland: Silesian University of Technology, Institute of
Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Division of Electrical Machines and Electrical Engineering in
Transport, 44-100 Gliwice, ul. Akademicka 10a.

2. Rekha. Bindu Prakash Asna.S,Dinesh.S, Nandana.S.Prasad (March, 2015) AN INTELLIGENT

METHOD FOR LOAD SHARING OF TRANSFORMERS WITH TEMPERATURE MONITORING AND
AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OF POWER, ISSN: 2277-9655 edn., INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
ENGINEERING SCIENCES & RESEARCH

3. https://www.hsb.com/TheLocomotive/AnAnalysisOfTransformersPart2.aspx
4. https://www.erico.com/catalog/literature/TNCR016.pdf

DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION OF PROTOTYPE FOR

TRANSFORMER PROTECTION FROM OVERLOADING BY
LOAD SHARING IN CRITICAL SITUATIONS

Submitted To
Engr. Iftikhar Ahmad Khan
Submitted By
Hamood-ur-Rehman,12PWELE4081
Sayed Babar,

12PWELE4087

Arshad Ali,

12PWELE4093

Saber Khan,

12PWELE4099

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL
ENGINERRING
UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
PESHAWAR