Comparing Electrical Losses Between Standard

Delta-Wye & Harmonic Mitigating Transformers (HMT)

Technical Data TD00904007E

New Information
The following BTU / Hour Transformer Comparison Table shows
the typical heat output (due to losses) from a dry-type transformer
when feeding linear loads of the past (i.e., incandescent light bulbs,
resistive heating elements, standard three-phase motors as specified
by todays testing and reporting standards. Knowing these losses
are necessary when determining additional cooling that may be
necessary to remove the additional heat generated by the transformer. The unfortunate issue at hand is that this table (due to the
lack of requirement from the standards) doesnt accurately reflect
the real-world performance of this device when feeding todays
non-linear loading (i.e., computers, monitors, fax machines, printers,
TVs, battery rechargers, etc.).
BTU / HOUR TRANSFORMER COMPARISON TABLE
PERCENT LOADING WITH 100% LINEAR LOAD
25%

35%

50%

KVA SIZE

STD

HMT

STD

HMT

STD

HMT

15
30
45
75
112.5
150
225
300
500

426
702
904
1,402
2,019
2,284
2,749
3,834
5,399

307
469
663
994
1,485
1,810
2,595
2,728
5,088

554
908
1,208
1,824
2,646
2,976
3,749
5,011
7,029

384
646
886
1,327
1,895
2,268
3,172
3,494
6,084

843
1,370
1,898
2,770
4,063
4,544
6,047
7,750
10,762

562
1,047
1,387
2,082
2,814
3,325
4,433
5,311
8,357

PERCENT LOADING WITH 100% LINEAR LOAD

Introduction
Todays electrical environments have many not normally considered ways of reducing heat and saving money for the customer. This
document will discuss the heart of the electrical system the drytype transformer and how it is impacted due to todays non-linear
loading from a heating and losses standpoint. Comparing the two system approaches to harmonic mitigation of apathy (using the same
electrical components that were used in the past) versus the newer
transformer design of the Harmonic Mitigating Transformer (HMT),
we will see how each is impacted.

65%

75%

100%

KVA SIZE

STD

HMT

STD

HMT

STD

HMT

15
30
45
75
112.5
150
225
300
500

1,271
2,048
2,918
4,160
6,173
6,881
9,505
11,965
16,407

834
1,642
2,124
3,198
4,169
4,939
6,244
8,156
11,824

1,646
2,642
3,812
5,374
8,033
8,944
12,573
15,778
21,448

1,081
2,161
2,764
4,175
5,352
6,391
7,802
10,763
14,957

2,957
4,712
6,933
9,599
14,589
16,233
23,462
29,716
39,554

1,982
3,966
4,975
7,579
9,482
11,666
13,127
20,441
26,434

STD = Standard, Delta-Wye Dry-Type, 150C Temp Rise, Aluminum,

Energy Efficient (meets EPACT 2005)
HMT = Harmonic Mitigating Transformer, Dry-Type, 115C Temp Rise,
Copper, Energy Efficient (meets EPACT 2005)

To further tell the story of heat dissipation within dissimilar products,

Eaton Corporation conducted comparison measurements at their
Power Quality Experience Center in Warrendale, Pennsylvania. This
facility is especially suited to this type of testing through the ease of
quick equipment changes using the same electrical load and doing
side-by-side comparisons of electrical components in a typical
commercial electrical power system. While testing and gathering
data, it became important to realize the fundamental property to be
minimized in this case, it all comes back to the utility bill. Most
electrical utilities charge by the kilowatt (kW, 1000 watts). Energy
and money can be saved either by reducing the number of machines/
processes or through the reduction of losses within those processes.
In todays competitive environment, the need to squeeze any and all
wastes to a minimum is paramount. The distribution transformer is a
device that has a life span of 20+ years with minimal maintenance to
ensure efficiency.

Infrared Heat Scans of the Transformers When

Feeding the Same Non-linear, Computer Load

Due to these attributes its imperative that the correct transformer be chosen at purchasing time, which will have the minimal losses when feeding the type of loads within a facility. It also
helps to understand that in a standard delta-wye designed transformer, the triplen harmonic currents coming from the loads will
tend to stay trapped in the delta portion of the transformer,
causing a great deal of heat and waste. The physical construction
of the HMT is different so as to ensure that the triplen currents
are not carried over to the primary in this way, the overall
heat and losses from the transformer are reduced. Photos 1 and 2
enumerate the quantities and infrared heat scans to visually
compare and contrast the two transformers being discussed.

Photo 1 Standard Delta-Wye Transformer

Wasted Watts Within 75 kVA Transformers

LOADED WITH 100% NON-LINEAR (COMPUTER) LOAD
STD

HMT

% LOAD

WATTS
LOST
EFFICIENCY

WATTS
LOST
EFFICIENCY

15
25
35
50
75
100

347
427
534
802
1,420
2,170

199
243
298
473
904
1,513

97.0%
97.8%
98.0%
98.0%
97.5%
97.2%

98.3%
98.8%
98.9%
98.8%
98.5%
98.1%

Photo 2 Eatons Harmonic Mitigating Transformer

The electrical, dry-type transformer represents an opportunity to

either save money (if we choose the right type of transformer, at the
time of purchase, that's suited to feeding the characteristics of the
load in the building) or waste a great deal of hidden energy and
money in today's electrical systems through higher than anticipated
losses within the transformer. In this technical document, we've
compared two types of systems for performance when feeding
non-linear, computer-type loading. It's important to understand that
we're discussing systems instead of specific products as you
would expect a 150C temperature rise transformer to perform differently than a 115C transformer from a heat dissipation standpoint.
The systems approach says that you'll either choose a standard/
delta-wye transformer (which is typically 150C in temperature rise)
OR you'll choose a harmonic mitigating transformer (HMT) which has
a standard temperature rise of 115C. What's important to note is the
Wasted Watt table as the anticipated losses in the standard/
delta-wye are much higher than would be expected (as normal
transformer tables only show losses when feeding linear loads of
the past). This further shows that the HMT is the correct and most
economical dry-type electrical transformer for use when feeding
today's non-linear loads during the next 20+ years of its anticipated
operational use.

Eaton Corporation
Electrical Group
1000 Cherrington Parkway
Moon Township, PA 15108
United States
877-ETN-CARE (877-386-2273)
Eaton.com

2007 Eaton Corporation

All Rights Reserved
Printed in USA
Publication No. TD00904007E / Z6015
July 2007