Experiment No.

POLARITY TEST OF TRANSFORMER

I. Objectives

To familiarize the students about the fundamentals of transformers

To determine the polarity of a single phase transformer windings
To emphasize the importance of Polarity Test in the reconnection of a 2-winding
transformer to an autotransformer

II. Theoretical Consideration

Today, transformers are one of the most important components of any power system.
In its simplest form, a transformer will consist of a rectangular laminated magnetic structure
on which two coils of different number of turns are wound. At constant frequency, it changes
the level of voltages from one value to the other. Being a static machine, the efficiency of a
transformer could be as high as 99%.

A 2-winding transformer has two separate magnetically coupled coils with no electrical
connection between them (See Figure 1a). The winding to which A.C. voltage is impressed is
called the primary of the transformer and the winding across which the load is connected is
called the secondary of the transformer.

For many transformers, polarity is necessary to correctly construct three-phase

transformer banks and to properly parallel single or three-phase transformers with existing
electrical systems. Polarity refers to the relative direction of the induced voltages between the
high voltage terminals and the low voltage terminals. It is necessary to know the relative
polarity at any instant of primary and secondary terminals for making correct connections when
the two transformers are to be connected in parallel to share the load on the system. If the
induced emf (V) is greater than the supplied voltage, then, the transformer is said to have an
additive polarity. In contrast, if the induced emf (V) is less than the supplied voltage, then, the
transformer is said to have a subtractive polarity.

Moreover, it is possible to connect a conventional 2-winding transformer as an

autotransformer or one can develop an autotransformer as a single unit. Transformers having
a single winding with suitable tapping are called autotransformers (See Figure 1b).
Figure 1a: A 2-winding transformer Figure 1b: An autotransformer

III. List of Apparatus

Power Supply (230 V AC Source)

Digital Multimeter
2-winding Transformer
Connecting Wires

IV. Procedures

NOTE: In this experiment, high voltages will be used. Make sure that the power is
turned off before you make any changes to your connections and after completing each
measurement.

Trial 1
1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.1a.

Figure 1.1a
 2. Use 230 V as your primary source (Vp). Measure for the secondary voltage (Vs)
and induced emf (V) as indicated in the figure.
3. Determine whether the polarity of the transformer is additive or subtractive.
4. Record the data obtained in Table 1.1 located at the Tabulation/Data and Results.
5. Turn off the voltage source.

Trial 2
1. Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 1.1b.

Figure 1.1b

2. Use 230 V as your primary source (Vp). Measure for the secondary voltage (Vs)
and induced emf (V) as indicated in the figure.
3. Determine whether the polarity of the transformer is additive or subtractive.
4. Record the data obtained in Table 1.1 located at the Tabulation/Data and Results.
5. Turn off the voltage source.

.
V. Tabulation/Data & Results

*Transformer turns ratio is 2.

Trial Vp Vs V Additive or Subtractive

(Volts) (Volts) (Volts) Additive Subtractive
1 230.5 81.492 244.492
Vrms Vrms
2 230.5 81.492 81.508
Vrms Vrms
Table 1.1
Figure 2.1 Schematic Diagram (Trial 1) Vs=81.492Vrms, V=244.492Vrms

Figure 2.2 Schematic Diagram (Trial 2) Vs=81.492Vrms, V=81.508Vrms

VI. Conclusion and Observation
Based on the configuration for simulation above, the dot markings can be
represented as the positive terminal convention of the transformer. To achieve additive
polarity then connect the dotted terminal of primary of to the undotted terminal of
secondary. On the other hand, to achieve negative polarity, both undotted terminals of
primary and secondary must be shorted.

Although autotransformer provides a very convenient method for transforming

voltages, it poses a major disadvantage among users. It does not completely isolate the
input and output sides of a system. Thus, dangerous voltage and current can appear on
both sides especially when DC voltage and current can travel through the coil
unimpeded.

VII. Guided Questions

1. Explain the importance of polarity test in transformers.

Polarity test of transformers is very important when two transformers must be
connected in parallel. Knowing the polarity of such can give us the idea how to
utilize the transformer either as additive or subtractive. More importantly, it is
important when the transformer is used to share load on a system. Since most of the
time transformers process high voltages, it is a must that when connected in parallel,
desired output is achieved such that it is not force to work on its worst condition to
prevent accidents.
2. Differentiate the conditions of the additive and subtractive polarity of the
transformer.
There are conditions to be satisfied to achieve an additive or subtractive polarity
for a transformer. For the additive polarity, higher potential of the primary winding
must be connected to the lower potential of the secondary winding. Thus, when the
voltage is transformed, induced voltages from both windings will have an additive
property. In contrast, for a subtractive polarity, both lower potential of primary and
secondary winding must be connected.

3. What is the use of an autotransformer?

The main use of autotransformer is to serve as a variable transformer for many
systems. It is constructed with a sliding tap. Location of the tap determines the turns
ratio for this type of transformer. For step down, input AC line is connected to the
ends of the winding and the output line is connected between one end of the winding
 and the tap at some midpoint that is proportional to the difference between the input
voltage and the desired output voltage. On the other hand, the reverse configuration
is used to step up where the input is connected between the tap and the common
end, and the output is connected between both ends.

4. If a two winding transformer has a voltage transformation ratio of 5/3 and supplied
by a source voltage of 230V and it is intended to transform into an autotransformer
by connecting the end of the primary coil to the start of the secondary coil. Find the
V of the resultant autotransformer.
=
5
= 230 ( )
3
= 383.33
= + ( )
= 230 + 383.33
= .

5. The V of an autotransformer is read as 120V. If the primary supplied voltage is

20% greater than the secondary voltage when it is a 2-winding transformer and the
coils are connected end to end. Find the primary and secondary voltage of the 2-
winding transformer.
= +
= 120
= + 0.20
Subtractive Polarity:
=
= ( + 0.20) = 120
=
=