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Transformer Heat, Copper and Iron Losses

Transformer Heat, Copper and Iron Losses (on photo courtesy of Siemens: Geafol-Cast-resintransformer)

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Transformer Losses (Heat)

The thermal ratings of a transformer are determined by the following three factors:

1. The amount of heat produced in the windings and connections.2. The amount of heat produced in the iron core.

3. How effectively the heat can be removed from the transformer when the thermal rating of thetransformer is reached. At this point, the heat being produced must equal the heatbeing removed or dissipated – thermal equilibrium.

The efficiency of power transformers is high, especially, for large transformers at full load . However,

losses are present in all transformers. These losses may be classified as copper or I2R losses and coror iron losses .

Copper (or Winding) Losses

Copper losses are resistive and proportional to load current and are sometimes called “ load losses ” o

“I2R losses “.

As the transformer is loaded, hea t is produced in the primary and secondary windings and connection

due to I2R. At low loads, the quantity of heat produced will be small but as load increases, theamount of heat produced becomes significant.

At full load, the windings will be operating at or near their design temperature. Figure 1 shows therelationship between load-current and the heat produced in transformer windings and connections.

Figure 1 - Relationship between Load and Heat Produced in Transformer Windings

Iron (or Core) Losses

The iron loss is due to stray eddy currents formed in the transformer core. Lines of flux are formedaround the current-carrying conductors.

The majority of the flux is as indicated in the following Figure 2 , flowing around the core.

Figure 2 - Circulating Core Flux

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Some of the flux however, wiltry to flow at angles to the corand will cause eddy currents tbe set up in the core itself.

The term eddy is used becausit is aside from the main flow.

To combat this effect, the coreis laminated as illustratedin Figure 3 . The laminationsprovide small gaps between thplates. As it is easier formagnetic flux to flow throughiron than air or oil, stray flux

that can cause core losses is minimized.

Figure 3 - Transformer Core Laminations

Some of the flux however, will try to flow at angles to the core and will cause eddy currents to be se

up in the core itself.

The term eddy is used because it is aside from the main flow. To combat this effect, the core islaminated as illustrated inFigure 3 . The laminations provide small gaps between the plates.

As it is easier for magnetic flux to flow through iron than air or oil, stray flux that can cause corelosses is minimized.

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