Qatar University
Department of Electrical Engineering
ELEC 313 Electric Machines Lab
Experiment 4: Open and Short-Circuit Tests on a Three-Phase Transformer
1. Objective
The objective of the experiment is to perform open and short- circuit tests on a three-phase
transformer using two wattmeter method,
a. To find out the parameters of the equivalent circuit.
b. To draw the single-phase equivalent circuit of the three phase- transformer.
2. Theory
Three-phase transformers are widely used in power transmission and distribution for step- up
and step- down the voltage. They are built on a magnetic structure or by connecting a bank of
three single-phase transformers. If the three transformers are practically identical, analysis of
one phase is sufficient to determine the variables on two sides of the transformer.
The single-phase equivalent circuit of a three-phase transformer is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1
2.1 Open-Circuit Test
Applying rated voltage to either side of the transformer with the other side open, performs no-
load test. For large transformers, LV winding is preferred because low-voltage power supply is
more readily available. The equivalent circuit for no-load test is shown in Figure 2.
It should be noted that, the obtained parameters are referred to LV side if the test is conducted
on LV side.
If the open circuit three phase input power,
POC is known, the power factor can be calculated as,
POC
cos ϕ OC=
√ 3 V OC( LL) I OC
Hence the core resistance can be found as,
V OC ( LN )
RC 1 =
I OC cos ϕ OC
The core reactance is given by,
V OC ( LN )
X m1 =
I OC sin ϕ OC
Figure 2
2.2 Short-Circuit Test
In short-circuit test, the LV side is short-circuited and rated current is circulated through HV
windings. Since, the voltage applied is very small, the core losses are neglected and the input
power is taken entirely to meet the copper losses in the windings. The equivalent circuit is
shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3
If the short-circuit three phase input power,
PSC is known
P
Req 1= SC
3 I 2SC
The equivalent impedance can be calculated as,
V SC ( LN )
Z eq1 =
I SC
Hence, the equivalent reactance is given as,
X eq1 =√ Z 2eq 1−R 2eq1
The power factor can be calculated as,
Req 1
cos ϕ SC =
Z eq1
3. Equipment List
Equipment Quantity
Three Phase Autotransformer 1
Single-phase transformer 3
Three Phase Wattmeter 1
Digital Multimeter 1
4. Schematic Diagram
4.1 Open-Circuit Test
4.2 Short-Circuit Test
5. Procedure
5.1 Open-Circuit Test
1. Wire the circuit as per the schematic, for a turns ratio of 2:1.
2. Using the autotransformer, apply the rated voltage to the primary.
3. Record the primary voltage, current and three phase power in Table 1.
5.2 Short-Circuit Test
1. Set the autotransformer to zero.
2. Short circuit the secondary winding.
3. Using the autotransformer, apply a reduced voltage to the primary to circulate the rated
primary current. Care must be taken when turning the autotransformer, so that the current
doesn’t exceed rated value.
4. Record the primary voltage, current and three phase power in Table 2.
5. Measure the resistance of transformer primary winding and enter in Table 3.
6. Measurements (10%)
Table 1
VOC(LL) IOC POC
Table 2
VSC(LL) ISC PSC
Table 3
R1
7. Calculations (25%)
1. Using the measured values, find the equivalent circuit parameters referred to primary and
secondary. (15%)
2. Draw the equivalent circuit referred to primary as well as secondary. (10%)
8. Post Lab Task (5%)
Perform the OC and SC tests in Simulink using the calculated parameters at rated conditions and
verify the experimental results.
9. Discussion (25%)
Include the answers to the following questions (but not limited to) in your discussion, but please
don’t include the questions. Your discussion must have an introduction and conclusion too
which carries 5% weightage each.
1. What are the advantages using a three phase transformer over three single phase transformers
in a three phase circuit (10%)
2. What are the advantages, disadvantages and applications of delta connected three phase
transformer (10%)
3. What is a Scott-T Transformer. What are the advantages and disadvantages (5%)
10.References (5%)
References include any outside reading you have done and must be cited in discussion. You
have to use the IEEE style of referencing as given below.
[1] A. Beagles, S. Beck, L. Cross, A. Garrard and J. Rowson, "Guidance for Writing Lab
Reports," University of Sheffield
