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An Ordinary Transformer consists of two windings called primary winding and secondary winding.

These two windings are magnetically coupled and electrically isolated. But the transformer in which a

part of windings is common to both primary and secondary is called Autotransformer.

In Autotransformer two windings are not only magnetically coupled but also electrically coupled. The

input to the transformer is constant but the output can be varied by varying the tapings.

The autotransformer is both the most simple and the most fascinating of the connections

involving two windings. It is used quite extensively in bulk power transmission systems because of

its ability to multiply the effective KVA capacity of a transformer. Autotransformers are also used on

radial distribution feeder circuits as voltage regulators.

The connection is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure1 - Boosting autotransformer connection

The primary and secondary windings of a two winding transformer have induced emf in them due to acommon mutual flux and hence are in phase. The currents drawn by these two windings are out of

phase by 180◦. This prompted the use of a part of the primary as secondary. This is equivalent to

common the secondary turns into primary turns.

The common section need to have a cross sectional area of the conductor to carry (I2−I1)

ampere. Total number of turns between A and C are T1. At point B a connection is taken. Section AB

has T2 turns. As the volts per turn, which is proportional to the flux in the machine, is the same for the

whole winding,V1 : V2 = T1 : T2 

When the secondary winding delivers a load current of I2 Ampere the demagnetizing ampere turns

isI2T2. This will be countered by a current I1 flowing from the source through the T1 turns such that,

I1T1 = I2T2 

A current of I1 ampere flows through the winding between B and C. The current in the winding

between Aand B is ( I2 − I1 ) ampere. The cross section of the wire to be selected for AB is

proportional to this current assuming a constant current density for the whole winding. Thus some

amount of material saving can be achieved compared to a two winding transformer. The magnetic

circuit is assumed to be identical and hence there is no saving in the same.

To quantify the saving the total quantity of copper used in an autotransformer is expressed as a

fraction of that used in a two winding transformer as:

Copper in autotransformer / copper in two winding transformer

= ( ( T1 − T2 ) I1 + T2 ( I2 − I1 ) ) / T1I1 + T2I2 

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Copper in autotransformer / copper in two winding transformer

= 1  – ( 2T2I1 / ( T1I1 + T2I2 ) ) 

But T1I1 = T2I2 so,

The Ratio = 1  – ( 2T2I1 / 2T1I1 ) = 1  – ( T2/T1 ) 

This means that an autotransformer requires the use of lesser quantity of copper given by the

ratio of turns. This ratio therefore the savings in copper.

As the space for the second winding need not be there, the window space can be less for an

autotransformer, giving some saving in the lamination weight also. The larger the ratio of the voltages,

smaller is the savings. As T2 approaches T1 the savings become significant. Thus autotransformers

become ideal choice for close ratio transformations.

Figure 2 - Close ratio transformations

The autotransformer shown in Figure 2 above is connected as a boosting autotransformer because

the series winding boosts the output voltage. Care must be exercised when discussing ‘‘primary’’ and

‘‘secondary’’ voltages in relationship to windings in an autotransformer.

In two-winding transformers, the primary voltage is associated with the primary winding, the

secondary voltage is associated with the secondary winding, and the primary voltage is normally

considered to be greater than the secondary voltage. In the case of a boosting autotransformer,

however, the primary (or high) voltage is associated with the series winding, and the secondary (or

low) voltage is associated with the common winding; but the voltage across the common winding is

higher than across the series winding.

Limitation of the autotransformer

One of the limitations of the autotransformer connection is that not all types of three-phase

connections are possible. For example, the ∆-Y and Y- ∆ connections are not possible using theautotransformer.

The Y-Y connection must share a common neutral between the high-voltage and low-voltage

windings, so the neutrals of the circuits connected to these windings cannot be isolated.

A ∆   – ∆ autotransformer connection is theoretically possible; however, this will create a peculiar

phase shift. The phase shift is a function of the ratio of the primary to secondary voltages and it can

be calculated from the vector diagram.

This phase shift cannot be changed or eliminated and for this reason, autotransformers are very

seldom connected as ∆ – ∆ transformers. 

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 Advantages of the autotransformer

1.  There are considerable savings in size and weight.

2.  There are decreased losses for a given KVA capacity.

3.  Using an autotransformer connection provides an opportunity for achieving lower series

impedances and better regulation. Its efficiency is more when compared with the

conventional one.

4.  Its size is relatively very smaller.

5.  Voltage regulation of autotransformer is much better.

6.  Lower cost

7.  Low requirements of excitation current.

8.  Less copper is used in its design and construction.

9.  In conventional transformer the voltage step up or step down value is fixed while in

autotransformer, we can vary the output voltage as per ou t requirements and can smoothly

increase or decrease its value as per our requirement.

Disadvantages of the autotransformer

1.  The autotransformer connection is not available with certain three-phase connections.

2.  Higher (and possibly more damaging) short-circuit currents can result from a lower series

impedance.

3.  Short circuits can impress voltages significantly higher than operating voltages across the

windings of an autotransformer.

4.  For the same voltage surge at the line terminals, the impressed and induced voltages are

greater for an autotransformer than for a two-winding transformer.

5.  Autotransformer consists of a single winding around an iron core, which creates a change in

voltage from one end to the other. In other words, the self -inductance of the winding around

the core changes the voltage potential, but there is no isolation of the high and low voltage

ends of the winding. So any noise or other voltage anomaly coming in on one side is passed

through to the other. For that reason, Autotransformers are typically only used where there

is already some sort of filtering or conditioning ahead of it, as in electronic applications, or

the downstream device is unaffected by those anomalies, such as an AC motor during

starting.

 Application

  Used in both Synchronous motors and induction motors.

  Used in electrical apparatus testing labs since the voltage can be smoothly and continuously

varied.

  They find application as boosters in AC feeders to increase the voltage levels.

Used in HV Substation due to following reasons:

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1.  If we use normal transformer the size of transformer will be very high which leads to heavy

weight, more copper and high cost.

2.  The tertiary winding used in Autotransformer balances single phase unbalanced loads

connected to secondary and it does not pass on these unbalanced currents to Primary side.

Hence Harmonics and voltage unbalance are eliminated.

3.  Tertiary winding in the Autotransformer balances amp turns so that Autotransformer

achieves magnetic separation like two winding transformers.