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Transformer Sizing

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Single & Three Phase

Three Phase Applications

Transformer Specifications

Common: 208, 480, 4160, 13800V

Common: 208, 240, 480V

Apparent power rating (S = P / pf)

Typical: 0.85 (inductive), 1.0 (resistive)

Transformer Types

Dry Type95% eff

Indoor, safe, maintenance-free

Oil Filled98% eff

High power, outdoor, cooling

Pad Mount97% eff

Underground distribution

Sizing Results

Recommended Size

75 kVA
Standard 3φ transformer

Primary

60.14 A
@ 480V

Secondary

138.79 A
@ 208V

Turns Ratio

2.308 : 1
N₁/N₂ = V₁/V₂ = 480/208

Efficiency & Losses

Efficiency:95.00%
Power Loss:2.50 kW
Input Power:50.00 kVA
Output Power:40.38 kW
Energy Flow
95.0%
Loss

Standard 3φ Sizes (kVA)

3
6
9
15
30
45
75
112.5
150
225
300
500
750
1000
1500
2000

🟣 Recommended • 🟢 Acceptable • ⚪ Too small

Calculation Steps

1. Configuration: 3-phase transformer

2. Primary voltage: 480 V

3. Secondary voltage: 208 V

4. Power: 50 kVA (50000 VA)

5. Turns ratio: Np/Ns = Vp/Vs

6. Turns ratio: 480 / 208 = 2.3077:1

7. Step-down transformer (voltage reduced by 0.43×)

8. Efficiency: 95.00% (specified)

9. Primary current (3-phase): Ip = S / (√3 × Vp)

10. Ip = 50000 / (1.732 × 480) = 60.14 A

11. Secondary current (3-phase): Is = S / (√3 × Vs)

12. Is = 50000 / (1.732 × 208) = 138.79 A

13. Current ratio: Ip/Is = 0.4333 ≈ 0.4333 (Vs/Vp) ✓

14. Output apparent power: 50000 VA × 0.9500 = 47500.0 VA

15. Output real power: 47500.0 VA × 0.85 PF = 40375.0 W

16. Losses (heat): 50000 VA × (1 - 0.9500) = 2500.0 W

17. Required capacity (with 10% margin): 50 × 1.1 = 55.00 kVA

18. Standard transformer size: 75 kVA

19. At load power factor 0.85:

20. Real power: 42500.0 W

21. Reactive power: 26339.1 VAR

22. ℹ️ Large transformer - consider:

23. • Inrush current (5-10× rated current)

24. • Cooling requirements (ONAN, ONAF)

25. • Protection (fuses, thermal relays)

Formula

Vp/Vs = Np/Ns = Is/Ip, S = √3 × V × I

Installation Notes

Allow 25% spare capacity for future expansion
Check voltage regulation (typically 2-5% at full load)
Ensure adequate ventilation (dry-type: 12\" clearance)
Install primary and secondary overcurrent protection
Ground per NEC 250 (case + secondary neutral)
Label voltage, kVA rating, and connection diagram