Voltage regulation in a transformer refers to the change in output voltage from no-load (open-circuit) to full-load conditions, expressed as a percentage of the rated voltage. It indicates how well the transformer maintains a relatively constant output voltage despite varying load conditions. The formula to calculate voltage regulation is as follows:
Voltage Regulation (%) = ((V_no-load - V_full-load) / V_full-load) × 100
Where:
V_no-load is the voltage across the secondary winding when no load is connected (open-circuit voltage).
V_full-load is the voltage across the secondary winding when the transformer is loaded with its rated load.
To calculate voltage regulation, you'll need the following information:
Rated voltage: The nominal voltage for which the transformer is designed to operate.
No-load voltage: Measure the voltage across the secondary winding when no load is connected to the transformer. This is usually done by connecting a voltmeter across the secondary terminals with no load attached.
Full-load voltage: Measure the voltage across the secondary winding when the transformer is loaded with its rated load. This is typically done by connecting the rated load to the secondary terminals and measuring the voltage.
Here's an example calculation:
Suppose you have a transformer with a rated voltage of 1000 V. When no load is connected, the measured voltage is 1050 V (V_no-load), and when the transformer is loaded with its rated load, the measured voltage is 980 V (V_full-load).
Voltage Regulation (%) = ((1050 V - 980 V) / 980 V) × 100 = (70 V / 980 V) × 100 ≈ 7.14%
In this example, the voltage regulation of the transformer is approximately 7.14%, indicating that the output voltage drops by about 7.14% when the transformer is loaded with its rated load.
It's worth noting that voltage regulation is an important consideration in power distribution systems to ensure that the voltage delivered to consumers remains within an acceptable range even under varying load conditions. Transformers with lower voltage regulation are preferred as they provide more stable output voltage.