Personal Computer Based Experimentations and Performance Analysis of Energy Efficient Switchable Distribution Transformers and Implemented Switching Devices

Experimentations and performance analysis following designs and developments of energy efficient switchable distribution transformers are of first significant step as it reveals improvements, such as in energy efficiency, through the use of unique configurations and switching devices in the transformers. This paper explains a personal computer based application and hardware, using lab VIEW and a data acquisition (DAQ) card, that have been used for acquiring and analyzing data from the transformers and switching devices. A 3-phase 10kVA energy efficient switchable distribution transformer and some types of switching devices were utilized in some experimentations. Generally in the implementation, the developed application will firstly configure the tappings of the windings through the use of some switching devices and then acquire important information such as waveforms of voltages and currents by using developed hardware and the DAQ card. The analysis is performed to show improvements in the efficiency, power factor and voltage regulation. The application also provides a protection to transformers under a test by turning off the switching devices in case of a fault detected. Results reveal that the system can work well with the implemented transformer and switching devices in the experimentations. Finally, this system can be further developed to perform full automation in experimentations and performance analysis of switchable transformers.