Transformer Types

Transformers can be broadly classified into two groups. The first one is power transformers and the second one is instrument transformers or control transformers. Power transformer and instrument transformer or control transformer are classification based on application of transformer.
Power transformer as name indicates used for supplying power. It can be a step down transformer or a step up transformer. The most common transformer use is for transmission centers to step down transmission voltage to distribution transformers. The second use is to step up generation voltage to transmission voltage. Power transformers can be start delta transformer, start to star transformers, delta to star transformers and delta to delta transformers. All these items are apply to three phase transformers and there are single phase transformers also.

Power transformer

Star – Delta Transformer
Delta – Star Transformer
Star – Star Transformer
Delta – Delta Transformer

Instrument Transformers are used to control power supply. There are a lot of transformers available in this class. The most common categories are current transformer, isolation transformer and voltage transformer or potential transformer. Control transformers are available for different other purposes. There are matching transformers, pulse transformers, constant voltage transformers, tapped transformers, single wound transformers and the list is goes on. In the coming sections we will talk about these transformers in detail.