Reverse Feeding Dry-Type Transformers

By Michael D. Seal, P.E., GE Senior Specification Engineer

and Daniel J. Hap, GE Transformer Engineer (Retired)

Introduction issues and the appropriate corrective

actions.
General-purpose dry-type
transformers rated 600 volts and
below are used for supplying
appliance, lighting, and power loads in Inrush Current
electrical distribution systems. These
transformers are used to convert the Upon energization, transformers will
facility distribution voltage to the load’s draw a high inrush current for a brief
utilization voltage. period (typically 0.1 seconds or less).
The inrush current can be on the order
The majority of general-purpose of eight to twelve times the rated full
transformers are used in step-down load current of the transformer. For a
applications. The most commonly built specified input voltage and VA rating,
polyphase transformer in the United the inrush current for a reverse fed
States has a 480 volt three phase delta step-down transformer will be greater
primary and a 208/120 volt three than the inrush current for a
phase, four wire, wye secondary. Step- transformer specifically designed as a
up transformers are available, but step-up transformer.
because step-up applications are rare
these transformers are not stocked. To illustrate, assume that a standard
Instead, step-up transformers are General Electric 9T23B3874 step-down
built-to-order and construction can transformer will be used in a step-up
take six weeks or longer. application. This transformer is rated
75 KVA, 60 Hz, 480 volt three phase
When there is an immediate need for a delta primary and 208/120 volt three
non-stock step-up transformer, it is phase, four wire, wye secondary. This
common practice to use an in-stock transformer also contains six (6) 2-
step-down unit and operate it in 1/2% voltage taps on the primary (480
reverse. If permitted by local codes volt) side. The secondary is to be
and allowed by the authority having operated step-up (208 VAC input to
jurisdiction, it is generally acceptable 480 VAC output).
to reverse feed (or back-feed) a
transformer. The installer may discover that the
primary side overcurrent protection,
There are several issues that should be having been properly selected and
considered before reverse feeding a applied per Article 450 of the National
step-down transformer. This paper Electrical Code, nevertheless operates
discusses reverse-feed application (trips) when attempting to energize the
reverse operated transformer.
This phenomenon can occur because increase output voltage and lowering
the low impedance winding (the the taps will lower output voltage.
208Y/120 VAC winding) that was
intended by design to be the The primary purpose of these taps is to
secondary winding, now serves as the match the input rating of the
primary and the value of the transformer to the actual voltage
magnetizing inrush current (Mag-I) is applied to its terminals. The taps must
actually much greater than expected. be used with care since no-load or
low-load conditions combined with
The Mag-I experienced when variance in the utility service voltage
energizing transformers is similar to can cause an over-excitation of the
the inrush current associated with winding, resulting in higher than rated
motor starting. The primary and core loss and exciting current. This is
secondary full load amps of the above generally not a serious concern unless
referenced transformer are 90 amps @ the over-voltage exceeds 5%. For
480 VAC and 208 amps @ 208 VAC. reverse feed applications, the taps are
When connected step-down and positioned at the output side and so
energized at 480 VAC, the maximum cannot be used to correct for over-
peak inrush current is approximately excitation.
990 amps or 11 times the rated 90
amp primary winding full load current.
But when connected step-up and
energized at 208 VAC, the maximum Compensated Windings
peak inrush can reach 7700 amps or
37 times the rated 208 amp secondary Voltage drop across transformers
winding full load current. The input increases with load. At no-load a
overcurrent protective device must be transformer’s primary : secondary
sized at the higher range allowed by voltage ratio may exactly match the
NEC Article 450 to accommodate these winding turns ratio. At full-load the
higher inrush currents. same transformer’s secondary voltage
could be 3- 4% less than the turns
ratio would dictate. The transformer
winding turns ratio can be
Voltage Taps compensated to correct for this
phenomenon.
A standard step-down transformer
may contain taps on the input (primary Smaller (less than 3 KVA) transformers
side). Lowering the primary side taps commonly have compensated
will increase secondary voltage and windings. Some manufacturers also
raising the primary taps will lower the build larger transformers with
secondary voltage. When a compensated windings. Winding turns
transformer is reverse fed, the taps ratios are compensated so that a 3-4%
move to the output side and so their over-voltage exists at no-load, but
operation is reversed. For reverse fed nominal secondary voltage is available
applications, raising the taps will at full load.
When transformers with compensated requires this switch on the input
windings are reverse fed, the (primary) side, these specialty
compensation is reversed. As a result, transformers cannot be reverse fed.
the transformer voltage drop will be 3-
4% at no-load and 6-8% at full load.
The transformer’s taps can be used to
correct for this additional voltage drop. Conclusion:

Standard step-down transformers may

be reverse fed for step-up applications
Grounding but there are several precautions that
should be considered:
When the secondary (wye) of a delta-
wye transformer is energized instead 1. Higher inrush currents dictate
of the primary (delta), then the wye that the input overcurrent
side of the transformer is not a protection must be sized at the
separately derived service. As such, higher range allowed by NEC
the neutral should not be connected to Article 450.
building ground nor should it be
bonded to the transformer enclosure. 2. Transformers with
The delta side of the transformer compensated windings will
becomes the output, which is the have output voltage 3-4%
separately derived system. The output below nominal at no-load and
delta “B” phase should be tied to 6-8% below nominal at full
ground unless the facility distribution load. The transformer’s taps
system utilizes a different grounding can be used to correct for this
scheme. under-voltage condition.

3. Taps can be used to adjust

output voltage but cannot be
Fan Cooled Transformers used to correct for over-
excitation. Tap operation is
Specialty general-purpose reversed, so raising taps
transformers are available with cooling increases the output voltage.
fans. Fan cooled transformers are
smaller than standard air cooled 4. The neutral on the input side of
transformers and are often used the transformer should not be
where space is limited. If the tied to ground and should not
transformer nameplate VA rating can be bonded to the transformer
only be achieved with the use of enclosure.
cooling fans, then UL requires winding
temperature sensors connected to an 5. Never reverse feed a fan cooled
integral primary side switch. This transformer.
switch will open if the transformer
windings exceed the design
temperature threshold. Since UL
 6. Always review applicable codes
and standards and consult with NEMA ST-20: Dry-Type Transformers
the local authority having for General Applications
jurisdiction before reverse-
feeding transformers. IEEE C57.12.01: General Requirements
for Dry-Type Distribution and Power
Transformers (Including Those with
Solid Cast and / or Resin-Encapsulated
Additional Reference Material: Windings)

ANSI/IEEE C57.96: Distribution and GE Publication GEP-1100R: General

Power Transformers, Guide for Loading Electric BuyLog - Section 8
Dry-Type (Appendix to ANSI C57.12 (transformer definition used with
Standards) permission).