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Home / Technical Articles / Delta-Star Transformer Connection Overview
GE Transformer delta-star nameplate
GE Transformer delta-star nameplate

Delta-Star Connection of Transformer

In this type of connection, the primary connected in delta fashion while the secondary current is connected in star.

Delta-Star Connection of Transformer
Delta-Star Connection of Transformer

The main use of this connection is to step up the voltage i.e. at the begining of high tension transmission system. It can be noted that there is a phase shift of 30° between primary line voltage and secondary line voltage as leading.

Phase shift of 30° between primary line voltage and secondary line voltage
Phase shift of 30° between primary line voltage and secondary line voltage

Key points

  1. As primary in delta connected:
  2. Line voltage on primary side = Phase voltage on Primary side.
  3. Now Transformation Ration (K) = Secondary Phase Voltage / Primary Phase Voltage
  4. Secondary Phase Voltage = K X Primary Phase Voltage.
  5. As Secondary in Star connected
  6. Line voltage on Secondary side = √3 X Phase voltage on Secondary side. So,
  7. Line voltage on Secondary side = √3 X K X Primary Phase Voltage.
  8. Line voltage on Secondary side = √3 X K X Primary Line Voltage.
  9. There is s +30 Degree or -30 Degree Phase Shift between Secondary Phase Voltage to Primary Phase Voltage


Advantages of Delta-Star Connection

Cross section area of winding is less at Primary side:
On primary side due to delta connection winding cross-section required is less.

Used at Three phase four wire System:
On secondary side, neutral is available, due to which it can be used for 3-phase, 4 wire supply system.

No distortion of Secondary Voltage:
No distortion due to third harmonic components.

Handled large unbalanced Load:
Large unbalanced loads can be handled without any difficulty.

Grounding Isolation between Primary and Secondary:
Assuming that the neutral of the Y-connected secondary circuit is grounded, a load connected phase-to-neutral or a phase-to-ground fault produces two equal and opposite currents in two phases in the primary circuit without any neutral ground current in the primary circuit.

Therefore, in contrast with the Y-Y connection, phase-to-ground faults or current unbalance in the secondary circuit will not affect ground protective relaying applied to the primary circuit. This feature enables proper coordination of protective devices and is a very important design consideration.

The neutral of the Y grounded is sometimes referred to as a grounding bank, because it provides a local source of ground current at the secondary that is isolated from the primary circuit.

Harmonic Suppression:
The magnetizing current must contain odd harmonics for the induced voltages to be sinusoidal and the third harmonic is the dominant harmonic component. In a three-phase system the third harmonic currents of all three phases are in phase with each other because they are zero-sequence currents. In the Y-Y transformer connection, the only path for third harmonic current is through the neutral.

In the ∆ -Y connection, however, the third harmonic currents, being equal in amplitude and in phase with each other, are able to circulate around the path formed by the ∆ connected winding. The same thing is true for the other zero-sequence harmonics.

Grounding Bank:
It provides a local source of ground current at the secondary that is isolated from the primary circuit. For suppose an ungrounded generator supplies a simple radial system through ∆-Y transformer with grounded Neutral at secondary as shown Figure. The generator can supply a single-phase-to-neutral load through the -grounded Y transformer.

Let us refer to the low-voltage generator side of the transformer as the secondary and the high-voltage load side of the transformer as the primary. Note that each primary winding is magnetically coupled to a secondary winding.

The magnetically coupled windings are drawn in parallel to each other:

Magnetically coupled windings
Magnetically coupled windings

Through the second transformer law, the phase-to-ground load current in the primary circuit is reflected as a current in the A-C secondary winding. No other currents are required to flow in the A-C or B-C windings on the generator side of the transformer in order to balance ampere-turns.

Easy Relaying of Ground Protection:
Protective relaying is MUCH easier on a delta-wye transformer because ground faults on the secondary side are isolated from the primary, making coordination much easier.  If there is upstream relaying on a delta-wye transformer, any zero-sequence current can be assumed to be from a primary ground fault, allowing very sensitive ground fault protection.

On a wye-wye, a low-side ground fault causes primary ground fault current, making coordination more difficult.  Actually, ground fault protection is one of the primary advantages of delta-wye units.


Disadvantages of Delta-Star Connection

In this type of connection, the secondary voltage is not in phase with the primary. Hence it is not possible to operate this connection in parallel with star-star or delta-delta connected transformer.

One problem associated with this connection is that the secondary voltage is shifted by 300 with respect to the primary voltage. This can cause problems when paralleling 3-phase transformers since transformers secondary voltages must be in-phase to be paralleled. Therefore, we must pay attention to these shifts.

If secondary of this transformer should be paralleled with secondary of another transformer without phase shift, there would be a problem.


Applications

Commonly used in a step-up transformer

As for example, at the beginning of a HT transmission line. In this case neutral point is stable and will not float in case of unbalanced loading. There is no distortion of flux because existence of a Δ -connection allows a path for the third-harmonic components.

The line voltage ratio is √3 times of transformer turn-ratio and the secondary voltage leads the primary one by 30°. In recent years, this arrangement has become very popular for distribution system as it provides 3- Ø, 4-wire system.


Commonly used in commercial, industrial, and high-density residential locations

To supply three-phase distribution systems.

An example would be a distribution transformer with a delta primary, running on three 11kV phases with no neutral or earth required, and a star (or wye) secondary providing a 3-phase supply at 400 V, with the domestic voltage of 230 available between each phase and an earthed neutral point.


Used as Generator Transformer

The ∆-Y transformer connection is used universally for connecting generators to transmission systems because of two very important reasons.

First of all, generators are usually equipped with sensitive ground fault relay protection. The ∆-Y transformer is a source of ground currents for loads and faults on the transmission system, yet the generator ground fault protection is completely isolated from ground currents on the primary side of the transformer.

Second, rotating machines can literally be.

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Jignesh Parmar

Jignesh Parmar has completed M.Tech (Power System Control), B.E (Electrical). He is member of Institution of Engineers (MIE), India. He has more than 20 years experience in transmission & distribution-energy theft detection and maintenance electrical projects.

47 Comments


  1. Daniel
    Sep 13, 2022

    Hello Sir,

    I have a 0.415/11KV delta_star step up transformer to meter from the LV side.

    Does it make sense to pick the HV side star point as the neutral for a 3Phase 4wire connection of the meter?

    Does it have any effect?


  2. Alia
    Nov 19, 2021

    ours requested a 3-phase padmount 480V delta transformer to connect a 3-phase 480V pump motor. These are rare and it is unfeasible for us to stock, so we decided to provide them with a 3-phase 480Y/277V connection.

    Has anyone experienced any problems with connecting a 3-phase 480 volt delta motor w. a 3-phase 480Y/277V xfmr? The motor has a soft start and a breaker to protect from motor faults (phase imbalance). The motor is getting 480 volts per phase.

    My question is Y transformer can feed delta motor since they have same voltage rating


  3. Deepan
    Nov 15, 2021

    What is the current flow in primary winding if the secondary 1 & 2 windings draw 200A each for Dd0yn11 dry type transformer for 12-Pulse VFD system?


  4. Nokubonga Dwenga
    Oct 19, 2021

    A single-phase fault on the red phase with I = −3 A gives
    Ip = In = Io = −3
    3 A.
    Assume that we can isolate this fault by a star-delta transformer,
    thus forcing Io = 0, and calculate the phase currents.


  5. Md Ashik
    Oct 02, 2021

    A 3 phase transformer having line-voltage ratio of when 240 V/ 11kV is
    connected in star-delta and protective transformers on the HT side have a current
    ratio of 20/14. What must be the ratio of the protective transformers on the LT
    side?


  6. P Mallikarjuna
    Mar 20, 2021

    In Delta-Start Distribution transformer, primary cable connection can be done with earthed cable?


  7. Harold LeRay
    Jul 29, 2020

    ideal delta-wye xfrm & no load on transformer (480-208/120), for a L-G fault on the secondary side, what would be the line fault current flow on the primary which only involves the A-B primary winding?


  8. PK SAHOO
    Nov 24, 2019

    Sir, its my heartiest honour to you. Sir I’m a electrical engineer n doing a govt. Job. I have Two Dyn11 11000/433 Volt Transformers with same X/R ratio. One already in service. Just recenty, I connected the 2nd transformer to 11kv side indoor metalclad switchboard for parallel operation. Phase sequence in secondary 433 Volt side of both transformer is ok. After testing the voltage on 433 Volt side of both x’mer thro. Test lamp, it’s showing voltage between same phases of two xmer. Hence polarity of both are NOT correct. Both transformers are connected thro.sealed pack cable box. Shutdown of transformer already in service is NOT permitted. I have only option to change the 11kv side cable connection of 2nd transformer. How to change the 3 leads of delta side of 2nd xmer to match the polarity with 1st xmer. Regards.


  9. Tirawolf
    Nov 18, 2019

    Hi! I can changes the connection of factory of the secondary side in dry trafo. Of star to delta. What happens?
    Regards


  10. Ahmad Niazi
    Aug 31, 2019

    TRANSFORMER, STEPDOWN, THREE PHASE, DRY TYPE, 5 KVA, DELTA/STAR, PRIMARY: 460 V, SECONDARY: 380 & 220V, INDOOR TYPE.


  11. Kazi Anwar Hossain
    Jan 01, 2019

    Dear Mr.Jignesh

    Happy new year.

    I have seen your name and articles in the website and got interest to receive some right suggestions fro you.

    We are a engineering company a do electrical business in Bangladesh.Recently we are talking a customer for their
    Textile Spinning project.The criteria are as follows:

    Primary source 6 nos 1500 KW Gas Generator( 415 V,3 phase 4 wire system).Customer need transfer this 8 MW
    Load from Generator house to main factory building.Distance between Generator Hose to main factory is 800 meters. So we planned to transfer 8MW Generator power from Generator house to factory building by 8 nos 2500KVA Cast Resin Dry type Transformer(2500 KVA,11/0.415V,50Hz).We planned as follows:

    a) 6 nos 1500KW Generator power will come to Main panel,where 6 nos Generator will be synchronised.

    b) From mail LT panel we planned to take power by 4 nos 5000Amp Air circuit Breaker(415 V,50Hz)

    c) we planned to use 4x2500KVA Step up Transformer through 4 nos 11KV HT Switchgear as incoming and
    1 nos 11KV Switchgear as out going by 12KV HT cable to factory side.

    d) we planned 1 no 11KV HT panel as incoming and 4 nos 11KV HT panel for 4 nos 2500 KVA Step down
    Transformer to Factory LT panel.

    Now we please confirm us that we are using
    a) 4 nos 2500 KVA step up Transformer, Yd1( primary side 415 V, Delta connection),Secondary side 11KV star connection with neutral grounded)

    b) 4 nos 2500KVA step down transformer Dyn11(Primary side 11KV and Secondary side 415v with neutral grounded).Power will come factory LT panel and from there power will go through BBT(Bus Bar Trunking System)

    Please confirm us our selection of transformer is ok.Because 4 nos step up transformer will wok as parallel operation.On the other side 4 nos step down transformer will also work as parallel.

    Considering vector group and other factor of transformer parallel operation,above Transformer selection is ok
    or if you have any recommendations pls let us know.

    Best Regards
    Engr.Kazi Anwar Hossain
    Managing Director
    KDH Engineering Ltd
    Dhaka,Bangladesh
    Mob:+8801713004662


    • Warez Ali
      Feb 07, 2021

      Pls give the reply


  12. Gulnawaz Arshad
    Dec 26, 2018

    Hello Sir,
    Can you please give the solution of this?
    How do I get 230V and 15 amps three stable AC outputs from three-phase 440V/415VAC input?


    • Maina danko
      Jun 23, 2023

      Sir what’s cause dpu failure instantly on control room


  13. Justin Low Thion
    Dec 17, 2018

    Hi Sir
    Just want to know if a 400V supply from a generator is connected to a step up transformer400v/11000V. What would be the vector type of the transformer and do you connect the neutral cable?

    Regards
    Justin Low Thion


  14. Veeramani
    Jun 19, 2018

    Sir,
    I have a question what is the reason for fault occur in load side fuse in transformer


  15. Sumanta
    May 23, 2018

    For a Y-D Transformer , if the D side gets grounded what will happen.?
    if there is a second grounding what will happen.?


  16. narendra ganvir
    Apr 24, 2018

    sir,
    I have 500 kva outdoor transformer, I want to change tapping for the same,
    please let me know how to calculate output voltage of the LT side.


  17. Omer
    Apr 11, 2018

    Hi Jignesh,
    I have a delta/zigzag+N (DZno) isolation transformer (415v/440V) connected to any IT system (floating / unearthed). My question is, do I need to terminate the neutral to ground, even though the transformer is connected to an IT system? or do I not connect the neutral?
    The transformer enclosure is grounded.


  18. VINAYAK G
    Mar 12, 2018

    Hi , I have a doubt , for 1000 KVA transformer, the cable to main panel we are using is 1Core 630 mm2 of two runs for each phase and one run for neutral, ie total 7 runs , the distance between panel and transformer is 45meter , Can you suggest if any problem in doing the same? What will be maximum current capacity of mentioned above cable?


  19. Benwari
    Mar 05, 2018

    Hi Parmar, i have a medium voltage system comprising of four 2188kVA, 11kV gas generator with star point synchronized together on a HT bus with two 2250KVA, 415V diesel sets connected to two 2.5MVA (0.4/11KV) step up delta/star transformer. the two diesel sets will be synchronized at LV side and stepped up to 11kV to be synchronized on the 11 KV bus. do i need to connect the neutral cables of the 11KV gas generator and 415V of the diesel generators, because if the two diesels are started and synchronized at 11KV bus, the 11KV gas generator can sync with them, but if the gas is started first, the diesel set sees an inbalance bus reference. please what can cause this inblance?


  20. Harish Kumar
    Jan 13, 2018

    Is there any problem if we connect YNd1 instead YNd11 in generator step up Tranformer , and UAT WITH Dyn11 instead Dyn1.
    what will be problem if secondary side (LOAd side winding leading) is it mandotory to design always secondary winding load side to be lagging ? please confirm.


  21. Shrey
    Jan 11, 2018

    Sir what is instantaneous current in 3 wire 2 phase transmission system and how instantaneous current differ from line current. Plz reply


  22. Johan Borman
    Dec 17, 2017

    I have a 100kva trf and want to use it for step up from 400v to 3300 volt, but input is delta and ht side is star, with a neutral.
    What do I do with neutral on input side and what do I connect to neutral terminal on output side.


  23. sk shakeel
    Nov 27, 2017

    Sir above we said delta(primary) star(secondary) connection T/f is a step up transformer but 11kv/440v is a step down voltage so how can said star delta connected T/f is a step up transformer


  24. Irfan
    Oct 25, 2015

    I have a standby DG 3ph-380V, 1250kVA, 1800rpm, 60 Hz with a Star connection, while its Neutral is connected to the Ground. This Generator is supposed to provide 33kV via Step up Transformer to an assembly of 33kV switchgears containing Vacuum type circuit breaker.
    Please tell me, what is the best configuration for the Transformer in this case. Note that the Step up transformer is rated to be 1250kVA.
    Which side is to be Star and which to be Delta for this step up transformer?
    And How the earthing connections should be done?
    Please provide comprehensive response.
    Thanks
    Irfan


  25. arvind
    Sep 20, 2015

    sir,
    star connection 3phase supply of 400V r y b conductor. Then r in phase Voltage ,r & y in phase voltage,
    who to calculate When r y connection in 400V and r y b is also in 400V why.


  26. Rakesh Dewangan
    Aug 01, 2015

    what effect in transformer if we are incoming supply 2 phase fed in a 3phase 25KVA delta -star 6.6/110V transformer.


  27. Nizam
    Jul 26, 2015

    Sir;
    how Can we detect theft in any type of line


    • DEBASISH KHUNTIA
      Mar 28, 2016

      sir what is the effect of third harmonic in step up and step down transformer


  28. Aamir Hashmi
    Jun 29, 2015

    Sir.
    In Delta-star connection of a transformer if a phase is faulty or switched off,then what will happen??


  29. Nitin Joshi
    May 30, 2015

    We are having Biogas genrtor connected in star feeding to delta connected step up transformer.Protection system frequently trips on earth fault.On checking we could not find any problem.Kindly give probable reason/suggestion.
    Nitin


  30. Minju Thomas
    May 07, 2015

    Sir I have a doubt regarding the power house situation which is similar to your above described article. Could you share you email id inorder to forward my material?


  31. Mahendra
    May 06, 2015

    sir, suppose 11kv/400v delta star config transformer fed with two phase 11kv assume one phase ht fuse blown out .on secondary side we get full voltage in one phase and low voltage at other two phase .my question is this due to the reason that one phase get full 11kv voltage wheras other two phase of primary get half of the 11 kv voltage .if we draw the diagram it seems this way ,pls explain me


  32. jignesh
    Apr 05, 2015

    3 phase transformer primary side 1 phase missing what will happen in secondary side?


  33. nonoy
    Feb 12, 2015

    if a 3 phase transformer is connected delta at primary and wye at secondary then the fuse cut-out at the tapping pole suddenly opened is there a tendency that the line that is open has still power coming from the transformer ?the cut-out of the 3 phase transformer does not open..


  34. ALAM
    Dec 06, 2014

    what is the problem if showing of 45 kv transformer secondary side L1,L2,L3 is ground with
    earth, when primary 480 v delta connection & secondary connection in star phase to phase 220 v, phase to neutrail 127 v


  35. kwaku
    Dec 03, 2014

    can a phase of an individual generator connected to the neutral of national grid whiles the grid is off? what happend then?


  36. Eng. Ibra
    Nov 07, 2014

    Would mind mention the other reason for using delta-star connection for the generator transformer


  37. RITESH ARORA
    Oct 06, 2014

    In a distribution overhead network with Delta Star Transformers for 11kV/433V system, can we use single phase MCCBs for transformer protection?
    What will happen in case of a L-L fault trips the MCCBs feeding the two faulted phases?


  38. dhanushka
    Aug 08, 2014

    state limitation on direct on line starting


  39. dhanushka
    Aug 08, 2014

    state why a motor designed for delta connection windings must not be connected to run on star connection


  40. Nilesh
    Jun 14, 2014

    Can you please explain, if one of the transformers has it’s start point disconnected from earth. How does this affect the fault level? Can you please explain if the start star transformers is replaced by delta star transformer. How does this affect the fault level.

    Thank you very much.


  41. RODERICK RICKETTS
    Dec 25, 2013

    ON A STEP UP TRANSFORMER DELTA / STAR 220/3/ TO 415/3/
    WITH THE NEUTRAL TIED WITH GROUND , WOULD THIS AFFECT THE TEMPERATURE
    OF THE TRANSFORMER AND THEREFORE, CAN CAUSE THE IT TO OVERHEAT?


  42. Hassan
    Dec 04, 2013

    Just need to know that incase of any transformer with priamary in delta and secondary in earthed star , then incase of ground fault on delta side , will there be any fault current electrically pass through ground of star via grounded transformer tank and then some portion passes through earth fault protection of star side and some portion moves back via the ground path where the original fault occurs… ? Is there any practical example in field where such phenomena has spuriously operated the EF relay on star side due to fault on delta side. ?? remember that I am assuming that only that portion of EF will pass which will have electrically connected between primary and secondary through earth connection ,, there will be no flow via maganetically coupled windings within transformer,,,


  43. manish kumar
    Nov 15, 2013

    Hello
    can you please explain how and in what configurations does the harmonics get cancelled. it circulates in delta , so is it considered cancelled or it goes through N in star ,and hence is eliminated in star connection.
    Thanks a lot.

    Regards
    Manish


  44. shanamb
    Oct 29, 2012

    Dear Mr. Jignesh,
    First of all would like to thank you for giving such a great insight of delta star trafo. i had a question on the same. If 800kVA, 415V/11kV step up trafo is used, where LV supply is fed by 415V DG sets. The incomer to trafo from DG is 1600Amp, FP, ACB. my question is, since trafo is delta star that means at LV side which is delta connected side its 3phase, 3wire system. hence the incomer to trafo LT side shud be 1600Amp,TP ACB. but incase FP ACB is used than the Neutral is grounded or what exactly is the procedure of sizing switchgear.

    Regards’
    Shanam

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