Development and practical application of fully split core for power transformers

In a three-phase, three-leg core of a core-type power transformer, the yokes are magnetically connected to all three phases so as to ease the flow of the magnetic flux (generally by means of lap joints of yokes and legs), and at the same time to smooth the magnetic flux between phase legs through yokes. It has generally been assumed that a split core with full separation at the center of the leg including yokes is unsuitable for use in power transformers owing to core losses, local heating, and noise resulting from the imbalance and distortion of magnetic flux, even though it can be used in distribution transformers with wound cores. But since the split core has many advantages from the manufacturing viewpoint, the magnetic characteristics of small core models were studied in detail. Studies with a full-scale 1500/3 MVA model transformer core indicate that the degradation of magnetic characteristics compares favorably with conventional cores.