Interactive calculator

Transformer Tap Adjustment

Predicted LV voltage at each MV tap, from a measurement.

EstimatePreliminary result, not a design verification.
Before you calculate

Predicted LV voltage at each MV tap

From a measured LV voltage and the nameplate tap voltages. A planning estimate; off-circuit taps are changed only de-energized under the approved procedure.

Learn more — complete guide →
Step 1

Transformer and measurement

Enter the MV tap voltages printed on the nameplate and the LV voltage you measured. The default tap list is an ILLUSTRATIVE 20 kV ± 2 × 2.5 % pattern.

The voltage the tool aims for: the tap closest to it is shown.
Advanced: your nameplate tap list and three-phase readings (optional)
Comma-separated; position labels optional as position:kV. Position numbers have no universal direction.
Your own tolerance; it decides whether the nearest tap counts as reaching the target.
Step 2

Results

Check before relying on this result
  • Off-circuit (off-load) tap changers must never be operated energized. Follow the transformer manual and the switching procedure: isolation, proving dead, earthing, qualified personnel.
Nearest MV tap to the target19.5 kV-2.5 % of rated · target inside the tap span
Expected LV voltage (ratio estimate)400.0 VSigned difference from the target 0.0 V · within your ±2 V
MV tap% of ratedPredicted LVDifferenceNote
21 kV5.0 %371.4 V-28.6 V
20.5 kV2.5 %380.5 V-19.5 V
20 kV0.0 %390.0 V-10.0 Vcurrent
19.5 kV-2.5 %400.0 V0.0 Vnearest to target
19 kV-5.0 %410.5 V10.5 V
Planning estimate, not a switching instruction. The real voltage after the change also depends on the grid provider's supply voltage, the load and its power factor, and the transformer's regulation. Off-circuit taps are changed only de-energized, under the approved procedure, by qualified personnel.

1. Predicted LV voltage at another tap

Ideal ratio model: same incoming MV voltage and similar load before and after. A lower MV tap voltage gives a higher LV voltage.

ULV,new≈ULV,meas Utap,currentUtap,newU_{LV,new}\approx U_{LV,meas}\,\frac{U_{tap,current}}{U_{tap,new}}
ULV,new≈390×2019.5=400 VU_{LV,new}\approx 390\times\frac{20}{19.5}=400\ \text{V}

2. Difference from the target

The tap with the smallest absolute difference in the list is shown as the nearest.

ΔU=ULV,new−Utarget\Delta U=U_{LV,new}-U_{target}
ΔU=400−400=0 V\Delta U=400-400=0\ \text{V}

Calculations use full precision internally; the displayed numbers are rounded for readability.