Three-phase Transformer Research Articles

Measurement Verification of a Developed Strategy of Inrush Current Reduction for a Non-Loaded Three-Phase Dy Transformer

This article presents the measurement verification of a novel strategy for inrush current reduction in an unloaded three-phase Dy transformer. The strategy combines appropriate pre-magnetization of transformer cores with an original control switching system using initial phase values of the supply voltage as control variables. Measurements were recorded for primary voltages and currents as well as secondary voltages during transient states at start-up under no-load conditions. Various inrush scenarios were examined across the full angular spectrum of initial phase angles, both polarities, and in regard to different pre-magnetization current values. A detailed analysis of the inrush currents was performed using proprietary automated software based on the recorded data. A comparative study with a nonlinear mathematical model of the transformer was also conducted. Additionally, key technical aspects of the designed system for implementing the proposed pre-magnetization strategy with controlled voltage energization are discussed.

Tests for Checking the Computer Model of a Three-Phase Transformer or an Inductive Reactor and the Diagram for their Implementation

Tests for Checking the Computer Model of a Three-Phase Transformer or an Inductive Reactor and the Diagram for their Implementation

Three-phase crystallization for purification of acrylic acid from acrylic/propionic acid mixture

A new separation technology, three-phase crystallization (TPC), was utilized to purify acrylic acid (AA) from a binary liquid mixture comprising AA and propionic acid (PA). The solid–liquid equilibrium data of AA/PA mixture reported in the literature were adopted to recover the activity coefficients of the liquid mixture; and, subsequently, the vapor–liquid equilibrium conditions of AA/PA mixture were predicted using Raoult’s law and the Wilson equations for the recovered activity coefficients. The reported solid–liquid equilibrium data and the predicted vapor–liquid equilibrium conditions were coupled to determine the three-phase transformation conditions of AA/PA mixture, which were employed to conduct the batch TPC experiments. Upon conclusion of the TPC, the yield and purity were measured to estimate the amount of the AA crystals and volume of the liquid mixture retained in the overall final product, respectively.

Structural Engineering of Prussian Blue Analogues Enabling All-Climate and Ultralong Cycling Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of cost-efficient, long-lifespan, and all-climate sodium-ion batteries is of great importance for advancing large-scale energy storage but is plagued by the lack of suitable cathode materials. Here, we report low-cost Na-rich Mn-based Prussian blue analogues with superior rate capability and ultralong cycling stability over 10,000 cycles via structural optimization with electrochemically inert Ni atoms. Their thermal stability, all-climate properties, and potential in full cells are investigated in detail. Multiple in situ characterizations reveal that the outstanding performances benefit from their highly reversible three-phase transformations and trimetal (Mn-Ni-Fe) synergistic effects. In addition, a high sodium diffusion coefficient and a low volume distortion of 2.3% are observed through in situ transmission electron microscopy and first-principles calculations. Our results provide insights into the structural engineering of Prussian blue analogues for advanced sodium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage applications.

Distributed Vibration Monitoring System for 10 kV-400 kVA 3D Wound Core Transformer under Progressive Short-Circuit Impulses.

As large-scale, high-proportion, and efficient distribution transformers surge into the grids, anti-short circuit capability testing of transformer windings in efficient distribution seems necessary and prominent. To deeply explore the influence of progressively short-circuit shock impulses on the core winding deformation of efficient power transformers, a finite element theoretical model was built by referring to a three-phase three-winding 3D wound core transformer with a model of S20-MRL-400/10-NX2. The distributions of internal equivalent force and total deformation of the 3D wound core transformer along different paths under progressively short-circuit shock impulses varying from 60% to 120% were investigated. Results show that the equivalent stress and total deformation change rate reach their maximum as the short-circuit current increases from 60% to 80%, and the maximum and average variation rate for the equivalent stress reach 177.75% and 177.43%, while the maximum and average variation rate for the total deformation corresponds to 178.30% and 177.45%, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum equivalent stress and maximum total deformation reach 29.81 MPa and 38.70 μm, respectively, as the applied short-circuit current increased to 120%. In light of the above observations, the optimization and deployment of wireless sensor nodes was suggested. Therefore, a distributed monitoring system was developed for acquiring the vibration status of the windings in a 3D wound core transformer, which is a beneficial supplement to the traditional short-circuit reactance detection methods for an efficient grid access spot-check of distribution transformers.

Sistem Monitoring Beban Tiga Fasa pada Gardu Distribusi berbasis Internet of Things

To achieve optimal results in distributing electrical loads, maintaining load balance among phases in a three phase installation system is essential, as any imbalance can lead to electrical power losses. One of the factors contributing to load imbalances is the improper installation of electrical equipment across the phases, deviating from the existing installation design. This research aims to develop a system, known as the Load Monitoring System, capable of storing and providing information about the load conditions installed on a three-phase transformer loading system. This system aims to facilitate the process of adding customers, dividing the load on each phase, avoiding load imbalances, and serving as a reference for routine maintenance of distribution substations annually. The methodology employed in this research is a quantitative method based on testing Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system tools. The results show that the system effectively monitors load current and voltage at the distribution substation. Additionally, the device enables remote monitoring with the Transmitter capable of sending data to the Receiver from distances ranging from 50 m to 100 m and with the TX Max position in dense environmental conditions and full of obstacles such as buildings and trees or in rural areas with limited internet connectivity.

DC bias impact analysis on the capability of power transformer and failure risks

A significant transition towards low-carbon, renewable energy sources and technological adaptation is mandatory in the present scenario to address climate change and achieve a sustainable energy system. Aligned with the upgradation in technology, as the need for efficient and smart energy grows, power electronics are being extensively used in power systems. Various factors can affect the pervasive use of power electronics associated with power transformers, thereby introducing the DC bias in the system. DC bias in the transformer leads to a shift in operating point, a rise in excitation current and a generation of harmonics. This causes an increase in core losses and temperature, resulting in exceeding the thermal limits and leading to transformer failure. Consequently, there is an emergency need to understand the DC bias capability of power transformers that aims at optimal transformer selection without being overrated. This research employs Ansys maxwell software to model and simulate a 500 kVA, 11kV/420V three-phase power transformer. The experimental investigation is carried out through a scale-down value of a 5 kVA laboratory prototype. The research findings revealed a significant negative impact of DC bias on power transformer capabilities that could be detrimental to its performance, health and lifespan. The analysis results provide valuable insights for the design engineer during the initial stages of designing a high-performance, cost-effective transformer with a low failure rate.

Three-Phase Three-Legged Wye-Wye Transformers With Only One Neutral Grounded and No Stabilizing Winding–Part I: Zero-Sequence Performance

Three-Phase Three-Legged Wye-Wye Transformers With Only One Neutral Grounded and No Stabilizing Winding–Part I: Zero-Sequence Performance

Three-Phase Three-Legged Wye-Wye Transformers With Only One Neutral Grounded and no SW – Part II: Zero-Sequence Permissible Temperature

Three-Phase Three-Legged Wye-Wye Transformers With Only One Neutral Grounded and no SW – Part II: Zero-Sequence Permissible Temperature

Practical Experiments with a Ready-Made Strategy for Energizing a Suitable Pre-Magnetized Three-Column Three-Phase Dy Transformer in Unloaded State for Inrush Current Computations

This article presents the results of an experimental verification of three-phase Dy transformer dynamics under no-load conditions. This study is motivated by previous ferroresonance analyses where the occurrence of inrush currents has been observed. The measurements covered all available electrical quantities in a transient state (12 measured and 3 additionally computed waveforms) during the device’s start-up under no-load conditions, as well as in a long-term steady state. A detailed analytical analysis is carried out for the obtained comprehensive set of measurement results. As a result of the conducted research, the mathematical model of the pre-magnetized three-phase Dy transformer is modified. Particular attention is paid to the issue of residual magnetism of the transformer core and its consideration in further research. The original strategy for energizing a three-column three-phase Dy transformer with a suitable pre-magnetization of its columns and original control switching system with a given/set value of the initial phase in the supply voltage is put to the test. The evolution of the induced inrush phenomenon up to the quasi-steady state under given (forced) conditions is documented (currents, voltages and the dynamics of changes taking place in the core (hysteresis loops)). This article represents a continuation of ongoing work on the study of transient states (dynamics of transformer inrush currents). At present, the Dy three-phase transformer is analyzed because of the requirements of industrial operators.

Input-parallel output-series Si-SiC hybrid inverter with fractional harmonic elimination

This paper proposes an input-parallel output-series (IPOS) Si-SiC hybrid inverter with dual-frequency harmonic elimination modulation strategy. The proposed topology composed of two power conversion cells and a three-phase five-column medium-frequency step-down transformer, the low-frequency power conversion cell (LFPC-C, 1 kHz) leverages strong current-carrying capacity of silicon-based devices for dealing with the system main power, and the high-frequency power conversion cell (HFPC-C, 30 kHz) based on wide-bandgap semiconductor SiC devices is used to addressing the fractional harmonics compensation power. This topology combines the strong current carrying capability of Si devices with the low switching loss of SiC devices at high frequency and achieves high quality power conversion at low cost and low loss. Compared to existing “IPOP” Si-SiC hybrid inverters, this topology adopts a coupling step-down transformer on the output side of both LFPC-C and HFPC-C, which can effectively reduce current stress of HFPC-C SiC devices. Additionally, a dual-frequency harmonic elimination modulation strategy based on the topology is proposed to solve the fractional harmonics caused by the LFPC-C. The paper establishes a mathematical model according to the harmonic distribution characteristics of the LFPC-C and HFPC-C, and designs the system control schedules. Building upon the derivation of the voltage ripple model and the design of hardware parameters, Si IGBT and SiC MOSFET were selected for constructing a 7.5 kW prototype for testing, and the experimental results validate the feasibility of this topology and the accuracy of theoretical analysis.

Improved Fault Current Limiting Characteristics of Three-Phase Transformer Type SFCL With Non-Separated Secondary Windings Due to Unsymmetrical Ground Fault Types

Improved Fault Current Limiting Characteristics of Three-Phase Transformer Type SFCL With Non-Separated Secondary Windings Due to Unsymmetrical Ground Fault Types

Enhanced thermal modeling of three-phase dry-type transformers

This work presents an enhanced thermal modeling for dry-type three-phase transformers, addressing the heat exchange mechanisms through conduction, radiation, and convection. Additionally, an equivalent thermal network is proposed to analyze the thermal behavior of these transformers. The thermal model includes several improvements, such as the differentiated representation of the core and windings through different nodes, and the consideration of primary and secondary windings as distinct nodes. Furthermore, the effects of convection and radiation in the inner areas of the core windows are accounted for, providing higher accuracy to the model. This modeling allows for a detailed analysis of the transformer under unbalanced load conditions, considering the complete geometry of the equipment. The results demonstrated that even with just a 5% load imbalance, there was a change in the hot spot temperature (HST). Moreover, the evaluation of temperatures in the coils, both internal and external to the core windows, revealed variations of up to 7 °C in the analyzed load unbalance scenarios. The study also highlighted that the phase of the harmonic component has an impact on the final equipment temperature. Additionally, the overvoltage and overload analyses showed that voltage has a greater impact on increasing the average core temperature, while overload mainly affects the winding temperature. Another relevant finding is that the internal coils near the core windows are most vulnerable to temperature rise when subjected to overload.

Revisited Concept of Three-Phase Transformers’ Short-Circuit Resistances in Light of the Institute of Electric and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard C57.110-2018

Short-circuit resistances are transformer parameters that characterize the electrical load losses and correct operation of these machines. However, the traditional concept of short-circuit resistance, independent of the harmonic frequencies, has been superseded by present transformer standards. Hence, new expressions for short-circuit resistances of three-phase transformers have been developed in this article based on the IEEE Standard C57.110-2018 and are presented jointly with the losses that these resistances characterize. These refer to the secondary effective short-circuit resistance of each phase (Rcc,z), of each harmonic (Rcc,h), and the non-fundamental frequency combined harmonics (Rcc,Hz). Likewise, the harmonic loss factor (HLFz%) has been established to determine the importance of the harmonics in each phase’s load losses. The application of these short-circuit resistances to the calculation of the load losses for a 630 kVA transformer from an actual residential distribution network has shown that the same values are obtained as with the IEEE Standard C57.110-2018, and they are 48.75% higher than those recorded with the traditional short-circuit resistances when the current distortion rates are 36.47%.

Mathematical Model of a Nonlinear Power Transformer for Needs of Relay Protection

In this work, a mathematical model of a three-phase nonlinear transformer is suggested. The model enables simulating the transformer operation with allowance for its nonlinearity and covers needs of the relay protection. Our model has been developed on the basis of a mathematical model with phase coordinates, where differential equations are composed by the Kirchhoff’s phase-voltage law. Based on this model, we first compose a mathematical model for simulating steady-state operation modes of a transformer, taking into account the asymmetry and nonlinearity of its ferromagnetic core. In this model, the initial values of inductances and mutual inductances of loops are determined from the main phase inductance calculated by the experimentally found no-load current, and their current values are determined from the currents in windings and the magnetic fluxes in legs of the transformer core. The magnetic fluxes are calculated by the nodal-pair method. This improved mathematical model is verified through a comparison between the calculated harmonic components of the phase currents and the experimental results. The harmonic components are calculated with the use of Fourier expansion of the calculated phase currents. Their experimental values are determined with a spectrum analyzer. The calculated and experimental harmonic components of the currents of phase A during no-load and rated-load operation of the transformer are tabulated. The comparison of these results shows that the mathematical model of a three-phase transformer we suggest makes it possible to simulate currents in transformer windings under steady-state operation modes with accuracy acceptable for relay protection.

Power transformer fault diagnosis using dynamic multiscale graph modeling and M2SGCN network based on statistical fusion

Power equipment fault diagnostics hold significant importance for the stability of power grid systems. In pursuit of this objective, this paper proposes a fault diagnosis method that utilizes dynamic multiscale graph (DMG) modeling and the multiscale multi-stream GCN(M2SGCN) network, incorporating statistical fusion. Specifically, a novel DMG modeling method is proposed to derive visibility graph data and horizontal visibility graph data from vibration signals across multiple scales. Next, a comprehensive neural network architecture named M2SGCN is established to learn global and local features simultaneously, providing a more precise representation. Subsequently, a Dempster Shafer evidence theory statistical fusion technique combined with an adaptive threshold model (DSTFusion) is utilized to integrate primary decision results for enhanced fault diagnosis accuracy. In addition, two datasets obtained from single-phase and three-phase power transformers are analyzed to demonstrate the evolution process. When compared to state-of-the-art indicators such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 scores, the method proposed excels in multiple aspects, successfully detecting fault states before their occurrence and achieving outstanding performance.

Analysis of Calculation of Artificial Neutral Point Resistance for Open-circuit Testing

This article focuses on the artificial neutral point device with ZN connection (ZN type connection refers to the way that the primary winding adopts a zigzag connection and the neutral point is led out). In the process of breaking test, the arc energy is an important criterion. For three-phase four-wire transformers, the test loop can be built by connecting the N-pole with a pure resistance. However, for three-phase transformers, the loop needs to be built through the artificial neutral point. By analyzing the calculation and actual test data, the calculation method for the artificial neutral point resistance used in the experiment is clarified. It is confirmed that the resistance of the artificial neutral point will not change with the change of input voltage, making the calculation of expected fault current more accurate in daily use.

Simulation characterization of measurement errors of the wide-range environmentally friendly current transformers

To accurately measure the hundreds of millions of dollars of electricity consumed, the accuracy, safety, environmental friendliness, and reliability of current transformers become crucial. In response to these problems, there is an urgent need to develop an environmentally friendly current transformer that can adapt to the needs of power systems with wide-range current fluctuations. Therefore, in this paper, the simulation model of a three-phase current transformer with a combined transformer is developed. Simulation and verification work for the relationship between the error characteristics of environmentally friendly current transformers and the influence of magnetic field changes in each phase and the magnitude of the load on the secondary side. We compared the measurement errors before and after active compensation, demonstrating that environmentally friendly current transformers can increase the range and measurement flat frequency range while ensuring their 0.2S class measurement accuracy. This in turn proves the feasibility of wide-range environmentally friendly current transformers.

Technical solutions to reduce losses in magnetic cores and material consumption of three-phase transformer and reactor equipment

Purpose. The increase in energy costs and the need for further energy saving lead to an increase in requirements for reducing losses in the magnetic cores of transformers and reactors. Problem. The improvement of transformer and reactor equipment is traditionally carried out by applying the achievements of electrical materials science and new technologies to traditional designs and structures of electromagnetic systems. The basis of modern transformers is made up of laminated and twisted magnetic cores. The disadvantage of laminated magnetic cores is large additional losses in corner zones due to the texture of anisotropic steel. Disadvantage of twisted three-phase three-contour magnetic cores is large additional losses caused by the lack of magnetic coupling of three separate magnetic flux contours. The disadvantages of combined joint tape-plate magnetic cores are the unsatisfactory use of the active volume and increased losses, which are determined by the uneven distribution of the magnetic field and the negative impact of steel texture in the corner zones of the twisted parts. Aim. To determine the possibility of improving three-phase transformers and reactors. Methodology. The improvement is achieved by geometrical and structural transformations of the outer contours and elements of the varieties of magnetic cores. Results. The possibility of eliminating additional losses of a planar laminated magnetic core by a combination of anisotropic and isotropic steels at the appropriate location in the yoke-rod and corner sections is determined. With an octagonal outer contour of the combined magnetic core, a reduction in mass is achieved without an increase in losses. The mutually orthogonal position of the steel layers or the elements of the joint twisted and combined three-phase planar and spatial magnetic cores achieves magnetic coupling and elimination of additional losses of individual twisted contour sections. The hexagonal configurations of the inner contours of the twisted yoke-corner parts and the cross-sections of the laminated rods of the variants of the axial spatial joint magnetic core improve the magnetic flux density distribution and reduce the main losses of the yokes, as well as reduce the complexity of manufacturing rods from identical rectangular steel layers. Originality. The paper presents constructive and technological proposals and features of varieties of non-traditional planar and spatial, laminated, twisted and combined tape-plate joint magnetic cores, which differ in the combination of anisotropic, isotropic and amorphous steels, as well as the multifaceted geometric shape of contours and the spatial arrangement of elements. Based on the identity of the optimal geometric ratios of the variants of electromagnetic systems of transformers and reactors, with joint planar and spatial twisted and combined and tape-plate magnetic cores, the unification of the structure of transformer and reactor equipment with a capacity of I-III dimensions.

Saturation Curve Estimation of Three-Legged Three-Phase Transformers Using Inrush Current Waveforms

Saturation Curve Estimation of Three-Legged Three-Phase Transformers Using Inrush Current Waveforms