Systematization of The Simulation Process of Trans
Systematization of The Simulation Process of Trans
Abstract: An inrush current is generated when a transformer is energized. This current has a large
magnitude and rich harmonics, thereby causing mal-operation of the protection relay. Therefore,
the development of countermeasures against inrush current is necessary, and this study has been
performed by computer simulations. However, it is difficult for a power system operator to
perform a computer simulation as it is difficult to determine what data should be selected and
entered. Therefore, this paper establishes the simulation process of transformer inrush current
using the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP). Two methods to simulate the transformer
inrush current are described in detail. Based on the actual 154 kV transformer test report in Korea,
the simulation results of the inrush current using the two methods are discussed.
Keywords: current-flux value; EMTP; leakage impedance, saturation point; test report;
transformer inrush current
1. Introduction
Transformers are essential components of power systems. However, energization of the
transformer is necessary for the operation of power systems. When the transformer is energized, an
inrush current of large magnitude and rich harmonics is generated. This current adversely affects
the power system causing a reduction in the lifetime of the transformer, damage, and mal-operation
of the protective relay. Therefore, several studies have been carried out on the inrush current of a
transformer to counteract these adverse effects. References [1–5] studied the discrimination
strategies between transformer faults and inrush current. References [6–13] studied the reduction
techniques of inrush current. Moreover, [6–9] studied the controlled energization of transformers,
while [10,11] studied the utilization of uninterrupted power supply and photovoltaic systems. In
addition, [12–17] studied the power quality and protection of power systems by inrush current. The
studies above were performed using a power system simulation program. [1,3,4,9] used Power
Systems Computer Aided Design Electromagnetic Transients including DC (PSCAD/EMTDC).
References [2,5] used MATLAB. References [6,7,10,14,15] used Electromagnetic Transients Program
(EMTP). Reference [16] used Electromagnetic Transients Program—Restructured Version
(EMTP-RV). Reference [17] used DigSILENT software, and [11] performed laboratory experiments.
References [8,12,13] did not provide any simulation software information. References [1–17] did not
provide detailed information for the simulation of the transformer inrush current.
For a transient simulation program, it is necessary to derive the data based on the current–flux
curve necessary for simulating the transformer inrush current. In addition, data such as impedance
ratio, impedance voltage, no-load losses, and winding resistance in transformer test reports are
required. However, it is often difficult to determine what data should be used and how they should
be processed when the power system operator performs transformer inrush current simulations.
Therefore, this paper provides detailed information on the simulation of transformer inrush current
to power system operators. The novel contribution of this paper is as follows:
1) The simulation process of transformer inrush current using EMTP has been systematized.
2) The necessary data for the simulation are derived from the test report.
3) The method for simulating transformer inrush current using these data is described in detail.
4) Based on the method proposed in this paper, the power system operator can easily perform the
inrush current simulation.
Therefore, this paper establishes the simulation process of transformer inrush current using
EMTP, which simulates transient electromagnetic phenomena and is one of the most widely used
electric utilities programs. Alternative Transients Program Draw (ATPDraw) is a graphical,
mouse-driven pre-processor to the ATP version of EMTP [18–20]. Based on the established
simulation process, the simulation example of transformer inrush current is presented using 154 kV
transformer test data in Korea.
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows: Section 2 discusses the inrush current. In
Section 3, two methods of the simulation process of transformer inrush current using EMTP are
introduced. Section 4 discusses the simulation results using 154 kV transformer test data in Korea.
Finally, the conclusions derived from the study are presented in Section 5.
3.1. Method 1
Moreover, a three-phase transformer model can be developed using three Type 98 devices. The
method will be described in detail in Step 3.
(2) Input of current–flux values in the transformer model
The next step is to input the current–flux value in the transformer model. The saturable
three-phase transformer model in the Transformers library is selected among the models provided
by EMTP. On the Attributes dialog box that appears, the primary and secondary voltages, leakage
resistance, and leakage reactance can be inputted. Meanwhile, the Characteristic tab allows the users
to input current–flux values.
3.1.4. Discussion
For Method 1, the current–flux value is derived using the SATURA auxiliary routine in Step 1.
The users can then simulate the inrush current by inputting the current–flux values in a Type 98
device or transformer model and modeling the entire system. If the voltage–current values are
inputted directly in the transformer model, the process of deriving and inputting the current–
magnetic flux value obtained by the SATURA auxiliary routine in Step 1 and 2 can be omitted.
However, it has a disadvantage that the users cannot determine the actual current–flux value. In
addition, it does consider the residual magnetic flux that greatly affects the inrush current of the
transformer.
3.2. Method 2
3.2.4. Discussion
For Method 2, the SATURA auxiliary routine may be used to obtain the saturation point using
the Type 96 device. The current–flux values should be derived through the HYSDAT auxiliary
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2398 6 of 17
routine using only the saturation point, and the derived values should be inputted in the Type 96
device. Finally, the inrush current simulation can be performed by modeling the entire system. In
this method, the process is more complicated than in the previous method. However, the advantage
is that the residual flux value, which has a large effect on the transformer inrush current, can be
considered.
9.2 Dissolved gas test 17. Frame and core insulation test
10. Lightning impulse withstand voltage test 17.1 Before short circuit test
11. Motor test 17.2 After short circuit test
11.1 Fan power consumption measurement and
18. Conclusion
rotating direction test
11.2 On Load Tap Changer (OLTC) operation test
The necessary data from the transformer report should be extracted as follows:
(1) Turns ratio measurement, polarity test, and angle displacement test
(2) Impedance voltage and full-load loss test
(3) No-load loss and excitation current test
(4) Winding resistance measurement.
𝑍 = 𝑍 +𝑍 −𝑍 , (1)
𝑍 = 𝑍 +𝑍 −𝑍 , (2)
𝑍 = 𝑍 +𝑍 −𝑍 , (3)
where
𝑍 : Leakage impedance of primary side;
𝑍 : Leakage impedance of secondary side;
𝑍 : Leakage impedance of tertiary side;
𝑍 : Per-unit leakage impedance measured from winding 1, with wind 2 shorted and winding 3
open;
𝑍 : Per-unit leakage impedance measured from winding 1, with wind 3 shorted and winding 2
open; and
𝑍 : Per-unit leakage impedance measured from winding 2, with wind 3 shorted and winding 1
open.
Based on the calculation method, the value is obtained using Excel as shown in Figure 3. If the
values in the red boxes are inputted, the base impedance, equivalent per-unit (pu) impedance, and
actual value are calculated. Finally, the values required for the EMTP model are the actual values
shown in the green box. The unit is calculated in ohms.
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2398 8 of 17
In Figure 3, the equivalent pu impedance of the tertiary side has a negative value; and, hence,
the actual value is calculated as the negative value. This means that the equivalent impedance
calculated using the measured results has a negative value. However, the actual leakage impedance
value is positive. Since the user cannot input negative impedance in the saturable transformer model
in EMTP, the BCTRAN model should be used.
4.3. Method 1
this paper was performed on the secondary side, the LV winding is selected and the Type 98 device
is connected to the secondary side.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 9. Simulation results. (a) Current flowing in the primary side of the transformer; (b)
magnetizing current; and (c) frequency analysis.
4.4. Method 2
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 13. Simulation results. (a) Current flowing in the primary side of the transformer; (b)
magnetizing current; and (c) frequency analysis.
4.5. Discussion
The test result of the inrush current cannot be obtained in the test report. Therefore, the
simulation results cannot be compared with field test results. Meanwhile, the absolute value of
residual flux can be quite different from one transformer to another. Its true nature has not been
experimentally clarified because the flux values in the transformer core cannot be measured directly
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9, 2398 15 of 17
and field tests cannot be easily conducted [25–27]. However, [28,29] conducted the field test of
inrush current. In [28], the Subestacao Eunapolis in Brazil was selected to be the site test due to an
experienced undesired trip of the transformer of a neutral overcurrent protection during the
energizing of one of the three parallel transformers. In [29], Korea Electric Power Corporation
conducted the field test of inrush current at 765 kV transmission lines because they did not conduct
the long-term field test for the substation equipment. References [28,29] performed field tests in
actual transmission lines based on the requirements of the electric power corporation such as
undesired operation and deterioration of electric facilities.
Thus, the studies on inrush current have been performed using simulations. In this paper, data
from ‘2. Turns ratio measurement, polarity test, and angle displacement test’, ‘3. Impedance voltage
and full-load loss test’, ‘4. No-load loss and excitation current test’, and ‘5. Winding resistance
measurement’ in Table 1 were used for simulations. Therefore, the actual characteristic of the
transformer inrush current was considered in our simulations. In addition, although the simulation
results cannot be compared with the field test results, the simulations using actual parameters are
well performed based on the analysis of the simulation results presented in Sections 4.2 and 4.3.
5. Conclusion
Since EMTP provides several transformer models and a large amount of information exists in
the transformer test data, it is difficult for the power system operator to simulate the transformer
inrush current directly. Therefore, this paper establishes the simulation process of the transformer
inrush current using EMTP so that any power system operator can easily perform it. The method
presented in this paper consists of three steps: (1) Estimation of current–flux values, (2) input of
current–flux values, and (3) power system modeling. In this paper, the methods of inputting
current–flux values are explained in detail in each step. An example of transformer inrush current
simulation using actual 154 kV transformer test report data is described by applying these methods.
Thus, both Method 1 and 2 in this paper can be utilized to simulate the transformer inrush current.
However, it is recommended to apply Method 2 if the actual transformer contains a large amount of
residual magnetic flux; otherwise, either Method 1 or Method 2 may be applied.
When the mal-operation of the protection relay occurs in actual power systems due to a very
large inrush current, the power system operator will attempt to identify this problem and provide
solutions. Since the inrush current of the transformer cannot be actually tested, the problem can be
solved using computer simulation. If the power system operator has no experience with inrush
current simulations and does not understand the well-organized simulation method, it will take a
long time to provide a solution. Therefore, the simulation process described in this paper can aid the
power system operator in analyzing the problem using inrush current simulation in a short time and
developing a solution to achieve stable power system operation.
Author Contributions: H.-C.S. conceived, designed, and performed the experiments. H.-C.S. and G.-H.G.
analyzed the data and wrote the paper.
Funding: This work was supported by a 2019 Yonam Institute of Technology grant.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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