Equipment Damage Curves Transformers

The information presented in this application guide is for review, approval, interpretation and application
by a registered professional engineer only. SKM disclaims any responsibility and liability resulting from
the use and interpretation of this information.

Reproduction of this material is permitted provided proper acknowledgement is given to SKM Systems
Analysis Inc.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to provide basic information about transformer through-fault damage curves
and characteristic landmarks necessary for plotting on time-current curves, for the purpose of equipment
overcurrent protection. Damage curves are defined in the IEEE standards in per unit on the nominal base
rating (kVA) of the transformer, and are not adjusted with changes to the core, winding material or
method of cooling.

Full Load Amps (FLA)

FLA is the rated continuous current carrying capacity of a transformer at a referenced ambient
temperature and allowable temperature rise, see table 1. The FLA label is located on a time-current curve
(TCC) in top decade at 1000 seconds.
The total temperature rise of an OA 65°C transformer, at an average/maximum ambient temperature of
30/40°C, is 110/120°C. These temperatures do exceed the transformer insulation rating of 105°C, and
are allowed by the standards.

Table 1 Transformer temperature ratings

Cooling Ave/Max Hot Spot Temp. Total Temp. Insul. Max Winding
Method Amb. Temp. Temp. Rise Rise Temp. SC Temp.
15°C 75°C 120°C/130°C 130°C 300°C
20°C 90°C 140°C/150°C 150°C 350°C
AA 30°C/40°C 25°C 115°C 170°C/180°C 180°C 400°C
30°C 130°C 190°C/200°C 200°C 425°C
30°C 150°C 210°C/220°C 220°C 450°C
10°C 55°C 95°C/105°C 200°C-Al
ONAN (OA) 30°C/40°C 105°C
15°C 65°C 110°C/120°C 250°C-CU

SC Withstand Capability (Damage) Curves

ANSI C57.109 defines damage characteristics for oil-filled, power transformers see tables 2-5. ANSI
C57.12.59 defines damage characteristics for dry-type transformers see table 6 and 7. The through-fault
current damage curves are not intended for overload capability. The standards state, “if fault current
penetrates the limits of the thermal damage curve insulation may be damaged, or if fault current
penetrates the limits of the mechanical damage curve cumulative mechanical damage may occur. The
validity of these damage limit curves can not be demonstrated by test, since the effects are progressive
over the transformer lifetime. They are based principally on informed engineering judgment and
favorable, historical field experience.”

The damage curves are plotted in the top 3 decades of a TCC from 2 to 1000 seconds.

Table 2 Category I Liquid-Immersed Transformers

5-500kVA 1-Ø
15-500kVA 3-Ø
Frequent (Mechanical Damage)
or Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t 1-Ø 3-Ø
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.) (kVA) (kVA)
2 1800 7200 5-500 15-500
3 300 2700 5-500 15-500
4.75 60 1354 5-500 15-500
6.3 30 1191 5-500 15-500
11.3 10 1277 5-500 15-500
25 2 1250 5-500 15-500
35 1.02 1250 5-100 15-300
40 0.78 1250 5-75 15-75

Table 3 Category II Liquid-Immersed Transformers

501-1667kVA 1-Ø
501-5000kVA 3-Ø
Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
2 1800 7200
3 300 2700
4.75 60 1354
6.3 30 1191
11.3 10 1277
25 2 1250
Frequent Faults (Include Infrequent Points Plus)
Mechanical Damage Points
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
0.7 / Z 2551 Z2 1250
0.7 / Z 4.08 K
1.0 / Z 2 K

Table 4 Category III Liquid-Immersed Transformers

1668-10,000kVA 1-Ø
5001-30,000kVA 3-Ø
Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
2 1800 7200
3 300 2700
4.75 60 1354
6.3 30 1191
11.3 10 1277
25 2 1250
Frequent Faults (Include Infrequent Points Plus)
Mechanical Damage Points
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
0.5 / Z 5000 Z2 1250
0.5 / Z 8 K
1.0 / Z 2 K

Table 5 Category IV Liquid-Immersed Transformers

1668-10,000kVA 1-Ø
5001-30,000kVA 3-Ø
Frequent (Mechanical Damage)
or Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
2 1800 7200
3 300 2700
4.75 60 1354
6.3 30 1191
11.3 10 1277
 25 2 1250
Frequent (Mechanical Damage)
or Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
0.5 / Z 5000 Z2 1250
0.5 / Z 8 K
1.0 / Z 2 K

IEEE Std C57.12.01 defines 3 categories of dry-type transformers. However, IEEE Std C57.12.59 only
defines damage curves for Category I and II transformers. Damage curves for Category III transformers,
1668-10,000kVA 1-Ø, 5001-30,000kVA 3-Ø are not defined.

Table 6 Category I Dry-Type Transformers

1-500kVA 1-Ø
15-500kVA 3-Ø
Frequent (Mechanical Damage)
or Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
3.5 100 1250
11.2 10 1250
25 2 1250

Table 7 Category II Dry -Type Transformers

501-1667kVA 1-Ø
501-5000kVA 3-Ø
Infrequent Faults (Thermal Damage)
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
3.5 100 1250
11.2 10 1250
25 2 1250
Frequent Faults (Include Infrequent Points Plus)
Mechanical Damage Points
x Rated Current Time I2t
(A p.u.) (sec.) (A p.u.-sec.)
0.7 / Z 2551 Z2 1250
0.7 / Z 4.08 625
1.0 / Z 2 625

Magnetizing Inrush Current Point(s)

One or more inrush current points may be plotted on a TCC. Inrush currents are expressed in peak
amps. The most common point is 8-12 times rated FLA at 0.1 seconds. Another less common point is 25
times rated FLA at 0.01 seconds.

Example 1

Plot the characteristic landmarks for a 1000kVA, 65°C, 4160-480/277V, ∆-YG, oil-filled, substation
transformer with an impedance of 6.0%. Consider both the frequent and infrequent fault cases for this
application.

Solution

Step 1 – Calculate the FLA

FLA = 1000kVA / (1.732 x 4.16kV) = 139 amps

Step 2 – Determine the Applicable Category

This is a Category II transformer based on the nominal rating of 1000kVA

Step 3 – Calculate the infrequent fault data points from Table 3

I 1800 sec = 2 x 139 amps = 278 amps

I 300 sec = 3 x 139 amps = 417 amps
I 60 sec = 4.75 x 139 amps = 660 amps
I 30 sec = 6.3 x 139 amps = 876 amps
I 10 sec = 11.3 x 139 amps = 1571 amps
I 2 sec = 25 x 139 amps = 3475 amps

Since the transformer is connected ∆-YG a separate set of data points must be calculated for primary-side
protective devices. Primary-side devices will only see 58% of a secondary-side, single-line-to-ground
fault.

I 1800 sec = 0.58 x 2 x 139 amps = 161 amps

I 300 sec = 0.58 x 3 x 139 amps = 242 amps
I 60 sec = 0.58 x 4.75 x 139 amps = 383 amps
I 30 sec = 0.58 x 6.3 x 139 amps = 508 amps
I 10 sec = 0.58 x 11.3 x 139 amps = 911 amps
I 2 sec = 0.58 x 25 x 139 amps = 2016 amps

Step 4 – Calculate the frequent fault data points from Table 3

I 2 sec = 139 amps / Z = 139 amps / 0.06 = 2316 amps

I 4.08 sec = 0.7 x 139 amps / Z = 97.3 amps / 0.06 = 1622 amps
t 1622 amps = 2551 (0.06)2 = 9.2 seconds

Again, shift the data points by 0.58.

I 2 sec = 0.58 x 139 amps / 0.06 = 1344 amps

I 4.08 sec = 0.58 x 97.3 amps / 0.06 = 941 amps

Step 5 – Calculate Inrush Points

12 x Inrush = 12 x 139 amps = 1668 amps

25 x Inrush = 25 x 139 amps = 3475 amps

The results are plotted in figure 1.

Example 2

Repeat Example 1 but now assume the secondary is high-resistance grounded (HRG).

Solution

Step 1 – Same as Example 1

Step 2 – Same as Example 1
Step 3 – Same as Example 1

No shifting of the damage curve is required with a HRG secondary. In this case the primary-side
protective devices will not see a ground fault on the secondary-side. Ground fault magnitudes will always
be much lower than load current levels.

Step 4 – Same as Example 1

Again, no shifting of data points is required.

Step 5 – Same as Example 1

The results are plotted in figure 2.

Fig. 1 1000kVA, ∆-YG, liquid-immersed transformer damage curves
 Fig. 2 1000kVA, ∆-YG (HRG), liquid-immersed transformer damage curves

Example 3

Plot the characteristic landmarks for a 1500kVA, 150°C, 13800-480/277V, ∆-∆, dry-type, substation
transformer with an impedance of 5.75%. Consider the infrequent fault case for this application.

Solution

Step 1 – Calculate the FLA

FLA = 1500kVA / (1.732 x 13.8kV) = 62.8 amps

Step 2 – Determine the Applicable Category

This is a dry-type, Category II transformer based on the nominal rating of 1500kVA

Step 3 – Calculate the infrequent fault data points from Table 7

I 100 sec = 3.5 x 62.8 amps = 220 amps
I 10 sec = 11.2 x 62.8 amps = 703 amps
I 2 sec = 25 x 62.8 amps = 1570 amps

Since the transformer is connected ∆-∆ a separate set of data points must be calculated for primary-side
protective devices. Primary-side devices will only see 87% of a secondary-side, line-to-line fault.

I 100 sec = 0.87 x 3.5 x 62.8 amps = 191 amps

I 10 sec = 0.87 x 11.2 x 62.8 amps = 612 amps
I 2 sec = 0.87 x 25 x 62.8 amps = 1366 amps

Step 4 – Calculate Inrush Points

12 x Inrush = 12 x 62.8 amps = 754 amps

25 x Inrush = 25 x 62.8 amps = 1570 amps

The results are plotted in figure 3.

Fig. 3 1500kVA, ∆- ∆, dry-type transformer damage curves

References

• Other Application Guides offered by SKM Systems Analysis at www.skm.com

• ABB Protective Relaying Theory and Application, 2nd Edition, 2004

The latest revision of:

• IEEE Std 242, IEEE Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial and
Commercial Power Systems (IEEE Buff Book)
• IEEE Std C57.12.00, IEEE Standard General Requirements for Liquid-Immersed Distribution,
Power and Regulating Transformers
• IEEE Std C57.12.01, IEEE Standard General Requirements for Dry-Type Distribution and Power
Transformers Including Those with Solid-Cast and/or Resin-Encapsulated Windings
• IEEE Std C57.12.59, IEEE Guide for Dry-Type Transformer Through-Fault-Current Duration
• IEEE Std C57.109, IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformer Through-Fault-Current Duration

Insulating materials

Insulation Maximum
Insulating Materials
Class Temperature
Cotton, silk, paper, wood,
Y 90°C cellulose, fibre without
impregnation or oil-immersion
Class Y impregnated with natural resins,
A 105°C cellulose esters, insulating oils, etc.,
also laminated wood, varnished paper
TInsuldur® InsulationT
Hybrid A 110°C Kraft paper with epoxy binders
activated under pressure
Synthetic-resin enamels, cotton
E 120°C and paper Laminates
with formaldehyde bonding
Mica, glass fibre, asbestos, etc., with
suitable bonding substance; built-up
B 130°C
mica,
glass-fibre and asbestos laminates
The materials of Class B with more
F 155°C
thermally-resistant bonding materials
Glass-fibre and asbestos materials,
H 180°C and built-up mica, with appropriate
Silicone resins
Mica, ceramics, glass, quartz, and
C >180°C asbestos without binders or with silicone
resins of superior thermal stability
TNOMEX® insulation,
>H 220°C varnish dipped and vacuum pressure
impregnated (VPI)