Simulation of Overvoltages Transferred Through
Transformers in EMTP-ATP Software
Marek Florkowski
ABB Corporate Research Center
Kraków, Poland
marek.florkowski@pl.abb.com
Abstract—Overvoltages are transferred through power
transformers by electromagnetic couplings between windings.
Their waveforms and maximal values depends on overvoltages
shapes occurring in power systems and physical mechanisms in
transformer windings. It is a need of coordination insulation
studies to perform analysis of transferred overvoltages influence
on insulation system of electrical power equipment. This article
presents analysis of transferred overvoltages through distribution
transformer windings. Conclusions are based on simulation
results in Electromagnetic Transients Program-Alternative
Transients Program (EMTP/ATPDraw), performed with build-in
power transformer models and black-box high frequency
transformer model, simulation results were compared with
measurements.
Keywords—transferred overvoltages, simulation, power
transformer, high frequency, insulation systems
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Overview of Topic
Overvoltages transferred through power transformer
windings affects insulation systems of electrical devices on
different voltage levels [1-4]. Overvoltages are transferred
through power transformers by electromagnetic couplings
between windings [4-9]. Maximal values of transferred
overvoltages (TO) can be calculated with relations found in
standard [10], but this analysis has limitations and should be
used as a rough estimation of waveform magnitudes. With
normalized procedure described in IEC standard [10] is not
possible to determine overvoltages shapes and this method
does not consider cases when resonant frequency occurs. On
the other hand, experimental results in real parts of power
systems are hard to achieve due to random occurrence of
overvoltages, and measurement difficulties with high
magnitude and fast transients. This remarks affects that most of
transferred overvoltages analysis are based on simulation
results. One of the key aspects of transferred overvoltage’s
simulations is to use proper power transformer models, which
consider physical mechanisms related to electromagnetic
couplings, different in high frequency spectrum, and include
relationship with other electrical power equipment. Analysis of
interaction between power apparatus and power transformers in
978-1-5090-6406-9/17/$31.00 ©2017 IEEE
Jakub Furgał, Maciej Kuniewski
dep. of Electrical Engineering and Electrical Power
AGH University of Science and Technology
Kraków, Poland
maciej.kuniewski@agh.edu.pl
case of transferred overvoltages were aim of CIGRE A2/C3-39
working group [11].
B. Mechanism of Transferring Overvoltages Through Power
Transformer Windings
Overvoltages are transferred through transformer windings,
due to electromagnetic couplings, which create complex RLC
equivalent circuit with nonlinear parameters in frequency
domain which reflects physical effects as skin effect, proximity
effect, magnetic field penetration in to core, polarization effects
in insulation materials. Simplified scheme showing couplings
between windings, is presented in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. Electromagnetic couplings between transformer windings, Cg –
capacitance of HV winding to ground, Cgn – self capacitance of HV
winding, Cdn – self capacitance of LV winding, Cd – capacitance to
ground of LV winding, Cgd – capacitance between windings, Lgd –
magnetic coupling between windings,
Development of detailed RLC circuit which consider every
coupling existing between every element is hard to achieve,
due to numerous elements located in transformer tank, and
complexity of considering nonlinear effects related to magnetic
core in higher frequencies. Input data for transformer model
development can be obtained from calculations based on
winding geometry and material parameters [12,13], or form
measurements [7,9,14-16]. Transformer models for
simulations of transferred overvoltages (TO) must take into
consideration frequency-dependent phenomena in windings
which can influence on final results.
Analysis of mechanism, which stands behind, transferred
overvoltages phenomenon, made in earlier works [4], shows
that main resonant frequency of transferred overvoltages is
related with main admittance minimum of winding to which
overvoltages is transferred. Due to complex structure and high
magnetic couplings, frequency characteristic of TO is strongly
nonlinear.
This article presents analysis of overvoltages transferred
through distribution transformer to low voltage (LV) networks,
formed during reaction of various shape overvoltages on
medium voltage (MV) terminals. Simulations were performed
in EMTP-ATPDraw v. 6.1 software. Simulations used build-in
power transformer models and high-frequency transformer
model based on frequency characteristic measurements.
Simulation results were compared with measurements made in
model part of MV network.
II. SIMULATION OF OVERVOLTAGES TRANSFERRED THROUGH
TRANSFORMER WINDINGS
C. Simulation Results of Waveforms and Frequency
Characteristics of Transferred Overvoltages
Simulations made in ATPDraw software covered:
• analysis of overvoltages transferred to LV windings,
during action of rectangular surges at MV terminals,
this type of surge imitate transient overvoltages reduced
by surge arresters,
• frequency characteristics of overvoltages transferred to
LV windings,
• overvoltages transferred to LV windings during
energization of transformer
Test object was distribution transformer TNOSCT-
250/15.75PNS with rated power 250 kVA and rated voltages
15.75/0.4 kV, (Table 1).

A. Characteristics of Selected ATPDraw Build-In TABLE I. NOMINAL PARAMETERS OF ANALYZED 250 KVA
Tranasformer Models TRANSFORMER [18]

In transferred overvoltages simulations in ATPDraw v. 6.1 TNOSCT-250/15.75PNS

two different build-in models of power transformers were parameter
Sn Un Uz ΔPfe ΔPcu I0
checked, BCTRAN and HYBRID model.
Unit kVA kV % kW kW %
BCTRAN model is based on π-type structure [13], which
consider only inductive coupling between windings, linear Value 250 15.75/0.4 4.5 0,486 3,51 1
winding resistance, and for some analysis it is possible to
implement nonlinear magnetization, thus this model is suitable TABLE II. MEASURED CAPACITANCES AND EQUIVALENT SIERIER
RESISTANCE (ESR) OF WINDINGS
for low-frequency analysis. For simulation of transferred
overvoltages model should be equipped in external capacitive TNOSCT-250/15.75PNS
couplings circuit between windings and self-capacitances of parameter
Cgd Cg Cd
windings.
Value, nF 0.8 0.9 1,59
HYBRID model of power transformers is more advanced
ESR, Ω 300 138 70
model than BCTRAN, [12,13], it consider separate core model
which is connected to artificial winding on the core surface.
For high frequency simulation capacitances and frequency Values of overvoltages in LV windings (uLV) were
dependent winding resistance are also considered. Parameters normalized to maximal values of excitation surges (uMV) and to
for model can be provided as a winding and core geometry and transformer voltage ratio. Results of simulated transients in LV
material parameters, values from test, or model can fit typical windings phases a,b,c, during acting of rectangular surge on
values for desired transformer type. AB MV terminals are presented in Fig. 2. Surge rise time to
Both analyzed models are built from datasheet parameters maximum was set to tr = 100 ns. Rectangular surge imitates
(Table I) and from measurements of capacitances (Table II). overvoltage which pass surge arresters which limit its maximal
This approach can model only main resonant frequency of value to protection level. Metal Oxide surge arresters doesn’t
transferred overvoltages. Capacitive couplings in models change steepness of incoming wave.
should also include equivalent series resistance of specific Overvoltages transferred through transformer windings
coupling which can be also measured (Table II), this have form of damped oscillations, with resonant frequency
assumption can model time constant of this phenomenon. equal to 331 kHz, 524 kHz, and 549 kHz for BCTRAN, Hybrid
model and HFM respectively. Main resonant frequency is
B. Characteristics of High Frequency Transformer Model related to resonance which occurs between inductance of
From among the several high-frequency transformer windings and its capacitance [4]. Damping level is similar to all
models (HFM) proposed in the literature (e.g. [8,9,15-17]). The models, for BCTRAN and HFM can be seen that first
model presented in the literature [15-17] was used in oscillation is not occurring abruptly but has some time
investigations presented in this paper. The parameters of the constant. Maximal values of overvoltages are comparable in
model are determined on the basis of measurement results of simulation cases. For BCTRAN and HYBRID model there is
frequency characteristics of transformer admittances [3]. The seen only one oscillation frequency. In HFM low frequency
procedure of working out for the model is presented in short oscillation is imposed on high frequency component.
way. [3,15] The model can be easily implemented in the
electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) as a RLC circuit.

Fig. 2. Simulations results of overvoltages in LV windings of 250 kVA
distribution transformer, during actring of rectangular surge with rise
time tr = 100 ns at MV terminals. Simulations performed in ATPDraw,
with transformer models: a – BCTRAN model, b - HYBRID model, c -
HFM model; 1 - phase a, 2 - phase b, 3 - phase c
Simulated frequency characteristics of overvoltages
transferred to LV windings of transformer 250 kVA, obtained
for models, are shown in Fig. 3. Analysis of results, shows that
maximal overvoltages are obtained for resonant frequencies
331 kHz, 524 kHz, and 549 kHz for BCTRAN, Hybrid model
and HFM respectively. There can be seen differences between
maximal values for resonant frequencies in different phases.
Up to approximately 100 kHz characteristics behave in similar
way, transformer ratio is kept. For BCTRAN and HYBRID
models there is only one resonance which occurs in transient
voltages (Fig. 2a,b), there is seen strong coupling between
phase a, phases b and c have smaller amplification. Frequency
characteristics shows response of transformer during acting of
overvoltage which have form of oscillations with specific
frequency, thus precisely modelling of this phenomenon is
necessary in analysis of impact of length of lines on transferred
overvoltages [3]. Maximal values from overvoltages shown in
Fig. 2 differs from maximal values from frequency
characteristics (Fig. 3) because energy for resonant frequency
in frequency spectrum of stimulus is smaller for surge wave
rather than sinusoid wave.
Fig. 3. Response to sinusoidal excitation with varied frequency of
overvoltages transferred to LV windings of transformer 250 kVA.
Simulations performed in ATPDraw, with transformer models: a –
BCTRAN model, b - HYBRID model, c - HFM model; 1 - phase a, 2 -
phase b, 3 – phase c
Last simulation case was to obtain overvoltages which are
occurring in LV side during energization of power transformer
at MV side. Part of simulated network can be seen in Fig. 4.
Analyzed distribution transformer Tr2 (TNOSCT-
250/15.75PNS, Table 1) is fed by transformer Tr1, TOC 20/10
(Sn = 20kVA, 6/0.4 kV). Cable line L1 (RG 213U MIL-C17/D
[19]) has 80 m length. Line L2 has a form of 2 m busbars.
Switching operation is made with vacuum circuit breaker VCB.
Preventive surge arresters are placed at MV and LV terminals
of Tr2 [20-21]. Feeding transformer was modelled as BCTRAN
model. Worst case condition was chosen, energization at
maximal sinusoid value. Results were normalized to feeding
voltage and transformer ratio. Aim of this case is to analyze
behavior of transferred overvoltages at higher voltages
conditions, and analyze existence of nonlinear effects related to
higher voltage level.
 Tr2
Tr1
L1
VCB
L2
p1 p2
arr 1 arr 2
Fig. 4. Scheme of laboratory stand for investigation of overvoltages
transferred to LV windings during switching on 250kVA transformer.
Tr1 – feeding transformer, L1 – 80 m cable line, L2 – 2 m busbars, VCB
– vacuum circuit breaker, Tr2 – transformer under test, arr1, arr2 – surge
arrester, p1 , p2 – measurement points
Fig. 5. Simulation results of overvoltages transferred to LV side 250 kVA
transormer windings, during switching on circuit breaker at MV side
(Fig. 4) . Simulations performed in ATPDraw, with transformer models:
a – BCTRAN model, b - HYBRID model, c - HFM model; 1 – MV side
votage (left scale), 2,3,4 – LV side overvoltages; 2 - phase a, 3 - phase b,
4 - phase c (right scale)
Theoretical transients overvoltages occurring in LV
windings during switching operation at MV side, determined
with selected models (Fig. 5) are similar to results shown in
Fig. 2, mainly due to steep front time of excitation voltage uHv.
Oscillations occurred at MV terminals doesn’t match resonant
frequency of transformer and are damped at LV side.
III. MEASUREMENT OF OVERVOLTAGES TRANSFERRED
THROUGH POWER TRANSFOMRMERS
Laboratory experiment was made in order to compare
theoretical simulation results to experiment. As a experimental
object was transformer 250kVA (see Table 1). Scope of
measurements agrees with simulations scope described in
section II.C.
Results for overvoltages measured during supplying
medium voltage side of transformer with rectangular surge
with tr = 100 ns are presented in Fig. 6. Voltage source was
waveform generator AFG 2021, amplitude was set to 10 V.
Fig. 6. Overvoltages measured in LV windings of 250 kVA distribution
transformer, during actring of rectangular surge with rise time tr = 100
ns at MV terminals (AB); 1 – MV side votage (left scale), 2,3,4 – LV
side overvoltages; 2 - phase a, 3 - phase b, 4 - phase c (right scale)
Frequency characteristics were determined with laboratory
stand for measurement of frequency characteristics [7,14].
Obtained results are shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 7. Measured frequency characteristics of overvoltages transferred from
MV side (AB terminals) to LV side of 250 kV transformer ; 1 - phase a,
2 - phase b, 3 – phase c
After comparative analysis of measurement results (Fig.
6,7) and simulations (Fig. 2,3), it can be stated that usage of
build-in models in EMTP-ATPDraw can closer theoretical
results of transferred overvoltages to real. However they only
consider one resonance and assume strong coupling between
analyzed phase in whole frequency spectrum, other phases are
coupled weaker. The best results are obtained with high
frequency transformer model constructed on the basis of
frequency characteristic measurement of admittances.
Convergence is seen in maximal values, damping level and
resonant frequency value. Frequency characteristics obtained
with HFM model are comparable to measurement results for all
phases.
 Second step of validation was to compare results obtained
at higher excitation voltage level, tests were performed in
laboratory stand from Fig. 4. Measurements were made at 6kV
feeding voltage. Measured waveforms during switching of 250
kVA transformer at maximum possible voltage are shown in
Fig. 8. Results were normalized to maximal feeding voltage
and transformer ratio.
Fig. 8. Measured overvoltages transferred to LV side 250 kV transormer
windings, during switching on circuit breaker at MV side (Fig. 3) . a –
MV side overvoltages, b – LV side overwoltages; 1 – (left scale), LV
side overvoltages, 1 - phase a, 2 - phase b, 3 – phase c
Comparison of measurements (Fig. 8) with simulations
(Fig. 5) for corresponding case, show good agreement in
simulation configuration using HFM, which is in line with
comparison results obtained at low voltage excitation.
IV. SUMMARY
Simulations of overvoltages transferred through power
transformer windings and laboratory measurements confirms
that overvoltages appearing at second side of transformer are
different than excitation voltages. Maximal values of
overvoltages are dependent from stimulated voltages shapes,
which affect on harmonic content in energy spectrum. Surge
protection of medium voltage side of power transformer
doesn’t protect devices connected to low voltage windings.
Comparison between simulation results and measurement
confirm that analysis of overvoltages transferred through
windings can be accurately carried in EMTP/ATPDraw
software with high frequency model of transformer build on
the basis of measured frequency characteristics, rest of
analyzed transformer models only approximates theoretical
results to real.
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