Vector Group Testing of Transformer at site

Dr K Rajamani, Reliance Infrastructure Ltd., Mumbai

1.0 Introduction
Vector group testing of transformers is one of the commissioning checks in
power plant / distribution projects. In literature, generally inequality / equality
relationships for voltages are given to be satisfied for each vector group but the
absolute values are rarely mentioned. In this article, the theoretical values for
voltages across specified terminals for each vector group are derived. The
following vector groups (most prevalent) are discussed: Dyn1, Dyn11, YNd1,
YNd11, Dzn10, YNzn11, YNyn0.
2.0 Test Procedure
High voltage terminal are represented by R, Y, B and N (if applicable)
Low voltage terminal are represented by r, y, b and n (if applicable).
In case U, V, W convention is used, the corresponding values are given by
following Table:
R Y B r y b
1U 1V 1W 2U 2V 2W

For testing, R and r are shorted for all vector groups except YNzn11 where both
neutrals are shorted.
Apply maximum LV voltage available from temporary power supply on HV side of
transformer. Voltage in the range of 430V to 450V is desirable. Higher the
voltage, higher is the accuracy of measurements. The voltages shall generally be
balanced. At site, it is difficult to get perfectly balanced three phase voltages. For
calculation purposes, the average of three phase or line voltages as measured
shall be used. It is very important that the phase sequence of applied voltage is
confirmed to be positive sequence using phase sequence meter. This is very
crucial. For measurement, high accuracy digital voltmeter shall be used
2.1 Dyn1
The phasor diagram for test connection is shown in Fig 1.

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.

Delta Line Voltages: RY = YB = BR = S

Star Phase Voltages: rn = yn = bn = T
Using trigonometric principles,
Δrny is isosceles.
∠nrA = ∠nyA = 30°
∠nrY = 60°
Locus of y is on ⊥ bisector RC.

3 S
RC = S; BC = ;
2 2
Ry = 3T
yC = RC – Ry
⎛ 3⎞
= ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ x S - 3T
⎝ 2 ⎠

By = BC 2 + yC 2

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST) ……………(1)

Yy = By ..………..…(2)

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 3 T
yA = RA = T; An =
2 2
bD = AC
= RC – RA
⎛ 3⎞
= ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ x (S - T)
⎝ 2 ⎠
CD = An + nB
⎛T ⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ +T
⎝2⎠

⎛3⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ T
⎝2⎠
BD = BC – CD
⎛S ⎞ ⎛3 ⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ - ⎜ ⎟ T
⎝2 ⎠ ⎝2⎠

Bb = BD2 + bD 2

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST) ………..…(3)

YD = YC + CD
⎛S ⎞ ⎛3⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ + ⎜ ⎟ T
⎝2 ⎠ ⎝2⎠

Yb = YD2 + bD 2

= (S 2 + 3T 2 ) ………..…(4)

Summarizing, for DYn1

From Eqn (1) to (3)
Bb = Yy = By

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST) ..……….….(5)

Yb = (S 2 + 3T 2 ) ……………(6)

Yy < Yb ……………(7)
Rn + Bn = RB ……………(8)
2.1.1 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio: 20 kV / 11.5 kV
The site test results are given below:

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 RY = 417; YB = 416; BR = 418
Rr = 0; Rn = 139; Bn = 280
Bb = 242; By = 242
Yb = 479; Yy = 241;
2.1.2 Analytical values
Applied voltage S ≈ 417 Volts
⎛ ⎛11.5 ⎞⎞
⎜ ⎜⎝ ⎟
3⎠⎟
T = ⎜ ⎟ x 417
⎜ 20 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
= 138.4 V
From Eqns (5) to (8),
Bb = Yy = By

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST)

= 241.3 V

Yb = (S 2 + 3T 2 )

= 481 V
Yy < Yb
Rn + Bn = 419 ≈ BR
The above closely matches with test results.
The vector group of transformer is confirmed as Dyn1.
2.2 Dyn11
The phasor diagram is shown in Fig 2.

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 Delta Line Voltages: RY = YB = BR = S
Star Phase Voltages: rn = yn = bn = T
Using trigonometry relations, following relationships are obtained:
Bb = Yy = Yb

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST) ………….….(9)

By = (S 2 + 3T 2 ) …………..…(10)

Bb < By .…………..…(11)
Rn + Yn = RY ..…………….(12)
2.2.1 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio: 11 kV / 0.433 kV
The site test results are given below:
RY = 434; YB = 435; BR = 434
Rr = 0; Rn = 10; Yn = 425
Yb = 421; Yy = 420
Bb = 419; By = 434
2.2.2 Analytical values
Applied voltage S ≈ 434 Volts
⎛ ⎛ 0.433 ⎞⎞
⎜ ⎜⎝ ⎟
3⎠⎟
T = ⎜ ⎟ x 434
⎜ 11 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠
= 9.86 V
From Eqns (9) to (12),
Bb = Yy = Yb

= (S 2 + 3T 2 - 3ST)

= 419.3 V

By = (S 2 + 3T 2 )

= 434.2 V
Bb < By
Rn + Yn = 435 ≈ RY
The vector group of transformer is confirmed as Dyn11

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2.3 YNd1
Vector group testing is more significant in case of large Generator Transformers
(GT). In case of unit sizes 500 MW and above, the GTs are invariably three
single phase banks due to transportation limitations. The vector group of GT
could be either YNd1 or YNd11. The vector group of Station Transformer (ST) is
universally YNyn0. The vector group of Unit Auxiliary Transformer (UAT) is
constrained by the chosen vector group of GT so that UAT and ST can be
paralleled on low voltage side. Delta connection of GT is formed by external bus
ducts of very high current ratings (more than 10,000 Amps). Delta can be formed
in two ways as shown in Fig 3. Depending on the connection, the vector group
can be either YNd1 or YNd11. To reaffirm the vector group before final bus duct
connections are made, it is desirable to perform the vector group identification
test at site.

2.3.1 Test Procedure

(i) All the three single phase transformers are in place.
(ii) Form delta by, say, 3C x 2.5 mm2 copper cable. All the three cores are
bunched together to give an equivalent area of 7.5 mm2.
(iii) Terminals R and r are shorted.
(iv) Apply maximum LV voltage available from temporary power supply on HV
side of transformer. Confirm applied voltage is positive sequence.
(v) Measure respective voltages and verify with theoretical results. Check for
the equality and inequality relationships to reaffirm the vector group
vi) For measurement, high accuracy digital voltmeter shall be used. The
copper cables shall be used to connect transformer terminals to voltmeter
to minimize the burden and improve accuracy of reading.

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 The phasor diagram is shown in Fig 4.

Star Phase Voltages: RN = YN = BN = S

Delta Line Voltages: ry = yb = br = T
Using trigonometry, following relationships are obtained:

Yy = (T 2 + 3S 2 - 3ST) …………………(13)

Yb = (T 2 + 3S 2 ) …………………(14)

Yy < Yb …………………(15)
Bb = Yy = By …………………(16)
Ry + yN = RN …………………(17)
2.3.2 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio is 420 kV / 20 kV
The site test results are given below:
RN = 259; YN = 258; BN = 257
ry = 21.3; yb = 21.4; br = 21.3
Rr = 0; yN = 237
Bb = 429; By = 428
Yy = 429; Yb = 449;

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2.3.3 Analytical values
Applied voltage S ≈ 258 V
⎛ ⎞
⎜ 20 ⎟
T = ⎜ ⎟ x 258
⎜ ⎛ 420 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟
3 ⎠ ⎟⎠
⎝⎝
= 21.3 Volts
From Eqns (13) to (17),
Bb = Yy = By

= (T 2 + 3S 2 - 3ST)

= 429 V

Yb = (T 2 + 3S 2 )

= 447 V
Yy < Yb
ry + yN = 258.3 ≈ RN
The vector group of transformer is confirmed as YNd1
2.4 YNd11
The phasor diagram is shown in Fig 5.

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 Star Phase Voltages: RN = YN = BN = S
Delta Line Voltages: ry = yb = br = T
Using trigonometry, following relationships are obtained:

Bb = (T 2 + 3S 2 - 3ST) …………….(18)

By = (T 2 + 3S 2 ) ……………..(19)

Bb < By ……………..(20)
Bb = Yb = Yy ……………..(21)
Rb + bN = RN ……………..(22)
2.4.1 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio: 220 / 33 kV
The site test results are given below:
Test done at Tap No 10 (-6.25%)
⎛ ( 220 x (1 - 0.0625 ) ) ⎞
No load voltage ratio = ⎜ ⎟ kV
⎜ 33 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

⎛ 206.25 ⎞
= ⎜ ⎟ kV
⎝ 33 ⎠
RY = YB = BR = 410 V
rN = 236 V ; yN = 213 V; bN = 169 V
rb = 66 V; By = 417 V; Yy = 353 V
2.4.2 Analytical values
⎛ 410 ⎞
Applied voltage S = ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 3 ⎠
= 236.72
⎛ 33 ⎞
T= ⎜ ⎟ x 410
⎝ 206.25 ⎠
= 65.6
From Eqns (18) to (22),
Bb = Yb = Yy = 354.7 V

By = (T 2 + 3S 2 )

= 415.2 V
Bb < By
Rb + bN = 235 V ≈ rN

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 The vector group of transformer is confirmed as YNd11.
2.5 Dzn10
The phasor diagram is shown in Fig 6.

Delta line Voltages: RY = YB = BR = S

Zig Zag Line Voltages: ry = yb = br = T
Using trigonometry, following relationships are obtained:

Bb = (S 2 +T 2 - ST) …………….(23)

By = (S 2 +T 2 + ST) …………….(24)

Bb < By …………….(25)
Yy = Bb …………….(26)
Rb + Yb = RY …………….(27)
2.5.1 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio: 33 kV / 11 kV
The site test results are given below:
RY = 422; YB = 422; BR = 423
Ry = 141; Rb = 140
Yy = 372; Yb = 280;
By = 508; Bb = 372
2.5.2 Analytical values
Applied voltage S ≈ 422 V

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 ⎛ 11 ⎞
T= ⎜ ⎟ x 422
⎝ 33 ⎠
= 140.7 V
From Eqns (23 to (27),
Bb = Yy = 372
By = 507
Bb < By
Rb + Yb = 420 ≈ RY
The vector group of transformer is confirmed as Dzn10
2.6 YNzn11
The test is performed with both neutrals shorted. The phasor diagram is shown in
Fig 7.

Star Phase Voltages: RN = YN = BN = S

Zig Zag Line Voltages: ry = yb = br = T

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 Using trigonometry, following relationships are obtained:
Rr = Yy = Bb

= ( 3 ) - ST
S2 + T
2
……………..(28)

Ry = Yb = Br

= ( 3))
(S 2 + T
2
……………..(29)

Rb = Yr = By

= ( 3 ) + ST
S2 + T
2
……………..(30)

Rr < Ry < Rb ……………..(31)

2.6.1 Site Test Results
Voltage ratio: 220 kV / 33 kV
The site test results are given below:
RN = 243; YN = 244; BN = 245
ry = 63.0; yb = 63.3; br = 63.6
Rr = 212; Ry = 246; Rb = 275
Yr = 276; Yy = 213; Yb = 248
Br = 247; By = 277; Bb = 214
2.6.2 Analytical values
Applied voltage S ≈ 244 V
⎛ ⎞
⎜ 33 ⎟
T= ⎜ ⎟ x 244
⎜ ⎛ 220 ⎞⎟
⎜⎜ ⎟
3 ⎠ ⎟⎠
⎝⎝
= 63.4 V
From Eqns (28) to (31),
Rr = Yy = Bb = 213.1
Ry = Yb = Br = 246.7
Rb = Yr = By = 276.3
Rr < Ry < Rb
The vector group of transformer is confirmed as YNzn11

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2.7 YNyn0 / YNyn6
The phasor diagram is shown in Fig 8.

This case is usually trivial and following relationships hold good for YNyn0:
Yy < Yr; Bb < Br; Nn < Nr …………………(32)
In case of YNyn6, following relationships hold good:
Yy > Yr; Bb > Br; Nn > Nr .…………………(33)
3.0 Conclusion
The inequality / equality relationships with absolute values applicable for most
popularly used vector groups are derived. The practicing engineers can use the
above material as ready-reckoner during vector group testing at works or site.

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