The Official Publication of the InterNational Electrical Testing Association Fall 2005

Feature

Phase-Matching Considerations
with Open-Delta PTs

W
henever a power system is supplied by multiple sources, such
as a main-tie-main configuration, special consideration should
be given as to how the sources are phased or matched to each
by Kevin Miller, PE
other. Obviously, both sources will have to be connected with the same Electrical Equipment
phase rotation. In a traditional open-transition system, matched rotation Upgrading
of the sources may be sufficient. However, if a system is closed transi-
tion (the two sources may be tied together for some duration of time)
it is critical that the two sources be phase matched. This means that the
phase voltages on either side of the open point are in phase with each cuits. Traditionally, this measure-
other. Additionally, high-speed open transition type systems may also ment has been accomplished by
need to be phase matched. With high-speed systems, it is possible that the using a handheld voltmeter or
high voltage tester, depending
collapsing magnetic fields of motor loads may maintain the bus voltage on the system voltages. However,
through the duration of the transfer. If this voltage is present and out of due to various concerns such as
additional exposure to arc-flash
phase, closing the second source may cause a large spike of an appar-
hazards, it may not be practical
ent short-circuit current, resulting in possible nuisance tripping or other or safe to measure the voltages
complications. Once any multisource system is initially energized, the directly. Determining that it is not
practical to measure the voltages
phase matching must be verified. directly makes it necessary to ver-
ify the phasing by making voltage
Why Use Potential Transformers? measurements on the secondary of
PT circuits.
The absolute best method to make certain that the phases are matched
is to directly measure the voltages across the open point. This eliminates
any possible wiring problems with the potential transformer (PT) cir-

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Complications
with Open-Delta PTs
If the system is utilizing wye-
connected PTs, the voltages
measured are in phase with the
individual phase voltages. These
measurements can be treated just
as measuring the voltages directly.
However, a slightly more compli-
cated approach is required when
dealing with open-delta PTs.
A typical open-delta PT connec-
tion is shown in Figure 1. Notice
that the B-phase secondary is
grounded. Therfore a voltage mea-
surement from A-phase-to-ground
is in phase with the primary VAB,
and C-phase-to-ground is in phase
with VCB. Since the secondary B-
phase connections are effectively
coupled, any measurements be-
tween B-phase on the two sets of
PTs are meaningless, leaving only
A- and C-phase measurements.
With this B-phase coupling, there
are only four meaningful voltage
measurements to be made: VA1-
VA2; VA1 -V C2 ; V C1 -VA2 ; V C1 -V C2 .
The following discussions only
apply if the B-phase secondaries
are grounded and the PTs on both
sources are connected open-delta,
as it is not possible to utilize two
different PT connection types when
making these phase comparisons.
Figure 2
Verifying the PT Connections
Since PTs may be the only method of verifying phasing, it is vital that
both sets of PTs be connected identically to each other. Although this can
be achieved by inspecting and testing the PTs, the most positive method
of verifying that the connections are correct and matched is to energize
both sets of PTs from the same source. Considering Figure 2, this can be
accomplished by closing one of the main breakers and the tie breaker,
leaving the other main open. Once supplied by a single source, the volt-
ages between the two sets of PTs (based on a nominal voltage of 115 V)
should be measured as follows: VA1-VA2=0, VA1-VC2=115 (1.0x), VC1-VA2=115
(1.0x), VC1-VC2=0. If the measured voltages differ from these values, the
PT connections are not matched to each other and must be corrected.
Performing Measurements
Once the PT connections have been verified, the next step is to proceed
with energizing the PTs by the two different sources. This is accomplished
by opening the tie breaker and closing the other main. Until the phasing
has been verified as being correct, all of these transfers must be open-
transition, taking care not to tie the two sources together.
For simplicity, source #1 will be set as the reference, with any sug-
gested wiring changes being made to the source #2 connections. When
dealing with three cables or conductors, there are six possible orders to
connect them to the equipment, with only one being correct. Assuming
that the two sources can be matched, the following table lists the voltages
measured for the six possible connections of source #2. If dealing with a
system that has a nominal secondary value other than 115 V, the number
listed in parentheses is the multiple of nominal. It is worth noting, with
one exception, that all of the incorrect connections yield the same voltage
measurements, just in different orders: 1.0x; √3x; √3x; 2.0x

Figure 1

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 There are several other trans-
Conn. VA1-VA2 VA1-VC2 VC1-VA2 VC1-VC2 Changes to Source 2 former connections, some of which
Connections
will not produce secondary volt-
1 0V 115V (1.0x) 115V (1.0x) 0 The sources are ages that can be matched. If any
correctly matched. measurements are made that are
2 115V (1.0x) 230V (2.0x) Exchange B and CØ not consistent with the previously
199V 199V
listed tables, the sources and trans-
3 230V (2.0x) 199V 199V 115V (1.0x) Exchange AØ and BØ formers should be investigated to
determine what can be done to per-
4 115V (1.0x) 230V (2.0x) Move AØ to B, BØ to
199V 199V mit phasing of the secondaries.
C, and CØ to A
5 199V 230V (2.0x) 115V (1.0x) 199V Move AØ to C, BØ to
A, and CØ to B
Conclusions
Whenever possible and safe, it
6 115V (1.0x) 0V 0V 115V (1.0x) Exchange AØ and CØ is best to verify phase matching
by measuring the voltages to be
phased directly. If PTs are to be re-
After necessary measurements have been made, the system should be lied on to determine phasing, the
de-energized to make the necessary corrections. Once the system has been following must be verified:
corrected, the system should be re-energized and the phasing verified.
• Both sets of PTs must be con-
Systems That Can Not Be Matched nected to the bus with the same
As stated, the previous table applies only if the two sources can be configuration and with the same
matched, which is not always the case. There are several possible ways ratio and polarity.
to connect source transformers that will produce phase shifts between • For open-delta connections, the
secondary voltages such that there is no reconnection that can match the B-phase secondary on each PT
voltages. The transformers must be compared to verify that they have the is grounded.
same phasor relationships. Even with matched transformers, there are • Prior to paralleling the two
still connection issues that can prevent the secondary voltages from being sources, measure the various
matched. The most common example occurs when delta-wye transform- combinations of voltages to as-
ers are used. These transformers must be connected with the same phase sure that phasing is correct.
rotation on the primary. If one of the transformers is connected with a
different primary rotation, there will be a 60° phase shift between the The addition of the PTs adds
secondary voltages, rendering them unmatchable. The following table more potential for human error.
lists the six possible measurements that exist if the two sources are 60° Anyone performing this type of test
apart. The only solution to this problem is to correct the primary rotation must be competent and methodical
and then recheck the phasing to determine if other corrective action is in verifying the system.
required.

Conn. VA1-VA2 VA1-VC2 VC1-VA2 VC1-VC2

Kevin Miller received his Bachelor of
1 0V 115V (1.0x) 115V (1.0x) Electrical Engineering from The Georgia
199V Institute of Technology. He works as a field
service engineer with Electrical Equip-
2 115V (1.0x) 199V 0V 115V (1.0x) ment Upgrading, a NETA Full Member
Company, in Savannah, Georgia. His
3 230V (2.0x) 199V 199V 230V (2.0x) primary responsibilities revolve around
project management. Kevin is a Regis-
4 199V 115V (1.0x) 115V (1.0x) 0V tered Professional Engineer with the state
of Georgia and is a NETA Certified Level
5 230V (2.0x) 230V (2.0x) IV Technician.
199V 199V

6 115V (1.0x) 0V 199V 115V (1.0x)

Article available for reprint with permission from NETA. Please inquire at neta@netaworld.org.

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