16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 548

Surge Transfer Study for Power Transformer Using

EMTDC/PSCAD
Veerabrahmam Bathini, Chandra Shekhar Reddy Atla, Dr. K. Balaraman and K. Parthasarathy

employed to control these overvoltages. This paper

Abstract- The lightning and switching surges can be transferred
1

concentrates on mitigation technique provided by surge

from one voltage level to another through transformer couplings. arrester.
A distribution system, which may not be directly exposed to the The selection of an appropriate surge arrester is an important
overvoltages of atmospheric origin, but connected to a utility
consideration. System overvoltages under normal and faulted
system through a transformer of high turns ratio will be exposed
to overvoltages on the secondary side due to overvoltages on the conditions, system grounding and ground fault clearance times
primary windings. The resulting stresses on the distribution should be considered in selecting a surge arrester. The
system may exceed the BIL levels. This paper presents modeling selection procedure is as follows [2] [7].
of high frequency autotransformer and frequency dependent
Arrester rated voltage (Vn): selected based on
surge arrester models and results of simulations for lightning and maximum temporary overvoltages (TOV) appearing
switching surges transferred through 502 MVA, 380/132/13.8 kV in the power network, considering earth fault factor.
autotransformer using EMTDC/PSCAD. Surge arresters are
Maximum continuous operating voltage (MCOV):
usually provided on the high voltage side and low voltage side of selected based on the maximum system steady state
the autotransformers. The purpose of the present paper is to
operating voltage.
analyze the surges transferred towards tertiary of
autotransformer. If these surges are to be controlled to safe levels
Energy Capability: selected based on switching and
it may be necessary to provide the surge arresters at tertiary side lightning overvoltage studies.
also. This aspect has been highlighted in present paper. This paper presents the modeling of high frequency
autotransformer and frequency dependent surge arrester to
I. INTRODUCTION conduct surge transfer studies for 502 MVA, 380/132/13.8 kV
autotransformer using EMTDC/PSCAD. Considering a worst
The most common primary distribution voltage in industrial case scenario for simulation, the lightning impulse or
systems is 13.8/11 kV. However, for large power demands, the switching impulse injected currents at high voltage (HV) and
utility system voltage may be as high as 380/400 kV. The low voltage (LV) terminals of the autotransformer are selected
surge transfer through the transformers depends upon the based on the V-I characteristics of corresponding surge
voltage turn ratio, as well as electrostatic and electromagnetic arresters. The modeling methodologies, data considered for
couplings of the windings. The lightning and steep fronted case study and simulation results are presented in following
waves are partially transferred through the electromagnetic sections.
coupling, which is the mechanism that governs the
transformer operation at power frequencies and depends upon II. MODELING
the turn’s ratio. The magnitude of these surges transferred
through electromagnetic coupling is far less than the This section presents the modeling details of 502 MVA,
magnitude of surges transferred through electrostatic coupling 380/132/13.8 kV autotransformer and surge arresters.
hence electrostatic effects dominate the coupling of transients
from the primary to the secondary windings. For slower A. Autotransformer Model
switching surges, the electromagnetic coupling effect The parameter specifications of 502 MVA, 380/132/13.8 kV
predominates [1]. The overvoltages caused by transfer of autotransformer provided by manufacturer are presented in
lightning and steep fronted waves or switching surges are Table 1.
TABLE 1
compared with BIL of the equipments on low voltage side. In AUTOTRANSFORMER PARAMETERS
case the magnitude of transferred overvoltages exceed the
S.No. Parameter Value
BIL levels, mitigation techniques like provision of properly
1 Rated capacity 502 MVA
rated surge arresters (SA), surge capacitors etc., have to be
2 Rated voltages (High/medium/low) 380/132/13.8 kV
3 Lightning BIL (High/medium/low) 1300/650/95 kV
1
Veerabrahmam Bathini, Sr. Power system Engineer, is with M/s 4 Switching BIL (High/medium/low) 1050/650/95 kV
Power research and development consultants Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore,
5 frequency 60 Hz
India. (e-mail:veerabrahmam@prdcinfotech.com)
Type of system grounding
Chandra Shekhar Reddy Atla, Power system Engineer, is with M/s
HV Solidly
Power research and development consultants Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore, 6
LV Solidly
India. (e-mail:sekhar.atla@gmail.com)
Dr. K Balaraman, CGM, Power System Group, is with M/s PRDC TV Effectively
Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. (e-mail: balaraman@prdcinfotech.com) 7 Common neutral (autotransformers) Solidly
Prof. K Parthasarathy, Retired Professor from IISc, Bangalore. 8 Short circuit Impedances : %Z (on 500 ZHL=19.3%

Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.
 16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 549

S.No. Parameter Value performing surge transfer study. The surge arrester model is
MVA base) presented in Fig. 3.
ZHT=268.75%

8057.6e-6 [uF]
ZLT=243.38%
CHG = 5854.1pF LV
CLG = 8057.6 pF

3023.8e-6 [uF]
Terminal to ground capacitances and CTG = 14424.4 pF

5033.8e-6 [uF]
9 CHL = 3023.8 pF
terminal to terminal capacitances
CHT = 1889 pF HV e1t TV

CLT = 5033.8pF
e1l e1r

14424.4e-6 [uF]
5854.1e-6 [uF]
In PSCAD/EMTDC, the built in model for three phase
autotransformer with tertiary is not available. Hence the
1889e-6 [uF]
modeling implementation is described in this section. Three
single phase three winding transformers are used to represent
three phase autotransformer with tertiary as shown in Fig.1. Fig. 2: High frequency Autotransformer model
The leakage impedances for three single phase three winding
transformers can be determined from the leakage impedances
of the autotransformer by using the procedure described in
Appendix [3]. The input data required for this model can be
extracted from the data provided in Table 1. To represent high
frequency model for the autotransformer, terminal
capacitances mentioned in Table 1 are connected as shown in
Fig. 2. Fig. 3: Frequency dependent surge arrester model proposed by Pinceti [5].
LVa
HVa

#2
This model is composed by two sections of non-linear
#1
TVa resistance usually designated by A0 and A1 which are
#3 separated by inductance L1 and L0. The resistance R (about 1
LVb
MΩ) is added to avoid the numerical problems. The values L1
HVb and L0 are computed based on the procedure described in [5].
#2
The computation procedure is described in flow chart shown
#1
TVb in Fig. 4. Vn is arrester rated voltage (kV), Vr8/20 is the residual
#3 voltage (kV) for the discharge current of 10 kA, 8/20 µs
HVc
impulse, Vr1/T2 is the residual voltage (kV) for the discharge
LVc current 10 kA, 1/T2 µs steep front impulse. The fall time T2
can vary between 2 and 20 µs. The nonlinear resistors A0 and
#2 A1 can be modeled as a piecewise linear V-I curves. V-I
TVc
#1 characteristic of A1 arrester is selected from manufacturer data
#3
sheet and V-I characteristic of A0 is selected based on curves
proposed by IEEE W.G.3.4.11 [4] which are shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 1: Autotransformer model in PSCAD/EMTDC.
Data Sheet
B. Frequency Dependent Surge Arrester Modeling
Surge arrester dynamic characteristics are significant for
studies involving lightning and other fast transient surges. The Vr1/T2
time to crest for surges used in lightning studies can range
from 0.5 µs to several µs. For a given current magnitude in an K=Vr1/T2/Vr8/20
arrester, the voltage developed across the arrester can increase
by approximately 6% as time to crest of current is decreased
from 8 µs to 1.3 µs. One approach for an arrester model for K<1.18
lightning studies would be to use a simple non-linear V-I
characteristics based on 0.5 µs discharge voltage. This would 1 V −V L1=0.03 Vn
L1 = . r1/ T 2 r 8/ 20 .Vn L0=0.01 Vn
give conservative results (higher voltages) for surges with 4 Vr 8/ 20
slower time to crest. The frequency dependent model will give
1 Vr1/ T 2 − Vr 8/ 20
good results for current surges with times to crest from 0.5 µs L0 = . .Vn
to 40 µs [4]. The surge arrester model proposed by Pinceti [5] 12 Vr 8/ 20
derived from IEEE model [4] is used in the present paper for Fig. 4: Flowchart to calculate elements L0 and L1 [5].

Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.
 16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 550

The V-I characteristic of A0 and value of L1 in the model have TABLE 3

120 kV FREQUENCY DEPENDENT SURGE ARRESTER PARAMETERS
to be properly adjusted to match the manufacturer’s data with
Rated arrester voltage (kVrms) 120
respect to switching and lighting characteristics. MCOV (kVrms) 97
Leakage current at MCOV (mA) 5
Adjustment of V-I characteristics of A0 to match switching TOV 1 sec rating (kVrms) 139
surge Voltages: TOV 10 sec rating (kVrms) 132
The V-I characteristics of A0 are adjusted in surge arrester Maximum residual 30/60µs switching (0.5 , 233) , (1, 240 ), (2, 255),
model to get a good match between model and manufacturer’s voltage (kV crest) at surge current (3, 258)
discharge of 8/20µs lightning (5, 264), (10, 273), (20, 291)
switching surge voltages and currents. (kAp, kVp) surge current
[provided by 0.5 µs steep front (10, 335), (20, 372 )
manufacturer, A1] current
V-I characteristics of A0 (Adjusted) (0.5, 289), (1, 296), (2, 306),
(kAp, kVp) (3, 314), (5, 320), 10, 335),
(20, 372)
Line discharge class [Energy Absorption] 4 [ 1440 kJ]

TABLE 4
12 kV FREQUENCY DEPENDENT SURGE ARRESTER PARAMETERS
Rated arrester voltage (kVrms) 12
MCOV (kVrms) 10.2
Leakage current at MCOV (mA) 5
TOV 1 sec rating (kVrms) 14.0
TOV 10 sec rating (kVrms) 13.2
Maximum residual 30/60µs switching (0.5, 25.7) , (1, 26.7)
voltage (kV crest) at surge current
discharge of 8/20µs lightning (1.5, 27.6 ), (3, 29.1), (5, 30.2),
(kAp, kVp) surge current (10, 32.4), (20, 35.9), (40, 40.2)
[provided by 0.5 µs steep front (10, 40), (20, 44)
manufacturer, A1] current
Fig. 5: Characteristicsof nonlinear elements A0 and A1 V-I characteristics of A0 (Adjusted ) (0.5, 34.3), (1, 35.2), (2, 36.3),
(kAp, kVp) (3, 37.2), (5, 38), 10, 40),
proposed by IEEE W.G. 3.4.11 [4].
(20, 44)
Line discharge class [Energy Absorption] 4 [ 90 kJ]
Adjustment of L1 to match V8/20 voltages:
The value of L1 in model is adjusted with V-I characteristic TABLE 5
of A1 and modified V-I characteristics of A0 to obtain a good L0 and L1 VALUES FOR 360 kV, 120 kV and 12 kV SURGE ARRESTERS
match between the manufacturer data and model discharge Surge Arrester rating L0 L1(Adjusted)
[µH] [µH]
voltages for an 8/20 µs current. 360 kV 2.42 35.0
The frequency dependent surge arrester models used for the 120 kV 1.2 3.6
case studies are presented Tables 2, 3 and 4 and L0 and L1 12 kV 0.12 0.36
values are presented in Table 5.
III. CASE STUDIES
TABLE 2
360 kV FREQUENCY DEPENDENT SURGE ARRESTER PARAMETERS Case studies have been performed for 502 MVA,
Rated arrester voltage (kVrms) 360
MCOV- Maximum Continuous Operating 289
380/132/13.8 kV autotransformer in order to find the surges
Voltage (kVrms) transferred to tertiary voltage (TV) side with lightning or
Leakage current at MCOV (mA) 5 switching or steep front impulse applied at HV or LV
TOV 1 sec rating (kVrms) 410 terminals. The Basic Insulation Levels (BIL) for the auto-
TOV 10 sec rating (kVrms) 388 transformer is presented in Table 1.
Maximum residual 30/60µs switching (0.5 , 674) , (1, 692), (2, 712), Considering a worst case scenario for simulation, the
voltage (kV crest) at surge current (3, 725)
discharge of 8/20µs lightning (5, 761), (10, 792), (20, 856), lightning impulse or switching impulse injected currents at HV
(kAp, kVp) surge current (30, 899) or LV terminals of the autotransformer are selected based on
[provided by 0.5 µs steep front (10, 856), (20, 927) the V-I characteristics of corresponding surge arresters. The
manufacturer, A1] current generated impulse currents namely 3 kA, 30/60 µs switching
V-I characteristics of A0 (Adjusted ) (0.5, 721), (1, 739), (2, 764), impulse, 20 kA, 8/20 µs lightning current impulse and 20 kA,
(kAp, kVp) (3, 783), (5, 798), 10, 856),
(20, 927) 0.5/20 µs steep front current impulse, presented in Fig. 6, 7
Line discharge class [Energy Absorption] 4 [ 4320 KJ] and 8 respectively, are used in the simulation.

Case study 1: Switching current impulse of 3kA, 30/60 µs

The study results with switching current impulse of 3 kA,
30/60 µs as shown in Fig. 7 at autotransformer terminals are

Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.
 16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 551

presented in Table 6 and the corresponding voltage waveforms TABLE 6

SWITCHING SURGES TRANSFERRED THROUGH TRANSFORMER
at the tertiary are shown in Figures 9 and 10.
Case Switching Energy absorbed Voltage at Transformer Refer
surge by SA at [KJ] terminal [kVp] and Figures
Case study 2: Lightning current impulse of 20kA, 8/20 µs applied at Corresponding %BIL
The study results with lightning current impulse of 20 kA, transformer
8/20 µs as shown in Fig. 8 at autotransformer terminals are terminal HV LV TV HV LV %BIL TV %BIL
[SA side side side
presented in Table 7 and the corresponding voltage waveforms location]
at the tertiary are shown in Figures 11 to 13. 1 HV side 114.6 22.0 - - 220 34 87 93 Fig. 9
[HV, LV]
Case study 3: Steep front current impulse of 20kA, 0.5/20 µs
2 LV side 9.0 33.3 - 612 - 58.3 63 66.3 -
The study results with lightning current impulse of 20 kA, [HV, LV]
0.5/20 µs as shown in Fig. 9 at autotransformer terminals are 3 HV side 119 17.5 1.5 - 220 34 23.2 25.2 Fig. 10
presented in Table 8 and the corresponding voltage waveforms [HV,
at the tertiary are shown in Figures 14 to 16. LV,TV]
4 LV side 12.1 32.4 0.1 612 - 58.3 23 24.2 -
[HV,
LV,TV]

TABLE 7
LIGHTNING SURGES TRANSFERRED THROUGH TRANSFORMER
Case Switching Energy absorbed Voltage at Transformer Refer
surge by SA at [KJ] terminal [kVp] and Figures
applied at Corresponding %BIL
transformer
terminal HV LV TV HV LV %BIL TV %BIL
[SA side side side
location]
1 HV side 339 6.8 - - 220 34 121 128 Fig. 11
[HV, LV]
Fig. 6: switching impulse current, 3kA, 30/60 µs
2 LV side 11 116 - 610 - 47 86 91 Fig. 12
[HV, LV]
3 HV side 335 7.1 5.0 - 220 34 29 30.5 -
[HV,
LV,TV]
4 LV side 7.4 114 0.15 610 - 47 30 31.6 Fig. 13
[HV,
LV,TV]

TABLE 8
STEEP FRONT SURGES TRANSFERRED THROUGH TRANSFORMER
Case Switching Energy absorbed Voltage at Transformer Refer
surge by SA at [KJ] terminal [kVp] and Figures
applied at Corresponding %BIL
Fig. 7: Lightning impulse current, 20kA, 8/20 µs transformer
terminal HV LV TV HV LV %BIL TV %BIL
[SA side side side
location]
1 HV side 433 17.7 - - 249 38.5 155 163 Fig. 14
[HV, LV]
2 LV side 22.5 142.6 - 615 - 47.3 128 135 Fig. 15
[HV, LV]
3 HV side 434 17.2 5.3 - 222 34 43 45.3 Fig. 16
[HV,
LV,TV]
4 LV side 16.6 143 0.2 615 - 47 45 47.4 -
[HV,
LV,TV]

Fig. 8: Steep front impulse current, 20kA, 0.5/20 µs

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16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 552

Fig. 9: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 1, Table 6. Fig. 13: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 4, Table 7.

Fig. 10: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 3, Table 6. Fig. 14: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 1, Table 8.

Fig. 11: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 1, Table 7. Fig. 15: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 2, Table 8.

Fig. 12: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 2, Table 7. Fig. 16: Voltage at TV side of transformer for case 3, Table 8.

Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.
 16th NATIONAL POWER SYSTEMS CONFERENCE, 15th-17th DECEMBER, 2010 553

According to IEC Standard 60099-5[6], considering a safety For a accurate representation of autotransformer the high and
factor of 1.15, the acceptable overvoltages must be within low voltage terminals should be represented with the actual
87% of BIL values. From the case studies, it is seen that with common winding II and series winding I, as shown in Fig. 17
surge arresters at autotransformer HV and LV terminals the [3] for autotransformer with a tertiary winding III.
overvoltages at tertiary side of the transformer are high and This requires a re-definition of the short circuit data in terms
beyond the recommended BIL levels. Hence in addition to of windings I, II, III, with their voltage ratings
provision of surge arresters at HV and LV sides of V I = VH - VL
transformer, 12 kV surge arrester at tertiary side of transformer VII = VL (1)
is required to limit the overvoltages to safe levels. It is also VIII = VT
seen that the energy absorbed by the three surge arresters are The test between H and L is already the correct test between
well within the allowable ratings as presented in Tables 2, 3 I and II, since II is shorted and the voltage is applied across I
and 4. with b and c being at the same potential through the short
circuit connection. Therefore, simply change ZHL to the new
IV. CONCLUSIONS voltage base VI,
2
The paper presents the modeling details of high frequency  VH 
Z I , II = Z HL   in p.u. (2)
autotransformer and frequency dependent surge arrester for  VH − VL 
surge transfer studies. The results of simulations for lightning
No modifications are required for the test between II and III,
and switching surges transferred through 502 MVA,
ZII,III = ZLT in p.u. (3)
380/132/13.8 kV autotransformer using EMTDC/PSCAD are
For the test between H and T, the modification can best be
presented. Three case studies have been performed to
explained in terms of the equivalent star-circuit of Fig. 17,
determine need for surge arrester at tertiary of
with the impedances being ZI, ZII, ZIII, based on VI, VII, VIII, in
autotransformers. Based on these studies it is observed that in
this case. With III short circuited, 1 p.u. current (based on VIII
addition to surge arresters at HV and LV side of
= VT) will flow through ZIII. This current will also flow
autotransformer, surge arrester is required at tertiary side of
through I and II as 1 p.u. based on VH, or converted to bases
the transformer to limit the overvoltages to safe levels.
VI, VII, II = (VH – VL) / VH and III = VL / VH. With these
REFERENCES currents, p.u. voltages become
V − VL
[1] J.C. Das, “Surges transferred through transformers”, IEEE Conference VI = Z I H + Z III , in p.u. (4)
on pulp and Industry technical conference, 2002, pp. 139-147.
VH
[2] IEC 60071-2, “Insulation co-ordination: part 2: Application guide”, third VL
edition, 1996-12. VII = Z II + Z III , in p.u. (5)
[3] V. Brandwajn, H.W. Dommel, I.I. Dommel, “ Matrix Representation of VH
three-phase N-winding transformers for the steady state and transient Converting VI and VII to physical units by multiplying eq.(4)
studies,” IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol.
PAS-101, No.6, June 1982, pp.1369-1378.
with (VH – VL) and eq. (5) with VL, adding them up, and
[4] IEEE working Group 3.4.11, Application of surge protective devices converting the sum back to a p.u. value
subcommittee, Surge protective Devices Committee, “Modeling of 2 2
 V − VL   VL 
Metal Oxide Surge Arresters”, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Z HT = Z I  H  + Z II   + Z III in p.u (6)
Vol. 7, no.1, January 1992, pp. 302-309.
 VH   VH 
[5] Micaela Caserza, Marco Giannettoni, Paolo Pinceti, “Validation of ZnO
Surge Arresters Model for Overvoltage Studies”, IEEE Transactions on Eqs. (2), (3) and (6) can be solved for ZI, ZII, ZIII since ZI,II =
Power Delivery, vol. 19, no.4, Oct. 2004, pp-1692-1695. ZI+ZII and ZII,III = ZII+ZIII,
[6] IEC 60099-5, “Surge Arresters- Part 5 – Selection and Application
VH VV VH VL
Recommendations”, edition 1.1, March 2000. Z I , III = Z HL + Z HL − Z LT in p.u. (7)
[7] Andrew R. Hileman, “Insulation Coordination for Power Systems”, (VH − VL ) 2 VH − VL VH − VL
Taylor & Francis Publications, 1999.
The autotransformer of Fig. 17 can therefore be treated as a
transformer with 3 windings I, II, III by simply re-defining the
APPENDIX: AUTOTRANSFORMER short circuit input impedances with eqs. (2), (3) and (7).

Fig. 17: Autotransformer with Tertiary Winding

Department of Electrical Engineering, Univ. College of Engg., Osmania University, Hyderabad, A.P, INDIA.