Proceedings of 2009 IEEE International Conference on ID1109

Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices

Chengdu, China, September 25-27, 2009

Axial Vibrations Modal Analysis and Computation of

Power Transformer Windings under Different Levels
of Pre-Compression

Hongkui Li1,2, Yan Li1 Xiaohui Yu3

1 3
Shenyang University of Technology Zhejiang Guanxi Electric& Motor
2
Science College of Shenyang Ligong University Zhejiang, China
Research Institute of Special Electrical Machines liyanty@yahoo.com
Shenyang, China
khl2008@sohu.com

Abstract—In this paper the discussions on the axial vibrations windings is built, it is shown in Fig. 1. The theory of an efficient
modal of power transformer windings under different levels of model structure for accommodating these requirements is presented.
pre-compression through experiment and computation are
presented. The axial vibrations modal of windings was
investigated on the transformer model of windings both
analytically and calculatedly, this proves that the changes of pre-
compression on the windings have effects on their natural
frequencies and derives their relation, it shows good agreement
with experimental results, which provides the experimental and
theoretical foundation for the design of transformer windings.

Keywords-power transformer; windings; pre-compression;

modal

I. INTRODUCTION
As an important device in electric network, the safety of a
power transformer influences that of electric network, the
mechanical structure of windings is damaged easily, hereinto
the losing steady performance of windings is one of the main Figure 1. Axial vibration model of the windings.
reasons for the transformer’s breakdown, it cited as in press [1].
This paper proves that the changes of pre-compression on the Motion equations of mass elements are
windings have effects on their natural frequencies and derives
their relation, the axial vibration at steady condition provides
useful information about winding fixation conditions. Based on ­ d 2 z1 dz1
the actual structure of transformer windings and dynamical °m1 2 + c1 + k B z1 + k1(z1 − z2 ) = F1 + m1 g
° dt dt
characteristics of insulation spacer blocks, a modal model of ° d 2 z2 dz2
transformer windings’ vibration is developed, it is necessary to °m2 2 + c2 − k1(z1 − z2 ) + k2(z2 − z3 ) = F2 + m2 g
° dt dt (1)
study the axial vibration characteristics of windings under ® 2
steady condition, modal analysis of transformer windings and °m d zn + c dzn − k (z − z ) + k (z − z ) = F + m g
experimental simulation of this system are important to obtain ° n dt 2 n
dt
n −1 n −1 n n n n +1 n n

°
the natural frequencies of axial mechanical vibration. This is 2
°m d z N + c dz N − k (z − z ) + k z = F + m g
helpful to design structure of transformer. ¯°
N N N −1 N −1 N H N N N
dt 2 dt

II. MATHEMATICAL MODEL ON AXIAL VIBRATION IN

TRANSFORMER WINDINGS where mn is mass of element n, kn elastic coefficient of spacer
block between disk n and disk n+1, kB and kH elastic coefficient
Conductors of a winding are separated by insulation of spacer block at winding ends, zn is displacement of element
materials. By considering disc coils as concentrate masses,
d 2 zn
insulation spacer blocks, end loops and pressboards as elastic n, cn is friction coefficient, mn is inerial force of element
elements, mass-spring system, it cited as in press [2] and be dt 2
used to analyze transformer’s axial vibration modal. According dz
to motion equations of mass, axial vibration model of the n, cn n is friction force of element n, k n(z n − z n +1 ) elastic
dt

978-1-4244-3687-3/09/$25.00 ©2009 IEEE 229

force, Fn electromagnetic force applied to element n, mn g The root of equation are ω1 ˈ ω2 ˈ " , ωN , According
weight of element n, the advantage is that the solution is structured
in a way which creates opportunities for major economies in to ωi , corresponding vibration model is obtained, all angular
computational requirements. (1) can be written in matrix from frequency is

[M ] d {2z} + [C ] d{z} + [K ]{z} = {F }+ {m}g (2) ω = [ω1ω2 "ωN ]T

2
(7)
dt dt
Natural frequencies are
where

§ z1 · § F1 · § m1 · f = ω / 2π = [ f1 f 2 " f N ]T (8)
¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸
z ¨ F2 ¸ m
{z} = ¨¨ 2 ¸
¸ {F } = ¨ # ¸ {m} = ¨¨ 2 ¸
¸ According to motion (3) of mass, the model of finite
# # element is built, it is shown in Fig. 2. 
¨ ¸ ¨ ¸ ¨ ¸
¨z ¸ ¨F ¸ ¨m ¸
© N ¹, © N ¹ © N ¹,
§ m1 0 · § c1 0 ·
¨ ¸ ¨ ¸
m2 c2
[M ] = ¨¨ ¸
¸ [C ] = ¨¨ ¸
¸
% %
¨ ¸ ¨ ¸
¨ 0 m N ¸¹ ¨0 c N ¸¹
© ©
§ kB + k1 − k1 0 ·
¨ ¸
¨ − k1 k1 + k2 − k2 ¸
¨ − k2 k1 + k2 − k3 ¸
[K ] = ¨ ¸
¨ % ¸
¨ ¸ Figure 2. Meshing model of finite element.
¨ − k N −2 k N −2 + k N −1 − k N −1 ¸
¨ 0 − kN −1 kN −1 + kH ¸¹
©

III. THE INFLUENCE OF PRE-COMPRESSION CHANGING ON

In order to study the whole effect of the winding, sum of NATURAL FREQUENCE OF WINDINGS
(1)and make assumption of z1 = z2 = Ă= zN. Natural frequency of a transformer winding is very
Follow equation is obtained, as in [3] complicated, it cited as in press [4]. It’s influenced by force
distribution, properties of materials and pre-compression forces
d2z dz etc. it cited as in press [5]. In the paper high voltage windings
M 2
+C + Kz = F + Mg (3) of a single-phase power transformer(240000000 VA/500000 V)
dt dt
is calculated as an example .The changes of pre-compression
on the windings have effects on their natural frequencies.
where Z is displacement of element, C is friction Insulations in transformer windings are spacer blocks and turn
coefficient, F is value of electromagnetic force under steady insulation cardboard it cited as in press [6], its stress-strain
condition property can be expressed as

§1 1 · σ = aε + bε 3 (9)
F = Fw ¨ + cos 2ωt ¸ (4)
©2 2 ¹
where a denotes linear constant, b hardening coefficient. values
Substitute (4) into (3) the solution can be in the form as of a and b are obtained by experiments
dσ
F + 2 Mg (5) E= = a + 3bε 2 (10)
sin(ωt + α ) + C cos (2ωt + β ) + W dε
C
−M t
Z = Ay e
2K
where T is pre-compression, A is total area of insulating
where cardboard each floor, then

2
K § C · K T
ω= −¨ ¸ ≈ (6) = aε + bε 3 (11)
M © 2M ¹ M A

230
 K is elastic coefficient, then Using this model, we have obtained relation the natural
frequencies of windings with pre-axial compression, which is
shown in Fig. 5.
dT
lB K B = (12 )
dε

where l B is height of K B block

KB =
A
lB
(
a + 3bε 2 ) (13)

In same case, we obtain

KH =
A
lH
(
a + 3bε 2 ) (14)

where K B and K H are elastic coefficients of spacer block at Figure 5. Effects of pre-axial compression on the natural frequency.

windings ends.
Substitute (13) and (14) into (6), we obtain B. Experimental Finding
Experiment of natural frequencies adopt method of
transient shock excitation and analysis of spectrum, using
ω≈
K
=
KB + KH
=
(
A(lB + lH ) a + 3bε 2 ) (15) dynamic force tester of HP3562 and through the change of
M M lH lB M load, some curves of frequency-load are obtained. The
parameter of disc coils is shown as Table I.
Through (9) and (15), we know if the pre-axial compression
will be developed, İ will be improved, the natural frequencies
TABLE I. PARAMETERS OF TRANSFORMER WINDINGS
of windings will be increased, too.
Experi- Parameters of transformer windings
High voltage
A. Modal Analysis and Computation ental
Turn number
Mass each
windings Dia.
model disc(N)
According to model of finite element, the equivalent stress (m)
distribution of vibration model is built, it is shown in Fig. 3. Numerical
9 14250 0.35
volue

Figure 3. Equivalent stress distribution of the vibration model.
The first-order vibration model of windings is shown in Fig.
4.
Figure 4. First-order vibration model.
1) Material attribute
a) material attribute of Cu
E = 1.152 ×1011 Pa ˈν = 0.325 , ρ = 8.9 ×103 kg/m 3
b) material attribute of insulation spacer blocksూ
ν = 0.35 , ȝ = 0.35, ρ = 1.12 ×10 3 kg/m 3
E is changed with pre-axial compression.
c) material attribute of steel plate
E = 2.11 × 1011 Pa ,ν = 0.25 , ρ = 7.8 ×10 3 kg/m 3
2) Experimental device
Experimental model is compose of 36 disc coils and have 6
groups insulation spacer blocks between two disc coils, end
loops and pressboards as elastic elements, there is a steel plate
on the top of disc coils. Thus it will uniform pressure on the
disc coils. Passing test, the numerical volue relationship natural
frequencies with pre-compression is obtained.
Table II shows the natural frequencies value of calculation
and test.

231
 TABLE II. NATURAL FREQUENCIES VALUE OF CALCULATION AND experimental measurement. Although they have a little
EXPERIMENT
different on curve, the main reason is that winding is a multiple
Relationship of Parameters of first-order degrees of freedom system, the damp and nonlinear in structure
natural Pre-compression Test Calculation have influence in natural frequencies, purpose of research is
frequency and (N/m2) (Hz) (Hz) qualitative analysis through simulation and experiment in this
load
1 110 109.2
paper, so they are simplified on mathematical model and
1.4 118.5 118.8 calculation, thus they have a little different on curve. Finally,
Numerical 1.8 122 122.9 the vibrations modal of transformer windings were calculated
volue 2.2 127.5 126.1 by simulation in the presented method.
2.6 130.8 130.7
3 132.2 132.3
IV. CONCLUSIONS
According to the first-order vibration model of windings, In accordance with our previous results, we found that the
we obtained that frequency between 110 ̢ 130 Hz is the First- natural frequencies of windings have a relation of monotone
order natural frequencies. The curves of frequency-load are increasing with pre-compression in same transformer, the value
shown in Fig. 6. of pre-compression is obtained by testing to the value of
natural frequencies, thus the data bank is established, It can
provide a reference for fault diagnosis of transformer, modal
analysis of transformer windings and the experimental method
of how to test the dynamic characteristic of the axial vibration
system is present , natural frequencies of transformer windings
are correlated with pre-compression, modal analysis is
important segment in research of vibration of transformer
windings, in this work two aspects have been analyzed on
multiple degrees of freedom system, characteristic frequency
and vibration equation are obtained, this work has a good
helpful to design transformer.

REFERENCES

[1] C. Bengtsson, “Status and trends in transformer monitoring,” IEEE

Figure 6. Relation pre-compression with the natural frequencies of
winding.
C. Comparison of Modal Analysis and Experimental Results
Modal analysis and experimental investigation was made
on the on-load vibration of transformer windings. Firstly, the
two aspects have been analyzed, from Fig. 4, it is found that
with development of pre-axial compression, the natural
frequencies of windings will be increased, too. From Fig. 4 and
Fig. 5, it is also found that the experimental results have similar
trends and good agreement with the simulation ones. Secondly,
the finite element model was introduced in the numerical
analysis of the windings, which was excited by the on-load
electromagnetic force. The estimated natural frequency and the
response of windings showed good agreement with the
Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 11, pp. 1379-1384, July 1996.
[2] K. Kurita, T. Kuriyama, K. Hiraishi, et al., “Mechanical strength of
transformer windings under short-circuit conditions,” IEEE Trans. on
PAS, vol. 99, pp. 222-230, 1969.
[3] Z. M. Chen and J. X. Xu, “Axial nonlinear vibration of large power
transformer windings,” Chinese journal of applied mechanics, vol. 7, pp.
21-29, 1990.
[4] Z. Berler, A. Golubev, V. Rusov, et al., “Vibro-acoustic method of
transformer clamping pressure monitoring,” Conference Record of the
2000 IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation. Anaheim,
USA, pp. 263-266, 2000.
[5] Z. Q. Wang and M. Wang, “Stability of axial vibration of power
transformer windings,” Proc. CSEE, vol. 22, pp. 24-28, 2002.
[6] Y. Hori and K. Okuyama, “Axial vibration analysis of transformer
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