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IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed

Transformers Through-Fault-
Current Duration

IEEE Power and Energy Society

Sponsored by the
Transformers Committee

IEEE IEEE Std C57.109™-2018


3 Park Avenue (Revision of IEEE Std C57.109-1993)
New York, NY 10016-5997
USA

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IEEE Std C57.109™-2018
(Revision of IEEE Std C57.109-1993)

IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed


Transformers Through-Fault-
Current Duration

Sponsor

Transformers Committee
of the
IEEE Power and Energy Society

Approved 27 September 2018

IEEE-SA Standards Board

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Abstract: Recommendations believed essential for the application of overcurrent protective devices
applied to limit the exposure time of transformers to short circuit current are set forth. Transformer
coordination curves are presented for four categories of transformers. There is no intent to imply
overload capability.

Keywords: IEEE C57.109™, liquid-immersed transformer, transformer

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Participants

At the time this IEEE guide was completed, the Performance Characteristics—Liquid-Immersed Tranformers
Working Group had the following membership:

Vinay Mehrotra, Chair


Hemchandra Shertukde, Vice Chair
Jason Varnell, Secretary

Juan Castellanos Weijun Li Drew Welton


Akash Joshi Shankar Subramany Peter Zhao
Kiran Vedante

The following members of the individual balloting committee voted on this guide. Balloters may have voted
for approval, disapproval, or abstention.

Ali Al Awazi John Harley Branimir Petosic


Donald Ayers Rodrigo Hidalgo Jim Phillips
Peter Balma Werner Hoelzl Alvaro Portillo
Barry Beaster Philip Hopkinson Iulian Profir
W.J. (Bill) Bergman Richard Jackson Ion Radu
Wallace Binder John John Moises Ramos
Thomas Blackburn Laszlo Kadar Timothy Charles
Daniel Blaydon Sheldon Kennedy Raymond
W. Boettger James Kinney Charles Rogers
Clarence Bradley Zan Kiparizoski Rodrigo Ronchi
Jeffrey Brogdon Axel Kraemer Thomas Rozek
Chris Brooks Jim Kulchisky Ryandi Ryandi
Darren Brown Paneendra Kumar BL Hugo Ricardo Sanchez
Demetrio Bucaneg Jr. Saumen Kundu Reategui
Thomas Callsen John Lackey Steven Sano
Paul Cardinal Chung-Yiu Lam Daniel Sauer
Michael Chirico Weijun Li Bartien Sayogo
Kurt Clemente Lee Matthews Devki Sharma
Stephen Conrad Omar Mazzoni Hyeong Sim
Randall Crellin Jeffrey Mcelray Jeremy Smith
John Crouse Joseph Melanson Jerry Smith
Dieter Dohnal Daleep Mohla Ronald Stahara
Gary Donner Daniel Mulkey Gary Stoedter
Donald Dunn Jerry Murphy Ed TeNyenhuis
Jorge Fernandez Daher K. R. M. Nair David Tepen
Dale Fredrickson Arthur Neubauer Michael Thompson
Fredric Friend Michael Newman Alan Traut
David Gilmer Lorraine Padden James Van De Ligt
Jalal Gohari Bansi Patel Alwyn Van Der Walt
Mikhail Golovkov Dhiru Patel Jason Varnell
Edwin Goodwin Poorvi Patel John Vergis
Randall Groves Brian Penny John Wang
Said Hachichi Jian Yu

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When the IEEE-SA Standards Board approved this guide on 27 September 2018, it had the following
membership:

Jean-Philippe Faure, Chair


Gary Hoffman, Vice Chair
John D. Kulick, Past Chair
Konstantinos Karachalios, Secretary

Ted Burse Xiaohui Liu Robby Robson


Guido R. Hiertz Kevin Lu Dorothy Stanley
Christel Hunter Daleep Mohla Mehmet Ulema
Joseph L. Koepfinger* Andrew Myles Phil Wennblom
Thomas Koshy Paul Nikolich Philip Winston
Hung Ling Ronald C. Petersen Howard Wolfman
Dong Liu Annette D. Reilly Jingyi Zhou

*Member Emeritus

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Introduction

This introduction is not part of IEEE Std C57.109-2018, IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-
Fault-Current Duration.

This is the first revision since the guide was revised in 1993. The changes are largely editorial as most of
the content of the guide remains unchanged from the 1993 revision. All of the figures were duplicated using
newer computer systems to add clarity and more detail. All of the normative references were updated to the
new IEEE format and all references throughout the guide to specific standards by year of publication were
removed unless required for historical reference. Table 4 and Table 5 were updated with the latest values from
IEEE C57.12.00-2015. A bibliography was added to the document as Annex A.

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Contents

1. Overview��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
1.1 Scope�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
1.2 Purpose����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
1.3 General����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10

2.  Normative references�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 10

3.  Definitions������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11

4.  Tranformer coordination��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11


4.1  Category I transformers���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
4.2  Category II transformers��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
4.3  Categories III and IV transformers����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
4.4  Recommended duration limits������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 15

Annex A (informative) Bibliography�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22

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IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed
Transformers Through-Fault-
Current Duration

1. Overview
1.1 Scope
This guide applies to transformers referenced in IEEE Std C57.12.00 as Categories I, II, III, and IV.1 It sets forth
recommendations essential for the application of overcurrent protective devices applied to limit the exposure
time of transformers to short-circuit currents (see IEEE Std C37.91™ [B2]).2 This guide is not intended to
imply overload capability.

1.2 Purpose
Protective devices such as relays and fuses have well-defined operating characteristics that relate fault
magnitude to operating time. These characteristic curves should be coordinated with a comparable curve(s)
applicable to transformers that relate duration and fault magnitude to withstand capability.

1.3 General
The magnitude and duration of fault currents are of utmost importance in establishing a coordinated protection
practice for transformers, as both the mechanical and thermal effects of fault currents should be considered. For
fault-current magnitudes near the design capability of the transformer, mechanical effects are more significant
than thermal effects. At low fault-current magnitudes approaching the overload range, mechanical effects
assume less importance, unless the frequency of fault occurrence is high. The point of transition between
mechanical concern and thermal concern cannot be precisely defined, but mechanical effects tend to have a
more prominent role in larger kilovoltampere ratings, because the mechanical stresses are higher.

2. Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document (i.e., they must
be understood and used, so each referenced document is cited in text and its relationship to this document is
explained). For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments or corrigenda) applies.

1
Information on references can be found in Clause 2.
2
The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex A.

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IEEE Std C57.109-2018
IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-Fault-Current Duration

IEEE Std C57.12.20™, IEEE Standard for Overhead-Type Distribution Transformers, 500 kVA and Smaller:
High Voltage, 34 500 Volts and Below; Low Voltage, 7970/13 800Y and Below.3,4

IEEE Std C57.12.00™, IEEE Standard for General Requirements for Liquid-Immersed Distribution, Power,
and Regulating Transformers.

3.  Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. For other terms, the standard
transformer terminology available in IEEE Std C57.12.80™ [B9] shall apply. The IEEE Standards Dictionary
Online should be consulted for terms not defined in this clause.5

normal base current of winding: Rated current of a transformer corresponding to its rated voltage and rated
base kilovoltamperes. For transformers with two or more windings without autotransformer connections, the
base current of the winding is obtained by dividing the base kVA of the winding by the rated kV of the winding
on a per-phase basis. IEEE Std C57.12.00 describes the calculation of base currents for autotransformers and
regulating transformers.6

times rated current: Is the symmetrical short circuit current in multiple of the normal base current of winding.

transformer short-circuit impedance: (A) For Category I and Category II transformers, the transformer
impedance, expressed in percent on the transformer's rated voltage and rated base kilovoltamperes. (B)
For Category III and Category IV transformers, the sum of transformer impedance and system impedance
as specified by the transformer user, expressed in percent on the transformer’s rated voltage and rated base
kilovoltamperes.

4.  Tranformer coordination


For purposes of coordinating overcurrent protective devices with transformer short-circuit withstand
capability, Figure 1 through Figure 6 are presented for Categories I through IV transformers as defined in
IEEE Std C57.12.00 and adopted in Table 1.7

Table 1—Category of transformer ratings


Category Single phase (kVA) Three phase (kVA)
I (Figure 1)
a
5 to 500 15 to 500
II (Figure 2 and Figure 3) 501 to 1667 501 to 5000
III (Figure 4 and Figure 5) 1668 to 10 000 5001 to 30 000
IV (Figure 6) Above 10 000 Above 30 000
NOTE—All kVA ratings listed are minimum nameplate kVA for the principal windings.
a
Autotransformers with equivalent two-winding kVA of 500 or less, which are manufactured as distribution transformers
in accordance with IEEE Std C57.12.20™, IEEE Std C57.12.23™ [B3], IEEE Std C57.12.24™ [B4], IEEE Std C57.12.34™
[B5], IEEE Std C57.12.36™ [B6], IEEE Std C57.12.38™ [B7] or IEEE Std C57.12.40™ [B8] shall be included in Category
I, even though their nameplate kVA may exceed 500.

For Categories I and IV transformers, a single curve represents both thermal and mechanical damage
considerations.

3
The IEEE standards or products referred to in this clause are trademarks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
4
IEEE publications are available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854,
USA (http://​standards​.ieee​.org/​).
5
IEEE Standards Dictionary Online is available at: http://​dictionary​.ieee​.org.
6
For multiple-rated transformers, the base kilovoltamperes is the minimum nameplate rating.
7
Notes in text, tables, and figures of a standard are given for information only and do not contain requirements needed to implement this
standard.

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IEEE Std C57.109-2018
IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-Fault-Current Duration

For Categories II and III transformers, two curves are required. Depending upon the number of fault
occurrences in the transformer's lifetime and fault current levels, mechanical damage considerations may be
negligible. On the curves that have both a solid and a dashed portion, the solid portion represents the total
fault duration beyond which thermal damage to the transformer may occur. The dashed portion represents
the total fault duration beyond which cumulative mechanical damage may occur. The increasing significance
of mechanical effects for higher-rated transformers is reflected in these curves. Transformers subjected to
frequently occurring faults should be represented with the combination of mechanical and thermal portions
of the curve, while transformers subjected to infrequently occurring faults are represented with the thermal
portion only. The validity of these damage limit curves cannot be demonstrated by tests, since the effects are
cumulative over the transformer's lifetime. They are based principally on informed engineering judgment and
favorable, historical field experience.

ANSI C57.92-1962 [B1] contained a section entitled Protective Devices, which provided information
indicating the short-time thermal load capability of oil-immersed transformers as summarized in Table 2.

Table 2—Transformer short-time thermal load capability


Time Times rated current
2s 25.0
10 s 11.3
30 s 6.3
60 s 4.75
5 min 3.0
30 min 2.0

During the revision of IEEE Std C57.92 [B11] it became evident that the Times Rated Current capability
of transformers as stated therein were thermal limits and did not recognize the mechanical withstand
considerations of transformers. Consequently, the Protective Devices portion of the loading guide was
removed. Later, this thermal capability became part of this guide in an attempt to document the through-
fault-current duration capability of transformers in sufficient detail to facilitate coordination of overcurrent
protective devices with power transformers.

Low values of five or less times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults, and for such cases
loading guides may indicate allowable time durations different from those given in Figure 1 through Figure 6.
See IEEE Std C57.91™ [B10], IEEE Std C57.92™ [B11], and IEEE Std C57.115™ [B12].

The per-unit short-circuit currents shown in Figure 1 through Figure 6 are the transformer winding symmetrical
currents. The line currents that relate to these winding currents depend upon the transformer connection and
the type of fault present. Application engineers shall relate the winding currents to the currents seen by the
protective devices in order to protect the transformer within its capability.

Categories I through IV were first established by ANSI Std C57.12.00-1980. This standard was later revised to
its present form, IEEE Std C57.12.00, with no major changes to the short-circuit withstand requirements. The
standard preceding the 1980 version (1973) contained short-circuit thermal requirements for transformers that
were more conservative than those in the 1980 version. The mechanical requirements for transformers have
not changed since 1973.

As the scope in this guide indicates, the Categories I through IV protection curves apply to transformers
covered by IEEE Std C57.12.00. Based upon the above historical evolution of the short-circuit withstand
requirements, these curves should be applicable to transformers built beginning in the early 1970s. However,
as a precaution it is recommended that the manufacturer be consulted for confirmation of this, especially for
transformers built during the early 1970s. For transformers built prior to the early 1970s, the manufacturer
must be consulted for the short-circuit withstand capabilities.

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IEEE Std C57.109-2018
IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-Fault-Current Duration

4.1  Category I transformers


The recommended duration limit is based on the curve of Figure 1. The curve reflects both thermal and
mechanical damage considerations and should be applied as a protection curve for faults that will occur
frequently or infrequently. Low current values of less than or equal to 5 times rated current may result from
overloads rather than faults. An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time
durations.

The dot-dash extension of the curve covers the transformer varying short-circuit withstand capabilities
required by IEEE Std C57.12.00, adopted in Figure 1 and Table 3, up to a maximum of 40 times rated current.

Table 3—Distribution transformer short-circuit withstand capability


Single phase (kVA) Three phase (kVA) Withstand capability per unit of
base current (symmetrical)a
5−25 15−75 40
37.5−100 112.5−300 35
167−500 500 25
NOTE—For ratings not covered in the above kVA ranges such as 100 kVA three-phase, contact the transformer
manufacturer for the per unit short-circuit withstand capability information.
a
Two winding distribution transformers with secondary’s rated above 600 V should be designed to withstand short circuit
limited only by the impedance of the transformer. Autotransformers that have nameplate kilovoltampere greater than 500
that are built as distribution transformers in accordance with IEEE Std C57.12.20, IEEE Std C57.12.23 [B3],
IEEE Std C57.12.24 [B4], IEEE Std C57.12.34 [B5], IEEE Std C57.12.36 [B6], IEEE Std C57.12.38 [B7], or
IEEE Std C57.12.40 [B8] shall have withstand capabilities of 25 per unit of base current (symmetrical).

4.2  Category II transformers


The recommended duration limits depend upon fault frequency and are based upon the curves of Figure 2 and
Figure 3. Fault frequency refers to the number of faults with magnitudes greater than 70% of the maximum
possible.

4.2.1  Faults that occur frequently

Figure 2, reflecting both thermal and mechanical damage considerations, should be applied as a protection
curve for faults that will occur frequently (typically more than 10 in the life of a transformer). Part of the curve
is dependent upon the transformer short-circuit impedance for fault currents above 70% of the maximum
possible and is keyed to the I2t of the worst-case mechanical duty (maximum fault current for 2 s) as shown by
the dashed curves for a few selected impedances. The remaining portion matches the thermal protection curve
for faults below the 70% level.

4.2.2  Faults that occur infrequently

Figure 3, which is the solid portion of Figure 2, reflects primarily thermal damage considerations. It is not
dependent upon the transformer short-circuit impedance and may be applied as a protection curve for faults
that will occur only infrequently (typically not more than 10 in the life of a transformer). This curve also may
be used for backup protection where the transformer is exposed to frequent faults normally cleared by high-
speed relaying.

4.3  Categories III and IV transformers


Short-circuit withstand capability of these transformers is based on the transformer short-circuit impedance,
which is the sum of the transformer impedance and system short-circuit impedance, in accordance with
IEEE  Std  C57.12.00. The value of system impedance should be as specified in the user’s transformer

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specification. If this value is not known or if the transformer was specified in accordance with the requirements
of IEEE Std C57.12.00™-2015, the values adopted in Table 4 and Table 5 should be used.

Table 4—Short-circuit apparent power of the system to be used unless otherwise specified
Maximum system voltage System fault capacity
(kV rms) (kA rms) (MVA)
Below 48.3 63 —
48.3 63 5270
72.5 63 7910
121.0 80 16770
145.0 80 20090
169.0 80 23420
242.0 80 33530
362.0 80 50160
550.0 80 76210
765.0 80 106000
800.0 80 110850

Neglecting the system impedance in fault calculations for the use of the curves of Figure 4, Figure 5, and
Figure 6 may not change the results significantly. However, in cases where available fault levels are in a
narrow margin (less than 5% of the curves’ values), inclusion of the appropriate system impedance should be
considered.

4.3.1  Category III transformers

The recommended duration limits depend upon fault frequency and are based upon the curves of Figure 4 and
Figure 5. Fault frequency refers to the number of faults with magnitudes greater than 50% of the maximum
possible.

Table 5—Subtransient reactance of three-phase synchronous machinesa


Type of machine Most common Subtransient reactance
reactance per unit range per unit
Two-pole turbine generator 0.10 0.07−0.20
Four-pole turbine generator 0.14 0.12−0.21
Salient pole generators and motors with dampers 0.20 0.13−0.32
Salient pole generators without dampers 0.30 0.20−0.50
Condensers-air cooled 0.27 0.19−0.30
Condensers-hydrogen cooled 0.32 0.23−0.36
a
Assumptions of rotating machine impedances should be defined by the transformer manufacturer.

4.3.1.1  Figure 4

Figure 4, reflecting both thermal and mechanical damage considerations, should be applied as a protection
curve for faults that will occur frequently (typically more than five in the life of a transformer). Part of the
curve is dependent upon the transformer short-circuit impedance for fault currents above 50% of the maximum
possible and is keyed to the I2t of the worst-case mechanical duty (maximum fault current for 2 s) as shown by
the dashed curves for a few selected impedances. The remaining portion matches thermal protection curves for
faults below the 50% level.

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4.3.1.2  Figure 5

Figure 5, which is the solid portion of Figure 4, reflects primarily thermal damage considerations. It is not
dependent upon the transformer short-circuit impedance and may be applied as a protection curve for faults
that will occur only infrequently (typically not more than five in the life of a transformer). This curve may also
be used for backup protection where the transformer is exposed to frequent faults normally cleared by high-
speed relaying.

4.3.2  Category IV transformers

The recommended duration limit is based upon the curve of Figure 6. The curve reflects both thermal and
mechanical damage considerations and should be applied as a protection curve for all faults, frequent and
infrequent. The importance of protection for the increasing mechanical duty of large kilovoltampere
transformers justifies the use of a single curve generally used for faults occurring frequently. It is dependent
upon the transformer short-circuit impedance for fault current above 50% of the maximum possible, and is
keyed to the I2t of the worst-case mechanical duty (maximum fault current for 2 s).

4.4  Recommended duration limits


Recommended duration limits designated for transformers given in IEEE Std C57.12.00 as Categories I, II,
III, and IV are given in Figure 1 through Figure 6.

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NOTE—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current do not follow the function T = 1250/I2, rather
the duration comes from Table 2.

Figure 1—Category I transformers: 5 kVA to 500 kVA single phase and 15 kVA to 500 kVA
three phase

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NOTE 1—Sample I2t = k curves have been plotted for selected transformer short circuit impedances.
NOTE 2—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults.
An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time durations.

Figure 2—Category II transformers: 501 kVA to 1667 kVA single-phase and 501 kVA to
5000 kVA three phase

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NOTE—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults.
An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time durations.

Figure 3—Category II transformers: 501 kVA to 1667 kVA single-phase and 501 kVA to
5000 kVA three phase

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NOTE 1—Sample I2t = k curves have been plotted for selected transformer short circuit impedances.
NOTE 2—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults.
An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time durations.

Figure 4—Category III transformers: 1668 kVA to 10 000 kVA single phase and 5001 kVA to
30 000 kVA three phase

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IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-Fault-Current Duration

NOTE—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults.
An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time durations.

Figure 5—Category III transformers: 1668 kVA to 10 000 kVA single phase and 5001 kVA to
30 000 kVA three phase

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IEEE Guide for Liquid-Immersed Transformers Through-Fault-Current Duration

NOTE 1—Sample I2t = k curves have been plotted for selected transformer short circuit impedances as noted.
NOTE 2—Low current values of less than or equal to five times rated current may result from overloads rather than faults.
An appropriate loading guide should be referred to for specific allowable time durations.

Figure 6—Category IV transformers: above 10 000 kVA single-phase and above 30 000 kVA
three-phase

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Annex A
(informative)

Bibliography
Bibliographical references are resources that provide additional or helpful material but do not need to be
understood or used to implement this standard. Reference to these resources is made for informational use
only.

[B1] ANSI C57.92-1962, ANSI Guide for Loading Mineral-oil-immersed Power Transformers.8

[B2] IEEE Std C37.91™, IEEE Guide for Protecting Power Transformers.

[B3] IEEE  Std  C57.12.23™, IEEE Standard for Submersible Single-Phase Transformers: 167 kVA and
Smaller; High Voltage 25000 V and Below; Low Voltage 600 V and Below.

[B4] IEEE  Std  C57.12.24™, IEEE Standard for Submersible, Three-Phase Transformers, 3750 kVA and
Smaller: High Voltage, 34500 GrdY/19 920 Volts and Below; Low Voltage, 600 Volts and Below.

[B5] IEEE Std C57.12.34™, IEEE Standard Requirements for Pad-Mounted, Compartmental-Type, Self-


Cooled, Three-Phase Distribution Transformers, 10 MVA and Smaller; High-Voltage, 34.5 kV Nominal
System Voltage and Below; Low-Voltage, 15 kV Nominal System Voltage and Below.

[B6] IEEE Std C57.12.36™, IEEE Standard Requirements for Liquid-Immersed Distribution Substation


Transformers.

[B7] IEEE Std C57.12.38™, IEEE Standard for Pad-Mounted-Type, Self-Cooled, Single-Phase Distribution


Transformers 250 kVA and Smaller: High Voltage, 34500 GrdY/19920 V and Below; Low Voltage, 480/240
V and Below.

[B8] IEEE Std C57.12.40™, IEEE Standard for Network, Three-Phase Transformers, 2500 kVA and Smaller;
High Voltage, 34500 GrdY/19920 and Below; Low Voltage, 600 V and Below; Subway and Vault Types
(Liquid Immersed).

[B9] IEEE Std C57.12.80™, IEEE Standard Terminology for Power and Distribution Transformers.

[B10] IEEE Std C57.91TM, IEEE Guide for Loading Mineral-Oil-Immersed Transformers.

[B11] IEEE Std C57.92™, IEEE Guide for Loading Mineral-Oil-Immersed Power Transformers Up to and
Including 100 MVA with 55 C or 65 C Average Winding Rise.

[B12] IEEE Std C57.115™, IEEE Guide for Loading Mineral-Oil-Immersed Power Transformers Rated in
Excess of 100 MVA (65C Winding Rise).

8
ANSI publications are available from the American National Standards Institute (http://​www​.ansi​.org/​).

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