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Transformer Tertiary Winding Basic

Application
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Wye-Wye Transformer

Voltage Stability

Application of Stabilizing Winding: The Tertiary Winding

Stability of Neutral Point Voltage

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Suppression of Third Harmonic Voltage

Effect of Upstream Ground Faults

Three-Winding Transformer Equivalent Circuit

References

Tertiary winding in transformers have been widely used in the transmission and distribution of electricity –
from power transformers up to distribution transformers. In most cases, the role of the tertiary is for
voltage stability and suppression of third harmonic voltages. The discussion will begin with a brief
introduction to wye-wye transformers, their advantages and potential issues associated with their
operation.

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Constant Stable Output

Voltage
Protect your expensive machinery against
severe voltage fluctuations & save electricity

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Wye-Wye Transformer

Wye-wye connected transformers are very common and have been used throughout the electric power
industry for several reasons. The following are the most notable reasons for using wye-wye transformers.

0° shift between primary and secondary voltages

Availability of a secondary neutral point for grounding

One end of the winding can be placed at low potential to ground (except for ungrounded neutral)

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Voltage Stability
The conveniences offered by a wye-wye transformer come with a stability issue to the line-to-neutral
voltage which may become unstable when

Unbalanced line-to-neutral loads with the primary not effectively grounded

Third harmonic currents cannot flow through the primary or secondary windings

Unbalanced Loads and Isolated Primary Neutral

Unbalanced Loads and Isolated Primary Neutral

Image taken from IEEE Std C57.158™-2017

Unbalanced loads on a wye-wye transformer with isolated primary neutral presents a voltage stability
issue as illustrated in the above figure. The load current which flows through the neutral of the secondary
side produces a zero-sequence voltage drop which shifts the secondary terminal’s voltage to neutral.
However, the increase in the line-to-neutral voltage is limited to 1.4pu if secondary is effectively
grounded.

Isolated primary neutral exhibits high zero-

sequence impedance

Generally difficult to connect primary neutral

through a low impedance path

The above figure shows a simplified network with generator, power line, and a wye-wye connected
transformer with isolated primary neutral, and the equivalent zero-sequence network. By isolating the
transformer primary neutral, zero-sequence currents are prevented to flow.

Harmonic Distortion

Harmonic Distortion
Image taken from IEEE Std C57.158™-2017

The absence of zero-sequence path for the third harmonic currents to flow results to the distortion
voltages as shown in the above figure.

Application of Stabilizing Winding: The Tertiary

Winding
The absence of path for zero-sequence currents to flow presents potential problems in the operation of
wye-wye connected transformers with isolated primary neutral.

This is also true for wye-wye transformers with both

neutral connected to ground but is located very far
away from the source, i.e. high zero-sequence
impedance of transmission lines.

The introduction of a delta-connected tertiary winding as a stabilizing winding addresses these by

providing a path for zero sequence currents to flow. As a result,

provides stability to neutral point voltage,

suppresses third harmonic voltages, and

minimizes telephone interference

The figure below shows a zero-sequence network with a source, transmission line , and a three-winding
transformer equivalent circuit.

Zero-sequence Path Provided by the Stabilizing Winding

Stability of Neutral Point Voltage

The neutral point voltage can be expressed as a function of load current and zero-sequence impedance
according to the following equation.
With a stabilizing winding, the equivalent zero-sequence impedance is significantly reduced and thus
limiting the neutral point voltage.

Suppression of Third Harmonic Voltage

Harmonic voltage distortion results from a lack of

zero-sequence path or high zero-sequence
impedance. Generally, harmonic currents flow
through the neutral line, delta winding, and line-to-
earth capacitance. In wye-wye connected
transformers with both sides connected to neutral,
the neutral line presents a path for zero-sequence
currents to flow. As neutral lines run along telephone
lines, communication circuits are affected by third
harmonics.

The presence of a stabilizing winding presents an alternate path with significantly lower zero-sequence
impedance for the harmonic currents to flow.

Effect of Upstream Ground Faults

From among the different three-winding transformer configurations, there is a configuration susceptible
to upstream ground faults – wye-wye connected transformers with both sides effectively grounded and
with a delta-connected tertiary winding.

Three-Winding Transformer Equivalent Circuit

This figure shows a line-to-ground fault on a simplified network with a source, a transmission line, and a
three-winding transformer. The figure also shows the equivalent sequence network of the line-to-ground
fault. Notice how the stabilizing winding offers a parallel path for zero-sequence currents to flow.

For power transformers, this poses no problems since

ground fault protection is available. However, for
distribution transformers which only have fuses for
protection, the transformer may be left unprotected
on upstream ground faults.

Fault currents passing through fuse can have lower

magnitudes especially for high-impedance faults, and
may overload the stabilizing winding for longer
periods. This is especially true when using
ANSI/NEMA type T and K links, as these types of links
are 150% rated. On the other hand, high-impedance
ground faults may not be detected by upstream
overcurrent protection devices or may take longer
time to operate due to low magnitude fault currents.

The following gallery shows pictures of a burned three-winding transformer due to upstream ground
faults.
References
“IEEE Guide for the Application of Tertiary and Stabilizing Windings in Power Transformers,” in IEEE Std
C57.158-2017 , vol., no., pp.1-80, 27 April 2018, doi: 10.1109/IEEESTD.2018.8352755

“Application of Primary Fuses“, Hubbell Power Systems, Inc., 2000, Centralia, MO.

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