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A Case Study of Transformer Saturation in Distribuition Systems

Guilherme A. D. Dias Albert0 Tamagna
widdi:is!Zec.Ducrs.br taniaeiia~~\,orte?c.ufres.
br

PUCRS DEE - UFRGS - PROMEC

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EMCG EletroMagnetic de Compatibility Group Rua Sarmento Leite, 425
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AV.lpiranga, 6681 Pddio 30 Sala 221 -
90050-170 Porto Alegre RS-
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90619-900 Porto Alegre RS Brazil Phone +55 (51) 316-3255
Phone: +55 (51) 320-3594 - Fax: (051) 3204056
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E mail: gaddias@ee.pucrs.br

Abstract : The aim of this paper is to indicate the adopted solutions to

solve the problem of Power Quality due the 60 Hz transformers
saturation installed in the power distribution system of Chui and
Santa Vitoria do Palmar cities that operates in 50 Hz. Where:
Key word: Harmonics, transformers saturation, Energy Quality. Bmar Core induction (T)
EMS RMS voltage (V)
I. INTRODUCTION S Core cross section (m2)
N Number of turns
The problem of 60 Hz transformers saturation installed in f Frequency (Hz)
50 Hz power distribution system that feeds Chui and Santa
Vitoria do Palmar cities were detected by complaint of the
consumers. The consumers relates significant drop of voltage
and damages of many equipments (VCR, micro computers,
TV, etc.). Many steps were followed to reach the diagnosis
and solution of the problem.
The first step was to analyze the distribution system that
feeds the complaints. An important aspect that must be pointed
out is that Chui and Santa Vitoria do Palmar cities receive
power energy in 50 Hz and the power distribution system of
these cities operates isolated from power distribution system
of Brazil that operates in 60 Hz. Indeed, the Diesel Power
Generation Unit supplies (in 50 Hz)power energy to these two
cities. When the Diesel Power Generation Unit is out of
service these cities receive power energy from a 13,s kV
feeder that ties Brazil and Uruguay countries. The consumers
of these cities are supplied in the low voltage side of the
distribution transformers, in 220 V and 380 V. Figure 1 shows
the power distribution system of Chui and Santa Vitoria do
Palmar cities.
The second step is to do a diagnosis of the problem. So,
measurements were done in the 13, 8 kV busbar of the Diesel
Power Generation Unit that feeds the cities. The
measurements led to the following diagnosis: The problem is
the large harmonic content in the power distribution system
due the utilization of 60 Hz distribution transformer in 50 Hz
system. Probably these transformers operates in the saturation
regions and, in consequence, produces harmonic distortion in
the distribution system. Fig. 1 . Power Distribution system of Chui
To confirm this diagnosis numerical analysis and tests were and Santa Vitoria do Palmar cities.
conducted in 60 Hz distribution transformer behavior
operating in 50 Hz. The magnetic induction (in the linear In expression (1) we suppose that the transformer operates
region of B-H curve) was evaluated using the following in steady state conditions. Considering that the Bmax don’t be
expression: exceeded when the transformer operates in 50 Hz highest
voltage. Then, the maximum transformer operation voltage
was determined using the relation:

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So, to conl" the diagnosis, the B-Hcurve was determined

when the 60 Hz distribution transformer operates in 50 Hz.
The curve indicates that the transformer must be operates up to
11.5 kV. If the applied voltage is highest than 1 1.5 kV the
transformer reach the saturation region and cause highest
harmonic distortion. Due the large distances of the feeders that
supply energy to the consumers, the distribution system must
operate over 13.8 kV, worsening the problem of harmonic
distortion.

11. HARMONIC CONTENT MEASUREMENT

Measurements of current and voltage harmonic distortion

were conducted near the consumers and power energy
supplies. The measurements indicates :
a) Near the Power Energy Supplies (Diesel Power
Generation Unit and feeder fkom the Uruguay) a
harmonic distortion is small (lesser than 5 %); Fig. 3. Frequency spectra of voltage showed in Figure 2.
b) Near the low voltage side of consumers the
distortion harmonics is large (greatest than 5 YO). Other aspect that was confumed by measurements is the
reduction of power factor when the voltage increase (and vice-
The adopted criteria to the maximum harmonic distortion is: versa). This fact is showed in Figure 4.
The total harmonic distortion in any point of the distribution
power system must not exceed 5 %. This criteria was Power Factor and Voltage Measurement
determined by the Power Company that supply energy at these
cities. Figure 2 shows the voltage profile that was measured w r 0.9
near one consumer. _I 121
VI:: 2KU m1
f = 49.90 CRZI

U1

t
Fig. 4. Power factor versus voltages in Phases A, B and C.

An interesting fact was narrated by one consumer involving

the reduction of power factor with the increasing of voltage:
Fig. 2. Voltage shape measured in a consumer in Chui and the consumer told that he must pay (penalty) for low power
Santa Vidria do Palmar region. factor. This consumer try to avoid new payment (new
penalty), putting a capacitor bank to increase the power factor

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penalty too, because the power factor decrease contrary to
increase (how expected).

111. WAVELET ANALYSIS

To gain more knowledge in other techniques of analysis,

some evaluations were performed using Wavelet transforms,
available in the MATLAB Wavelet Toolbox and compared
with the conventional method that uses Fourier Transforms.
We use this case of harmonics produced by transformer
saturation to do these kind of evaluations.
A wave shape usually encountered in power quality analysis
is the sum of sinusoids of multiple fiequency of fundamental,
or 60 Hz fiequency, namely harmonics. Harmonics are
produced by several types of equipment like is shown in this
paper, a saturated distribution transformer.
We know that a sum of sinusoids is easy to be analyzed
with Fourier techniques that also uses sinusoids as mother
functions (forming an orthogonal base in a vector space).
Therefore we use wavelet hnctions to study several sinusoids
that were grouped to create a wave form representing the
harmonic signal of Figures 2 and 3. This signal was composed
by a fast sinusoid (high fiequency, at about 33rdorder and low
amplitude), a slow sinusoid (low frequency, the 60 Hz
fundamental wave) and intermediate sinusoids (not high nor
low fiequency, inside the range of 60 Hz and 33 x 60 Hz).
Several decompositions were performed but just one was
shown, which uses a Daubechies of order 6 and level 8, as can
be seen in Figure 5.
As shown in Figure 5, we can see the coefficients map (cfs),
the Signal S and details of order dl to d8.
Using the expanded zoom, the signal components may be
manually counted, what can tell us about period and kequency
of sinusoid.
Table I shows, in a compact way, the results of frequency
measurements of pure sinusoids, analyzed using wavelet
techniques and measuring approximated fiequencies graphical
evaluation. We know that a fine evaluation can be done using
software tools, but we don't intend to do this, in this paper.

Figure 5. The wavelet coefficients map (cfs), the Signal S and

Component Magnitude Frequency
details of order d, to ds.
slow 100 60
IV. CONCLUSION
intermediate 13 300
The first action adopted was to change the transformer tap
installed in the distribution system of Chui and Santa Vitoria
do Palmar cities. The Power Company began the program of
change 60 Hz distribution transformers by 50 Hz distribution
transformers to avoid the harmonic distortion. The third action
The frequencies in Table I are easy to measure due to their
is to link the Chui and Santa Vitoria do Palmar to the brazilian
significant amplitude, the low magnitude of other waves are
distribution system (60 Hz). This option is shown in Fig. 5.
difficult to measure in a simple way.

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Alberto Tamagna was born in Argentina, he is Profesor of
the Federal University of Rio Gmnde do SUI, in Porto
Alegre, Brazil. He obtained his Doctor Degree in the same
University in Structural Dynamics. He currently works at the
Mechanical Engineering Department, and his areas of
interest are structural vibrations and signal analysis.

Fig. 6. Final 60 Hz system

V. REFERENCES

[IIIEEE Std 519 - 1992, IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for
Harmonic Control in Electrical Systems.

121Westighouse Electric Corporation, Electrical Transmission and Distibution

Reference Book, 1964.

[3]FLUKE, Scopemeter Instruction Manual.

[4]Landys & Gyr, Instruction Manual.

[4]Dias Guilhenne A. D. and Tamagna Alberto, “Wavelet Analysis An -

Application in Power Quality”, Proceedings of IEEE Budapest
PowerTech’99, from September 29 to October 02,2000.

VI. BIOGRAPHIES

Cuilherme Alfred0 Dentzien Dias, was bom in Porto Alegre,

Brazil, on april 28, 1950. He graduated in Electrical
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Engineering in UFRGS Federal University of Rio Grande do
.;., SUI, Brazil in 1975. He receive his M. Sc. degree in Energy
%x. from UFRGS in 1996. Now he is completing his Doctorate
Degree in Energy from UFRGS. He is Professor in Elechcal Engineering in
PUCRS - Pontifical University of Rio Grande do SUI, since 1976.His
employmentexperience included two Utilities in Brazil, were his was head in
HV substation design and erection. He is a consulting engineer in Power
Quality and other subjects.

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