An Extensive Comparative Study

Inrush Current Transformer Energization

including the Grid Code Compliance
Between ETAP & Matlab/Simulink
Author: Saman Abbasian
When a power transformer is energized, a high magnitude current lasts few cycles known as inrush
current. This magnitude is dependent on different factors as follow:

1- Point of voltage waveform switching

2- Magnitude & polarity of residual magnetism in core
3- System damping
4- Transformer size
5- Transformer construction
6- System grounding
7- Source impedance & X/R ratio
8- Cooling class, liquid filled and dry types

This excitation current could be as large 3 to 12 as possible of transformer rating current and results
in nuisance tripping of protective devices and creates large mechanical forces within the transformer
core and windings.

From the factors mentioned above electrically, transformer size, system grounding and X/R ratio are
investigated using ETAP and Simulink and differences discussed to get a better clarification why this
synthetic inrush can have impact on the undervoltage and under frequency protection units.

In Simulink model four cases are developed:

Simulink Case 1: 30 MVA X/R 15 D1/Yg source grounded

Simulink Case 2: 15 MVA X/R 7 D1/Yg source grounded

Simulink Case 3: 30 MVA Yg/Yg X/R 15 source ungrounded

Simulink Case 4: 15 MVA X/R 7 Yg/Yg source grounded

ETAP Case1: 30 MVA X/R 15 D1/Yg source grounded

ETAP Case 2: 15 MVA X/R 7 D1/Yg source grounded

Conclusion: ETAP does not consider the ungrounded sources where Simulink takes it into the
calculation and observed from plots, red grounded & orange ungrounded sources, the inrsuh current at
instant 0.1 (s) reaches to 1206.50 (A) while for an effective grounded system the inrsuh at 0.1
switching close, does not exceed more than 738.95 (A).
In compliance with the grid code, the voltage drop at POC of the network will have impact on
undervoltage relay settings and it helps to adjust relay settings based on voltage variations.
X/R ratio, MVA fault levels and source impedances are the factors mentioned above which increases
the DC offset and prolongs decay when it gets higher.

To get better results manufacturer data sheets including the inrush currents, saturation values and flux
percentages are required.
 Inrush Current Inrush Current
1.20E+03 8.00E+02
1122.34667 (A) 738.9588363 (A)
7.00E+02
1.00E+03
6.00E+02
8.00E+02
5.00E+02

6.00E+02 4.00E+02

3.00E+02
4.00E+02
2.00E+02

2.00E+02 1.00E+02

0.00E+00
0.00E+00
-1.00E+02
-2.00E+02

30 MVA X/R 7 D1/Yg source grounded 15 MVA X/R 7 Yg/Yg source grounded

Inrush Current Inrush Current

1.00E+03 1.40E+03
901.8756543 (A) 1.20E+03 1206.598885 (A)
8.00E+02
1.00E+03
6.00E+02
8.00E+02

4.00E+02 6.00E+02

4.00E+02
2.00E+02
2.00E+02
0.00E+00
0.00E+00

-2.00E+02 -2.00E+02

15 MVA X/R 15 D1/Yg source grounded 30 MVA Yg/Yg X/R 15 source ungrounded

Fig 1: Simulink plots for four cases grounded and ungrounded sources
 ETAP Inrush Current ETAP Inrush Current
900 500

450
800
400
700
350
600 300

500 250

200
400
150
300
100
200 50

100 0

1
41
81
121
161
201
241
281
321
361
401
441
481
521
561
601
641
681
721
761
801
841
881
921
961
1001
1041
1081
1121
1161
1201
1241
1281
1321
1361
1401
1441
1481
0

ETAP Inrush current 30 MVA X/R 7 D1/Yg source grounded ETAP Inrush current 15 MVA X/R 7 D1/Yg source grounded

Chart Title Utility Bus-1-1 - % of Bus Nominal kV - Bus Voltage

76400 105

76300
100

76200
95
76100

76000 90

75900
85

75800
80
75700

75600 75

Simulink Model Volatge drop at POC 10% ETAP Model Volatge drop at POC 13%

Fig 2: ETAP & Simulink bus volatges drop and Inrush currents
Fig 3: ETAP distribiuted network model 132kV, 33kV, 6.6 kV
Fig 4: Simulink distributed network model