Three-Phase Distribution Transformer Modeling
and Electromagnetic Transient Analysis Using
ANSYS Maxwell
Selva Bal Tuğçe Demirdelen
Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Eng. Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Eng.
Iskenderun Technical University Adana Alparslan Turkes Science and
Hatay, Turkey Technology University
selva.bal@iste.edu.tr Adana,Turkey
tdemirdelen@atu.edu.tr
Abstract— Oil type transformers have disadvantages such
as insulation, weight, size, losses, heating and torsional forces.
Transformer design and modeling has great importance in
solution of such problems. In this paper, modeling and
electromagnetic transient analysis of a three-phase oil type
distribution transformer with a 25-kVA power capacity using
ANSYS Maxwell simulation program is proposed.
Transformer model, losses, voltages, currents and magnetic
flux of designed transformer are presented in simulation
results. Finite element method is used at the simulations.
Results of input voltages are consistent with applied excitation
values. Critical points on the core are seen from magnetic flux
distribution. The result of magnetic flux of this study is
validated by comparison of similar studies in literature. This
paper provides advantage as a guide to researchers and
engineers who do the transformer modeling and analysis on a
simulation program such as ANSYS. In future, optimization
study for thermal analysis and partial discharge localization
will be done.
Keywords— transformer, modeling, design, analysis, ANSYS
Maxwell, oil type, simulation
I. INTRODUCTION
Transformers are special type electrical machines used to
increase / decrease the voltage level in order to reduce the
losses that occur during the transmission of electricity.
Transformers are classified as power transformers and
distribution transformers in terms of power capacity, and
they are classified as oil and dry type transformers in terms
of insulation material. Oil-type transformers are often used
due to low production costs. However, there are many
problems in oil type transformers such as insulation, excess
weight and size, losses, losses due to design, heating
problems caused by losses, and torsional forces.
In the literature, there are studies carried out by means of
simulation programs about losses, modeling and analysis for
the problems mentioned above in oil type transformers [1]-
[15]. These studies include the calculation of losses in the
core clamps of a 40 MVA distribution transformer [1],
reduction of stray losses in flange-bolt regions of large
capacity power transformer tanks [2], reduction of leakage
losses using horizontal magnetic shunts in power
transformers [3], investigation of the optimal dimension and
location of horizontal shunts in transformers with
parametrical finite element analyses [4], the effect of
transformer core structure on no load losses [5], the effect of
transformer core T-connection structure on transformer
losses [6], a new T-joint configuration for the core of 3-phase
978-1-7281-3789-6/19/$31.00 ©2019 IEEE
Mehmet Tümay
Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Eng.
Çukurova University
Adana,Turkey
mtumay@cu.edu.tr
transformer [7], the design of 1 MVA three-phase oil-
immersed distribution transformers considering short-circuit
testing and its impact on the windings [8], three dimensional
(3D) power transformer of three-phase the finite element
method [9], oil type transformers electromagnetic field
analysis [10], 3D electromagnetic-structural analysis of the
leakage magnetic field distribution of a helical winding
power transformer [11], analysis and calculation of the
electric field intensity of end insulation of 500 kV power
transformer’s high voltage winding with finite element
method [12], analysis of power transformer geometry
simulations in electromagnetic and thermodynamic
simulations [13], 2D electromagnetic transient and thermal
modeling of three-phase power transformer [14], partial
discharge localization of oil type transformers [15].
In this paper, modeling and electromagnetic transient
analysis of a 3-phase oil type distribution transformer with a
25 kVA power capacity using ANSYS Maxwell is proposed.
II. 3D TRANSFORMER MODEL DESIGN
In related studies, simulation programs are used in
transformer modelling and analysis. In this study, 25 kVA
distribution transformer was modelled using ANSYS
Maxwell simulation program and low frequency
electromagnetic field analysis was simulated.
ANSYS Maxwell simulation program uses the finite
element method as the calculation method.
Technical specifications are presented of the designed
three-phase distribution transformer in Table 1.
TABLE I. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF DESIGNED TRANSFORMER
Element Value/ Feature
Power Rating 25 KVA
Primary Voltage 33 kV
Secondary Voltage 0,4 kV
# of Core Stage 4 stage
Core material M15_027
Winding material Copper
3D transformer model of designed oil type transformer is
presented with trimetric view (Fig. 1), front view (Fig. 2),
and top view (Fig. 3). The model includes transformer core
(Fig. 4), primary and secondary windings, insulation papers
between core and windings, shields between each phase
winding and insulation oil inside the bounding box (such as
transformer tank).
Fig. 1. Trimetric view of designed oil type transformer.
Fig. 2. Front view of designed oil type transformer.
Transformer core consisting four core stages; insulation
papers between windings and core leg for one phase are
shown in Fig. 4.
Voltage excitations U1, V1, W1 are applied on primary
windings as below:
U1= 33000*(1-exp (-50*time))*cos(2*pi*50*time)
Similarly, V1 and W1 are applied with 120º phase
difference. Voltage excitations U2, V2, W2 are applied on
secondary windings as below:
Fig. 5. Core loss, Eddy current loss and Hysteresis loss.
Fig. 3. Top view of designed oil type transformer.
Fig. 4. Transformer core stages (left) and insulation papers between
windings and core.
U2= 400*(1-exp (-50*time))*cos(2*pi*50*time) (2)
Similarly, V2 and W2 are applied with 120º phase
difference. Coil terminals are assigned to related windings
with number of turns.
III. RESULTS
In load analysis of the transformer, resistance of
secondary terminals is set as 100 Ohm. Solution type of load
analysis is set to magnetic transient.
Designed model is analyzed during 100 ms time interval
with 0.5 ms time step. The results of load analysis are
presented below.
Core loss, eddy current loss and hysteresis loss results are
shown in Fig. 5.
Input voltages on primary and secondary windings of
three phases are shown in Fig. 6. Currents on primary and
secondary windings of one phase are shown in Fig. 7.
(1)
 Fig. 6. Input voltages on primary and secondary windings of three phases
Fig. 7. Currents on primary and secondary windings of one phase
Magnitude of magnetic flux on transformer core center is
shown in Fig. 8. Magnetic flux on transformer core is shown
with vectors in Fig. 9. Magnetic flux distribution on
transformer core is shown with colors at t=0.01s in Fig. 10.
Fig. 8. Magnitude of magnetic flux on transformer core center
Fig. 9. Magnetic flux on transformer core with vectors
Fig. 10. Magnetic flux distribution on transformer core with colors
IV. DISCUSSION
Results of input voltages are consistent with applied
excitation values. Critical points on inner corners of designed
transformer core are also similar to critical points in [14]
regarding to magnetic flux on the core. The result of
magnetic flux of this study is validated by comparison of
similar studies in literature.
V. CONCLUSION
Oil type transformers have disadvantages such as
insulation, weight, size, losses, heating and torsional forces.
Transformer design and modeling has great importance in
solution of such problems.
In this paper, modeling and electromagnetic transient
analysis of a 3-phase oil type distribution transformer with a
25 kVA power capacity using ANSYS Maxwell simulation
program is proposed. Transformer model, losses, voltages,
currents and magnetic flux of designed transformer are
presented in simulation results. Finite element method is
used at the simulations. Results of input voltages are
consistent with applied excitation values. Critical points on
inner corners of designed transformer core are also similar to
critical points in [14] regarding to magnetic flux on the core.
The result of magnetic flux of this study is validated by
comparison of similar studies in literature.
This paper provides advantage as a guide to researchers
and engineers who do the transformer modeling and analysis
on a simulation program such as ANSYS. In future,
optimization study for thermal analysis and partial discharge
localization will be done.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to acknowledge the Scientific
Project Unit of Cukurova University (Project ID: FDK-2018-
9906) for the support during this work.
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