Transformer Inrush Current

Reduction
Doug Taylor
January 29, 2009
 Overview
What is Inrush Current?
Electromagnetic Phenomenon
Magnetic Properties
Causes of Inrush
Thesis Work
Problem Statement
Experimental Measurements
Pre-fluxing
Future Work
 Inrush Current
Occurs when energizing
transformers
5-6 times normal
operating current
Stresses insulation
Thermal Stress
Physical Stress
Causes Protection/Power
Quality Issues
 Source: Wikipedia

Faraday's Law Magnetic Flux Magnetic Field

Density Intensity

Np IP
d
Vp Np B H
dt A core MPL
 Magnetic Hysteresis

Source: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/Solids/hyst.html

Magnetic Permeability

B 0 r H
Normal Transformer Operation

Source: ABB App. Guide

 Inrush Current Causes
Based on two main factors:
Residual Flux
Energizing (or Switching) Instant
Ideally switch when prospective flux equals residual
flux
Deviations from this instant result in inrush current
Inrush Incorrect Switching Time

Source: ABB App. Guide

No Inrush Proper Switching Time

Source: ABB App. Guide

Ideal Single Phase Switching Demagnetized Case

Transformer Flux - Demagnetized Case

1

0.5

Flux (pu)
0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5

Time (s)
Prospective
Transient Flux
Flux
Residual Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Demagnetized Case

1

0.5
Voltage (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5

Time (s)
System Voltage
Winding Voltage
System Voltage
Ideal Single Phase Switching Demagnetized Case 2
Transformer Flux - Demagnetized Case
1

0.5

Flux (pu)
0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5

1.5

Time (s)
Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Demagnetized Case

1

0.5
Voltage (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5

Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage
 Ideal Single Phase Switching Magnetized Case
Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case
Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case 1
1

0.5
0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

Flux (pu)
Flux (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

1

0.5

2
1
Time (s)
Time (s) Transient Flux
Transient Flux Prospective Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case

1 1

0.5 0.5
Voltage (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 Voltage (pu) 0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5 0.5

1 1

Time (s) Time (s)

Winding Voltage Winding Voltage
System Voltage System Voltage
 Worst Case Single Phase Switching
Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case
3

2
Flux (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

Time (s)
Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case

1

0.5
Voltage (pu)

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5

Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage
 Ideal Three Phase, Three Pole Switching

Winding Voltage Transformer Flux

1 r=87% of max 1

0.5 0.5

r=0% of max
Voltage (pu)

Flux (pu)
0.01 0.005 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.005 0 0.005 0.01 0.015

0.5 0.5

1 1
r=-87% of max
Time (s) Time (s)
Winding Voltage - Phase A Transient Flux - A Phase
System Voltage - Phase A Prospective Flux - A Phase
Winding Voltage - Phase B Transient Flux - B Phase
System Voltage - Phase B Prospective Flux - B Phase
Winding Voltage - Phase C Transient Flux - C Phase
System Voltage - Phase C Prospective Flux - C Phase
 Problem Statement
Set Residual Flux in Single-Phase Transformer
Pre-fluxing
Set as high as possible
Controlled Energization
Precise switching
 Experimental Setup
55 kVA Transfomer
Primary/Secondary
Winding 230 V
Tertiary Winding 25 V
LabVIEW
Computer-based
Measurement Software
Measure Flux
Precision Switch
Allows Controlled
Energization
LabVIEW
 Experimental Hysteresis
Measurements
Nominal Winding Voltage - 25 V
Sequence of plots
8.5 V Applied
17 V Applied
19.5 V Applied
25 V Applied
Hysteresis Loop Family
Nominal Operation

Source: Wikipedia
 Tertiary Winding at 8.5 Vrms
Voltage

Flux

Magnetizing Current
 Tertiary Winding at 17 Vrms
Voltage

Flux

Magnetizing Current
 Tertiary Winding at 19.5 Vrms
Voltage

Flux

Magnetizing Current
 Tertiary Winding at Rated 25 Vrms
Voltage

Br_max = 0.95 T

Flux

Magnetizing Current
 Inrush Current Demagnetized
Case
Case 1: Unloaded Steady-State Operation
Case 2: Proper Switching No Inrush
Case 3: Worst Case Switching Maximum
Inrush
 Unloaded Steady-State Operation (230 V Winding)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Demagnetized Proper Switching Time (~90 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Demagnetized Proper Switching Time (~90 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Demagnetized Improper Switching Time (0 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Demagnetized Improper Switching Time (0 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Demagnetized Improper Switching Time (0 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Prefluxing
Send a pulse of energy to the transformer
Circuit Used
Series capacitor and diode
Fairly Simple
Effective
Series Capacitor & Diode
 Pre-Flux 9 mWb (75% of r_max)
Voltage

Flux

Magnetizing Current
 Pre-fluxed Proper Switching Time (124 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Pre-fluxed Proper Switching Time (124 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Future Work
Sensitivity Testing
Non-Ideal Pre-Fluxing
Non-Ideal Switching
Keep Inrush To 1.5-2 p.u.
Increase Device Practicality
 Ideal Three Phase, Three Pole Switching

Winding Voltage Transformer Flux

1 r=87% of max 1

0.5 0.5
Voltage (pu)

Flux (pu)
0.01 0.005 0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.01 0.005 0 0.005 0.01 0.015

210 Deg

0.5 0.5

1 1

Time (s) Time (s)

Winding Voltage - Phase A Transient Flux - A Phase
System Voltage - Phase A Prospective Flux - A Phase
Winding Voltage - Phase B Transient Flux - B Phase
System Voltage - Phase B Prospective Flux - B Phase
Winding Voltage - Phase C Transient Flux - C Phase
System Voltage - Phase C Prospective Flux - C Phase
 Non-Ideal Pre-Fluxing Non-Ideal Pre-Fluxing/
Switching
Flux - 3 Phase Case (210 deg) Flux - 3 Phase Case (190 deg)
r=50% of max 1 1

0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
Flux (pu)

Flux (pu)
1 1

2 2

Time (s) Time (s)

Transient Flux Transient Flux
Prospective Flux Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - 3 Phase Case (210 Deg) Winding Voltage - 3 Phase Case (190 Deg)
1 1

0.5 0.5
Voltage (pu)

Voltage (pu)
0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04

0.5 0.5

1 1

Time (s) Time (s)

Winding Voltage Winding Voltage
System Voltage System Voltage
 Non-Ideal Switching Demagnetized (114, 24 error)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Pre-fluxed Proper Switching Time (124 deg)
Voltage

Magnetizing Current
 Future Work (Cont)
Device Sizing
Dependent upon Transformer Size
Questions?