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

Vp

d
Np
dt

Magnetic Flux
Density

Magnetic Field
Intensity

Np IP

A core

MPL

Magnetic Hysteresis

Source: http://hyperphysics.phyastr.gsu.edu/Hbase/Solids/hyst.html

Magnetic Permeability

0 r H

Normal Transformer Operation

Source: ABB App.

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.

No Inrush Proper Switching

Time

Source: ABB App.

Ideal Single Phase Switching

Demagnetized Case
Transformer Flux - Demagnetized Case
1

Flux (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.5

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

Winding Voltage - Demagnetized Case

1

Voltage (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.5

1
Time (s)
System Voltage
Winding
Voltage
System Voltage

0.03

0.04

Ideal Single Phase Switching

Demagnetized Case 2
Transformer Flux - Demagnetized Case
1

Flux (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.5
1
1.5
Time (s)
Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Demagnetized Case

1

Voltage (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.5

1
Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.03

0.04

Ideal Single Phase Switching Magnetized

Case
Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case
1

Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case

1

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

Flux (pu)

Flux (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.5
2
1

Time (s)
Time (s)

Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case

Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case

0.01

0.5

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

Voltage (pu)

Voltage (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.5

1
Time (s)

Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.01

0.02

Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.03

0.04

Worst Case Single Phase Switching

Transformer Flux - Magnetized Case
3

Flux (pu)

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

1
Time (s)
Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - Magnetized Case

1

Voltage (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.5

1
Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.03

0.04

Ideal Three Phase, Three Pole Switching

1

Winding Voltage

r=87% of max

Transformer Flux

0.5

r=0% of max
0.01

0.005

0.005

0.5

0.015

0.01

0.005

0.005

0.5

1
Time (s)
Winding Voltage - Phase A
System Voltage - Phase A
Winding Voltage - Phase B
System Voltage - Phase B
Winding Voltage - Phase C
System Voltage - Phase C

0.01

Flux (pu)

Voltage (pu)

0.5

r=-87% of max

1
Time (s)

Transient Flux - A Phase

Prospective Flux - A Phase
Transient Flux - B Phase
Prospective Flux - B Phase
Transient Flux - C Phase
Prospective Flux - C Phase

0.01

0.015

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

1

Winding Voltage

r=87% of max

0.01

0.005

Transformer Flux

0.5

0.005

0.01

0.015

Flux (pu)

Voltage (pu)

0.5

0.01

0.005

0.005

210 Deg
0.5

0.5

1
Time (s)

Winding Voltage - Phase A

System Voltage - Phase A
Winding Voltage - Phase B
System Voltage - Phase B
Winding Voltage - Phase C
System Voltage - Phase C

Time (s)
Transient Flux - A Phase
Prospective Flux - A Phase
Transient Flux - B Phase
Prospective Flux - B Phase
Transient Flux - C Phase
Prospective Flux - C Phase

0.01

0.015

Non-Ideal PreFluxing
Flux - 3 Phase Case (210 deg)

Flux - 3 Phase Case (190 deg)

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

Flux (pu)

Flux (pu)

r=50% of max

Non-Ideal Pre-Fluxing/
Switching

0.01

2
Time (s)

0.03

0.04

Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

Winding Voltage - 3 Phase Case (210 Deg)

Winding Voltage - 3 Phase Case (190 Deg)

0.5

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

Voltage (pu)

0.5
Voltage (pu)

0.02

Time (s)

Transient Flux
Prospective Flux

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.5

0.5

1
Time (s)

Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.01

0.02

Time (s)
Winding Voltage
System Voltage

0.03

0.04

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?