16 comments

Follow suresh suresh singh when two transformers to run in parallel there are 3 requirements,voltage, ratio should be same at all taps,phase sequence to be same ,and percentage impedance to be approximately same.If percentage impedance is same then both transformers will share load in ratio of their capacity. If there is difference in % impedance , load will be more on the transformer having less %impedance . If there is a difference in % impedance the effective capacity of the transformers will reduce . 9 days ago Like

Follow Ahmed Ahmed Al.Nadabi In addition to what has been mentioned regarding to defference in % impedance, this difference also lead to what known as circuilating current between the two Parallel transformers which heat up the winding and increase the winding loss. Also, numbers of tap should be same so that the slave can keep catching the Master Transformer. Also, by operating two transformers in parallel, that mean the total impedance is halfed which lead to increase the short circuit at the low voltage busbar,so this should be taking into the account . 8 days ago Like

Follow suresh suresh singh short circuit current at low voltage side bus bar of the parallel running transformers will also depend on the capacity( mva) of these transformers. 8 days ago Like

Follow Paulo ngelo Paulo ngelo Maia do Vale Thas must be the considered when you whant to by a movel substation. In general, the movel must have less MVA than the transformers of the substations of your system. So, you have to chose the best % impedance of your movel substation in order to get best MVA use In your grid. 8 days ago Like

Follow Peter Peter Mackin @Ahmed, I agree with what you have stated except for the part about mismatched impedances causing circulating current in a transformer pair. If the impedances are mismatched (not in proportion to the transformer rating), then as Suresh stated, the effective capacity of the transformer pair will be reduced, but there will not be

circulating currents. Circulating currents are caused by mismatched tap settings (e.g., one transformer tap at 0.98 p.u. and one at 1.02 p.u.). 7 days ago Like

Follow Kevin Kevin Halliley One other consideration you have overlooked is the vector group. If the two transformers have different vector groups, then you will have circulating current for the same tap position, regardless of whether the ratios are the same. Sounds inconceivable, but I speak from a real life example, where a third ransformer was added to a substation and come final commissioning, we noted from nameplate data that the vector group did not match the other two existing transformers in service. It was too late to replace the transformer ( 25MVA 66/22kV item) so the solution was to determine the best tap where the circulating current was at a minimum, and then adjust the wiring on the paralleling scheme so that the third transformer stayed in tap with the other two during parallel operations. That transformer is still in service today in that configuration. 7 days ago Like

Follow Peter Peter Mackin Kevin, thanks for additional clarification. You are correct. I typically will model all transformers with the same base voltages. If the name plate voltages are different, then the tap ratios in the model will be different. But if you don't do that, then yes, the same tap ratios can cause circulating currents if the name plate voltages are different.

7 days ago Like

Follow Kevin Kevin Halliley Hi Peter, Just to clarify, nameplate voltage were the same but the actual vector group of the transformrers were different. ( eg.. Dyn11 vs Dyn1) Same voltage but different phase relationship for the same phase resulted in different load sharing on each transformer plus circulating current. Same scenario where we have use a quad booster transformer to force MWs in a certain direction, as opposed to a regular transformer tap changer where we expect to see MVAR flows affected by tap changing. 7 days ago Like

Follow Ahmed Ahmed Al.Nadabi @ Peter, the no of tapes has big impact in impedence ratio at each tape. In the name plate, you will find the % impedance different at max, min and principle positions. For example, two Tx have same no of tape but the % impedance are different for the nominal tape which cuase voltage difference at the same tape which lead to a circuilating current. I hope that make it clear. if you have any comments you may explain for the sale of benifits. 7 days ago Like

Follow Peter Peter Mackin @Ahmed, thank you for this additional input. I agree that a transformer's impedance changes as the tap setting changes. However, my feeling is that if the secondary open circuit voltage of two transformers is the same (both magnitude and phase) for the same primary input voltage (regardless of transformer tap setting or net series impedance between the primary and secondary) that there cannot be circulating currents when these two transformers are connected in parallel. My definition of circulating currents is when either the MW flow, MVAr flow, or both through each of the two transformers is in the opposite direction. To me, you do not have circulating currents if the MW and MVAr flow are both in the same direction, even if the flows are not in proportion to the transformer's ratings. If you have a real world situation where what I stated above is not the case, please send me the transformer model data so that I may test it out and verify it for myself. 6 days ago Like

Follow Kevin Kevin Halliley Have to agree with Peter here. Impedance of the transformers does not affect the voltage output, which would be based on the turns ratio of the winding per the nameplate data ? If you have tried this practically in the field, you could safely conclude that the two conditions that lead to circulating current are: 1. Change tap positions on each transformer such that they are on different taps and current starts to circulate between the transformers - the further the taps are apart the more current circulates.

2. Try paralleling two transformers with different nameplate vector grouping - for the same tap with same voltage output, you will have circulating current due to the phase shift acoss the common phases. The impedance difference between the transformers may cause the two transformers to not share load equally, but the difference is not circulating current between the two transformers, its just a loading difference between the two. 6 days ago Like

Follow Adam Adam Abdool B.Sc,M.Sc,MIET When transformers are connected in parallel for use on a three-phase system it is important to recognise the effects of different transformer impedances on the current sharing between transformers, and the results of connecting together transformers with different phase connections. In order to be successful when connecting transformers for operation in parallel it is necessary that the transformers have: the same phase angle relationship (clock hour number) the same turns ratio with some tolerance and a similar tapping range the same relative impedance percentage impedance with some tolerance. (The variation of relative impedance for both transformers should be similar across the tapping range). the power ratings of the two transformers should be similar. When a new transformer is to be placed in parallel with an existing transformer it is important that the specification contains specific information on the existing transformer. When planning a new connection it is necessary to recognise that: It is not advisable to combine transformers of widely different power ratings (say more than 1:2). The natural relative impedance for optimised designs varies with the size of the transformer Transformers built to different design concepts (core and shell forms) will probably have different impedance levels and different variations of impedance across the tapping range The consequences of a small mismatch in characteristics should not be overestimated. The tapping ranges on two transformers can be different as long as the tap steps allow them to operate with similar ratios.

hope this helps u out.... 6 days ago Like

Follow Mark Mark Athay Jumping into this discussion... At no load, the output voltage is not dependent on the transformer impedance, but the phase angle may shift a little. It's the shifted phase angle due to the transformer impedance that will cause the circulating currents. As the transformers load up, one transformer will carry more of the reactive load than the other, and you will hit a point where the currents are not circulating between the transformers becasue the reactive load will dominate. Under load, the output voltage IS dependent on the transformer impedance. For instance, at full load a 5% impedance transformer will see it's output voltage sag 5% from no-load to full-load. If the transformers are mis-matched the transformer with the lower impedance will hog the load and will leave the other transformer under-loaded. If you want to be able to fully-utilize both transformers that are operated in parallel they must have a matched impedance. They don't have to be perfectly matched, just "close enough." 5 days ago Like

Follow Bernardo L. Bernardo L. Bullas Jr. MIET, MIEAust, PEE Hi Guys, In paralleling two or more transformers, perfect operation is possible only when transformers are identical as regards 1. turn ratio, 2. Impedance, 3. Polarity. The unequal turns ratio condition results to equalizing current; the unequal impedance will result to sharing of load distribution not in proportion to rated output. If polarity markings are not followed it will create big circulating secondary current which will damage the transformer. Talking about paralleling two or more single phase transformers, conditions are: 1. Same voltage rating, 2. Same polarities, 3. Percent Impedance is inversely proportional to its KVA rating and/or the ratio of equivalent resistance and equivalent reactance of transformers are equal. If condition 1. is not met, there will be current which will circulate in the transformers secondary which will contribute losses due to voltage difference, If condition 2. is not met, there will be big circulating current in the secondaries which will damage the windings, and if condition 3. is not met, the transformers will not share the common load in proportion to their KVA ratings. 1 day ago Like

Follow Mohammad Mohammad Khan P.E. Hi,Transformers connected in parallel have the same voltage on each primary and the same voltage on each secondary. The difference in the voltage between the primary and secondary windings is the turn ratios. For these terminal voltages to be the same for the paralleled transformers, their impedance drops must be identical. Therefore, under any condition of load, the current will be divided such that the product of impedance and current in one transformer is equal to the product of impedance and current in the other. Also, if the turn ratios of the transformers are different, but the primary and secondary terminal voltages are the same in both transformers, then circulating currents must flow between the transformers, even at no load. Rule of thumb that Circulating current should be not more than 10% at no load. Also sum of Circulating current and load current should not exceed rating of any single transformer.

20 hours ago Like

Follow Ahmed Ahmed Al.Nadabi @ Peter, Thank you for your rich discussion, However, I a still saying that the difference in Tx impedance could cuase a circuilating current. I have reviewed many books to make sure about what am saying and this waht I found in ABB Transformer Handbook 3rd edition CH 10 Sec 10.2.2 Page 10-148, It says " when two or more transformers are connected in parallel the following is required: * .. having same phase displacement between the primary and secondaryv voltage...e.g. Dyn11, Yd11. * Poles with same polarity on HV-and LV side shall be connected in parrallel, * Transformers should have approximately the same oltage ratio. * The Short circuit impedance voltage should be the same, within +or - 10%. * The power rating of the transformer should not deviate more than 1:3. * Tap changer should have tap position giving voltage ratio as close as possible. * Parallel operating transformer with no load tap changers and automatice voltage regulation equipment should be provided with equipment, which controles that the tap changer of each transformers is connected to the most appropriate tap at any time. For further details, refrence is made to IEC 60076(Power transformers-Application guide clause 6 Page 81-91" So, as mention in point 4 the impedance difference should not exceed plus or mines 10%. It may the voltage having same magnatude and angle but the current will have diffrent which cuase current to circulate. It can be say that, two parallel transformers- neglecting magnatization ct- are like two OHL operating in parallel ( resistance and impedance) and if they have unbalance load, sure there will be a circuilating current between them. That exactaly whats happening. Also, note. modling result by simulation software, are only showing the final result after

applying what ever kind of engineering equations e.g. Kartchof law... are not showing the incoming or out going current at that branch. 6 hours ago Like

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