Effect of Transient Voltages on Power

Transformer Design

Introduction :
While designing transformer insulation , transient voltages setup by abnormal conditions
require careful attention rather than the normal voltage stresses. The necessity of extra
insulation as per A.I.E.E test standards are due to the facts :
1) Even high voltage transformers are subjected to High voltages.
2) Transient voltages are for split seconds and are not uniformly distributed because the
winding is not purely inductive but has capacitive effect too.
To test the above considerations , two models of 20,000 kva and 20,0000 volts transformers
were prepared respectively.
The comparisons revealed that first transformer cost 40 percent more and 75 percent more
of active material than the 1
st
one.
It is to be noted that 2
nd
transformer would successfully withstand all tests apart from
A.I.E.E standards because in these test negligible transient voltages are applied.

Equivalent Networks:
To rectify the faulty notions that go through an engineers mind about geometric shapes in
actual and drawing of electric parameters, we take an equivalent network of straight piece of
material which is an equivalent of inductance , resistance and capacitance.
Ordinary Transformer: Mostly at operating frequencies , transformer act as a series of
inductances but nothing is free of capacitance as discussed.
Taking each separate coil, there is lack of negative inductance and mutual inductance between
various part of windings exist in the new equivalent circuit.
The Cause of Voltage Resonance in a transformer :
The range of natural fundamental frequency of a transformer is from 1000 to 60,000 cycles and
their harmonics reach to 75,000.Also the Natural frequency ranges within the Natural
fundamental limits.
Internal winding capacitance Cw is similar to all capacitances which is similar to surface
capacitance of equivalent network. In spite of being similar, they differ in reactance , causing
voltage resonance conditions.
Initial Voltage distribution with Rectangular Travelling Wave:
Transformer has two paths for current flow depending on frequency , very high through
capacitive and low through inductive. This means no current will flow through conductor during
terminal voltage rise and the transformer will act as pure condenser which is called initial or
electrostatic stage.
Voltage distribution during Oscillation :
If assumed that a standing wave is for infinitely long time such that its crest act as a dc wave on
transformer, voltage distribution will be uniform. The only difference will be in initial and final
stages.
Travelling Wave with Slanting Front:
Initial Voltage Distribution :
It would be an impression to rectangular front that a very steep front is needed for purely
electrostatic field in winding.
Wave with a Steep Tail: it sets up Severe internal stresses.

TRANSIENT VOLTAGES IN PRACTICE
On most of the systems, transient voltages reach to the values greater than the dielectric strength of
the line insulation. The transient are many times equal to the normal voltage. Sometimes, they are 10
times of normal voltage and sometimes even 15 times.
Magnitude of voltage stresses differs in different elements of transformer windings having one end
permanently grounded. The stresses produced by the standard induced voltage test and dielectric
strength necessary to withstand the transients are responsible for the difference between cost and
volume of the transformers.
It is necessary to protect transformer from transient voltages. In this regard, some of the measures are
discussed below:
NON RESOUNDING TRANSFORMER
Non-uniform voltage distribution in transformer windings is due to the presence of shunt capacitance.
The same shunt capacitance is responsible for internal over voltages in case of travelling waves. So if
the effect of shunt capacitance is neutralized, there would be no shunt current supplied by any series
capacitance. The initial and final voltage distribution will be uniform and there would be no transients.
A new system of shunt condensers (Cp) is introduced with the transformer equivalent circuit. It is
obvious that values of each capacitance (Cp) can be selected so that with the voltage uniformly
distributed throughout the winding, then the current through respective (Cp) is equal to the shunt
capacitance (Cs). The protecting condensers should be well proportioned so that voltage divides
equally between the series capacitances. The initial and final voltages would be a straight line and
there would be no transients.
TEST DATA
Tests were made on power transformers with damped oscillations of frequencies ranging from 3 to
1000 kilocycles. As well as with impulse waves of various shapes. The condenser arrangement consists
of small number of shields properly spaced and insulated from ground and the windings. They are
located outside of the high voltage windings.
Effect of the Transformer Bushing
The capacitance of the bushing is in shunt with the transformer, and its order is 0.0002 microfarads.
This value is very negligible and has no effect on transient voltages within transformer.
Choke Coils, Current Transformers etc.
When an inductance such as a choke coil is struck by a travelling wave, it enters into oscillations with
the electrostatic capacity of the transformer. So in this way dangerous internal voltages can be set up
in transformers if it is of the ordinary design.