Circulating current in parallel transformers

When two transformers are in a parallel group, a transformer with a higher tap position will typically
have a higher (LV side) no-load voltage than the other one with a lower tap position. These unequal
no-load voltages (unequal tap positions) will cause a circulating current to flow through the parallel
connected transformers. A transformer with higher no-load voltage (typically higher tap position) will
produce circulating current, while a transformer with lower no-load voltage (typically lower tap
position) will receive circulating current.
When load is connected on these two parallel transformers, the circulating current will remain the
same, but now it will be superimposed on the load current in each transformer, i.e. for a transformer
producing circulating current, this will be added to its load current, and for a transformer receiving
circulating current, this will be subtracted from its load current.
Thus voltage control of parallel transformers with the circulating current method aims to minimize the
circulating current while keeping the voltage at the target value.
In case of a parallel operation of transformers, the electric current carried by these transformers are
inversely proportional to their internal impedance. Think of it as two parallel impedances in a simple
circuit behind a voltage source, you will have equal currents through each impedance only if you have
two identical impedances, in some cases as stated above, tapping could be a problem, the other one
is the actual manufacturing tolerances which could diverge by almost 5-10%, if the transformers are
manufactured by different suppliers or not within the same batch. So, the difference in current
between the currents through these two impedances is basically the circulating current as it is not
seen outside these parallel impedances.
The currents that are produces due to magnetic flux circulation in the core are called eddy currents
and these eddy currents are responsible for core losses in transformer.
While the circulating currents are the zero sequence currents that may be produces due to following
causes.
1- when there is three phase transformer the (3rd, 5th, 7th....) harmonic currents which are called zero
sequence currents from all the three winding of three phase transformer add up and become
considerable even in loaded conditions these currents have no path in Y/Y connection of transformer
so a tertiary winding is provided co conduct these currents but in Y/d or D/y connection these currents
circulate in delta winding.
2- Whenever there is unbalanced loading in transformer. In which with positive sequence, negative
sequence and zero sequence currents are also produced which cause circulating currents.
3- When the transformer banks are used and the transformers have phase between them then
circulating currents are produced between them, than transformers in the bank get loaded without
being shearing the power to the load.

1 L.

F. Blume & A. Boyajian, Transformer Connections, Chapter VII (Schnectady: General

Electric, 1940).

Table 1: Overall Connection Summary

Transformer
Parallel
Connection
Types Equal
Loading
Unequal
Loading
Overloading
Concerns
Circulating
Currents
Recommended
Connection
Equal impedances
Equal ratios
Same kVA
Yes No No No Yes
Equal impedances
Equal ratios
Different kVA
No Yes No No Yes
Unequal
impedances
Equal ratios
Same kVA
No Yes Yes No No
Unequal
impedances
Equal ratios
Different kVA
No Yes Yes No No
Unequal
impedances
Unequal ratios
Same kVA
Yes No Yes Yes No

Unequal
impedances
Unequal ratios
Different kVA
No Yes Yes Yes No

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Same Voltage Ratio

If two transformers of different voltage ratio are connected in parallel with same
primary supply voltage, there will be a difference in secondary voltages. Now say
the secondary of these transformers are connected to same bus, there will be a
circulating current between secondaries and therefore between primaries also. As
the internal impedance of transformer is small, a small voltage difference may
cause sufficiently high circulating current causing unnecessary extra I2R loss.
Same Percentage Impedance
The current shared by two transformers running in parallel should be proportional
to their MVA ratings. Again, current carried by these transformers are inversely
proportional to their internal impedance. From these two statements it can be said
that, impedance of transformers running in parallel are inversely proportional to
their MVA ratings. In other words, percentage impedance or per unit values of
impedance should be identical for all the transformers that run in parallel.
Same Polarity
Polarity of all transformers that run in parallel, should be the same otherwise huge
circulating current that flows in the transformer but no load will be fed from these
transformers. Polarity of transformer means the instantaneous direction of induced
emf in secondary. If the instantaneous directions of induced secondary emf in two
transformers are opposite to each other when same input power is fed to both of the
transformers, the transformers are said to be in opposite polarity. If the
instantaneous directions of induced secondary emf in two transformers are same
when same input power is fed to the both of the transformers, the transformers are
said to be in same polarity.
Same Phase Sequence
The phase sequence or the order in which the phases reach their maximum positive
voltage, must be identical for two parallel transformers. Otherwise, during the
cycle, each pair of phases will be short circuited.
The above said conditions must be strictly followed for parallel operation of
transformers but totally identical percentage impedance of two different
transformers is difficult to achieve practically, that is why the transformers run in
parallel may not have exactly same percentage impedance but the values would be
as nearer as possible