Short Circuit Mechanical Force Withstand Ability Test
Guo Zhenyan, Zhu Yinghao
Shenyang Transformer Research Institute
Shenyang 110179,China
E-mial:zyguo@l63.net
Abstract: The dynamic force effect of short
circuit current in transformer and influence on the
heating of transformer when circuit breaker
recloses are expounded .The effectiveness of
transformer short circuit withstand test and the
influence of residual flux on short circuit current
are analyzed.
Keywords: Transformer, Short circuit, Test,
Mechanical force
I. GENERAL
To verify short circuit mechanical force withstand
ability of windings when short circuit current passing
through transformer windings, GB 1094.5 specifies the
special test of transformers withstanding short circuit
ability. The characteristic of this test is nondestructive
but withstanding. The test is only check short circuit
mechanical force withstand ability arose from short
circuit current but not thermal effects originated by
short circuit current for the permissible duration of 2s.
If verify thermal effect, it shall lead to the loss of
thermal expected life. Practice proved that ,products
passed over short circuit withstand ability" test shall
have enough short circuit withstand ability during its
operation. If design and technology of other products
are similar to them, these products have enough short
circuit withstand ability. Both of them shall have
higher short circuit withstand ability during its
operation. Proving by practice, within test ability,
transformers with every typical construction shall
undertake this withstand ability test. It should be
considered that reclosing of circuit breaker arising loss
of thermal expected life and influence of residual flux
on mechanical force.
11. DYNAMIC
EFFECTSOF SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT
Short circuit withstand ability test only check the
fbnction of dynamic mechanical force on the first
several peak values of current. The duration of the test
shall be between 0.25 and 0 3 , and the initial
temperature is indoor temperature: between 10C and
40 'C ,windings should withstand the dynamic
function without losing stability and deformation.
During testing, although short-circuit density current is
big, but the duration of the test is not long and initial
temperature is not high. Accordingly, windings
temperature rise will not be high. By calculation ,
winding temperature is far below than 80% at the
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moment. Due to no loss of thermal expected life
during the test, short circuit withstand ability test is
considered as nondestructive.
Otherwise, the criterion that whether products are
qualified or not depends on the reactance change
before and after the test. Effecting on dynamic force, if
losing stability and deformation of windings arise the
reactance change of the windings, the product shall be
judged to be unqualified.
After short circuit withstand ability test, the
products should be subjected to all routine tests
(including dielectric withstand voltage tests) and
re-test of lightning impulse test. After qualification of
re-test, the transformers shall be considered to pass
over short circuit withstand ability test.
For manufacturers, to calculate on withstanding
stress of conductor we should use allowable stress at
0.2% of permanent deformation, must guarantee the
inner winding without losing stability, and should
ensure that the whole transformers can withstand short
circuit ability test.
The thermal effect arose from short circuit current is
verified by calculation with the formula specified by
State or IEC. That is to say, the thermal effect with
thermal expected life loss would be verified by
calculation,
Furthermore, it is indicated that short circuit
withstand ability test is belong to withstanding test but
nondestructive test.
Practice proved that all transformer passed over
short circuit withstand ability test would have enough
withstand ability of withstanding short circuit current
impulse in service.
111. INFLUENCE ON TRANSFORMERS HEATINGDUETO
THE RECLOSING OF CIRCUIT BREAKER
When short circuit faults occur in system, short
circuit current exceeds the rated short circuit switching
current of circuit breaker, the circuit breaker shall open.
If the circuit breaker has the fimction of automatic
reclosing, then it will automatically reclose after some
interval .If short circuit faults in the system still exist,
transient and stable short circuit current superimposed
with inrush current will flow through the transformer.
the transformer windings will continue heat due to no
radiating on the basis of the existed heat. It should be
noticed then that the duration between the twice
flowing short-circuit current shouldn't exceed the
-'
 required time of 2s specified by Standard, or, the
windings temperature calculated by the time that the
first short circuit current flowing through the windings
and the short-circuit current density as well as short
circuit original winding temperature, etc. i.e.: the
initial windings temperature when the second short
circuit current flowing; then, on adiabatic condition
to calculate the winding temperature according to the
duration of the second short circuit current flowing
through the winding and the short-circuit current
density including the energizing inrush current ,
etc .The temperature should be less than 250%. It is
unpermissible for over 250 .C . Even if winding
temperature isnt above 250C, it could arise the loss
of thermal expected life. So it should be prudent for
the reclosing of distributing transformer. Although
distributing transformer can withstand the dynamic
effect of short circuit current, it can arise the loss of
thermal expected life and shorten the overall life of
distributing transformers with reclosing function of
circuit break. For large capacity power transformers
have the same problems on reclosing, also.
So, considering the influence of short-circuit current
on transformer in service the loss of thermal expected
life must be involved.
Iv. EFFEC-TIVE
OF SHORT CIRCUIT WITHSTAND TEST
Transformer in service will meet various short
circuit faults. Three phases short circuit will have the
biggest short circuit current. During short circuit
withstand testing, to flow through windings with the
maximum peak value of transient short-circuit current
to check the withstand ability of short circuit
mechanical force originated.
Transformers have energized in sevice with short
circuit faults. When choosing pre-set short circuit
method to do short circuit withstand test, it is similar
to service condition, the influence of residual flux on
inrush current can be eliminated and make the winding
nearer to the limb of magnetic core be pre-set short
circuited. Thus exerted current on the pre-set short
circuited transformer is transient short-circuit current
only.
Using single-phase supply to do short circuit
withstand test, for delta-connected windings, the
supply is provided between two comers of the delta;
For star-connected windings, the supply is applied
between one line terminal and the other two line
terminal connected together. For example of
star-connection, the voltage under test is equal to 2/3
times line to line voltage. The value is 15.4% higher
than I / & times line to line voltage with three
phase supply test. It justly compensates the voltage
drop of network at the duration of short circuit.
(Supposed that the rated voltage of network is equal to
the rated voltage of transformer).
Using single-phase method, in order to obtain the
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maximum peak value of current, the switching-on
must be at the moment that the applied voltage
sinusoidal passes through zero, other phases are 50%
peak value of current. The comparison belween
three-phase method and single-phase method that the
phase current of the phase winding under test
obtaining the maximum peak value and the transient
value of other phases windings see fig 1.
From fig 1, the current value in phase not tested in
single-phase method is lower than in three-phase
method. Thus, single-phase supply is more safety.
-3 L
0
-...A ...-_ I iw
0.004 0.W8 0.012 0.016
1
0.02 0.024
%/a
Fig1 the current wave (IA and IB as well as IC ,are in
three-phase method) when the first peak value of IA
obtains the maximum value and the current wave [IAfI-
and IB(]- as well as IC(]- 0) is single-phase
method ,at the moment the wave of Is(l.@)is the same
as that of Icf/-e)] when the first peak value of IAfI-
@)obtainsthe maximum value.
Otherwise, transformer in service meet various
short-circuit faults. It leads to the switching-off of
circuit breaker. Circuit breaker has the function of
reclosing automatically. Before short circuit faults
eliminating circuit breaker will reclose, short-circuit
faults occur again. The residual flux of iron on thi: first
switching -off of the circuit breaker and the flux
density of core after reclosing could lead to the
superimposed with exciting inrush current and the
transient short circuit current .It might cause the
unnecessary damages (include heat and mechanical
effect ) of products. So, before short circuit faults
dont be eliminated, the reclosing of circuit breaker is
very dangerous.
From analyzing above, short circuit withstand lest is
the simulating of three-phase short circuit
simultaneously, and to check transformer to withstand
short circuit mechanical force ability. When the
sinusoidal voltage passes through zero in one of three
phases the fist peak value of transient short circuit
current attains the maximum value of current. That
should be said that test conditions are the most serious.
When transformers in service meet short circuit faults,
the peak value of transient short-circuit current is
random. So it will be smaller than the peak value
tested. Accordingly, short circuit withstand test is
effective. Experiences ot domestic and abroad show
that any transformer checked by short circuit
withstand ability test and thereafter the transformer
will similar design, it can have the same withstand
short circuit ability in service. Thus, former state
Machine Building and State Power Co. specify that all
1lOkV transformers without short circuit withstand
test can not be connected to networks. It is a guarantee
of the reliably operation of transformer. It also show
that short circuit withstand test is effective
V. INFLUENCE OF RESIDUAL
FLUXON SHORT CIRCUIT
CURRENT
In core transformer of with concentric windings will
remain residual flux during a long time for measuring
of d. c. resistance and switch-off energized voltage.
The instant of next applied excited voltage is just
when sinusoidal voltage passes through zero from
minus. Flux density in the core transmits from minus
peak value to plus one at the moment. If residual flux
in the core at the moment is just plus, shown in fig 2,
then, when voltage sinusoid passes through zero from
plus one again, that is 0.01s after closing, the bigger
peak value of inrush current will occur.
- theinstardofswitchlng-on
Fig .2. The changeable curve of energized inrush
current (when switching-on, the current is zero, then
obtains the maximum value and back to zero again. the
flux starts with the residual flux of Br and increases
Br+2Bn from -Bn to +Bn, the peak value of
switching-on inrush current obtains Iom at the
moment.)
Shown in fig 2 is one phase of three-phase
transformer. At the instant when switching-on of one
phase, uA(t)=O, then ug(t)=-0.S66urn, uc(t)=+O.866u,,
that is: the instant voltage polarity of other phases are
opposite and the amplitudes are same, the residual flux
of other phases are equal to minus 1 0 Br.
Phase A at t=lOms, the flux density gets to 2B,+B,
Phase B at /t=6.67ms, the flux density is
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minus(Bm+1/2Br); phase C t=I 3.34ms. the flux
density is minus(Brn+1/2Br). The values of three-phase
inrush current are different.
The time constant that inrush current transits to
stable no-load current is larger. It is related to
magnetized inductive. It will take a long time to damp
to stable no-load current.
With pre-set short-circuit method to do short circuit
withstand test , to obtain the maximum peak value of
short circuit current, voltage shall be applied when
sinusoidal voltage passes through zero. After 0.01s of
applying of voltage, transient short circuit current gets
to the first peak value and then inrush current obtains
the first peak value, also. The both current
overlapping will make additional mechanical force. So,
with pre-set short circuit the influence of residual flux
on short circuit current must be eliminated. Make the
innerest winding short-circuited first and the core
pre-excited on the reverse polarity in order to reduce
inrush current.
Axial double-split windings transformer using as
single-split windings, when short circuit withstand
tasting, the influence on short-circuit current of
residual flux become very complex. High voltage
windings are connected in parallel between the above
and the below. When low voltage winding 1 is above
and no-load, low voltage winding 2 below is pre-set
short-circuited. An example about peak value
distribution of flux density along the height of core
limb at different residual flux see fig 3[*]. Even without
residyl flux, the core limb nearer to the no-load low
voltage winding has higher flux density (main flux in
the'core limb don't resist with the leakage flux arose
from short circuit current ), i. e., the upper high
volthge winging exists higher inrush current.
/For the below high voltage winding, inrush current
superimposing short- circuit current. The ampere-turn
of high voltage winding (see tablel) is bigger than one
of the low voltage winding .
1 St ..-----...,
n
..I_.._._.*..*...
Fig 3 An example of the peak value flux density
distribution in core limb with pre-set short circuit
0-B,, = -0.8T 0-B,, = OT 0
-
 -BE,,, = +O.BT energized voltage on to make the needed short-circuit
current. Like transformers in service experience short
circuit faults, there is no influence of inrush cunrent.
Since using this method need absorb large power from
networks, the power of transformer under test shall be
limited.
high voltage ampere-turn/ 6.2 Pre-set shor! circuit (seej7g.5)
BE, 1T low voltage ampere-turn Us may differ from Ut (before short circuit) with
-0.8 1.11
pre-set short circuit. But for pre-set short circuit,
I
I 0
+o R
1.23
1-36 inrush current should be provided by networks.
According to the saturation of core to decide which
Analyzing from above, when short-circuit winding to be short-circuited firstly. In general, to
withstand testing, it has better to take post-set short make the winding nearer to core to be prt:-set
circuit for axial double-split windings transformer short-circuited. It can deem to be lower flux density of
using in single-split short circuit withstand test to the core.
avoid the influence of inrush current. But, this will
- absorb bigger short circuit power of supply.
When axial double-split windings transformer
operating as single-split occurs short circuit faults,
circuit breaker cut off fault current. If reclosing before I

eliminating short circuit faults, additional mechanic us ut

stress and thermal effect will exist in windings. It is Fig 5 With pre-set short circuit
dangerous. So, it shall not be suitable for reclosing in
this case. Supposed that Ps is the required power provided by
systems when short circuit withstand testing, P, is the
VI.THE COMPARISON BETWEENPRE-SET SHORT absorbed power when transformer is subjected to short
CIRCUIT AND POST-SET SHORT CIRCUIT
circuit withstand test.
There are three supplies of short circuit withstand Which gives:
test. Firstly, taken directly from power system
networks; secondly, taken from power system P, = -
US (1)
networks t@ough transformers passing over short Z S
circuit withstand test; and thirdly, supplied by
generators used to do short circuit withstand test.
Analyzing below, G stands for the supply used for
p, =-U, (:2)
2,
short-circuit withstand test.
According to State Standard or IEC Standard as us = I S ( - G \ + 2,) (3)
well as IEEE Standard specify that both short circuit U, = I S Z , (4)
withstand test methods such as post-set short circuit
and pre-set short circuit can be freely chosen.
6.I Post-set short circuit (seejig 4)
Provided that a =-
us, a is the ratio of supply
In fig 4,Z. is the impedance of networks. U,
voltage to the rated voltage of transformer. From
2,is the short-circuit impedance of transformer
U,is the no-load voltage of short circuit withstand test
G is the power supply
formula (3) and (4) can obtain a =-
ZS
+ 1 , iind
U,is the rated voltage of transformer 4
from formula (1) and (2) ,the following relationship
Post-set short circuit is to make short circuit current
is true:
by closing circuit breaker after energizing inrush
current elapsing. Before short circuit U,is related to U,. ps - a2
--
In State Standard and IEC Standard Us=l.15U, , in E: a-1
IEEE Standard U,=]. I U,i. e., post-set short circuit
must apply lower than I.I5 times
When a =2, 4 is the
- smallest, i.e., absorbing
4
ps is shown in
the best power from supply, the value -
4 4
Fig 4 With post-set short circuit fig 6.

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 withstand testing the required power is 50 f
f2.5%=400MvA transformer. It requires at least
1600MVA testing power (with pre-set short circuit) for
Short Circuit Test Station, it need at least 3500MVA
testing power with post-set short circuit.
VII.TESTMGSUPPLY FREQUENCYAND
TRANSFORMER RATED FREQUENCY.
According to the new published standard IEC
- 76.5 specifies, if the peak value of short circuit
withstand test and r. rn .s. value of short circuit current
are satisfied with the specified values and are within
Fig.6. The ratio of Pipt the permissible tolerances. After agreed by the user,
From fig 6, requiring supply power for post-set then, when short circuit withstand testing, it is
short circuit is bigger. permissible to test 60Hz transformers with 50 Hz
For post-set short circuit, according to IEEE power supply, or 50Hz transformers with 6OHz power
supply*
Standard, 0 =f.f, -
PS
= 12.1 ; The damping time constant of short circuit
4 current is not related to frequency and be
According to State Standard and IEC Standard, 0 unchangeable. Only the number of current waves is
changeable.

When load is reactive, Z,=Z, supply shall have REFERENCE --.

ultimate output. Then the transmitted reactive power is
[1J Zhu Yinghao Effactive of short circuit and related
equal to one quarter of real required power. Half of
voltage consumes on supply. Other half to transformer. problems
For example,SOMVA transformer having 12.5% [2], [3] as in P4
short circuit impedance ,when short circuit [ 5 ] TRANSFORMER, 1999, 32 (12): 1-3-

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