HARMONICS--TRANSFORMER DERATING

Daniel W. Egolf
Student Member, IEEE
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
Abstract - Transformers supplying nonsinusoidal
load current often need to be derated. The ANSMEEE
C57.110-1986 standard provides a method by which
derating may be performed. However, derating only
provides an estimate of remaining transformer capacity,
since subsequent load may significantly change the relative
harmonic current values. The contribution of this paper is
to provide a clear guide that can be used in applying the
standard. ms paper is not meant to replace the standard
but to supplement it by providing correct examples and
simplified equations.
INTRODUCTION
Non-linear loads produce harmonic current. In
many cases the transformer was not designed to handle this
harmonic current and as a result it must be derated. The
American National Standard (ANSUIEEE) C57.110-1986
Recommended Practice for Establishing Transformer
CaDabilitv When SuDplying Nonsinusoidal Load Currents
[ 11provides a derating procedure that applies to most power
transformers. This paper presents a clear guide that can be
used in applying the standard.
ANWIEEE DERATING
For transformers, the winding insulation is usually
the most sensitive part to heat. In addition, there are hot
spots in the windings--parts of the windings heat up faster
than others. Because the hottest spot is very critical to
winding life [2], detailed information is needed about the
transformer characteristics. A complete harmonic spectrum
analysis of the load current also must be available. A
power analyzer or spectrum analyzer can be used to obtain
the load current information. The per unit power loss
density of the winding hot spot must either be supplied by
0-7803-1877-3/94/$3.00 @ 1994 IEEE
79
Alfred J . Flechsig
Senior Member, IEEE
Washington State University
Pullman, WA
the manufacturer (often unavailable) or calculated from
available information (certified test report data or nameplate
data). The following equations were developed from the
IEEE standard [ 13equations--see Appendix A for a compar-
ison.
PLL(pu) is the load loss density at the winding hot spot under
actual conditions. It is with reference to the winding PR
loss density (which is not dependent on harmonics--the
standard [l ] ignores slun effect).
P,,@u) is the winding eddy current loss density at the
winding hot spot under rated (no harmonic) conditions. It is
with reference to the winding 12R loss density. This is the
number that is often unavailable.
PLL.R@~) is the load loss density at the winding hot spot
under rated conditions (no harmonics). It is with reference
to the winding 12R loss density.
I,-@) =THDF =Transformer Harmonic Derating Factor
=per-unit of full load available.
Note that the per unit quantities are defined as the loss
density at the winding hot spot, and not the overall loss
density.
The following table is an example of a harmonic magnitude
spectrum analysis based on I,, (total line current). This is
not the only way data may be found and care must betaken
to make sure data are in the correct form. For this example,
the measured line current is 1389.8 amps:
h I,(rms) I, (DUI
1 1,345 A .9678
3 350 A .2519
Per unit is referenced to I,-. For example:
-- l M 5 =0.9678 pu
1345 - 1345 -
Z- Jm 1.389.8
- -
Examde One. ComDutation of Useable kVA:
PEC-,@U) =0.15 pu at the point of maximum loss density,
as supplied by the manufacturer.
PLL-R@u) =1 +0.15 =1.15 PU
To calculate the summation in PLL@u) make the following
table:
h I,(pu) I,(Du)~ h2 I,(Du)~* h2
1 .9678 .9366 1
3 .2518 .0634 9
1
PLL@u) =1 +(0.15 * 1
Therefore,
and,
.9366
.5708
1,5074
5074) =1.226 pu
If the nameplate rated value is 500 kVA then:
Useable kVA =500 * 0.968 =484 kVA
Any number of harmonics may be included--in the example,
only the fundamental and third harmonic are of importance.
Useable kVA is only an estimate of total transformer
capacity. If future load significantly changes the harmonic
per-unit values, useable kVA should be recalculated.
ExamDleTwo, Computation of Useable kVA:
PEC, =0.15 pu at the point of maximum loss density, as
supplied by the manufacturer.
P,,@u) =1 +0.15 =1.15 pu
To calculate the summation in PLL(pu) make the following
table:
1 1,672 A 0.9778
292 A 0.1708 5
7 185 A 0.1082
11 75 A 0.0439
13 48 A 0.0281
17 26 A 0.0152
19 17 A 0.0099
0.9561 1 0.9561
25 0.7290 0.0292
0.0117 49 0.5735
0.00192 121 0.23277
0.000788 169 0.13317
0.000231 289 0.06681
0.000099 361 0.03568
1 2.72708
Therefore,
PLL@u) =1 +(0.15 * 2.72708) =1.4091 PU
If the nameplate rated value is 500 kVA then:
Useable kVA =500 * 0.9034 =451 kVA
Method for Calculatine P , . m
The critical number is PEc&u)--transformers designed for
harmonic loads will have a low number. If P,,@u) at the
point of maximum loss density is unavailable, it must be
calculated from certified test report data. Several assump-
tions are made and the following method only applies to
common power transformers. In specialty transformers, the
construction is often different and the standard [l] does not
apply.
The following data are needed:
1) Rated current in H.V. side =I,,
2) Rated current in L.V. side =12,
3) Equivalent wye resistance measured between
tw0H.V. terminals =kbHv =RI (AppendixB)
4) Equivalent wye resistance measured between
two L. V . terminals =kbLv =R, (Appendix B)
5) Total load losses for the transformer =P,,
If the three phase transformer data shows the resistance of
the three phases in series calculate RI and R, as follows
(Appendix B):
Delta Winding: R, or R, =(2/9) * R, ,
Wye Winding: RI or R, =(2/3) * R-
If all that is available is transformer per unit resistance
(careful, nameplates give per unit impedance but generally
not resistance), calculate RI and R, in ohms as follows [3]:
This assumes equal per unit resistances in the high side and
low side windings--this is not necessarily the case, but
without measured information it is the best that can be
done. There is no factor of two in the equation since the
division by two (equal resistance per high side and low side
windings) is canceled by looking through two phase
windings (Appendix B).
Constants X and K must now be selected (See Appendix C
for a flowchart). If the transformer has a self-cooled
current rating less than 1,OOO Amps or the tums ration is
4:l or less, then X =2.4, otherwise X =2.8. For a three
phase transformer, K =1.5. For a single phase transform-
er, K =1.0.
The needed equations, as given in the standard [l], are
now:
PEC-R =PLL - K * ((ZZlR * R, ) +(Z2, * 4)) watts
and
(4)
The constant X converts an average loss density to a
maximumloss density. The low voltage (inner winding) is
assumed to have 60% or 70% of the total PEC-,, and the
point of maximum eddy-current loss density is assumed to
be400 % of the average value [ 13. Therefore, the constant
X =2.4 or 2.8.
Example Three, Calculation of PEC.&ul. if not Available
from Manufacturer:
Given the following transformer data:
I,, =600 amps delta winding
I,,
RI =0.0368340hm, R,,,
R, =0.001926 ohm, R3,
P,, =9,096 watts
=1,390 amps wye winding
Since the given resistances are for three phases in series, the
values of resistance to use are:
R, =(2/9) * 0.036834 =0.0081853 ohm
R, =(2/3) * 0.001926 =0.001284 ohms
The tums ratio is less than 4:l so X =2.4. It is a three
phase transformer so K =1.5.
Using equations (4) and (5):
PE,-, =9,096 - 1.5 * (600 * .0081853 +1,390, * .001284)
=954.7 watts
P,.,@u) =(2.4 * 954.7) / (1.5 * .001284 * 1,3902)
=0.616 pu
Once PEC-,@u) is calculated, use equations (l), (2), and (3)
just as if the manufacturer had supplied PEC.&u). The
answer is not as accurate, but it is the best that can be done
without the manufacturers figure.
General Considerations:
Derating is not very helpful if the cooling vents are blocked.
Without proper cooling, any transformer can overheat. Be
sure to mark clearly the modified kVA rating of the trans-
former, or else it may be overloaded at a future date.
Remember that modified kVA is just an estimate. If
subsequent load produces heavy current harmonics, the
transformer may need additional derating. If the formulas
require true rms, use a true r ms instrument or else the data
may be invalid. Reference [2] is useful in attempting to
estimate the remaining insulation life of a transformer.
Reference [4] provides additional information on transformer
derating as well as the effects of harmonics on other power
system components. Reference [5] presents general harmon-
ic considerations. Reference [6] takes a more detailed look
at transformer winding temperature.
81
APPENDIX A
There are three major differences between the equations in
this paper and the ANSMEEE [ 11 equations. The following
explains the differences and gives the derivation.
EOUATION 1:
h = l
corresponds to ANSIIIEEE (Eq 7).
However, provided enough terms are calculated (as has to
be done anyway for accuracy):
h- h,
Zh(pU)2 = 1
h = l
EOUATION 3:
corresponds to ANSUIEEE (Eq 8).
h=h-
h-1
1 +
h - L
c f:
h=l
The numerator is the same, the problem is the denominator.
It must be shown that:
h=&
* Zh2
=PLL@U) (Q 1)
h-I
1 +
h-h,
EX
L=l
This can be done in the following way:
h- 1 = (Zh(pu)2*h2)
h - L A = l
.. - .
c f :
h = l
but,
h - L
h - l g 1
h- I -
h - L
'hbU)'
1
h - h m
h = l h- 1 zl @U) 2 z l @U) 2 h = l
h - h-
zh@u)Zh2
h = l
since,
h-h-
-
Zh@U)2 = 1
h = l
EOUATIONS (4) and ( 5) :
K is the same, but X does not appear in the ANWIEEE
standard [ 11; however, it is used and calculated as a number
in ANSIIIEEE (Eq 12) and (Eq 13).
APPENDIX B
R, and R2 are measured between two terminals. Their
values will depend on the resistance of an individual winding
(R) and the way the transformer is connected (delta or wye).
Note that the equivalent Wye diagram is just a mathematical
tool to represent a transformer that is physically hooked up
in Delta. If the transformer is physically hooked up in wye,
replace R/3 with R and omit the 1/3 in equation B1.
If the resistance for the three phases in series, R- is
given:
If the transformer is physically connected in delta and the
82
i
Figure 1: Winding Resistance for Delta
and the Wye Equivalent
resistance for the three phases in series is given, then the
resistance between terminal a and b is:
However, if the per-unit value of R is' given (the real part
of the per-unit impedance), it is almost certainly the single
phase resistance of the transformer. A summary of three
phase per-unit equations is given in [3].
APPENDIX C
Self -Cooled
Current -Rat in9
less Than 1,000 A ?
Turns 4 1 or less? h
Figure 2: Flowchart to Calculate X and K
REFERENCES
1. IEEE-PES Transformer Committee, "Recommend-
ed Practice for Establishing Transformer Capability When
Supplying Nonsinusoidal Load Currents," C57.110-1986.
2. W. J . McNutt, "Insulation Thermal Life Consider-
ations for Transformer Loading Guides," IEEE Transac-
tions on Power DeZivety, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 392-398, J an.
1992.
3.
and Design, PWS Publishers, Boston, pg. 99, 1987.
J . D. Glover, M. S a m , Power System Analysis
4. D. E. Rice, "Adjustable Speed Drive and Power
Rectifier Harmonics--Their Effect on Power Systems
Components, " IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications,
Vol. 1A-22, No. 1, pp. 161-177, J an./Feb. 1986.
5. T. M. Gruzs, "Uncertainties in Compliance with
Harmonic Current Distortion Limits in Electric Power
Systems, " IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol.
27, NO. 4, pp. 680-685, J uly/August 1991.
6. M. D. Hwang, W. M. Grady, H. W. Sanders, J r.,
"Calculation of Winding temperatures in Distribution
Transformers Subjected to Harmonic Currents, " ZEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 1074-
1079, J uly 1988.
84