1

Study and Simulation of the configurations of

transformers to improve Power Quality
Oscar J. Pea Huaringa, Member IEEE

Abstract - This paper presents the study and simulation of the

configurations of transformers to improve power quality, it
shows the theoretical support based on the expansion of the
Fourier series and analysis of symmetrical components. It is
implemented a test system in the laboratory, taking
measurements and checking the effectiveness of the
configurations in reducing the harmonic content of the system.
The configurations are modeled with PSCAD / EMTDC software
in which it is used as test loads two rectifiers of 6 pulse, and two
variable speed drives.
Key words - Harmonics, Power Quality, Symmetrical
Components, Converters, Transformers.

I. INTRODUCTION

HE effects of power system harmonics are varied, we can

divide as instantaneous effects (on the measuring
instruments and communication systems) and long-term
effects (additional losses in machines and transformers,
capacitor banks, wire heating and equipment, etc.). The
consequences are manifold, for example: loss of insulating
capacity of equipment (shorter time of life or total
inoperability) inadequate performance of protection systems
(which they can carry to important loads disconnexion, which
it leads to penalties), etc
There are different solutions for each specific problem of
harmonic polution in electrical systems, the use shock
reactance, passive filters, anti-resonance inductances and other
solutions that they involve power electronics such as active
and hybrid filters.
The use of transformers allows reducing the harmonic
content of the system especially in those where there are
converters, which they are connected so that the harmonics
produced by a converter are terminated with the harmonics
produced by other converters.
In this paper we analyze different configurations of
transformers that allow us to reduce harmonic contamination
in the system caused by 3th, 5th, 7th, 11th and 13th
harmonics, we implement a test system in laboratory and
modeling software configurations in the PSCAD / EMTDC in
which we consider nonlinear loads (rectifiers and variable
speed drives).
The simulated systems according task force on harmonics
modeling and simulation. [2] - [3].
O. J. Pea is with the National Engineering University UNIPERU (e-mail: oscarpenah@gmail.com)

II. OBJECTIVE

Show and analyze the configurations of transformers that

let them decrease the degree of harmonic pollution in the
system.
Present the results of theoretical-experimental comparison
(PSCAD / EMTDC Laboratory -Software).
III. CONFIGURATION OF TRANSFORMERS FOR REDUCING
THIRD HARMONIC AND ITS MULTIPLES

A. System Analysis
The
most
commonly
three-phase
transformers
configurations used in power systems are D , D .
Theses configurations are shown in Fig.1 where we assume a
ratio of "a" between the primary and secondary transformer
we have a phase displacement of 30 between the line
currents of primary and secondary, which it will be in forward
or backward depending on the sequence of phases (positive or
negative).
We further note that these settings are winding D.

Fig. 1 Transformers with winding configurations D .

B. Harmonics and sequence components

Fourier series represents an alternative for the analysis of
current and voltage harmonic distortion when it is not
considered interharmonic and subharmonic components. [1]
A periodic waveform can be represented in Fourier serie as

f (t ) = a 0 + [a h cos(h 0 t ) + bh sin (h 0 t )]

(1)

n =1

Where:
f (t ) is a function of frecuency

0 = 2f 0 and T period.

f 0 , angular frequency

a0 =

1
T

f (t )dt

Is the average value of the function

f (t )

1
ah =
T

1
bh =
T

f (t ) cos(h t )dt

(2)

Fig. 2 Trap of third-order harmonics

f (t ) sin(h t )dt

(3)

However, this expression can also be expressed as follows:

f (t ) = h0 + h1 +

i
i = 2 , 4 , 6 ,8.....

k
k = 3, 5, 7 , 9......

C. System Simulation
Fig.3 shows a system where the fundamental current is
injected at 60Hz (40A) and 180Hz current (20A) in order to
observe the performance of the D winding as a trap for thirdorder harmonics.

(4)
IA

IB

IC

umec
0.005[MVA]

Ia

Ib

Ic

0.002

Donde:

h0 : Continue component.

0.002

h1 : Fundamental component
hi : Pair harmonic components

0.002

hk : Odd harmonic components

#1

#2

0.22

0.13

IA

Ia

h0 equals to zero, that because

IB

Ib

this component is saturating the transformers.

The pair harmonics of these are caused by arc furnaces, the
cycle converters, semi-controlled rectifiers (now it is obsolete
due to its instability).
The odd harmonics are generated by computers based on
static rectifiers and controlled rectifiers, are found in greater
magnitude in electrical systems.
As an approximation of this system by simplifying the
expression (4) we have:

IC

Ic

We consider the value of

f (t ) = h1 +

k
k = 3, 5 , 7 , 9

Fig. 3 System simulation of

0.01

0.06

0.01

0.06

0.01

40A
1th

20A
3th

40A
1th

20A
3th

40A
1th

20A
3th

connection

The simulation results are shown in Fig.4 The current in the

primary transformer ( IA ) only contains the fundamental
component.

(5)

We consider the currents:

1.00

Ia1 = I 1 sin(t )
Ib1 = I 1 sin(t 120 )
Ic1 = I 1 sin(t 240 )

0.80
%

Ia 3 = I 3 sin(3t )

0.00

Ib3 = I 3 sin(3t 360) = I 3 sin(3t )

kA

Ic3 = I 3 sin(3t 720) = I 3 sin(3t )

Fig. 2 shows how the D connection traps the thirdorder harmonics and its multiples in D , it makes that they do
not circulate as harmonic components in the line currents of
the primary. If the winding in is not grounded, there will
not be a neutral current and like the zero sequence components
are in phase there is not possible path for these currents in the
secondary. [4]

THDi Ia

IA

Ia

0.40
0.20

Ia3 = Ib3 = Ic3

THDi IA

0.60

Then for the 3th we have:

Then

0.06

0.080
0.060
0.040
0.020
0.000
-0.020
-0.040
-0.060
-0.080
0.250

Fig. 4 Corriente

IA

...
...
sin la Presencia de Armnicos de Tercer Orden
0.270

0.290

0.310

The THDi passes from 50% to 0%, it verifies that thirdorder harmonics are trapped in the D winding.

IV. TRANSFORMERS CONFIGURATION FOR THE REDUCTION OF

THE FIFTH AND SEVENTH HARMONIC
A. System Analysis
The transformer is a device capable of changing the phase
angle of an electrical signal, let it minimize the harmonic
content of a system, when it is connected in parallel two equal
loads through power transformers with different connections.
This technique is very used in the control of harmonics
generated by multipulse converters [6].
The fig.5 shows the configuration of the system to
minimize the content of 5th and 7th in the system.
The T1 transformer has a configuration; in the T2
transformer evidently the 3th component will be trapped in the
D winding.
The T2 transformer enters a phase displacement of 30
between the current of primary side and current of secondary
side, while in the T1 transformer the primary and secondary
currents are in phase.

30 =- 180 = 180 .
If the magnitudes of the currents in the primary of T1 and
T2 are equal, then the 5th is canceled and it does not flow to
the source.
The equations for the sequence analysis of the 7th are the
following:
Ia7 = I 7 sin(7t )

Ib7 = I 7 sin(7t 840) = I 7 sin(7t 120)

Ic 7 = I 7 sin(7t 1680) = I 7 sin(7t + 120)
Due to the phase displacement of -30 to introduce the T2
transformer, the secondary currents corresponding to the 5th
harmonic are in phase displacement at -30 * 7 =- 210 = 150
, they respect to the T1 transformer. While due to the 7ths
behave as positive sequence components -30 phase
displacement exists, therefore the currents in the primary of
T2 are in phase displacement 150 +30 = 180.
If the magnitudes of the currents in the primary of T1 and
T2 are equal, then the 7th is canceled and it does not flow to
the source.
If the low voltage side of transformers T1 and T2 are
placed six-pulse rectifiers, the current in the low side is given
by: [5]
I aT = I 1a sin 0 t I 5 a sin 5 0 t I 7 a sin 7 0 t +
(6)
I 11a sin 11 0 t + I 13a sin 13 0 t...
Then when this current is reflected in the high side of the Y-Y
transformer we have:

I Y = I 1 sin 0 t I 5 sin 5 0 t I 7 sin 7 0 t +

(7)

I 11 sin 11 0 t + I 13 sin 13 0 t...

Fig. 5 Connection of transformers to reduce the 5th and 7th

The 5th is from negative sequence, in an engine would

produce a magnetic field that it rotates in contrary course to
the fundamental component, it causes engine overheating and
a shaft speed lower than expected.
The 7th is from positive sequence, an engine would produce a
magnetic field which rotates in the same course as the
fundamental component causing the current increment and
shaft speed greater than it is expected.
B. Harmonic and sequence components
The equations for the sequence analysis of the 5th are the
following:
Ia5 = I 5 sin(5t )

Ib5 = I 5 sin(5t 600) = I 5 sin(5t + 120)

Ic 5 = I 5 sin(5t 1200) = I 5 sin(5t 120)
Due to the phase of -30 that the T2 transformer
introduces, the secondary currents that they correspond to the
5th harmonic are in phase displacement at -30 * 5 =- 150 ,
with respect to the T1 transformer.
While due to the 5ths behave as components of negative
sequence -30 phase displacement exists, therefore the
currents in the primary of T2 are in phase displacement -150 -

And in the D-Y transformer we have:

I D = I1 sin(0t 30 ) I5 sin(50t 150 )

(8)

I7 sin(70t 210 ) + I11 sin(110t 330 )....

Then the total current in the high side will be I Y

+ ID :

I Y + D = I 1 sin 0 t I 5 sin 5 0 t I 7 sin 7 0 t +

I 11 sin 11 0 t + I 13 sin 13 0 t... + I 1 sin( 0 t 30 )
I 5 sin(5 0 t 150 ) I 7 sin(7 0 t 210 ) +

(9)

I 11 sin(11 0 t 330 )....

I Y + D = 2[ I 1 sin 0 t + I 11 sin 11 0 t + I 13 sin 13 0 t...] (10)
V. USE OF ZIG ZAG TRANSFORMER FOR THE REDUCTION OF
HARMONIC CONTENT
A. System Analysis
To reduce harmonic currents of multiple converters are
used phase shifting transformers.
The phase change should be appropriate for the number of
converters. In general, the phase shifting required for the
minimum number of converters with waveforms of 6 pulses is:
displacement_angle =

60
N _ converters

(11)

In the multipulse circuits the individual harmonic currents

of each converter bridge are the same. These arrangements

allow the harmonic currents produced by a converter will be
compensated by another.
The fact that the negative sequence voltages and currents
are moving in the opposite course to the positive sequence
values also provide a mechanism to cancel harmonics in pairs.
The connection types of zig zag transformers are: primary
in Y secondary in zig zag ( Z ), primary in D and secondary
+

in zig zag ( Z ). Both positive Z and negative Z phase

displacement.
Fig 6 shows the configuration of the array of transformers
to minimize the harmonic content of four 6-pulse rectifiers,
making a total of 24 pulses.

Fig. 6 Use of Zig Zag Transformer for the Reduction of Harmonic Content
Systems

THD(%)

The Fig.7 shows the reduction in harmonic content of the

system the THDi of a converter is 25.5% and of the
equivalent system is 8.2%.

35.0
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
0.0030

THDi % IA

VI. IMPLEMENTATION AND SIMULATION OF A HARMONICS

FILTERING SYSTEM FOR 5TH AND 7TH WITH THE USE OF A
TRANSFORMERS ARRAY
A. System Description
Fig 8 shows the proper basic system connection diagram to
test the harmonics filtering system. The network that it is
going to implement has the following components:
Supply voltage of 220Vef
2 Transformers of 5kVA
3 Network Analyzers with connection to PC,
software of internal data.
2 6-pulse power rectifiers/ 2 variable frequency
speed drives.
3 PCs.
Resistance, capacitance, inductance kits
Connection wires.
The analyzer B and C shows individual spectral
harmonics of each transformer. The analyzer A show
the total contribution of the array of both transformers
to the network.

Fig.8 System Connection Diagram

Fig 9 shows the system implementation in the laboratory.

This includes measuring devices and PCs to observe the
harmonic spectra and the necessary equipment.

THDi % Ia2

IA

kA

0.0020
0.0010
0.0000
-0.0010
-0.0020
-0.0030
0.1200

0.1300

0.1400

0.1500

Fig. 7 Reduction of the harmonic content of the system.

...
...

Fig.9 Images of System Implementation

B. Results
Fig 10 shows the harmonics spectra obtained from the
measurement equipment in each rectifier and the source input.

5
100

80

80

60

60

The results are shown in Fig 12 where we can see that the
THDi in high side of the transformer is 27.45%, and the
THDi in the source is 10.25%. They confirm the reduction
of the harmonic content of the system.

100

40

40

20

20

33

29

25

21

17

13

33

29

25

21

17

13

Harmonic order

Harmonic order

(a)

50

(b)

THDi Ia1

THDi IA

IA

Ia1

40

100
80

30

(%)

60
40
20

20
10

33

29

25

21

17

13

Harmonic order

(c)
Fig 10 Results of measurements a) Trafo rectifier YYo
b) Trafo rectifier YD5 c) Equivalent of the system

0.030
0.020
0.010
kA

C. System Simulation
Fig 11 shows the system configuration.

0.000
-0.010
-0.020

Ib1

Ic1

#1
0.22

A Iar1

#2
0.13

Ibr1

Icr1

A
B

-0.030
0.090

10.0

Ia1

umec
A
0.005[MVA]

0.100

0.110

0.120

0.130

0.140

0.150

...
...

Fig. 12 Reduction of the harmonic content of the system and waveforms

D

VII. APPLICATION OF THE TRANSFORMERS ARRAY FOR

VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES

R=0

Ib2

Ic2

#1
0.22

A Iar2

#2
0.13

Ibr2

Icr2

Fig. 13 shows the configuration of the system, have shaped

the variable speed according to [7] was considered here that
the drives do not have choke reactance or mechanisms that
they reduce the degree of contamination of the system to
appreciate the effectiveness of the system.

10.0

Ia2

umec
A
0.005[MVA]

Fig. 11 System configuration two 6 pulse rectifier

R=0
R=0

Ib1

Ic1

umec
0.005[MVA]
#1
0.22

0.0002
D1

Isa1

D3

g11
#2

0.13

Isb1

Isc1

ImaR1

g31

g51

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.01

0.5

0.01

ImaS1

D4

IA

D5

D6

g41

D2

ImaT1

g61

g21

IB
IC

Ia2

umec
A
0.005[MVA]

Ib2

Ic2

#1
0.22

0.0002
D1

Isa2

D3

g12
#2

0.13

Isb2

Isc2

D5

ImaR2

g32

g52

1000.0

R=0

1000.0

Ia1

ImaS2

D4
D

Fig. 13 System configuration Two Speed Drive

D6
g42

D2
g62

ImaT2

2
g22

(%)

Fig 14 shows that the THDi in high side of the transformer

is 111.48%, and the THDi in the source is 41.15%. They
confirm the reduction of the harmonic content of the system.
160
140
120
100
80

THDi IA

THDi Ia1

I wish to express gratitude to the Electrotechnics

Laboratory of the Technological Superior Institute TECSUP,
for the support has given me in the implementation of this
project.
X. REFERENCES
Periodicals:
[1]

60
40
20
0
0.0060

IX. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

[2]

Ia1

IA

[3]

0.0040

kA

0.0020
0.0000

S. Acevedo. Conexin de Transformadores para Eliminar Armnicas.

Departamento de Ingeniera Elctrica . ITESM, Campus Monterrey.
Task Force on Harmonics Modeling and Simulation. Modeling and
Simulation of the Propagation of Harmonics in Electric Power
Networks. Part I: Concepts, Models, and Simulation Techniques. IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 11, N 1, January 1996, pp. 452465.
Task Force on Harmonics Modeling and Simulation. Modeling and
Simulation of the Propagation of Harmonics in Electric Power
Networks. Part II: Sample Systems and Examples. IEEE Transactions on
Power Delivery, Vol. 11, N 1, January 1996, pp. 466-474.

Books:

-0.0020
-0.0040

[4]

-0.0060

[5]

0.5150 0.5200 0.5250 0.5300 0.5350 0.5400 0.5450 0.5500 0.5550 0.5600 ...
...
...

Fig. 14 Simulation Result input current of the drive.

VIII. CONCLUSIONS
The transformer is a device able to the shift the phase
angle of an electric signal, allowing to reduce the
harmonics of a system when two equal loads are connected
in parallel through power transformers with different phase
shift. These transformers arrangements allow that the
harmonic currents of one converter can be compensated by
the other one.
The third order harmonics and their multiples can be
effectively filtered by using a D transformer, these
harmonics appear when we use loads with 1-phase
rectification at the mains side, such as TVs, computers or
lighting systems. Additionally, this configuration can be
used in building with dimmable lighting systems.
The use of transformers in and D
configuration could minimize the 5th and 7th harmonics of
the system. However, much attention must be paid to the
loads since they must have similar sizes since a difference
in the currents amplitude would not allow to efficiently
filter the harmonics in this system. This configuration can
also be used to power loads that have correct input, as
shown in this paper (rectifiers and speed drives).
When a larger number of converter's harmonics need to be
filtered, zig zag connection transformers are to be used.
Recommends the use of these configurations of
transformers in networks by coupling, since in many cases
it is more profitable than the installation of other filtering
systems.

Roger C Dugan, /Mark F. McGranaghan Electrical Power System

Quality
George J. Wakileh Power Systems Harmonics Fundamentals, Analysis
and Filter Design Springer. 2001.

Papers from Conference Proceedings (Published):

[6]
[7]

D. Paice, Power Electronics Converter Harmonics. Multipulse Methods

for Clean Power. IEEE PRESS 1995.
O. Pea, F. Montes, Anlisis de la Influencia armnica de los Variadores
de velocidad en los Sistemas Elctricos y Propuesta para Mitigar
Armnicos. SICEL 2007

XI. BIOGRAPHY

Oscar J. Pea Huaringa. Electrical Engineer at the

National Engineering University UNI LIMA-PERU
2005. Master Studies in Power Systems at National
Engineering University 2009 UNI-MINEM CARELEC.
Oscar worked in CAM PERU- ENDESA in Energetic
Management Area (2007-2009). In Medium and Low
Voltage Planning area in LUZ DEL SUR electrical
distribution utility (2009-2011). Actually working in
Schneider Electric Company in Energy Section and is
certified engineer at Peruvian College Enginners-CIP.
Him is interested in power electronic and power quality
studies and application, Renewable Energy and drives,
monitoring and field test too. He can be contacted at the
e-mail:oscarpenah@gmail.com
oscar.penah@cip.org.pe