1

Tutorial on IEEE Std. C57.158

Guide for Application of Tertiary and
Stabilizing Windings
IEEE PES Transformers Committee
Performance Characteristics Subcommittee
Jacksonville, FL, USA
October 18, 2018

Enrique Betancourt R.
Xose M. Lopez-Fernandez
Krishnamurthy Vijayan
Hamid Abdelkamel
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Agenda
1. Scope of the Guide and Systems Engineering Framework– E.
Betancourt
2. Function and Application of tertiary and Stabilizing Windings –
Dr. X. Lopez-Fernandez
3. Specification and Testing of Tertiary and Stabilizing Windings –
K. Vijayan
4. Utility Examples – H. Abdelkamel
5. Conclusion and further work- Enrique
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1. Scope of the Guide and Systems

Engineering Framework

Enrique Betancourt
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Scope and Purpose for the Guide

• Scope
– To address application of tertiary and stabilizing windings in liquid-immersed power
transformers, as covered by IEEE Std C57.12.00
– Also, provide recommendations to evaluate the need or convenience of having such
windings
– Primary application is for transformers and autotransformers with wye-wye-connected
windings, with or without a delta-connected tertiary or stabilizing winding
– The guide does not address tertiary windings in conventional delta-wye, or delta-delta
connected transformers.
• Purpose
– This guide provides users with a conceptual framework and recommendations for the
specification, application, and performance evaluation of tertiary and stabilizing windings
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Need for a Guide

• Tertiary and stabilizing windings are often confused in function and
application
• Need for a stabilizing winding not clearly defined in standards for
transformers
• Thermal rating of stabilizing windings can be ambiguously interpreted
from specifications
• Continuous rating of tertiary windings is frequently over-specified
• Practical concepts and recommendations to simplify SW’s and TW’s
testing and application were not included in a single source
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Types of Y-connected transformers

• Transmission, interconnection transformers and autotransformers
– Can have a tertiary to supply local loads
– Some users do not apply TW or even SW (for any type of core)
• Primary substation transformers
– Normally have SW, not TW
– Some specifications don’t call for SW (three legged cores)
• Windfarm collector transformers
– Some with TW, most with SW, some others with none of them

Note- Two-primary step-up transformers, or two-secondary step-downs are not in

the scope of the guide.
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Power systems design sequence

• Start with identification of loads and available sources
• Choice of voltages and basic layout (circuits, substations)
• Load studies to define conductor sizes based on allowable losses and voltage
drop
• Choice of system grounding  Z0?
• Short circuit studies to confirm selection of breaker interrupting ratings
• Load flow and motor starting studies to define conductor and transformer
ratings and to confirm that bus voltages are within acceptable values
• System studies to define BIL based on transient and continuous overvoltage
• Specification of components (transformers, conductors, breakers, etc.)
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System grounding (1)

• Grounding: the intentional connection of a phase or neutral conductor
to earth
• It provides control of voltage on live lines during ground faults, as well
as detectable current to operate protection devices
• Transformers’ functions in power systems
– Convert voltage VH:VL
– Decouple grounding systems  Z0?
– Convert phase angle
– Combine input power sources, or split output power among different loads
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System grounding (2)

Grounding systems (areas)

[See IEEE Std. 142 1991])
Grounding of neutral in power systems
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Line to ground faults

VNEUTRAL- GROUND = f ( Z0/Z1 )

Voltages to ground under steady-state conditions
[See IEEE Std. 242 2001]
VL-G = VL-N + VNEUTRAL-GROUND
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Effectively grounded systems

• The system is grounded at one of the lines or neutral, to avoid
overvoltages beyond established limits during line to ground faults
• By convention, “effectively grounded” requires that for every point at
the system:
Z0/Z1 < 3, and R0/Z1 < 1

• For a neutral-grounded system that means:

VLG < 0.8 VLL = 1.4 PU

(See IEEE Std. C57.12.80)
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Analysis of 3-phase balanced systems

• Balanced power systems can be
represented by one single-phase
equivalent circuit

• In IEEE C57 series, most references

to Transformers’ operating
conditions are actually based on the
three-phase balanced case

[See IEEE Std. 399-1997]

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Unbalanced systems
• Circuit analysis: Mesh and Node equations using Kirchhoff’s Laws
• Network analysis with impedance/admittance matrix transformations
• Symmetrical components

Three-phase
system

Neutral
conductor
Self impedance Mutual impedance
[Figure from Happoldt, H., Oeding, D., “Elektrische
General three-phase network with self and mutual impedances Kraftwerke und Netze”, Springer, 1978.]
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Symmetrical components
Reduced system equations:

• The symmetrical three-phase

network can be analyzed as three
independent “sequence” networks
• Every component has three
“sequence” equivalent circuits
• In transformers, sequence 1 and 2
are equal, if they have similar
• Faults or unbalanced loads can be represented by
magnetic and electrical parameters
interconnection of the sequence networks
[Figure from Happoldt, H., Oeding, D., “Elektrische Kraftwerke und Netze”, Springer, 1978.]
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Not practical for symmetrical components

• Asymmetrical built components
• Non-transposed transmission lines
• Asymmetrical transformer banks
• Unbalanced ground capacitances and resonance phenomena
• Exciting current phenomena
• Transients analysis
Example of more general tools:
EMTP, ATP computer codes
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Z0 on Y-connected transformers with no delta

(C57.12.80) zero-sequence impedance: An
impedance voltage measured between a set of
primary terminals and one or more sets of
secondary terminals when a single-phase
voltage source is applied between the three
primary terminals connected together and the
primary neutral, with the secondary line
terminals shorted
together and connected to their neutral (if one
exists).

Actually, a “zero-sequence short-

circuit impedance”, as opposed to a
“zero-sequence excitation
impedance”.

[See Alexander, G.W, McNutt, W.J., “EHV Application of Autotransformers”, IEEE T PAS, 1967.]
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Transformers zero sequence impedance circuits

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Unbalanced loading of transformers

• Not handled in C57.12.00, C57.12.10, C57.12.90
• Line to line loading does not involve neutral current
• Only when there is neutral current there is circulating current in the
stabilizing winding
• Important role of primary grounding
PERMISSIBLE LOADING OF
VECTOR GROUP CORE CONSTRUCTION
NEUTRAL (% OF RATED CURRENT)

W/o stabilizing Wdg. < 10% ( can actually be low or

Shell type, Core type single phase medium, depending on primary
Yyn or five-legged core grounding characteristics)
Zyn
< 25% for up to 1.5 hr Example of a German utility
Core type, three-legged < 20% for up to 3 hr
< 10% continuous loading recommendation (VDE)
< 33%, in case stabilizing winding
Yyn+d With stabilizing winding
is rated to 33% of main windings [See Schlabbach, J., K.-H. Rofalski, Power System Engineering, 2nd.
Dyn 100% Ed., Germany, Wiley-VCH, 2013.
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Unbalanced loading by primary “floating” neutral

• By floating primary neutral, the delta winding carries 33% of the secondary
single phase load.
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2. Function and Application of tertiary

and Stabilizing Windings
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Dr. Xose M. LOPEZ-FERNANDEZ

xmlopez@uvigo.es
http://xmlopez.webs.uvigo.es

IEEE PES Transformer Committee

Jacksonville, Florida
October 18, 2018
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Classically

For many years it has been a common practice to include a delta-connected

Tertiary and or Stabilizing Winding (TW&SW) when used in three phase systems,
transformer windings usually Y-connected:

• to protect the transformer and system from an excessive third harmonic

• to stabilize the neutral point of fundamental frequency voltages
• to avoid overheating hazard on transformer due to zero sequence flux
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Content
- Exciting current on single-phase ferromagnetic cores
- Exciting current on a transformer bank. Neutral grounded v.s. UNgrounded
- Potential negative effects without stabilizing winding (SW)
- Stabilizing and tertiary windings in Y connections
- Need for SW in modern transformers
- Modeling and circuit analysis
- Heating hazard: faults and temporary unbalanced loads
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Exciting current on single-phase ferromagnetic cores

Source of harmonics and zero sequence components

Since the B/H curve of the core magnetic material is not linear, the magnetizing
current will not be sinusoidal (fundamental component plus the third harmonic
as predominate).
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Exciting current on a transformer

Source of harmonics and zero sequence components
bank. Neutral grounded

The third-order harmonic component of the magnetizing current flow

through the grounded neutral of a Y-Y-connected winding.
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Exciting current on a transformer bank. Neutral UNgrounded

Source of harmonics and zero sequence components

If the harmonics currents cannot flow, then the

output voltage will contain the harmonic distortion.
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Potential negative effects without SW

Exciting current harmonics
- Neutral shift and overvoltages (when the neutrals are not grounded).
- Resonance (transformer effectively grounded and system floating).
- Telephone interference (neutrals grounded).
- False operation of ground relays (neutrals grounded).

Unbalanced loading & Fault conditions

If there is no closed path to ground, the zero sequence currents would

induce overvoltages and overheating hazard.
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Stabilizing and tertiary windings in Y connections

The main guilty for adding SW or TW is the Zero-sequence flux

Classically, to remove the presence of zero-sequence flux is to

assemble a delta-connected winding on the transformer.

* It has become axiomatic to add in each three phase unit a delta-connected

of 35% of the equivalent size of one of the other two windings
This practice has been followed so closely for so many years that it is
* generally taken for granted that the stabilizing winding is a necessary
part of such transformers .
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Need for SW in modern transformers (1)

Two questions arise to be considered:

Is the SW actually needed?

If SW is needed, what should be the size?

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Need for SW in modern transformers (2)

The benefits of eliminating the SW can include economics (cost 5-
25%; losses by 2- 5 %), reduce the number of components exposed to
faults (mechanical, thermal and dielectric).

Wheather the SW can be omitted entirely depends:

1) Whether the resulting zero-sequence impedance and third-
harmonic characteristics are compatible with the system
(steady-state operation, relaying practice, grounding)

2) Whether the transformer can perform reliably under expected

transient and emergency conditions (faults)
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Need for SW in modern transformers (2)

(Nowadays) the SW could be omitted when:
- Core steel exhibits very low exciting currents (harmonics are a small fraction).
- Telephone ground return circuits have eliminate all interference possibilities.
- The loads are much closer to being balanced.
- The relaying equipment can discriminated the various components of
voltages and currents.

(Particularly) Three-phase, three-legged core transformers become less

susceptible to line-to-neutral voltage distortion (Nevertheless, heating hazard
on structural parts has to be controled: by design and/or relaying equipment)
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Modeling and circuit analysis

With or without SW under faults or unbalanced loads the concern/goal is to calculate:
Zero-Sequence current

Zero-Sequence flux
Windings Short-circuit forces
thermal rating (stresses in winding conductors)
No three-legged
(Conductor size) (Conductor size)
Voltage unbalanced
cooling clamping structural strength
(Zero-sequence voltage)

Three-legged The worst case of permanent load would be a full single-

Heating hazard
phase load, and of temporary fault a single phase-to-
Structural metal parts
(hot spots) ground fault with its duration taken into account.
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Heating hazard: faults and temporary unbalanced loads

Zero sequence currens + Zero sequence magnetic flux + Heating
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Heating hazard: faults and temporary unbalanced loads

Without magnetic shunts With magnetic shunts

Three-phase, three-legged core transformers become less susceptible to line-to-neutral voltage

distortion (Nevertheles, heating hazard on structural parts has to be controled: by design and/or
relaying equipment)
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Heating hazard: faults and temporary unbalanced loads

Critical points to be considered:

* Tank walls
* Yoke clamps
* Leg plates
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Heating hazard: temporary unbalanced

Control the heating hazard 2.8 minutes

base on transient heating:
maximum permitted zero-sequence current in a certain time.
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PTI Transformers LP

3. Specification and Testing of Tertiary/

Stabilizing windings
Krishnamurthy Vijayan

- Terminal Connections
- Some special aspects
- Testing
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Buried or link outside tank

The stabilizing winding needs to be designed only for

single phase loading and single-line-to-ground fault
condition
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Advantages of two terminals brought out

• Ease of resistance measurement especially since all 3
phases are in series

• Option to open delta if SW is not required at a later stage,

and thus eliminate any current flowing in it

• Option to open SW loop at the later stage to reduce fault

currents and thus lower circuit-breaker capacity
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All three terminals brought out

Even at no load or very low station service load, the SW must

be designed for a three-phase fault, unless terminals are
isolated or insulated
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SW with delta connection open

• Operating voltage is line-to-line voltage and not line-to-ground voltage

• The ungrounded points must be adequately protected and insulated
• Transient voltage to be considered for terminal voltage and selection of surge arrester
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De-energized Taps in the Tertiary winding

Complicated and expensive so recommend to

avoid this requirement if possible
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Examples of Tertiary tap arrangement

Separate Tertiary DETC DETC in stack of main TV

winding winding
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Effect on Tertiary with neutral end taps in Auto transformers

Advantages:
• It is an economical option since LTC cost would be lower
• The regulating winding would be at the neutral end, and so the design is
simpler with a low insulation level
• Due to the location of LTC taps, there is an inherently higher impedance for
the tertiary, and so short-circuit forces would be lower
Disadvantage:
• The autotransformer becomes a variable flux design, and thus operates with
higher flux densities at extreme taps
• The tertiary winding voltage varies with tap position and, if loaded, this aspect has
to be considered
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Keeping Tertiary voltage constant in a variable flux design

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Test winding which is not a delta tertiary

When delta tertiary/stabilizing winding is not specified, manufacturer may
provide a test winding based on test plant limitation

• It can be wye-connected so that no fault current flows in the winding

during operation.
• Such winding terminals are not brought out during operation, but must
be appropriately insulated
• May need to be protected through internal surge arresters.
• The neutral point should be internally grounded.
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Stabilizing winding rated voltage

• The voltage rating to be low to reduce inductive transfer from LV/HV. This also
helps to have higher conductor area for the same MVA and thus higher short
circuit strength
• Being delta connected, the turns of the winding would be higher than wye
• The SW voltage to be lower than the phase voltage of LV so that SW turns are
lower than LV turns and thus reducing inductive transfer
• For dielectric purpose, higher impulse levels can be specified but the rated voltage
to be lower as per above considerations
• It is recommended that customer specifies only BIL level and manufacturer
decides on the rated voltage to avoid high transient voltages
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Testing of Stabilizing winding

Loaded tertiary winding, tests performed as per IEEEE C 57.12.00 and C57.12.90
Following tests recommended on stabilizing winding:

1. Turns ratio (Performed during manufacturing)

2. Winding resistance (Performed during manufacturing if delta closed inside)
3. Applied voltage test if any terminal brought out
4. Design values provided for impedance in most cases

Note: Depending on test plant limitation, all 3 terminals of the SW winding can be
brought out for test purpose. After test, the unit is connected for the operating
condition
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Dielectric testing
Testing
1. Impulse test on SW not required if the corner is to be grounded during
operation
2. If all terminals of the SW are not brought out, impulse and induced
tests to be performed in the operating condition

Design considerations
1. During HV and LV impulse test, the ungrounded corners of SW may
have higher transient voltages
2. Any current limiting reactor in SW may result in higher transient
voltages at the connecting points
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Frequency response measurement

In units with Stabilizing winding some caution to be applied during
this test on HV and LV terminals
1. Recommended practice is to keep the delta corner closed but
not grounded
2. Grounding of a corner introduces additional asymmetry
between phases
3. Opening or closing of delta corner can cause difference in the
frequency response
4. Test in operating condition can be done as an additional test
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Frequency response - Example1

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Frequency response- Example2

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4. Utility Examples
Stabilizing or Tertiary Winding Effect on
Relaying and Arresters
Hamid Abdelkamel, PE, PMP

Transmission Substation Design Engineer

habdelkamel@Ameren.com

10/18/18
Stabilizing Winding Effect on Relaying and
Arresters
1) Ground over current coordination Issues
2) Delta back feed
3) Stabilizing winding sizing
Transformer Zero Sequence Models:
YG-YG Y-D-YG

YG-D-YG
Transformer Zero Sequence Models (Cont’ed)
• D-YG

• YG-YG AUTO
(w/o Stabilizing)

• YG-D-YG AUTO
(w/ Stabilizing)
Sequence Network for L-G Fault:
- For Transformer low-side L-G fault, how ground current passes through transformer dependent on
winding configuration:

,
Effect on Ground Overcurrent Relaying:
• YG-YG
HS Pickup > LS Pickup x Turns Ratio
HS Pickup = 240A < LS Pickup 1200 x 69/138=600A
Possible mis-coordination

240A 240A
• YG-D-YG
HS Pickup > LS Pickup x Turns Ratio x Current Divider
Per case shown:
Possible mis-coordination

• Y-D-YG or D-YG
Low-side Ground fault Current does not reflect to high-side

LS=low side & HS=high side

Effect on Delta Back-feed Relaying:
• Ground Fault Detection on Delta back-feed systems requires zero sequence overvoltage
detection in order to prevent failure of LA and Transformers from over-voltage:
Effect on Delta Back-feed Relaying:

• Due to lower zero sequence impedance to ground ‘YG-D-YG’ can prevent correct 59N
operation, which can result in over-voltage failure of LAs and Transformers:

1) Overvoltage may exceed rating of LA

2) Overvoltage will overexcite transformer
3) Very hard to detect
Effect on Delta Back-feed Relaying:

• YG-YG and Y-D-YG have minimal effect on 59N operation:

Stabilizing Winding Short Circuit Bracing:

• Current through 𝑍𝑇 represents current

through Stabilizing

• Stabilizing winding needs to be braced for

Z1(sys) = Z2(sys) =0 with a range of Z0(sys) for
worst case LG faults

• Misconception is that infinite bus represents

worst case—not true for ground faults.
Assuming infinite bus will lead to under sizing
stabilizing winding
Recommendation (Continued)

For wye-wye XFMR designs:

– It is strongly recommended to have a discussion between
transformer design engineer and protection engineer on
whether or not a stabilizing winding is required as well as
requirements if one is required

– All impedance calculations (Z0, Z1, Z2, T-model) should be

submitted for end user review with proposal and modeling
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5. Conclusion and Further Work

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Conclusion
• Stabilizing windings reduce the zero-sequence impedance of Y-connected
transformers and improve their performance under unbalanced operating
conditions
• As those windings impact cost of the equipment, their application should be
driven by zero-sequence needs for system grounding, and control of third
harmonic phenomena
• The Guide C57.158 is a source of practical recommendations for specification,
testing and application of stabilizing and tertiary windings
• Systems and protections engineers should be involved in decisions that impact the
zero-sequence performance of power transformers
 67

Further work
Still to consider recommendations for:
• Thermal effects of circulating currents on delta windings of transformers
subjected to DC currents
• Comparison of behavior of Y-connected transformers subjected to switching
transients, with and without a delta winding
• Circulating currents in transmission transformers by temporary bi-polar operation
of the lines
• Thermal behavior of SWs subjected to extended loading
• Role of delta windings in Y-connected transformers during ferro-resonance
conditions
• Closer coordination with protection relaying practice
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Bibliography
- See Annex A of C57.158 -