Ferroresonance Evaluation at Boushehr 230/400 kV GIS

Substation of Iran’s Power Network

M. Majidi, H. Javadi, and M. Oskuoee

Power and Water University of Technology (PWUT)

P.O.Box 16765-1719 Tehran,Iran
Mehrdadmajidi66@gmail.com, javadi@pwut.ac.ir, moskuoee@yahoo.com

Abstract. Ferroresonance is one of the main and important reasons to distortion

equipments in GIS substations. This phenomenon is not always predictable and
clear. So overvoltages evaluation due to ferroresonance is necessary to analyze
before designing the substation. In this paper, the Boushehr 230/400 kV GIS
substation are implemented with detailed in EMTP-RV software, then possible
operating scenarios simulated and possible overvoltages discussed. At the end,
in worst scenarios from point of view overvoltages the effect of auto
transformers hysteresis characteristic shape will be investigated.

Keywords: Ferroresonance, overvoltages, EMTP-RV, hysteresis characteristic,

GIS substation.

1 Introduction

For investigating ferroresonance overvoltage in reality case should be considered the

switching scenarios that are common in substations operation rules. For some reasons
like maintenance or commissioning the equipments, some switching scenarios act to
become out of service the failure equipment. These switching scenarios contain two
steps, first shopping current at maintenance equipment and then the cutting voltage at
failure equipment terminals. These two actions usually apply to power system with
some time constants. Between these actions some overvoltages cause of resonance
between system capacitors and transformer core nonlinear characteristics happened.
In this time the only factor that limits the current of system is equipment’s resistor.
The simulation overvoltages contain two types of overvoltages, at the beginning of
trace the transient overvoltages appear and after that the sustained overvoltages occur.
Those scenarios that have the sustained peak value more that transient peak value are
more critical because the overvoltages are continued for more times. However both
two types of overvoltages are dangerous and should be controlled with protective
equipments. According to the steady state condition, ferroresonant states can be
classified into four different types as Fundamental mode, Sub harmonic mode, Quasi-
periodic mode, Chaotic mode that are explained more at [1]. Boushehr GIS Substation
has the unique configuration combined the GIS substation and cable system. At the
400 kV sides the one-half type of connection exists that is energized from 2 separated

X. Wan (Ed.): Electrical Power Systems and Computers, LNEE 99, pp. 471–478.
springerlink.com © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011
472 M. Majidi, H. Javadi, and M. Oskuoee

overhead line with 24 Km length. Two exit lines from GIS substation are connected to
Boushehr power plant generator transformers and other two lines connected to two
400/230kV auto transformers. Auto transformers with 230kV XLPE cables are
connected to 12Km two circuit over head line that energize from Boushehr substation.
At the 230kV side of substation is not any circuit breaker and all of the changing
operational modes are handled with the circuit breakers that are in Boushehr
substation. So, the overhead line capacitor and cables increase the equivalents
capacitor that is challenge to nonlinear reactor of transformers. For investigating the
ferroresonance study in this substation the nonlinear characteristic of autotransformer
considered to analyze the various switching scenarios. In this way the parameters that
influence on ferroresonance are modeled with detail.

2 System Modeling
Elements modeling in power system are main aspect of investigating the case study.
The case study contains the effective elements in ferroresonance study like auto
transformers, three windings transformers, GIS busbars, XLP cables, overhead lines,
surge arresters, circuit breakers, Disconnectors, VTs, CTs. The system topology is
shown at Figure 1.

Fig. 1. Single line Diagram of Boushehr GIS substation

2.1 Hysteresis Modeling

The Hysteretic reactor is a nonlinear device designed to simulate saturation and

hysteresis in the steel core of a power transformer. The theoretical background to this
model is given in [2] which will be also referring to [3]-[9]. The Hysteretic reactor is
modeled by a closed-form function that relates instantaneous flux to current in two
 Ferroresonaance Evaluation at Boushehr 230/400 kV GIS Substation 473

steps. An intermediate flux

x, named unsaturated flux, is used to link these two steeps.
Two different equations aree defined:
• A hysteresis function relating “unsaturated” flux λunsat to current. This functtion
models the pure hysteeresis effect: present state depends on previous sttate.
Saturation is not taken into
i account: the more the current increases the more the
intermediate flux increasses.
• A saturation function relating instantaneous flux, named “saturated” flux λsatt, to
“unsaturated” flux λunsaat.
This function is to modeel the saturation effect between input flux and output fllux.
Hysteresis and saturation fu unctions are based on quadratic equations and represennted
by hyperbolic branches. Only
O some parts of these branches are taken to obtain the
final saturation curve. Thee hysteresis modeling is to find a relation between the
instantaneous flux and the current in the transformer. In this model saturation and
hysteresis are decoupled. The
T saturation curve is represented by pieces of quadrratic
branches. It links the instaantaneous flux, named saturated flux, and an intermeddiate
flux, named unsaturated fllux. In the same way pure hysteresis is modeled witth a
quadratic equation giving thhe unsaturated flux as a function of current as Eq. 1:
(1)

This equation is of the saame shape as the saturation equation. The first two parts of
this quadratic equation defin
ne 2 asymptotes. The vertical asymptote is defined by Eq.. 2:

(2)

Which is equivalent to:

(3)

It is a straight line wiith slope Shv and x-axis intercept Xhv. The horizonntal
asymptote is defined by Eq. 4:
(4)

Which is equivalent to:

(5)

It is a straight line with slope Shh and y-axis intercept Yhh. Chys is the curvatture
of the curve. The smaller iss Chys the closer is the curve to its asymptotes. When the
main shape of the hysteressis curve is defined, the convex branch will be chosen for
upward trajectory and the concave branch for downward trajectory. But these ttwo
branches cannot define a cllosed shape. A translation of this hysteresis curve will ggive
the width of the loop. To translate
t the curve it is needed to translate the asymptootes.
The slopes of the asymptottes do not change, but the axis intercepts will change thheir
sign. As a consequence thee translated curve is being defined by equation (1).Figurre 2
shows the initial curve (u upward trajectory) and the translated curves (downw ward
trajectory).
474 M. Majidi, H. Javadi, and M. Oskuoee

Fig. 2. Hysteresis function Fig. 3. Flux-Current characteristic

2.2 Autotransformer/ Three Windings Transformer Modeling

For modeling the various type of transformer the primary and secondary resistor and
reactance, the nonlinear characteristic and the capacitor between HV-LV, HV-earth,
and LV-earth should be considered (Fig.4). For fitting the measuring data at Flux-
Current characteristic the least square method is used. The raw data and fitting data
are shown on figure 3. With inputting the Fig.3 characteristic to hysteresis model the
hysteresis characteristic parameters calculated on the base of equation (1-5) that are
shown in table 1. Shv/ Ssv is slope of hysteresis/ saturation vertical asymptote, Shh /
Ssh is slope of hysteresis/ saturation horizontal asymptote, Chyst / Csat is Curvature
of the hysteresis/saturation curve.

+
+ +

+ +
+
+

Fig. 4. Three windings transformer and Auto transformer 1-Phase model

Table 1. Hysteresis characteristic data

Parameters Value Parameters Value

Shv 6993.46 Shh 48.29
Chyst 0.24 Coer 0.06
Ssv 1 Ssh 0.0005
Csat 38590.25 Ysh 285.68
Ysh is Y-axis intercept of saturation horizontal asymptote and the end Coer is half
width of major loop.
 Ferroresonance Evaluation at Boushehr 230/400 kV GIS Substation 475

2.3 Cable and GIS Busbar Modeling

The PI modeled is used for modeling the XLPE cables and GIS busbar. The various
types are examined like frequency depended (FD) and constant parameters (CP)
model for modeling these elements. In this way, not only the results are more
accuracy than the PI models but also the simulation time increase severely. It should
be considered the reason of selecting this type, is low length of cables. The cable and
GIS busbar lengths are shown on Figure 1.

Table 2. GIS and cable data

element C(F/m) L(H/m) R(ohm/m)

GIS busbar 5.06E-11 2.43E-07 0.000231

Cable No. L(H) R(ohm) C/2(F)

C1 1.07E-05 2.56E-01 2.48E-09
C2 2.93E-05 1.19E-01 1.32E-08
C3 6.85E-05 0.256 1.58E-08

2.4 Overhead Line and Switching Modeling

The 230kV overhead line is 12Km two circuit lines. For modeling this element the
frequency depended model is used that responses appropriate to various range of
frequency appear in system cause of the various ferroresonance modes. One of the
main parameters that have the great affect on ferroresonance overvoltage is the
switching angle. Previous studied believe that worst condition occur at voltage peak
angle but in later studies this subject focused to analyze. In this paper, in order to
verify the influence of switching angle, 50 shots of uniform distribution are used for
the switch using EMTP-RV statistical approach. For the 50 operation study, the
opening angle of the circuit breaker contact has normal distribution and its standard
deviation is 3[ms], the open mean time is at voltage peak time. First, second and third
switching mean time set at 10, 210 and 410 [ms] respectively. The circuit breaker
model accommodates variations in the pole opening speed according to a normal
distribution with a specified standard variation and limited ±3. For every circuit
breaker the grading capacitor equal to 1400 pF is considered as modeled parallel to
statistical switch.

3 Operational Scenarios Simulation

In this paper the ferroresonance regard with 230kV side operational scenarios is
investigated. As it is said in introduction this scenarios contain to main step that act
with circuit breaker and disconnectors. In this way, 19 different defined scenarios was
simulated that here only the critical scenarios from point of view of overvoltage are
listed at Table 3.
476 M. Majidi, H. Javadi, and M. Oskuoee

Table 3. Summaries the results of the 230&400kV ferroresonance studies

Voltage
Study Current Ferroresonance
CIRCUIT CONFIGURATION node (KV
NO. (A) Mode
peak)

AS2LV 221.2 220.5 Non-ferroresonant

study 1 CB30 is switching when CB32&31 are N/O
AS1LV 241.6 92.9 Subharmonic ferroresonance
CB30 and DS41 are switching when AS2LV 221.3 220.5 Fundamental ferroresonance
study 2
CB32&31 are N/O AS1LV 241.6 92.9 Subharmonic ferroresonance
study 3 AL05 is switching from Boushehr substation 10BSHV 220.4 104.2 Fundamental ferroresonance
AS2LV 221.8 220.5 Fundamental ferroresonance
AL06 is switching from Boushehr substation
study 4
when CB31&32 are N/O AS1LV 241.7 101 Fundamental ferroresonance

AL06 is switching from Boushehr substation AS2LV 257.7 220.3 Fundamental ferroresonance
study 5
when CB21&10&32 are N/O
AS1LV 256.2 132.5 Fundamental ferroresonance

AL06 from Boushehr substation and DS6 AS2LV 257.7 220.3 Subharmonic ferroresonance
study 6
are switching when CB21&10&32 are N/O AS1LV 256.1 132.5 Subharmonic ferroresonance

As it concludes, the worst condition occurs when the switching scenarios operate
from Boushehr substation and some GIS busbars are in circuit configuration. In these
scenarios the equivalent capacitor resonance with autotransformers nonlinear
inductance contains the 12Km overhead line capacitor. For evaluating the affective
parameters the scenario 5 is selected and various hysteresis parameters are changing
to observing the effective gain to autotransformer terminals overvoltage. At figure 8
only 4 parameters that various range of them have the high effect to overvoltage value
are reported. In contrast, Changing the various value of the Chys,Shh,Coer,Ssv have
negligible effect on overvoltage.

Fig. 5. Autotransformers terminals phases voltage for scenario 5

 Ferroresonance Evaluation at Boushehr 230/400 kV GIS Substation 477

Fig. 6. Autotransformers voltage Harmonic Fig. 7. Autotransformers iron Flux-Voltage

Components for scenario 5 Characteristic for scenario 5

With decreasing the slope of hysteresis vertical asymptote (Shv) the X-axis
intercept of hysteresis characteristic at positive side of X-axis is increasing and so the
area of hysteresis characteristic becomes more. This process is repeated when the Ssh
is decreasing. This two parameters have the more influences on overvoltage between
four reported parameters.

550

480 530
Transient
470 510
Peak Value
Voltage (Kv)

460 Transient 490

Peak Value
Voltage (Kv)

450 470
440
450
430 Sustained
430 Peak Value
420 Sustained
410 Peak Value 410
400 390
0.0002

0.0003

0.0004

0.0005

0.0006

0.0007

0.0008

0.0009

390
4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

9000

10000

11000

Ssh
Shv

460 460

450
440
440 Transient Transient
Voltage (Kv)

420
Voltage (Kv)

Peak Value Peak Value

430
420 400

410 380
Sustained Sustained
400 Peak Value Peak Value
360
390
10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

340
100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Csat Ysh

Fig. 8. Autotransformers terminal voltage for scenario 5 with changing the hysteresis parameters
478 M. Majidi, H. Javadi, and M. Oskuoee

4 Conclusion
In this paper the ferroresonance study at Iran nuclear energy GIS substation is
investigated with all components detailed modeling and simulation the 19 common
operational scenarios. In this way, 6 critical scenarios are known and at the worst
condition the 8 hysteresis parameters are changed to evaluating the gain of them to
autotransformer terminal overvoltage. First suggestion for preventing the element
distortion at the substation cause of the critical scenarios is isolating the 230KV cable
from overhead line with the circuit breaker. The switching scenarios from Boushehr
substation with this circuit breaker are omitted and all of the critical operational
scenarios can act without dienergize the 12 Km overhead line. Another suggestion is
avoiding acting the critical switching scenarios and uses the 400 KV GIS switches to
handle the common operational scenarios. With changing the hysteresis characteristic
at scenario 5, changing four hysteresis parameters Shv,Ssh,Csat,Ysh have the more
effect on overvoltage value and other parameters have the very low effect.

References
1. Valverde, V., Mazón, A.J., Zamora, I., Buigues, G.: Ferroresonance in Voltage
Transformers: Analysis and Simulations. In: International conference on renewable
energyies and power quality, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, April 13-15 (2011)
2. Dennetière, S., Mahseredjian, J., Martinez, M., Rioual, M., Xémard, A.: On the
implementation of a hysteretic reactor model in EMTP. In: Proceedings of the 5th
International Conference on Power Systems Transients, New Orleans, LA, September 28 –
October 2 (2003)
3. Narang, A., Dick, E.P., Cheung, R.C.: Transformer Model for ElectroMagnetic Transient
Studies. CEA Report 175 T 331 G (December 1996)
4. Dick, E.P., Watson, W.: Transformer Models for Transient Studies Based on field
Measurements. IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems PAS 100(1), 409–419
(1981)
5. Talukdar, S.N., Bailey, J.R.: Hysteresis Model for System Studies. IEEE Transactions on
Power Apparatus and systems PAS-95, 1429–1434 (1976)
6. Frame, J.G., Mohan, N., Liu, T.: Hysteresis Modeling in an Electromagnetic Transients
Program. IEEE Transactions PAS-101(9), 3403–3412 (1982)
7. Ewart, D.N.: Digital Computer Simulation Model of a Steel-Core Transformer. IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery PWRD-1(3), 174–183 (1986)
8. Wright, A., Carneiro Jr., S.: Analysis of Circuits Containing Components with Cores of
Ferromagnetic Material. Proceedings IEE 121(12), 1579–1581 (1974)
9. Semlyen, A., Castro, A.: A digital transformer model for switching transient calculations in
three phase systems. In: PICA Conference Proceedings, New Orleans, June 1975, pp. 121–
126 (1975)