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Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts

Published: 2 April 2013
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Abstract

The inrush current is a transient current that results from a sudden change in the exciting voltage across a transformer’s windings. It may cause inadvertent operation of the protective relay system and necessitate strengthening of the transformer’s mechanical structure. Many methods were reported in the literatures for reduction and mitigation of transformer inrush currents. This paper represents a study of techniques that have been proposed for transformer inrush current mitigation. A new, simple and low cost technique to reduce inrush currents caused by transformer energization is presented here. In this method, a controlled switching approach with a grounding resistor connected to transformer neutral point and a magnetic flux shunt is used. By energizing each phase of the transformer in sequence, the neutral resistor behaves as a series-inserted resistor and thereby significantly reduces the inrush currents. The dimensions of the magnetic flux shunts are chosen such that the inrush current amplitude is further reduced. The proposed method has been tested by computer simulation using 2-D FEM (two-dimensional finite element method) by Maxwell software. The obtained results show that the proposed method is efficient in reduction of transformer inrush current and is much less expensive since there is only one resistor involved and the resistor carries only a small neutral current in steady-state.

Published in International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 2, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13
Page(s) 46-53
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2013. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Transformer, Inrush Current Mitigation, FEM, Modeling, Magnetic Flux Shunts

References
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[3] Hongkui Li, Yan Li, Xi Sun, Dongxu Li, Youteng Jing, Analysis of Three-Phase Power Transformer Windings Forces Caused by Magnetic Inrush and Short-Circuit Currents, Proceedings of 2009 IEEE International Conference on Applied Superconductivity and Electromagnetic Devices, Chengdu, pp.233-236, China, September 25-27, 2009.
[4] Suhag P. Patel, P.E., Fundamentals of Transformer Inrush, 64th Annual Conference for Protective Relay Engineers, 11-14 April 2011. PP. 290-300.
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[11] Hun-Chul Seo, Chul-Hwan Kim, Sang-Bong Rhee, Jae-Chul Kim, and Ok-Bae HyunV, Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Application for Reduction of the Transformer Inrush Current: A Decision Scheme of the Optimal Insertion Resis-tance, IEEE Transaction on Applied Superconductivity, Vol. 20, No. 4, PP. 2255-2263, AUGUST 2010.
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[14] Sami G. Abdulsalam, and Wilsun Xu, A Sequential Phase Energization Method for Transformer Inrush Current Re-duction-Transient Performance and Practical Considerations, IEEE Transaction on Power Delivery, Vol. 22, No. 1, PP. 208-216, JANUARY 2007.
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[16] K. P. Basu and Ali Asghar, Reduction of Magnetizing Inrush Current in a Delta Connected Transformer, 2nd IEEE Inter-national Conference on Power and Energy, PP. 35-38, De-cember 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia.
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[20] Gholamabas M.H. Hajivar, S.S. Mortazavi, Mohsen Saniei, The Neutral Grounding Resistor Sizing Using an Analytical Method Based on Nonlinear Transformer Model for Inrush Current Mitigation, UPEC2010, 31st Aug - 3rd Sept 2010.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    S. Jamali Arand, M. Saeedi, S. Masoudi. (2013). Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 2(2), 46-53. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13

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    ACS Style

    S. Jamali Arand; M. Saeedi; S. Masoudi. Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2013, 2(2), 46-53. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13

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    AMA Style

    S. Jamali Arand, M. Saeedi, S. Masoudi. Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2013;2(2):46-53. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13,
      author = {S. Jamali Arand and M. Saeedi and S. Masoudi},
      title = {Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts},
      journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
      volume = {2},
      number = {2},
      pages = {46-53},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.20130202.13},
      abstract = {The inrush current is a transient current that results from a sudden change in the exciting voltage across a transformer’s windings. It may cause inadvertent operation of the protective relay system and necessitate strengthening of the transformer’s mechanical structure. Many methods were reported in the literatures for reduction and mitigation of transformer inrush currents. This paper represents a study of techniques that have been proposed for transformer inrush current mitigation. A new, simple and low cost technique to reduce inrush currents caused by transformer energization is presented here. In this method, a controlled switching approach with a grounding resistor connected to transformer neutral point and a magnetic flux shunt is used. By energizing each phase of the transformer in sequence, the neutral resistor behaves as a series-inserted resistor and thereby significantly reduces the inrush currents. The dimensions of the magnetic flux shunts are chosen such that the inrush current amplitude is further reduced. The proposed method has been tested by computer simulation using 2-D FEM (two-dimensional finite element method) by Maxwell software. The obtained results show that the proposed method is efficient in reduction of transformer inrush current and is much less expensive since there is only one resistor involved and the resistor carries only a small neutral current in steady-state.},
     year = {2013}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Transformer Inrush Current Mitigation Using Controlled Switching and Magnetic Flux Shunts
    AU  - S. Jamali Arand
    AU  - M. Saeedi
    AU  - S. Masoudi
    Y1  - 2013/04/02
    PY  - 2013
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13
    T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
    SP  - 46
    EP  - 53
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2326-960X
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.20130202.13
    AB  - The inrush current is a transient current that results from a sudden change in the exciting voltage across a transformer’s windings. It may cause inadvertent operation of the protective relay system and necessitate strengthening of the transformer’s mechanical structure. Many methods were reported in the literatures for reduction and mitigation of transformer inrush currents. This paper represents a study of techniques that have been proposed for transformer inrush current mitigation. A new, simple and low cost technique to reduce inrush currents caused by transformer energization is presented here. In this method, a controlled switching approach with a grounding resistor connected to transformer neutral point and a magnetic flux shunt is used. By energizing each phase of the transformer in sequence, the neutral resistor behaves as a series-inserted resistor and thereby significantly reduces the inrush currents. The dimensions of the magnetic flux shunts are chosen such that the inrush current amplitude is further reduced. The proposed method has been tested by computer simulation using 2-D FEM (two-dimensional finite element method) by Maxwell software. The obtained results show that the proposed method is efficient in reduction of transformer inrush current and is much less expensive since there is only one resistor involved and the resistor carries only a small neutral current in steady-state.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Islamic Azad University, Dehdasht Branch, Dehdasht, Iran

  • Islamic Azad University, Dehdasht Branch, Dehdasht, Iran

  • Young Researchers and Elites Club, Dehdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Dehdasht, Iran

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