WORKSHOP

JWG A2/C4.39
Electrical Transient Interaction between
Transformers and the Power System
Members
A. da C. O. Rocha, Convenor (BR), A. Holdyk (DK), B. Gustavsen (NO), B. J. Jaarsveld (ZA), A.
Portillo (UY), B. Badrzadeh (AU), C. Roy (ES), E. Rahimpour (DE), G. H. da C. Oliveira (BR), H.
Motoyama (JP), M. Heindl (DE), M-O. Roux (CA), M. Popov (NL), M. Rioual (FR), P. D. Mundim
(BR), R. Degeneff (US), R. M. de Azevedo (BR), R. Saers (SE), R. Wimmer (DE), S. Mitchell (AU),
S. Okabe (JP), T. Abdulahovic (SE), T. Ngnegueu (FR), X. M. Lopez-Fernandez (ES)

Contribution have been made by

A. Troeger (CH), D. Matveev (RU), G. A. Cordero (ES), J. C. Mendes (BR), J. Leiva (AR), J.
Veens (NL), M. Reza (SE), R. Asano (ES), R. Malewski (CA), S. Yamada (JP), U.
Savadamuthu (IN), Z-J WANG (CN) , J. M. Torres (PT)

JWG A2/C4.39 -1-

 INTRODUCTION
JWG A2/C4.39
Electrical Transient Interaction between Transformers
and the Power System
Proposed by Mr Pierre Boss at A2 2007 Bruges Colloquium

MOTIVATION

Transformers suffer dielectric failure even with

good insulation coordination studies and well-
accepted insulation design practices.

GOAL
To provide an update in the study of this broad and
complex topic.
JWG A2/C4.39 -2-
 INTRODUCTION
SCOPE
 Survey system high frequency pulses - C4
 High frequency transformers modelling and testing - C4/A2
 Protection and critical connection configurations - C4
 Survey utility experiences - transformer failures C4/A2
 Manufacturer experience with technical specifications A2
 Discussion on the possibility of pinpointing risk factors C4
 Methodology for transient system studies - C4
 Assess transformer voltage stress - A2
 Impact of transformer insulation - A2

JWG A2/C4.39 -3-

 TECHNICAL BROCHURE CONTENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1. INTRODUCTION

2. CURRENT PRACTICE

3. OCCURRENCE OF HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSFORMER RESONANT

OVERVOLTAGES

4. TRANSFORMER MODELING

5. NETWORK MODELING

6. ASSESSMENT OF TRANSFORMER VOLTAGE STRESSES

7. IMPACT ON TRANSFORMER INSULATION

8. CASE STUDIES

9. WHITE-BOX MODEL TEST TRANSFORMER (“FICTITIOUS TRANSFORMER”)

10. RECOMENDATIONS

JWG A2/C4.39 -4-

 INTRODUCTION

 New approaches and challenges emerge as new

technologies are introduced together with different power
system scenarios.

 Required knowledge of transient interactions between the

transformer and power system cannot be reached without
a close relationship between manufacturer and clients.

JWG A2/C4.39 -5-

 CHAPTER 2
Current Practice

-6-
 CURRENT PRACTICE
Transient Overvoltages on Transformers
 Atmospheric discharges  Magnitude
 Fault conditions  Shape
 Switching  Frequency Content

Manufacturers - Users - Standards

 Power system transformers are subjected to transient
overvoltages from many origins, each with varying physical
characteristics.

 Users and Manufacturers have to consider these transients in

the specifications, design, manufacturing and testing (FAT)

 Technical Standards and Guides are the basis for common

language and mutual understanding.
JWG A2/C4.39 -7-
 TECHNICAL STANDARDS AND GUIDES
IEC STANDARD
Applied in countries where power
system frequency is 50Hz
Transformers 60076 series
60060 series
Rated Power: input to the primary
side
IEEE STANDARD
Applied in most countries where
power system frequency is 60Hz
Transformers C57 series
Rated Power: power delivered at the
secondary terminals

 The dielectric tests aim to represent the different electric

stresses (transients) that might appear in a particular network.
 Defining the particular network conditions and tests levels are
within the scope of the Insulation Coordination Studies (IEC
60060 Series).
 Two families of standards/guides currently apply (IEEE/IEC);
they do not differ for the dielectric tests.
JWG A2/C4.39 -8-
 STANDARDS: FROM DESIGN TO FAT

Design / Design Review

Evaluation of withstand to
specified transient
overvoltages (Electrical Manufacturing Process
Stresses on the Windings)
Factory Acceptance Test
(FAT)

 Different approaches or adapted tools are used by

manufacturers to predetermine the electrical stresses on the
windings during the design process.
 Users and Manufacturers evaluate the design and discuss
particularities in the Design Resiews (DR)
 Design and overall manufacturing process are validated by
Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT); applicable tests (routine,
type, …etc) being given by the standards or agreed with user.

JWG A2/C4.39 -9-

 SERVICE EXPERIENCE

 Transformers in service passed the FAT with the applicables

tests and/or the special ones user/manufacturer agreed.
 From experience, transformers in service may still fail; Reasons
are usually not straightforward but rather associated to
combination of events over time, leading to final failure.
 The brochure has collected, various cases, covering numerous
applications, all over the world, where the failure root cause
analysis (RCA) pointed to “transient over voltage” in the grid.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 10 -
 STANDARDS/GUIDE: A LIVING PROCESS
Brief Approximative Historical Review
1900 1960’s 2000

Development of
First long distance HV Evaluation of Use of grounding 750 kV Networks
lines interconnecting the effects of wires on the lines Development of
customers and lightning on Development of ZNO GIS => VFTO
generation centers the lines Arcinig horn type Faults
surge arrestors to
protect transformers Gapped Chopped
Horns and Wave LI is
Chopped routine test
Chopped Wave LI Wave LI again
unecessary Um>170kV
Special IEC 60076-3
Full Wave LI
tests. IEC 2013
60076-3
2000
Switching Surge Impulse Um>300kV

 Improving standards/guides and common practices is a

continuous process; adapting to the power grid infrastructure
development and operation.
 JWG A2 C4.39 has tried to lean on and capitalize from the
contributions of previous Cigre/IEEE related Working Groups.
JWG A2/C4.39 - 11 -
 CHAPTER 3
Occurence of high-frequency
transformer resonant
overvoltages

- 12 -
 TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES

A transformer is essentially a large RLC circuit

equivalent.

Many internal resonances, weakly damped

An oscillating overvoltage occurring at

transformer terminals

High internal overvoltages by resonant

voltage build-up.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 13 -
TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES
Example:
Voltage magnification at tap point (200 MVA transformer)

Tap voltage vs.of applied voltage [%]

JWG A2/C4.39 - 14 -
 TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES

Switching operations in cable networks often leads to voltages with

oscillating frequency components

JWG A2/C4.39 - 15 -
 TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES
Example:
Transferred overvoltage from HV winding to LV winding (410 MVA
generator step-up transformer)
Closing
circuit breaker T1
Cable
Overhead line G1

Overhead line T2
Cable
G2

JWG A2/C4.39 - 16 -
 TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES
Example: Transferred overvoltage from HV winding to LV winding
(410 MVA generator step-up transformer)
Closing
circuit breaker T1
Cable
Overhead line G1

Overhead line T2
Cable
G2

JWG A2/C4.39 - 17 -
 TRANSFORMER RESONANT OVERVOLTAGES

Generation of oscillating overvoltage on transformer

terminals

 Energizing cables and short transmission lines from

remote end (closing circuit breaker)

 Energizing capacitor bank

 Ground fault initiation

 Operation of disconnectors

Frequent switchings are more likely to cause transformer

failures.
JWG A2/C4.39 - 18 -
 CHAPTER 4
Transformer modeling

- 19 -
 TRANSFORMERS MODELING

An overview of alternatives and comparison:

4.1 Simplified procedures

4.2 White box appoach
4.3 Black box appoach
4.4 Grey box appoach
4.5 Comparison

JWG A2/C4.39 - 20 -
 4.1 SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES
Three types of simplified transformer modelling approaches.

1. Power frequency standard model

with external capacitance

2. Concentrated Capacitance Model

for Fast Transients

3. Frequency dependent model for fast

transients

A common idea is that the model parameters should be easily

obtained compared to Black-box or White-box representations.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 21 -
 4.2 WHITE BOX APPOACH
 Why use a white box model?
 How is it implemented
 How is it computed
 Describe the Lossy Lumped Parameter Model widely
used by manufactures
 Example

JWG A2/C4.39 - 22 -
 4.3 BLACK BOX APPOACH
 What is the advantage of Black box model used in
EMTP-Type simulations
 How is Characterization done
 How is Model extraction done

N Source Input
R Ref.

Y( )   m  R0
m1 s  am Jumpers
Attenuator
to ground

6
5
4

From: 3
2 Current

 Measurements 1 A
sensor

 White box model

JWG A2/C4.39 - 23 -
 4.4 GREY BOX APPOACH
 What are the grey box model characteristics
 How is built
 How are the parameter obtained

JWG A2/C4.39 - 24 -
 4.5 COMPARISON TABLE

Typical applications
Typical Model Bandwidth
Very Fast Transients, above 2MHz
Data Basis
Model Extraction
Model Complexity
Simulation Time
Integration with EMTP type software
JWG A2/C4.39 - 25 -
 CHAPTER 5
Network modeling

- 26 -
 NETWORK MODELING
 Network modelling is important for a correct
representation of transient oscillations
 It is important to use appropriate models in terms
of the frequency range (slow- , fast- or very fast-
transients)
 The phenomena of prestrike and restrike in the
circuit breakers is the source of transients with
broad frequency range
 This is one example where broad frequency range
network modelling is needed

JWG A2/C4.39 - 27 -
 NETWORK MODELING
 Slow frequency studies like transformer energizing
require low frequency transformer models and the
surrounding network representation is generally simpler.
 Switching studies (circuit-breakers operations,
transients due to faults) generally imply the
representation of propagation phenomena in the
network.
 Lightning studies require high frequency representation
of the components
 Very fast transients studies like disconnectors
switchings in GIS require high frequency representation
of all components; even very short busbars should be
taken into account
JWG A2/C4.39 - 28 -
 CIRCUIT BREAKER MODELING
To simulate multiple restrikes, withstand voltage characteristics,
critical quenching capability and chopping currents are needed

Test circuit for restrikes modelling

Accurate simulation of multiple

restrikes [ref 5.44]

Increased time scale of the first

restrike

JWG A2/C4.39 - 29 -
 SURGE ARRESTER MODELING
Surge arresters should be represented by a model that take into
account the frequency dependence of the surge arrester; this is
verified if the simulated arrester residual voltages (for standard
impulse shapes 8/20 us, 30/60/us and 0.5us front-of-wave) are
close to those provided by the manufacturer (ANSI/IEEE Std
C62.11-1993).

Surge arrester model

according to Schmidt [ref
5.31]

Response of the surge arrester

when excited with current impulse
10 kA, 0.5 us [5.44]

Response of the surge arrester when

excited with current impulse 10 kA,
30/60 us [5.44]
JWG A2/C4.39 - 30 -
 CHAPTER 6
Assessment of transformer
voltage stresses

- 31 -
ASSESSMENT OF TRANSFORMES VOLTAGE STRESSES

Overview of current practice and introduction to

new methods

 Conventional approach by manufacturer

 Time Domain Severity Factor
 Frequency Domain Severity Factor
 Conclusions

- 32 -
TIME DOMAIN: CONVENTIONAL APPROACH

 Standards
 Insulation co-ordination studies
 Non standard impulses
 Design

- 33 -
 SEVERITY FACTOR

 The Severity factor is a ratio between measured

signals and acceptance test

 Introduced to compare measured transient to what

the transformer was tested for

 Highlights additional required tests

 For design and monitoring

- 34 -
 TIME DOMAIN SEVERITY FACTOR

Visualization of turn-turn
over voltage compared to
the acceptance tests

- 35 -
FREQUENCY DOMAIN SEVERITY FACTOR
Ratio in Frequency domain between transient and acceptance
test

Trends

- 36 -
 CHAPTER 7
Impact on Transformer Insulation

- 37 -
 INTRODUCTION

Transformer insulation
Designed to withstand the normal service voltages but also
the effects of transient overvoltages like lightning impulse.

Insulation design
Transient voltage distribution inside transformer should be
calculate under different types of applied voltages
Transformer insulation can be divided to two groups:
1. Insulation inside windings - which is called internal
insulation
2. Insulation between windings and between windings and
grounded parts such as core and tank, i.e. main insulation

JWG A2/C4.39 - 38 -
 INSULATION STRENGTH
• Breakdown voltage of a dielectric material is a function of
its physical and chemical properties, as well, impurities
present in it.

• Evaluation of insulation strength is a difficult issue.

Full understanding of the impact of steep-front waves on the
dielectric strength of insulation material is still under
investigation.

• Following parameters should be considered in analysing

the insulation strength:
Moisture Duration of voltage application
Impurities Frequency of voltage application
Insulation thickness Pressure
Oil velocity Aging
Temperature
JWG A2/C4.39 - 39 -
 INSULATION AGING

• The most determinant aging factor of insulation is the

degradation of paper due to thermal stress.

• Although it is less likely to cause a problem earlier,

dielectric degradation should be taken into account.
(around 12% maximum).
.JWG A2/C4.39 - 40 -
 EFFECT OF REPETITIVE IMPULSES
 A drop in dielectric strength is expected to repetitive
voltage stresses.

 Sufficient consideration must be taken into

consideration when designing transformers

 V-N characteristic up to 500 kV class

JWG A2/C4.39 - 41 -
CHAPTER 8
Case studies

- 42 -
 CASE STUDIES

 13 Case studies cover the models presented in the

brochure.

 From theoretical to practical cases

 From academic studies to failure investigations

 All cases are summarized in a table

- 43 -
 13

Frequency Dependent Transformer model for switching

- 44 -

simulations by using FRA and transient measurements

x

x
x
x

x
x

x
x
12

High-frequency modeling of a 500 kV transformer – Detailed

model vs. simplified model
x

x
x
11

500/275kV transformer failure caused by resonance

overvoltage due to the closing surge of the breaker in a cable-
x

x
x
x

system substation – Combined phenomena of switching and

transferred overvoltages
10

Distribution transformer failure caused by lightning

backflashover and resonant voltage buildup
x

x
9

500kV transformer failure case caused by resonance

overvoltage due to lightning surge intrusion from a
x

transmission line
8

Itaipu hydro-electric plant: comparison between black-box and

grey-box modeling approaches
x

x
x
CASE STUDIES
7

The effect of the connecting cable on the transformer

transients
x

x
x
x
x
x
6

Analysis of dry-type transformer failure caused by VCB

switching operation
x
x

x
x

x
x
5

Analysis of dry-type transformer failure caused by SF6

switching operation
x

x
x
x
4

Failure Analysis of two step-up transformers at Três Marias

Hydroelectric Power Plant
x

x
x

x
x
x
x
3

Laboratory tests on the interaction between a wind power

transformer, cables, and a vacuum circuit breaker

x
x

x
x

x
x
2

High-frequency interaction between a wind turbine

transformer and the power system

x
x

x
x

x
x

x
1

Cable-transformer high-frequency interaction and transferred

x
x

x
x

x
x
overvoltages on a generator step-up transformer

BIL or SIL v.s peak voltage

Case study number

Internal stresses
Simplified model
Circuit breaker

Fault initiation
Disconnector
Sub Topic

White box
Black box

Grey box
Lightning

Insulation stress assessment FDSF

Field measurement(s)
Origin of overvoltage

Simulation(s)
Model Type
Topic
 CHAPTER 9
White-Box Models Test
Transformer
(“Fictitious Transformer”)

- 45 -
 INTRODUCTION
 A simple transformer able to test different transformer “white-box”
mathematical models designed to compute the distribution of
internal transient voltages.

 “Fictitious Transformer”, two winding, 100 MVA, 230/69 kV,

transformer geometry was created.

 Excitation with different waves shapes in

different terminal points.

 Valuable contribution to the transformer

industry about the state-of-the-art of the
computing of voltage transients inside
transformers.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 46 -
LIGTHING IMPULSE: MAXIMUM VOLTAGE VALUES

Relative good agreement in

maximum node voltage
responses (in the node
maximum voltage value, not
in the time in which this
maximum occurs)

Poor agreement in maximum

branch voltage responses
These voltages are
differences between node
voltage of similar values and
wave shapes
This fact increase the errors
in the numerical calculations
JWG A2/C4.39 - 47 -
 LIGTHING IMPULSE: TEMPORAL WAVE SHAPES

Similar tendencies in all

sofwares for voltage
wave.
Relative good agreement
in node voltage.

Poorer agreement in
branch voltages.
Poorer agreement in HV-
LV transferred voltage.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 48 -
 DAMPED OSCILLATORY WAVE SHAPES
Transformer model without taking into account internal damping effects
Response in the center of the lower part of the HV winding
Response to damped
oscillatory wave shape with
D = 0.9

Transformer model without

taking into account internal
damping effects

Response to damped
oscillatory wave shape with
D = 0.9

Transformer model taking

into account internal
damping effects
JWG A2/C4.39 - 49 -
 TIME DOMAIN & FREQUENCY DOMAIN SEVERITY FACTORS
Time Domain Severity Factor in HV winding 8
Energy Spectral Density in HV winding
2.2 10
D = 0.6, f = 14.9 khz D = 0.6, f = 14.9 khz
2 D = 0.7, f = 14.9 khz 6 D = 0.7, f = 14.9 khz
10
D = 0.8, f = 14.9 khz D = 0.8, f = 14.9 khz
D = 0.9, f = 14.9 khz D = 0.9, f = 14.9 khz

Energy Spectral Density (V.s)2

1.8 4
Envelope 10 Envelope

1.6
2
10
TDSF

1.4
0
10
1.2
-2
10
1

-4
0.8 10

-6
10
70 68 66 64 62 60 58 56 54 52 50 48 2 3 4 5 6
10 10 10 10 10
Nodes of the HV winding
Frequency (Hz)

• There is a high fault probability when we apply to the

transformer a oscillatory wave shapes with frequency equal to
one of the resonance frequencies of the transformer
• In the frequency domain all the waves present values higher
than the reference envelope (impulse test).
• In the time domain, the more damped wave is safe.
• This proves that the FDSF is more conservative than TDSF
due to design safety margins.
JWG A2/C4.39 - 50 -
 CHAPTER 10
Recommendations

JWG A2/C4.39 - 51 -
 DESIGN PRACTICES
GOAL

DESIGN PRACTICES

• Interleaving disc windings and in references

for intershielding disc windings
• Internal ZnO surge arrester

JWG A2/C4.39 - 52 -
 SYSTEM ASPECTS
It is recommended that utilities design their network to protect the
transformers from the system transients as much as possible:

 Transients caused by the energization of capacitor banks can

easily be controlled by using closing resistors, series reactors or
controlled switching;

 Reduction of probability of re-strikes due to circuit-breaker

switching

 Minimize disconnector operation close to transformers

 Transients caused by the energization of transmission lines can

be controlled or reduced by using closing resistors or controlled
switching.

 Remote energization should be avoided by installing an extra

circuit breaker on the transformer side of the cable/line.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 53 -
 SYSTEM ASPECTS

 Transformers energization should be done using circuit-

breakers with pre-insertion resistances. Controlled switching
should be evaluated in relation to the inrush current.

 If possible, operating the disconnectors in a GIS should be

avoided or forbidden.

 Good practices of transmission line design and substation

coordination insulation including proper shielding, surge arrester
location, line surge arrester, etc must be applied.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 54 -
 SPECIFICATIONS: DIELECTRIC TESTS
Specifying Lighting Impulse Chopped on the Tail (LIC)
 The frequency spectrum of the LIC waveforms exceed the
frequency spectrum of the Lighting Impulse (LI) waveform from
30 kHz up to 1 MHz.
 The LIC dielectric test was proposed in IEC as a special test
and now it is standardized as in IEEE. It is a current practice of
many utilities but not all.

Upgrading Test Levels

 Utilities with low voltage levels should consider upgrading the
levels for the LI and the LIC dielectric tests.
 Such a practice will increase the probability that transients
applied during a transformer life will be covered by the
standard wave tests.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 55 -
 SPECIFICATIONS: DIELECTRIC TESTS
Adding Unloaded Dielectric Tests to Specification
 LI and LIC dielectric tests perform with all the untested line
terminal earthed as recommended in IEC 60076-3 is
insufficient to test appropriately all possible high-frequency
resonances that could be excited in the service life of a
transformer.
 It is recommended that transformers be tested (LI and LIC)
with untested line terminals unloaded and protected by
arresters or connected to a typical line impedance value and
protected by arresters.

Specifying Additional Dielectric Tests

 Additional dielectric tests can be specified. For example, a Fast
Front Switching Impulse (FFSI) can be specified to simulate
frequent energization.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 56 -
 SPECIFICATIONS: SYSTEM STUDIES

Overvoltage phenomena depends on system

configurations and transformer frequency
response:
Difficult to determine in the specification stage
Provide the manufacturer with representative
impulses
 User’s experiences with similar electrical
transformer environment: Transient measurement;
failure analysis
 Strategic importance of the transformer and the
system’s past operation experience

JWG A2/C4.39 - 57 -
 SPECIFICATIONS

Transformer high frequency modelling

Simplified to more complex models

Insulation stress assessment

A simulation of the voltage distribution in the

internal parts of the transformer for any given
voltage impulse can be performed by the
manufacturer

Design review
JWG A2/C4.39 - 58 -
 SPECIFICATIONS
Interaction between manufacturer and user

JWG A2/C4.39 - 59 -
 SPECIFICATIONS

Transformer Failure Analysis

Transient as a probable cause of failure

Actions should be taken, involving the

manufacturer responsible for the repair or
refurbishment

Examples of failures analysis in

the brochure
JWG A2/C4.39 - 60 -
 TRANSIENT MEASUREMENTS

Important part of the process of analyzing

interactions between the transformer and the
power grid.

Temporary setup : Post mortem analysis

Permanent setup : On-line measurement

system
• good coupling device
• no risk of interruption of the normal
JWG A2/C4.39
operation - 61 -
 CONCLUSIONS

JWG A2/C4.39 - 62 -
 CONCLUSIONS

CIGRE WG A2/C4.39 was formed to clarify/explore reasons for

dielectric failures attributed to transient voltage excitation – even
when good insulation design and coordination practice had been
followed.

1. Current factory insulation proof tests do not completely

address all types of transient events or terminations.

2. Transformer manufacturers and purchasers assume the issue

of transient voltage design and verification is adequately
addressed by current impulse standards – this is not true for
all the cases

3. Other working groups have addressed this issue but much

work remains to be done.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 63 -
 CONCLUSIONS

4. There is a high probability that system-initiated transient

voltages contain oscillatory wave forms. These may produce
internal winding voltages that exceed the transformer
insulation withstand capability.

5. The combination of system and transformer impedance

affects the wave shape (and frequency) of the transient
overvoltage. There are several different modelling
approaches (white, black, grey) used to examine the
system/transformer response.

6. Standard simulation tools provide sufficient transformer and

system modelling capability to examine transient
performance.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 64 -
 CONCLUSIONS
7. The standard approach to assess internal transformer
voltage stress considers tools and design information only
available to manufactures.

8. The utility can make an initial evaluation using the frequency

domain severity factor (FDSF).

9. Repetitive overvoltages and aging reduces insulation

withstand capability and should be recognized in the
transformer design.

10. High frequency breakdown characteristics of solid materials

are not well known and deserve future work.

11. Thirteen case studies are presented demonstrating

situations where system transient lead to excessive internal
overvoltages.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 65 -
 CONCLUSIONS

12. A fictitious transformer design was used to evaluate the white

box performance of eleven different participants
(manufactures, universities, and consultants).

13. The transformer insulation design must recognize the

presence of a broad spectrum of system transients
(aperiodic and oscillatory).

14. It is desirable that a transformer terminal equivalent model be

available so that system studies could be performed

15. This requires close cooperation between the manufacturer

and purchaser in the design stage.

JWG A2/C4.39 - 66 -