A novel and accurate analytical-numerical method for inrush current modeling of three-limb power transformers

Abstract

Purpose

Using appropriate solution techniques for transformer inrush current transient study is of great prominence owing to the inevitable inclusion of differential equations leading to complicated analysis procedures. This study aims to propose an analytical-numerical method to accurately analyze the three-phase three-limb core-type transformer inrush current in different cases considering the nonlinear behavior of the iron core.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed method focuses on acquiring equations for inrush current and also the magnetic core flux by the application of a simulation-based iterative approach. In this regard, multiple integral equations are solved taking the time intervals into account. Then several derivations and integrations of matrix terms are substituted into the obtained results so as to simplify the solution process.

Findings

The method provides notable enhancements in computation time and also excellent qualities of accuracy compared with conventional numerical methods.

Practical implications

The proposed method is simulated for two three-phase transformers via MATLAB software. The obtained simulation results have been also compared with experimental tests.

Originality/value

Actually, the analytical-numerical method is capable of computing higher number of iterations in a shorter time efficiently, while making use of the conventional numerical procedures may not result in expected convergences. The simulation results of the proposed analytical-numerical technique illustrate a close agreement with the experimental test, and hence, verify the method preciousness.

Citation

Taghikhani, M.A. and Taghikhani, Z. (2020), "A novel and accurate analytical-numerical method for inrush current modeling of three-limb power transformers", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 39 No. 4, pp. 853-870. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-07-2019-0288