Search results

Depending on the load the flux‐density distribution inside power transformers core shows significant local variations due to stray fluxes which enter the transformer core. As saturation of the core has to be avoided the flux‐density distribution has to be determined early in the design stage of the transformer. This paper seeks to address these issues.

To determine the load dependent flux‐density distribution the operating point of the transformer is calculated considering linear and non‐linear material properties. The operating point is determined using a linearised lumped parameter model of the transformer under various load conditions. Considering non‐linear material properties the inductance matrix depends on the operating point and will be extracted by means of the FEM whenever the magnetic energy within the transformer changes notably.

This paper presents a numerical stable approach to calculate the operating point of a transformer by using the magnetic flux linkage as state variable for the coupled field problem.

The proposed approach uses a fixed time‐step to update the lumped parameters by means of the FEM. This results in long simulation times. In further research it is planned to implement an adaptive time‐step method based on the change of the magnetic energy.

A numerical stable approach to calculate the operating point of a transformer by using the magnetic flux linkage as state variable for the coupled field problem is proposed. The methodology is applied to a 2D model of a three‐phase transformer. However, it also can be applied to 3D FE models. Based on the calculated operating point, the flux‐density distribution can be determined and several post‐processing methods can be executed (e.g. determination of core losses, …).

The purpose of this paper is to design a cascaded Multilevel inverter with reduce number of switches for high power applications. This paper came up with an innovative three-phase multilevel inverter (MLI) topology, which is a cascaded structure based on classical three-legged voltage source inverter (VSI) bridges as an individual module. The prominent advantage of this topology is that it requires only one direct current (DC) link system. The main characteristic of it is that a higher number of voltage levels can be achieved with considerably a smaller number of semiconductor switches, which improves the reliability, power quality, cost and size of the system significantly.

The individual modules are cascaded through three-phase transformers to provide higher voltage at the output with the higher number of voltage levels. In this work, the phase-shifted pulse width modulation technique is implemented to verify the result.

The proposed topology is compared with three-phase cascaded H-bridge MLI (CHB-MLI) and a modified CHB-MLI topology and found better in many aspects. The proposed MLI can produce a higher number of voltage levels with fewer semiconductor switches and associated triggering circuitry. As the device count in the proposed MLI is less compared to other MLI discussed, it tends to have less switching and conduction loss which increases the efficiency and reliability. As the number of level increases, the voltage profile and the total harmonic distortion of the proposed MLI improves.

This is a transformer-based modular cascaded MLI, which is based on classical VSI bridges. Here in this topology, a single module provides all three phases. So, a single string of cascaded modules is enough for three-phase multilevel voltage generation.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

This paper aims to focus on the implementation of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850–9-2 standard based process bus with merging units (MUs) and sampled values (SV) to improve the protection and control systems. The digital process interface is important to be included on the process bus level.

The IEC 61850–9-2 process bus standard is not extensively used in regard to SV when the IEC 61850 standard is implemented by power utilities. Many protection and control intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) are connected to a substation communication network, routers and switches using fibre-optic linked Ethernet. However, inductive current transformers (CTs) and voltage transformers (VTs) secondary circuits are still hardwired to the IEDs. The paper highlight issues with the copper wires for currents signals and how these issues can be eliminated by using the MUs and the SV protocol. The voltage regulator control IED of each transformer is required to regulate the voltage level of the secondary side bus bar it is connected to. All the regulating IEDs of parallel-connected transformers are required to communicate with each other to share information. They collectively control the bus bar voltage depending on the switching configuration of the parallel transformers.

It is shown that process bus information such as the high voltage switchgear status information of primary plant in the yard, can be used to improve the substation protection and control systems. The power transformer protection and voltage regulator control are focused on.

The deliverables of the research work can be applied in: The Centre for Substation Automation and Energy Management systems of the Department of Electrical Engineering, power utilities and other establishments using power systems and digital substations in the electrical supply industry. The research work on the thesis led to the development of a laboratory test-bench where students can learn and understand the basics of the IEC 61850–9-2 SVs principles. The test-bench components such as the IEDs, real-time digital simulator, standalone MUs and Ethernet equipment can be used for future research applications. The test-bench can be used to demonstrate during course work for students at the University, the basics of digital substations using a process bus network with IEDs, MUs and Ethernet equipment.

The research work showed where lab equipment is getting outdated and future equipment will be required for research work in IEC 61850–9-2 process bus.

Power utilities can benefit from implementing the IEC 61850 part 9–2 of the standard and by using MUs and other process interface information in substations. A cost reduction in high voltage equipment, substation installation and commissioning costs and better performance of protection and control system can be achieved.

Interturn winding faults, one of the most important causes of power transformers failures, cannot be detected by existing detection methods until they develop into high‐level faults with more severe damage to the transformer. The purpose of this paper is to describe development of a new discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based approach for detection of winding interturn faults.

The following approach was accomplished for development of the proposed fault detection method in this study. The DWT was first applied to decompose the terminal current signals of a transformer, which in turn were obtained from simulations using a finite elements method model of the transformer, into a series of wavelet components. Based on the characteristic features associated with interturn faults extracted from the decomposed waveforms of the terminal currents, a detection scheme was developed. An experimental setup was used to validate the proposed detection method.

The results of this study demonstrate the efficacy of DWT applied on terminal currents of the transformer to identify interturn faults on the windings well before such faults lead to a catastrophic failure. It is believed that, based on the present findings, there definitely exists scope for improving interturn fault diagnosis with wavelet transform.

Performing more detailed studies to find all relevant characteristics of the wavelet transform in this application, identifying the location of the faulted turns along winding, applying the method for indicating early stages of turn insulation deterioration and evaluating other type of wavelets for this application would be some future directions of this research.

With the proposed method, it is becoming possible to detect early signs of the fault occurrence, so that the necessary corrective actions can be taken to prevent long‐lasting outages and reduce down times of the faulty power transformer. The method will be particularly useful as a complement for the classical protection devices of the power transformers.

Some recent studies have been carried out regarding the application of DWT for discrimination between an internal fault and other disturbances such as magnetizing inrush and external faults. This paper extends those studies for the detection of interturn faults using more quantitative and qualitative characteristics features.

This paper aims to propose a method of parametrizing topological transformer model at high flux densities in the core.

The approach proposed is based on terminal voltages and currents measured in a special purpose saturation test whose data are combined with typical saturation curves of grain-oriented electrical steels; the modeling is carried out in the ATPDraw program.

The authors corroborate experimentally the necessity of dividing the zero sequence impedance between all transformer phases and propose a method of the individual representation of the legs and yokes. This eliminates the use of nonexistent leakage inductances of primary and secondary windings.

The presented modeling approach can be used for predicting inrush current events and in the evaluation of the impact caused by geomagnetically induced currents (GICs).

The proposed approach is completely original and will contribute to a better understanding of the transients occurring in a transformer under abnormal conditions, such as inrush current events and GICs.

Many authors reported the decrease of performances when electric machines and electromagnetic devices were supplied by pulse width modulated (PWM) voltages. However, these statements are rarely supported by measurements performed under fair conditions. The aim of this paper is to compare the performances of a single‐phase transformer and a three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) supplied by sinusoidal and PWM voltages and to find a way to evaluate the decrease of performances when PWM voltages are applied.

In order to perform a fair comparison between performances of the tested objects supplied by sinusoidal and PWM voltages, an experimental system was built. It contains a single‐phase and a three‐phase linear rectifier for supply with sinusoidal voltages and an H‐bridge inverter and a three‐phase inverter for supply with PWM voltages. The tests and measurements were performed on a single‐phase transformer and three‐phase PMSM, where different constant loads and different modulation frequencies were used. The test conditions were identical for the supply by sinusoidal and PWM voltages. The measured data, used for the evaluation of performances, were the input and output power and the time behaviours of currents and voltages together with their THDs.

The results presented in the paper clearly show that the efficiency of the singe‐phase transformer and three‐phase PMSM decreases with the increasing level of voltage THD. To properly determine the THD of PWM voltage, the sampling frequencies above 1 MHz and special equipment are normally required. However, if the modulation frequency is not too high, also the current THD, which can be easily determined, can be used to evaluate the decrease of efficiency in the case of supply by PWM voltages.

The results presented in the paper clearly show that the efficiency of the singe‐phase transformer and three‐phase PMSM decreases with the increasing level of voltage THD.

The paper presents a mathematical model for the hysteresis phenomenon in a multi-winding single-phase core type transformer. The set of loop differential equations was developed for Kth winding transformer model where the flux linkages of each winding includes a flux common Φ to all windings as function of magneto motive force Θ of all windings. The purpose of this paper is to first determine a hysteresis nonlinearity involved in Φ(Θ) function using modified Preisach theory and second to develop new analytical formula of Preisach distribution function (PDF).

It is assumed in this paper that flux linkage characteristics Ψ(i) of each winding have nonlinear component due to the magnetization characteristic of the steel core and sum of linear components due to the self and mutual leakage fluxes. This nonlinear component of Ψ(i) characteristic can be expressed as a flux common Φ to all windings vs ampere-turns Θ of all windings. The nonlinear flux linkage characteristics Ψ(i) of the tested transformer are calculated from the set of measured terminal voltages and terminal currents. To simulate magnetic behavior of the iron core the feedback scalar Preisach model of hysteresis is proposed which gives more accurate predictions than classical model. For this hysteresis model the PDF and feedback function are needed. The intend of this paper is to find these function as an analytical formulas which are convenient for numerical simulations. For identification of the PDF and feedback function parameters of the considered iron core of tested transformer the Levenberg-Marquardt optimization algorithm was used.

The flux common to all windings is calculated by integrating the induced voltages of the appropriate windings. In this paper the PDF is proposed as a functional series including two dimensional Gauss expressions. In order to proper approximation of hysteresis nonlinearity of the tested iron core the first three terms of functional series of the PDF have been used. In the optimization algorithm only initial and descending limiting hysteresis curves Φ(Θ) were utilized. The feedback function for proposed hysteresis model is assumed as third-order polynomial. The hysteresis model has been successfully validated by comparing the calculated and measured results of Φ(Θ) hysteresis curves. This hysteresis model can be used in transient and steady state simulations of tested transformer taking into account the hysteresis phenomenon. The developed hysteresis model can be also used for analysis of the influence of remnant flux on the operation of tested transformer especially in transient states.

In this paper the feedback Preisach hysteresis model is involved in the flux common to all windings vs ampere-turns of all windings. The new PDF is proposed as functional series including two dimensional Gauss expressions. For tested transformer the three first terms of this functional series may be used for proper approximation of hysteresis nonlinearities.

This paper deals with the modelling of transformer supply in the two‐dimensional (2D) finite element (FE) simulation of rotating electrical machines. Three different transformer models are compared. The reference one is based on two 2D FE models, considering a cross‐section either parallel or perpendicular to the laminations of the magnetic core. The parameters of the two other transformer models, a magnetic equivalent circuit and an electrical equivalent circuit, can be derived from the reference model. Particular attention is paid to some common features of the transformer models, e.g. with regard to the inclusion of iron losses. The three models are used in the 2D FE simulation of the steady‐state load operation and the starting from stand‐still of an induction motor.

The purpose of this research is to develop new techniques for component physical modeling for the dynamic simulation of integrated power systems.

A FE‐based phase variable model is proposed so as to achieve fast and accurate simulation. Such a model is established based on the nonlinear transient FE analysis, in order to take into consideration the harmonic effects due to the nonlinear magnetization property, magnetic circuit geometry as well as other design variations.

In the FE‐based phase variable model, the inductances are described as functions of the phase angle and the magnitude of winding currents, the rotor position and other operational parameters. They are obtained from the transient FE solutions, stored in tables, and retrieved during the simulation. The FE‐based phase variable model is implemented in Simulink in two ways. The first is the equation‐based block and the second is the circuit component‐based block. The FE‐based phase variable models of various electrical components in the power system were studied. This includes various types of rotating machines and transformers. Examination and application examples show the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed operational modeling procedures.

The developed FE‐based physical phase variable model is as accurate as the full FE model with much faster simulation speed. It will benefit the dynamic simulation of integrated power system. This combination of physical modeling and integrated dynamic simulation is original and represents an added value to the state‐of‐the‐art in this field.