Points to be consider while Selecting of Vector Group:

Vector Groups are the IEC method of categorizing the primary and secondary winding configurations of
3-phase transformers. Windings can be connected as delta, star, or interconnected-star (zigzag).
Winding polarity is also important, since reversing the connections across a set of windings affects the
phase-shift between primary and secondary. Vector groups identify the winding connections and
polarities of the primary and secondary. From a vector group one can determine the phase-shift
between primary and secondary.

Transformer vector group depends upon

Removing harmonics: Dy connection – y winding nullifies 3rd harmonics, preventing it to be reflected on

delta side.

Parallel operations: All the transformers should have same vector group & polarity of the winding.

Earth fault Relay: A Dd transformer does not have neutral. to restrict the earth faults in such systems,
we may use zig zag wound transformer to create a neutral along with the earth fault relay..

Type of Non Liner Load: systems having different types of harmonics & non linear Types of loads e.g.
furnace heaters ,VFDS etc for that we may use Dyn11, Dyn21, Dyn31 configuration, wherein, 30 deg.
shifts of voltages nullifies the 3rd harmonics to zero in the supply system.

Type of Transformer Application: Generally for Power export transformer i.e. generator side is
connected in delta and load side is connected in star. For Power export import transformers i.e. in
Transmission Purpose Transformer star star connection may be preferred by some since this avoids a
grounding transformer on generator side and perhaps save on neutral insulation. Most of systems are
running in this configuration. May be less harmful than operating delta system incorrectly. Yd or Dy
connection is standard for all unit connected generators.

There are a number of factors associated with transformer connections and may be useful in designing a
system, and the application of the factors therefore determines the best selection of transformers. For
example:

For selecting Star Connection:

A star connection presents a neutral. If the transformer also includes a delta winding, that neutral will
be stable and can be grounded to become a reference for the system. A transformer with a star winding
that does NOT include a delta does not present a stable neutral.

Star-star transformers are used if there is a requirement to avoid a 30deg phase shift, if there is a desire
to construct the three-phase transformer bank from single-phase transformers, or if the transformer is
going to be switched on a single-pole basis (ie, one phase at a time), perhaps using manual switches.
Star-star transformers are typically found in distribution applications, or in large sizes interconnecting
high-voltage transmission systems. Some star-star transformers are equipped with a third winding
connected in delta to stabilize the neutral.

For selecting Delta Connection:

A delta connection introduces a 30 electrical degree phase shift.

A delta connection ‘traps’ the flow of zero sequence currents.

For selecting Delta-Star Connection:

Delta-star transformers are the most common and most generally useful transformers.

Delta-delta transformers may be chosen if there is no need for a stable neutral, or if there is a
requirement to avoid a 30 electrical degree phase shift. The most common application of a delta-delta
transformer is as tan isolation transformer for a power converter.

For selecting Zig zag Connection:

The Zig Zag winding reduces voltage unbalance in systems where the load is not equally distributed
between phases, and permits neutral current loading with inherently low zero-sequence impedance. It is
therefore often used for earthing transformers.

Provision of a neutral earth point or points, where the neutral is referred to earth either directly or
through impedance. Transformers are used to give the neutral point in the majority of systems. The star
or interconnected star (Z) winding configurations give a neutral location. If for various reasons, only
delta windings are used at a particular voltage level on a particular system, a neutral point can still be
provided by a purpose-made transformer called a neutral earthing.

For selecting Distribution Transformer:

The first criterion to consider in choosing a vector group for a distribution transformer for a facility is to
know whether we want a delta-star or star-star. Utilities often prefer star-star transformers, but these
require 4-wire input feeders and 4-wire output feeders (i.e. incoming and outgoing neutral conductors).

For distribution transformers within a facility, often delta-star are chosen because these transformers do
not require 4-wire input; a 3-wire primary feeder circuit suffices to supply a 4-wire secondary circuit.
That is because any zero sequence current required by the secondary to supply earth faults or
unbalanced loads is supplied by the delta primary winding, and is not required from the upstream power
source. The method of earthing on the secondary is independent of the primary for delta-star
transformers.

The second criterion to consider is what phase-shift you want between primary and secondary. For
example, Dy11 and Dy5 transformers are both delta-star. If we don’t care about the phase-shift, then
either transformer will do the job. Phase-shift is important when we are paralleling sources. We want
the phase-shifts of the sources to be identical.

If we are paralleling transformers, then you want them to have the same the same vector group. If you
are replacing a transformer, use the same vector group for the new transformer, otherwise the existing
VTs and CTs used for protection and metering will not work properly.

There is no technical difference between the one vector groups (i.e. Yd1) or another vector group (i.e.
Yd11) in terms of performance. The only factor affecting the choice between one or the other is system
phasing, ie whether parts of the network fed from the transformer need to operate in parallel with
another source. It also matters if you have an auxiliary transformer connected to generator terminals.
Vector matching at the auxiliary bus bar