ITCE'15, [V. Behjat et al.
: Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults]
Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power
Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults
V. Behjat, V. Tamjidi
 diagnostic techniques to mechanical defects detection are
Abstract— The leakage inductance of power transformer
windings can be a very important indicator for the analysis of
the transformer mechanical faults, since this parameter is
mostly depends on the geometry of the core and the windings of
the transformer. Hence, an accurate study in this area is
required to investigate the capability of leakage inductance
behavior in detecting and diagnosing of various transformer
windings faults. In this study a number of common forms of
winding mechanical faults such as deformation and
displacement are reviewed to achieve a better understanding of
leakage inductance behavior in presence of winding mechanical
faults using 3D finite element model (FEM). But the main
objective of this study is to perform a comprehensive and
systematic study on different types of transformers winding
faults and so, evaluate the sensitivity and ability of the leakage
inductance measurement in monitoring of the transformers
status. The study keeps at disposal an 8 MVA power
transformer on which mechanical faults are imposed and
investigated by simulation. Obtained results from simulation
reveal that the leakage inductance has a higher sensitivity to
winding radial deformation in comparison to winding axial
displacement and therefore, the winding deformation will be
reflected as well in leakage inductance.
Keywords: Power Transformer, Winding Mechanical Fault,
Leakage Inductance, Finite Element Method (FEM)
I. INTRODUCTION
In power systems, transformer is one of the most
essential elements and their failure have a great impact on
the stability and reliability of the electric power network,
which may lead to heavy expenses for maintenance,
transportation and cost of costumer interruption. Mechanical
defects in transformer windings are one of the main faults
that can be tending to take this equipment out of service.
Mechanical defects might occur due to many troubles such
as electromagnetic stresses, thermal accumulation, or
intensive shake due to earthquake or even unsuitable
transportation. This defects cause windings deformation in
axial and/or radial direction. Early detection of these faults
can greatly reduce the maintenance costs and minimize the
damage level in the transformer. Hence, accurate detection
of transformer active part displacement as well as winding
deformation is most important aspect of transformer
condition monitoring [1-4]. Some of the most used
V. Behjat is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering
Faculty, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran (e-mail:
behjat@azaruniv.edu).
V. Tmjidi is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Engineering
Faculty, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran (e-mail:
vahid.tamjidi@gmail.com).
1
[5]:
1. Measurement of leakage inductance and short-circuit
impedance.
2. Methods based on vibration or acoustic signals.
3. Frequency response analysis (FRA), obtained by two
methods:
a. Low-voltage impulse (LVI).
b. Sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA).
4. Measurement of frequency response of stray losses
(FRSL).
Among these methods, leakage inductance and short
circuit impedance measurement have been widely used to
detect winding faults such as displacement and deformation.
Leakage inductance of a transformer winding mostly
depends on the geometry of the core, windings, and physical
changes of them. Since, it can be concluded that windings
mechanical faults could change leakage inductance value,
but the important thing is that this method has required
sensitivity and could early detects faults. For calculating the
transformer winding leakage inductance before actual
assembly of them, classic simplified equations [6] are still
widely used, even though the finite-element method (FEM),
with utilizing nowadays computational power, can provide
higher accuracy in a shorter period of time than before [7].
In this paper, the variation of the transformer leakage
inductance and consequently, short circuit impedance
variation due to the transformer winding mechanical faults
(displacement/deformation) is investigated to determine the
effects of the winding mechanical faults on the transformer
leakage inductance and verify capability of this method by
using 3D FEM model. Based on this, the paper is organized
as follows. In section 2, electromagnetic forces that lead
windings to deform or displace and some most common
form of winding deformations are discussed. In section 3,
the analytical methods to calculate winding leakage
inductance and short circuit impedance are described. The
3D FEM model of the test object is presented in section 4 to
investigate the effects of the various winding deformation
and displacement on the transformer winding leakage
inductance and finally, the simulation results and conclusion
are presented in sections 5 and 6, respectively.
II. ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCES AND WINDING
DEFORMATION FORMS
Mechanical deformations due to the short circuit currents
are one of the most frequent causes which put transformer
ITCE'15, [V. Behjat et al.: Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults]
out of service. Short circuit might be occurring in
transformer winding or out in power network and cause
windings incur intensive forces. Based on Ampère’s force
low, if two wires are carrying current in the same direction,
the force between them is attractive and vice versa, the force
is repulsive. Therefore, the forces between each winding
loops are attractive but the force between two HV and LV
windings that are carrying current in opposite directions is
repulsive. Hence, the radial forces that acting on outer
winding of the transformer is tensional and trying to rupture
the winding conductors, but inner winding of the transformer
experience the radial compressive force. Also, the axial
component of forces act on all windings and trying to press
or displace them in axial direction. Finally, these forces can
cause an axial, radial or perhaps angular deformation in
windings [1], [8-9]. Transformer winding deformation
categories was proposed in the literature [10-12].
A. Radial Forces
Radial forces due to the short circuit currents are
produced by axial leakage flux act outwards on the outer
winding and lead winding conductors to endure stretch stress
[11]. Beside, these forces cause inner winding to experience
compressive stress [9]. Different types of deformations due
to the radial forces can be occur, but amongst all of them
buckling type of deformation has been mostly reported in
transformer windings [13]. Fig. 1, presents radial forces in
cylindrical windings that initiate to buckling deformation.
(a) Radial forces (b) Outer winding (c) Inner winding
acting on inner and deformation deformation
outer windings
Fig.1. Electromagnetic radial forces and windings radial deformation forms
(Buckling).
B. Axial Forces
Axial forces that produced by radial stray flux density, act
on all winding and cause them to displacement or lead
conductors to tilting or bending. If windings are not placed
symmetrically or windings height is unequal, Ampere-turn
mismatch between LV and HV will strengthen axial forces.
Titling and bending of the conductors between spacers are
one of the most common deformations due to axial forces
[1]. Axial forces acting on windings which lead them to
displacement or tilting of the transformer windings is shown
in Fig. 2.
2
(a) Axial forces (b) Winding (c) Winding tilting
acting on the displacement in deformation
windings effect of axial
forces
Fig.2. Electromagnetic axial forces and windings displacement and
deformation.
III. ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE
CALCULATION
Calculation of the transformer leakage inductance using
magnetic cores has long been an area of interest to engineers
involved in the design of power and distribution
transformers. This is required for inspection the performance
of the transformers before actual assembly of them [14].
There are several techniques for the leakage inductance
evaluation in transformers using different analytical and
numerical methods. But most of the analytical methods are
not accurate, especially when the axial height of HV and LV
winding are not equal [15]. Major analytical methods which
are mostly employed by utilities and researchers include
Flux Element Method and Energy Element Method where
these methods are valid only for normal operating conditions
(no fault) and fully based on construction of transformer
which means that the effect of the core material is not taken
into account [14-19].
A. Flux Element Method
The magnitude of the leakage flux is a function of the
geometry and structure of the transformer. Flux element
method is based on this fact that the leakage inductance is
defined as the ratio of the total leakage flux to the current
flowing in the windings. This method has certain limitations
such as no core material effect on leakage inductance value
and some approximation is required to achieve a solution.
The considered assumptions for this method are [14, 15]:
1) The leakage flux distribution in the winding and the
space between them must be in the axial direction of the
windings.
2) The leakage flux is uniformly distributed along the
radial length of the windings.
3) The leakage flux in the space of two windings is
divided equally between them.
4) The axial height of the HV and LV windings is equal.
With regard to above assumptions, the leakage flux for
each winding of a two-winding transformer is calculated as
follows:
  N   N Bds  N  Hds (1)

S

S
0
where H is magnetic field strength, B is magnetic flux
ITCE'15, [V. Behjat et al.: Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults]

density, and µ0 is the permeability of vacuum. Calculating and the total stored energy yields:
and replacing magnetic flux in above equation, leads to [6]:
W m  W LV  W HV  W air _ gap (11)
2
 0 N Il mt  d s (2)
    
lC 3 2 Consequently, leakage inductance reflected to the primary
side can be expressed as the following simplified respect [4]:
Consequently, the leakage inductance for each winding
can be computed by using:  0 N 12  lm 1 d 1 lm2 d 2 d2 d2  (12)
 L eq (1)     l mg d g  2  1 
L (3) h  3 3 12 12 
I
 N 2 l mt  d s  (4) For windings with unequal heights, it is proposed to use
L 0   
lC  3 2 the average value of the heights of the windings h=
(h1+h2)/2, along with (12). Another approach that used in
and reflecting leakage inductance to the primary side some programs such EMTP [17], for windings with unequal
becomes: heights, is to apply the average height only for the gap
2
N  between the two windings. Thus, equation (12) becomes:
L eq (1)  L1   1  L 2 (5)
 N2   lm d l d l mg d g d 22 d 12  (13)
L eq (1)   0 N 12  1 1  m 2 2    
 3 h1 3h2 hg 12 12 
where N is number of the primary or secondary winding
turns, lmt is mean length of the primary or secondary turns, I where h is axial height of windings, hg=(h1+h2)/2 is
is rms current of the primary or secondary windings, lC is the average height of the windings that is applies only for the
axial height of windings (same for primary and secondary), d gap between windings, d is radial depth of primary or
is the radial depth of primary or secondary winding, and s is secondary winding, dg is radial depth of the gap between
the radial gap between the primary and secondary windings. windings, and ri is LV winding inner radius. Fig. 4 shows the
transformer parameters that used to leakage inductance
calculation using energy element method.
B. Energy Element Method

The electromagnetic energy stored in the windings and the

radial gap between them can be used to calculate the
inductance between the windings and the leakage
inductance. The previous mentioned assumptions are
considered here in order to obtain a solution. Winding
inductance calculation from the energy point of view can be
expressed as:

2  Wm (6)
L Fig.4. Parameters of transformer for calculating the leakage inductance
I2 using energy method

where Wm is the stored energy in magnetic field produced IV. WINDING DEFORMATION MODELING AND LEAKAGE
by a current I flowing in the windings that obtained by INDUCTANCE CALCULATING USING 3D FEM MODEL
magnetic computing based on Maxwell equations. The
magnetic field energy Wm stored in a volume V is expressed Classical analytical approaches, based on an axial flux
as: distribution, can lead to considerable error if the windings
1 1 (7) have unequal heights and if they are located far from the
W m   B . Hdv    0 H 2 dv
V
2 V
2 core yokes and have some limitations [6]. The finite-element
method is a most applicable numerical technique that
Additionally, the stored energy of the windings LV, HV, provides higher accuracy than analytical methods and any
and radial air space between them must be calculated complex geometry with core material consideration can be
separately as follows [6]: analyzed. In this section, at first the leakage inductance of
the test subject transformer is calculated using all mentioned
 0 N 22 I 22  ri
d 22  equations to validate the accuracy of FEM model. Then,
W LV  (8)
  d 2 different deformation states are modeled by changing
h  3 12  physical dimensions and positions of the windings.
 0 N 12 I 12  ri  d 2  d g  d 1 d 12  (9) For calculating leakage inductance of windings using 3D
W HV    d1
h  3 12  FEM model, after making the geometry model of the
transformer and description the physics of materials,
 0 N 12 I 12  dg  (10)
W air _ gap   ri  d 2  d g problem must be solved with rated value of windings
h  2 

3
ITCE'15, [V. Behjat et al.: Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults]

Ampere-turn (rated NI). The Total stored energy in the TABLE I

COMPUTATION RESULTS USING DIFFERENT METHODS
windings volume and the space between them are used to
Method Leakage Inductance [mH]
calculate Leakage inductance by using equation (6). Measured value 28.64788976
The transformer under study is an Flux element method 33.50117893
8 MVA, 20/11 kV, 50 Hz, Delta-wye, oil natural air natural, Energy element method 34.33196467
FEM 3D model 30.39251754
core type, two winding three-phase power transformer. The
short-circuit impedance of the transformer is 6% and turns
ratio in normal tap is equal to 510/162. A transversal section TABLE II
representation of the transformer structure with the LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE CHANGES UNDER INNER WINDING (LV) RADIAL
DEFORMATION ACCORDING TO FIG. (6-A)
arrangement of the core, insulation, low-voltage (LV) and
Deformation Leakage Inductance Leakage Inductance
high-voltage (HV) windings is shown in Fig. 5. The Level mm [mH] Changes [%]
magnetic core is an isotropic non-linear magnetic material 0 30.39251754 0%
defined by analytical saturation curve. 1 2 30.44944148 0.1873 %
2 4 30.52086879 0.4223 %
3 6 30.59334400 0.6608 %
1,795 mm 4 8 30.67741062 0.9374 %
5 10 30.81224711 1.3810 %
6 12 30.90722999 1.6935 %
7 14 31.00631211 2.0196 %

1,784 mm

TABLE III
LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE CHANGES UNDER OUTER WINDING (HV) RADIAL
DEFORMATION ACCORDING TO FIG. (6-B)
Deformation Leakage Inductance Leakage Inductance
Level mm [mH] Changes [%]
0 30.39251754 0%
1 2 30.45850026 0.2171 %
2 4 30.53188949 0.4586 %
Fig.5. Geometrical structure of the transformer used as a case study 3 6 30.61315274 0.7259 %
4 8 30.68571100 0.9647 %
5 10 30.77111726 1.2457 %
A. Leakage Inductance Changes under Windings Radial 6 12 30.85751770 1.5300 %
7 14 30.93954600 1.7999 %
Deformation 8 16 31.04610848 2.1505 %
Reflected leakage inductance to the primary side of the 9 18 31.13548600 2.4435 %
10 20 31.23358488 2.7674 %
test object transformer in healthy state calculated by
analytical methods and FEM model is given in table I. With
respect to this table, resulted value from FEM model is more
B. Leakage Inductance Variation under Windings Axial
accurate. As illustrated in Fig. 1, radial deformations almost
Displacement
are in buckling type. Inner and outer windings deformation
is modeled by changing winding physical dimensions in 3D The leakage inductance increases in transformers with
FEM model of the transformer. Tables II and III present the unequal windings height. Also, axial forces that lead to
leakage inductance variations under different levels and tilting, bending or displacing of winding conductors will be
different types of radial deformation according to Figs. 6(a) more sever in these transformer types. Using FEM model
and 6(b) respectively. can provides axial deformation and displacement simulation
with high accuracy. When axial electromagnetic forces act
on the windings, they can cause the HV winding to move
HV axially with respect to the LV winding [9], as shown in Fig.
7. Moving HV winding from initial position leads leakage
LV
LV
36° (10 %) Deformation
inductance to change, since the value of radial leakage flux
0-16 mm depression changes. So, in this section, the effects of outer winding
(HV) displacement on leakage inductance are investigated.
(a) The simulation results are presented in table IV.

HV

LV
36° (10 %) Deformation
0-20 mm convexity
HV

(b)
Fig.6. Inner and outer windings radial deformations (a) inner winding
deformation (b) outer winding deformation Fig.7. Outer winding axial displacement (Only one phase of three phases is
shown).

4
ITCE'15, [V. Behjat et al.: Leakage Inductance Behavior of Power Transformer Windings under Mechanical Faults]

TABLE IV
REFERENCES
LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE VARIATION UNDER OUTER WINDING (HV)
DISPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO FIG. (7)
Displacement Leakage Inductance Leakage Inductance [1] Mehdi Bagheri, Mohammad Salay Naderi, and Trevor Blackburn,
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[7] Mathieu Lambert, Frédéric Sirois, Manuel Martínez-Duró, and Jean
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VI. CONCLUSION
Most reported windings deformation and major
analytical methods which are employed by utilities and
researchers are presented in this paper. Depending on the
relationship that the value of leakage inductance relies on
dimensions and positions of transformer windings, the
effects of winding various deformations and displacement on
leakage inductance value are investigated by FEM. The
results of winding defects modeling show the low sensitivity
of this approach for detecting mechanical deformation faults
in power transformers. Hence, this method is an improper
method and can’t be used to early detection winding
mechanical faults such as movement and/or deformation.