Electric Power Systems Research, 24 (1992) 153-163 153

A simple model for transformer inrush current calculation and

harmonic analysis

C. L. Cheng, a C. E. Lin, b C. L. Huang b and J. C. Yeh b

aDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Yunlin Polytechnic Institute, Yunlin (Taiwan)
bDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Cheng Kung University, Tainan (Taiwan)

(Received March 12, 1992)

Abstract

Measurements of transformer inrush current offer important data for power system operation and protec-
tion. Since inrush current is the result of a system transient, it is difficult to observe this phenomenon and
analyze its effect instantaneously. This paper proposes a simple model to represent and simulate the
magnetizing inrush current of transformers using real-time measurements. The proposed method formulates
a simplified model to represent the inrush current under different loading conditions. The simulation data
are also used for harmonic analysis. The relationship of the harmonics to all parameters is discussed. The
proposed simulation results are compared with the experimental results with very good agreement. The
results establish a guideline for elimination of harmonics due to inrush current, and offer an important
reference for system design considerations.

Keywords: inrush current, harmonic analysis, numerical simulation, real-time measurements.

1. I n t r o d u c t i o n harmonics in the applications was not a major

This paper presents a simple model for inrush
current representation and its application to har-
monic analysis for single-phase transformers.
The magnetizing transformer inrush current has
a close relationship with the nonlinearity and
hysteresis of the iron core. This results in analyt-
ical complexity. Several methods [1-7] have been
used to derive the analytical solution or the nu-
merical simulation by applying various tech-
niques. The main drawback of these methods was
their mathematical complexity and the difficulty
of obtaining parameters. In addition, these meth-
ods could not cover all loading conditions accu-
rately. They were only suitable for some par-
ticular conditions of power system operation.
In power system operation, transformers are
switched on and off quite frequently under nor-
mal conditions. Inrush currents resulting from
transformer switching, therefore, cause more se-
rious problems than the energizing currents of
transformers. An accurate method to predict the
magnetizing inrush currents is useful for system
operation and protection.
When the above-mentioned methods were used
to investigate inrush currents in transformers,
concern. Owing to the serious effects of harmon-
ics on power system operation in the last decade,
the influence of harmonics is now an important
issue. Solid-state power electronics devices are
known to be strong sources of harmonics under
steady-state conditions. However, during switch-
ing and fault transients, harmonics generated
from power transformers are also annoying, caus-
ing false tripping of protection relays. Over-
voltages [3, 8, 9] resulting from inrush currents
also cause serious damage to power devices.
The proposed method provides an improved
model to express the inrush current from a finite
difference form using digital data acquisition [10-
12]. The inrush current data obtained are used for
harmonic analysis. The fast Fourier transform
(FFT) is used to analyze the frequency spectrum
and harmonic content of the inrush current. Since
the proposed technique is simple and straightfor-
ward, simulations can be carried out repeatedly
under different setting conditions. The analysis
can therefore look into more details for each
particular condition of the studied problems.
Considering the transient inrush current, the
relationship representing both the im-~b (magne-
tizing c u r r e n t - m u t u a l flux) hysteresis loop [10]

0378-7796/92/$5.00 © 1992 Elsevier Sequoia. All rights reserved

154

and the saturation characteristics [11] has a

strong influence on the simulation accuracy. il • I ] • i2
When they are used in combination with circuit I o
loop equations, a numerical simulation method
must be applied. The numerical simulation tech-
nique presented in this paper uses a new method
1
+
v2 R2I
L2

to include both the i m - ¢ hysteresis loop and the

saturation characteristics [10, 11]. This expres-
- -
° -]j , r
~
x,.. . . . . . . . . j
I
sion satisfies the above conditions, and is very
simple to use for the proposed applications.
The proposed numerical model is described in
this paper. Experiments as well as simulations
~i ~ • I I • i2
are carried out to examine this method. Different
test parameters such as switch-on angle, load
power factor and remanent flux are taken into
consideration. The experimental and simulation
results are compared. Very good agreement can
be achieved.

,b) l ........ "l

2. T h e p r o p o s e d m e t h o d Fig. 1. A c t u a l t r a n s f o r m e r l o a d i n g : ( a ) i n d u c t i v e l o a d ; (b) c a p a c -
itive load.

The transformer is a major piece of equipment

in a power system. Its duty relating to electro-
magnetic conversion connects higher levels of
power delivery to lower utility levels. Flux link-
age of the primary and secondary windings in the
iron core is designed to carry out the energy
conversion. However, considering practical
conditions, flux leakage of transformer windings
plays a significant part in such a conversion.
Therefore, flux leakage and hysteresis loops,
in terms of i m and q~, should also be included in
the representative circuit modeling. Here, only
the effect of eddy currents in the iron core is
neglected.
In general, the transformer secondary may be
unloaded (open circuit) or loaded with different
power factors. A power transformer is assumed
to be connected to an infinite bus. By Kirchhoff's
voltage law, the differential equation of the pri-
mary circuit in Fig. 1 can be written as
dih di,
e(t) = - ~ [ + R~i, + L, ~[ (1)
and
e(t) =/{:max sin(~ot + a) (2)
where e(t) is the instantaneous exciting voltage, t
the time measured at switch-on, )v~ the instanta-
neous mutual flux linkage (in Wb turns) in the
primary winding, i 1 the instantaneous primary
current, R~ the primary circuit resistance, equal
to the primary winding resistance if the source
impedance is neglected, L, the primary circuit
inductance, equal to the primary winding leak-
age inductance if the source impedance is ne-
glected, Ema x the maximum voltage of e(t), u~ the
frequency (in rad/s), of the exciting voltage, and
the switch-on angle (in rad) of the voltage
waveform.
2.1. No load, resistive load or inductive load
Under no load, resistive load and inductive
load, since they have similar characteristics, the
system can be discussed in general. We assume
that the impedance of the secondary winding can
be neglected in comparison with the load
impedance when the transformer secondary is
connected to a resistive load or an inductive load
as shown in Fig. l(a). The differential equation of
the secondary circuit is written as
d~2 = R2 i2 + L2 di2 (3)
dt dt
where ~2 is the instantaneous mutual flux linkage
(in Wb turns) in the secondary winding, i~ the
instantaneous secondary current, R2 the sec-
ondary circuit series resistance, and L2 the sec-
ondary circuit series inductance.
When the resistance part increases, the load of
the transformer secondary circuit drops until it
is open-circuited.
2.2. Capacitive load
For capacitive load, a resistor in parallel with
a capacitor is assumed, as shown in Fig. l(b). The
 155

differential equation of the secondary circuit can

be written as
1 dl,
i,, =-- (4)
R, dt
and
d2il,
i,, = C, -
dt’
Then,
. .
La = l2R + bC

(6)

where i2Ris the instantaneous value of the resis-

tive current, i,, the instantaneous value of the
capacitive current, R, the parallel load resis-
tance, and C, the parallel load capacitance.
Fig. 2. Simple hysteresis curve.
2.3. Numerical method
Equations (1) and (2) can be written in finite
difference form as follows: After (i2)k is calculated from eqns. (9) or (lo),
the new (i,)k and (Ail)k can be obtained by the
sin(wtk + a) (7)
ek = &,a,
following equations:
(Ah )k (Ai, )k
=ek - R,(i,)k -L, 7 h)k = (dk + (i2)k v2/vl (11)
At
where t, = k At, k represents the sampling steps (h)k = (h)k - (&)k-l (12)

in the simulation, where (i,)k is the magnetizing current with re-

(A&), = (A,)k+, - @I),
spect to (3Ll)k.When the hysteresis loop and the
saturation curve of the studied transformer are
(&)k = (idk - (h)k-l
established by the developed method [lo-121, the
Similarly, i, of eqns. (3) and (6) for different simulation results can be applied to find (i&
load characteristics can be written in finite with respect to (A,),. The mathematical expres-
difference form as follows. sion for the i,-I, hysteresis curve [lo] in Fig. 2 is
(a) For no load, resistive load or inductive
load, i, = i,, + s,(& - A,,)

1
+ ob sin(wt + a) for I, >, 0
(i2)k =a @$!!_L2Q!!$ (9)
2[
= -[L + s,( -& - M
where
+ ob sin(ot + a) for I, < 0 (13)
(A&)k =; (An,), where
1

V, and V, are the primary and secondary rating 1l(n-1) <(&IGI

voltages, respectively,
i, is the instantaneous magnetizing current, I,
(Ai2)k = (i2)k - (i2)k - 1 the instantaneous mutual flux linkage (in Wb
turns), s the slope of the corresponding line sec-
(b) For capacitive load,
tions, ob the maximum distance between the mid-
point locus and the periphery of the hysteresis
(10)
loop, and n = 1,2,3,4. The dynamic hysteresis
where A2 represents the second-order difference, loop’ represented by eqn. (13) in the iron core is
composed of two symmetrical parts. For the first
(A&),lAt -(A&&-l/At part, the normal magnetizing curve, marked by
At ‘aoc’ in Fig. 2, is the locus of the midpoints of the
156

hysteresis loop. This can be o b t a i n e d by the mea-

sured hysteresis data. Usually, for modern trans-
formers, a normal magnetizing curve can be . Read Emax, a, Ir, RI, LI,
a p p r o x i m a t e d by four line sections. The second R2, L 2, C2, El, 62, M, At
part, the loss part, m a r k e d by distances such as (il)0=0o (i2)0=0, (A~I)0=0,
'ef' in Fig. 2, represents loss in the hysteresis (Ail)0=0, k=0
loop. It is also termed the 'consuming function'
b e c a u s e it c o n t r i b u t e s the proper shape and area Calculate e k using Eq. 7 I
n=0, q=0
of the hysteresis loop. The distance 'ef' changes
periodically by a half-wave symmetry. The pe-
riphery of the hysteresis loop is o b t a i n e d by
adding or s u b t r a c t i n g the c o n s u m i n g function to I

Calculate (im) k using Eq. I3 I

the normal magnetizing curve. The a c c u r a c y of I

the above m a t h e m a t i c a l model can be improved . q ~ . q ......

Xl)k= [ (Xl)}+ q=q+l

by increasing n, the n u m b e r of line sections.
Using eqns. (8)-(12) as one iteration routine, a
new (il)k is o b t a i n e d for the sample k. If the
difference b e t w e e n (il)~ from eqn. (11) and the
starting v a l u e in eqn. (8) is larger t h a n a spe-
cified tolerance, the average of these two values
is used as (i~)k for the next iteration routine,
starting from eqn. (8) again. A similar process is
used for (Ai~)k. This r o u t i n e from eqn. (8) to eqn.
(12) is r e p e a t e d until both specified error values
are achieved. Then, one simulated sample of the
inrush c u r r e n t i~ at t = k At, t h a t is, (i~)k, is ob-
tained from the iteration process as s h o w n in
Fig. 3. The values of (A~1)t~ and (i2)h can easily be
c a l c u l a t e d from eqns. (8) and (9) or from eqns. (8)
and (10) in the last i t e r a t i o n of k.
W h e n t = (k + 1) At, ( ~ ) ~ ~ can be c a l c u l a t e d
by the following equations:
(;q),~., = (2,)k + (A~,)k (14)
Applying eqn. (13), (im)k+ 1 can be calculated. For
k = k + 1, c a l c u l a t e
(il),.~ , = (im)k-~ + (i2),~ V 2 / V I
and
(Ai,)k+l = ( i , ) , ~ . 1 - - (i~),~
and s u b s t i t u t e them into eqn. (8) t o g e t h e r with
ek.~ from eqn. (7) to get
(A,;o,)k ~, (Ai,)h+, (15)
At = ej~_l - Rl(il)k+l - L 1 At
By the same p r o c e d u r e for the following itera-
tions, (il)h for all k can be o b t a i n e d to get a
simulation result for the magnetizing inrush cur-
rent. The overall simulation p r o c e d u r e is s h o w n
in Fig. 3.
(il)q-]/2 Calculate (il)q , (i2)kq.
Ail)q=[(Ail)q + (Ail)q using Eqs. 8-!2
, ~ yes
Write tk, (il)q , (i2)q
k=k+l
Fig. 3. F l o w c h a r t for s i m u l a t i o n . ~:t a n d ~ : ~ = t o l e r a n c e s ,
M = m a x i m u m n u m b e r of s i m u l a t i o n s a m p l e s , n = n u m b e r of
s a m p l e d p o i n t s in t h e h y s t e r e s i s loop, q = i t e r a t i o n n u m b e r .
rent harmonic analysis are chosen to c o u n t cycle
by cycle over the first few cycles. The time re-
quired to distinguish a fault c u r r e n t from the
inrush c u r r e n t is a d o m i n a n t factor in c o m p u t e r
relaying techniques. Of course, the least required
time is desirable. Since the inrush c u r r e n t is
decaying, the energy of each cycle is decreasing.
The s p e c t r u m v a r i a t i o n b e t w e e n the first few
cycles and the next few cycles c a n n o t be clearly
identified. Each cycle from the first few cycles of
the inrush c u r r e n t is t a k e n into a c c o u n t corre-
spondingly in the analysis. This ensures an obvi-
ous spectrum v a r i a t i o n from cycle to cycle.
The F F T is used to analyze the frequency con-
tents of the simulated inrush current. The varia-
tions of the harmonics and their phases with
respect to time, the switch-on angle and various
loading conditions are obtained.
3. Example

2.4. H a r m o n i c a n a l y s i s A 3 kVA, 130 V/130 V/7600 V single-phase trans-

The o b t a i n e d inrush c u r r e n t data are used for former was used for on-site m e a s u r e m e n t s of in-
the h a r m o n i c analysis. M e t h o d s of inrush cur- rush c u r r e n t in our laboratory.
 157

Based on the flowchart of Fig. 3, a ~eal-time
p r o g r a m was implemented on a PC-AT c o m p u t e r
to calculate the magnetizing inrush c u r r e n t of
single-phase transformers. In this experimental
system, N sets of ,~1 and im data were computed
from the im--~l hysteresis curve of the trans-
former [3], and were used as input d a t a for the
next calculations. Other data were as follows:
Primary V, = 130 V Ii(rating) =
winding
Secondary V2 = 130 V /2(rating) = 23 A
winding
Third V3 = 7600 V I3(rating) = 0.395 A
winding
(not used)
The resistive part of the load impedance, Z2,
was set at a very high value to consider it as an
open circuit; it was fixed at 26 ~ for all loading
tests. The p o w e r factors for all the different load-
ing conditions were controlled by changing the
series inductor or the parallel capacitor.
4. M a i n r e s u l t s
4.1. No-load condition
W h e n a t r a n s f o r m e r is energized, its s e c o n d a r y
is open-circuited, and the initial magnetizing in-
rush c u r r e n t has a close relationship with the
r e m a n e n t flux ~br. The r e m a n e n t flux linkage ~r,
corresponding to ~br, will be used as a p a r a m e t e r
in a later discussion.
An experiment was carried o u t w h e n the rema-
nent flux linkage ~r was 0 Wb turns. The experi-
mental d a t a and the simulation d a t a for p e a k
values within 10 cycles are compared in Table 1.
There is good a g r e e m e n t b e t w e e n the c u r r e n t s
from experiments ( E + ) and from simulations
(S*). The difference in each cycle is less t h a n 5%.
Comparing the results u n d e r different rema-
nent flux linkages, ~r = 0, 0.1951 (0.42max), • • •,
5A --0.3902 Wb turns, the v a r i a t i o n in inrush cur-
rent is sensitive to the r e m a n e n t flux. For large
positive values of the r e m a n e n t flux, the rema-
nent flux is added to the main flux. Therefore,
core s a t u r a t i o n becomes more severe and results
in a larger inrush current, and vice versa within
certain limits. Comparing the simulation results
under ~ r = 0 W b t u r n s and switch-on angle
= 0 °, 3 0 ° , . . . , 150 °, the inrush c u r r e n t is found
to decrease as the switch-on angle increases.
However, w h e n ~ > 90 °, the negative inrush cur-
rent increases. F o r large values of ~, b u t less
t h a n 90 °, flux s a t u r a t i o n in the core is n o t signifi-
cant, and the inrush c u r r e n t decreases.
W h e n the inrush c u r r e n t is simulated, the
s p e c t r u m analysis can be o b t a i n e d using the F F T
algorithm. Table 2 shows the harmonic c o n t e n t s
c o n t a i n e d in the first cycle of the inrush current.
The analysis is carried o u t independently, one
cycle after another, as previously described. It is
found t h a t the harmonic c o n t e n t s are rich in the
DC component, the second and the third har-
monic. A comparison of the results for r e m a n e n t
flux linkages ~r=0.3902 and 0.1951Wb t u r n s

TABLE 1. C o m p a r i s o n of i n r u s h c u r r e n t s (A) for v a r i o u s r e m a n e n t flux and switch-on angle conditions

,~r Cycle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(A)

0° 0 S* 40.0 8.9 5.8 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6
E+ 40.3 9.2 6.0 4.8 4.3 4.0 3.9 3.7 3.6 3.6
0° 0.1951 S* 55.3 9.1 5.8 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6
0.3902 S* 65.4 9.1 5.8 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6
-0.1951 S* 21.0 8.0 5.5 4.5 4.1 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6
-0.3902 S* 6.7 5.0 4.4 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6

30 ° 0 S* 35.3 8.9 5.7 4.6 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6
E+ 35.8 9.1 5.9 4.7 4.3 3.9 3.8 3.8 3.7 3.6
60 ° 0 S* 18.8 7.8 5.4 4.5 4.1 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6
E+ 19.2 8.0 5.5 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6
90 ° 0 S* 4.0 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6
E+ 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6
120 ° 0 S* -14.7 -7.1 -5.2 -4.4 -4.1 -3.8 -3.7 -3.6 -3.6 -3.6
150 ° S* -33.0 -8.8 -5.7 -4.6 -4.2 -3.9 -3.8 -3.7 -3.6 -3.6

S* = s i m u l a t i o n results; E + = e x p e r i m e n t a l results.
 158

T A B L E 2. H a r m o n i c a n a l y s i s u n d e r n o - l o a d , v a r i o u s r e m a n e n t flux a n d s w i t c h - o n a n g l e c o n d i t i o n s ( a l l h a r m o n i c s a r e s h o w n a s a
p e r c e n t a g e of t h e f u n d a m e n t a l c u r r e n t for t h e f i r s t c y c l e )

Magnetizing inrush current (%)

0:' 0~ 0 .... 0" 0~ 30:' 60: 90 120' 150

~r 0 0.1951 0.3902 -0.1951 -0.3902 0 0 0 0 0

DC 55.6 58.0 61.6 52.0 30.3 54.1 49.7 6.2 51.6 55.2
2nd 63.0 58.3 50.1 62.7 39.7 62.9 60.2 7.5 66.1 66.7
3rd 34.3 27.5 19.1 37.2 35.4 34.8 37.0 39.1 38.3 36.4
4th 15.3 12.8 9.7 15.7 9.4 16.4 15.8 ] .6 15.7 16.7
5th 7.4 6.3 5.6 8.1 7.6 7.3 6.9 7.5 6.1 8.1
6th 4.3 3.7 2.6 2.3 0.7 4.0 2.9 0.4 2.3 3.9
7th 1.8 2.3 1.5 2.0 0.9 2.2 1.2 0.3 0.'7 2.2
8th 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.1 1.2 ] .0 0.7 0.3 0.2 1.0
9th 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.2 1.7 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.7

with those for zero r e m a n e n t flux linkage condi- 180

tions has been made. The larger positive rema- |th Condition:
n e n t flux linkages result in smaller h a r m o n i c u =0"
contents, except for the DC component. Compar- 9O r=0 Wb.turns.
ing the results u n d e r the r e m a n e n t flux linkage tn
~r = 0 Wb turns, with v a r y i n g switch-on angles
e%
= 0 °, 30 °, 60 ° a n d 90 °, the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s are J 0 [ I I I I
5 7 9
found to decrease as the switch-on angle ~ in- o~
creases, except for the 3rd harmonic. CycleNumber
F i g u r e 4 shows the percentage of h a r m o n i c
c o n t e n t s up to the fifth h a r m o n i c over ten cycles.
O4-90
It can be seen t h a t the second h a r m o n i c term is
larger t h a n the DC c o m p o n e n t in the first cycle,
-180
but decays more r a p i d l y t h a n the latter. F i g u r e 5
shows the phase shifts of the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s Fig. 5. P h a s e s h i f t s of h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s a s a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e
for a = 0 ~' a n d "it = 0 W b t u r n s .
up to the fifth h a r m o n i c over ten cycles. The
phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the even h a r m o n i c s is
seen to converge to 0 °, but t h a t of the odd har- monics stays between - 1 4 0 ° and - 1 8 0 ~ u n d e r
steady-state conditions.

4.2. Resistive load condition

IOO
Ist W h e n a t r a n s f o r m e r is reclosed so t h a t its
secondary is connected to a resistive load, the
1 Condition: initial magnetizing i n r u s h c u r r e n t is closely re-
80- ~ ,', - 0 " ,
.\ Xr-0 Wb.turns. lated to the value of the resistance.
,~ 2nd Experiments a n d simulations were carried out
w h e n the t r a n s f o r m e r secondary was c o n n e c t e d
to different resistive loads. The comparison be-
~"" 60-40.I20.d...DC~ tween the experimental d a t a a n d the d a t a from
the s i m u l a t i o n for peak values over 10 cycles is
shown in Table 3. Good a g r e e m e n t resulted, with
a difference of less t h a n 5%. Comparing the re-
sults u n d e r the resistive loads R2 of 26 and 43.3
with the open-circuit results, it is found t h a t the
0 | I , , , I v a r i a t i o n of the i n r u s h c u r r e n t is sensitive to
3 ; "} 9
Cycle Number load changes. For larger secondary currents, the
Fig. 4. P e r c e n t a g e h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s u p t o t h e fifth h a r m o n i c a s main flux i n t e r a c t s with the reverse l i n k a g e flux,
a f u n c t i o n of t i m e for c~ = 0 ~' a n d 2.. = 0 W b t u r n s . and vanishes. Therefore, u n d e r h e a v y loading
 159

T A B L E 3. C o m p a r i s o n of i n r u s h c u r r e n t s (A) for ~r = 0 Wb t u r n s , for v a r i o u s load, p o w e r f a c t o r a n d s w i t c h - o n a n g l e c o n d i t i o n s

Z2 ~ pf Cycle 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
(fl) (A)

0° S* 40.0 8.9 5.8 4.7 4.2 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.6 3.6

43.3 0° 1.0 S* 35.4 9.4 6.2 5.2 4.7 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
E+ 35.1 10.0 6.4 5.2 4.7 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4 4.4

26 0° 1.0 S* 32.6 10.0 7.2 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9
E+ 32.8 10.6 7.3 7.1 7.0 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9

26 0° 0.9 S* 34.4 12.5 9.3 8.3 7.8 7.5 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3
E+ 33.2 13.0 9.7 8.6 7.8 7.5 7.4 7.3 7.3 7.3

26 0° 0.8 S* 35.2 13.6 10.2 9.1 8.5 8.1 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.7
E+ 34.1 14.3 10.7 9.4 8.8 8.5 8.1 7.8 7.7 7.7

26 0° 0.7 S* 35.7 14.4 10.9 9.7 9.1 8.7 8.5 8.3 8.2 8.2
0.6 S* 36.2 15.4 11.8 10.5 9.8 9.4 9.2 9.0 8.9 8.9

26 0° -0.9 S* 33.0 6.9 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.7
E+ 32.2 7.1 7.0 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9

26 0° -0.8 S* 33.3 6.8 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.7
E+ 33.9 7.1 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9

26 0° -0.7 S* 33.8 6.8 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6 6.6
-0.6 S* 34.4 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5

26 30 ° 1.0 S* 27.5 9.8 7.1 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9
60 ° S* 14.0 8.1 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.8 6.8
90 ° S* 7.5 6.9 6.9 6.9 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8 6.8
120 ° S* -11.2 -7.5 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9
150 ° S* -25.6 -9.6 -7.1 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9 -6.9

26 30 ° 0.8 S* 30.5 13.3 10.1 9.0 8.5 8.1 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.7
60 ° S* 17.1 11.2 9.5 8.7 8.3 8.0 7.9 7.8 7.7 7.7
90 ° S* 7.1 7.8 7.7 7.7 "7.7 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6 7.6
120 ° S* -14.4 -10.5 -9.2 -8.6 -8.2 -8.0 -7.8 -7.7 -7.7 -7.7
150 ° S* -28.6 -13.1 -10.0 -9.0 -8.5 -8.1 -7.9 -7.8 -7.7 -7.7

S * = simulation results; E + = experimental results.

conditions, t h a t is, with small resistive loads tions of R2 = 26 ~, pf = 1.0, a n d ~ = 0 °, 30 °, 60 ° and

across the t r a n s f o r m e r secondary, the peak in-
rush c u r r e n t is smaller, a n d vice versa w i t h i n
c e r t a i n limits. Comparing the results u n d e r
R2=26ft a n d switch-on angle ~ = 0 °,30 ° ,
. . . . 150 °, it is found t h a t the i n r u s h c u r r e n t de-
creases as the switch-on angle ~ increases. How-
ever, w h e n ~ > 90 °, the n e g a t i v e i n r u s h c u r r e n t
increases. For large values of a, but less t h a n 90 °,
flux s a t u r a t i o n in the core is less severe, so the
i n r u s h c u r r e n t decreases.
Table 4 shows the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s c o n t a i n e d
in the first cycle of the i n r u s h current. The har-
monic c o n t e n t s are rich in the DC component, the
second and the t h i r d harmonics. Comparing the
results u n d e r different resistive loads R2 = 26 a n d
43.3 ~ with the open-circuit results, it is found
t h a t the h e a v i e r load results in smaller h a r m o n i c
components. Comparing the results u n d e r condi-
90 °, it can be seen t h a t the h a r m o n i c s decrease as
the switch-on angle a increases.
Figure 6 shows the percentages of h a r m o n i c
c o n t e n t s up to the fifth h a r m o n i c over ten cycles
u n d e r R2 = 26 ~. The second h a r m o n i c is larger
t h a n the DC component in the first cycle, but
decays more rapidly t h a n the latter. Figure 7
shows the phase shifts of the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s
up to the fifth h a r m o n i c over ten cycles u n d e r
R2 = 26 ~. The phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the even
h a r m o n i c s converges t o w a r d s 0 °, but t h a t of the
odd h a r m o n i c s stays between - 1 4 0 ° a n d - 1 8 0 °
u n d e r steady-state conditions.
4.3. Inductive load condition
W h e n a t r a n s f o r m e r is reclosed u n d e r the condi-
tion t h a t its secondary is connected to an in-
ductive load, the initial m a g n e t i z i n g c u r r e n t is
160

i00

80 Condition:
=0 ° ,
=0 Wb. turns,
R2=26 Ohms.
60
oo
g H
,--4

S C
H
40
cg ~
i
2O
eg c~
m o
©
0.
3 5 7 9

Cycle Number
o

© Cg ~ ~ Fig. 6. P e r c e n t a g e h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s up to t h e fifth h a r m o n i c a s
a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e for x = 0 , ) , = 0 W b t u r n s , a n d R 2 = 2 6 ~.

cq ~ ~

180,

cq ~ ~ Condition:
|th
a =0 ° ,

oo 90
lr=O Wb.turns,
cq co ~ ~n
R2=26 Ohms.

,J
DC
? cg 0 I I I I I I I I I
5 7 9
to
Cycle Number
~D
c
m -90

oo

ea
-180

© Fig. 7. P h a s e s h i f t s o f h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s as a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e
for ~ = 0 ' , 2 r = 0 W b t u r n s a n d R 2 = 26t1.
©

~D c more severe and has a close relationship to the

0
power factor of the load.
>
Experiments were carried out under different
cq ~ ~
inductive loads. The comparison between the ex-
perimental data and the data from the simulation
~0 c, oo
for peak values within 10 cycles is shown in
<D
u Table 3. There is good agreement between the
r~
~o two sets of data. Comparing the results under
=q ~ <D
Z2=26~ and p f = 1 , 0 . 9 . . . . . 0.6 lagging, the
variation of the inrush current is sensitve to the
Cq ~ ~ changing power factor. For a large power factor,
the main flux interacts with the real part of the
reverse linkage flux, and vanishes. Therefore,
under larger power factor conditions, the peak
inrush current is smaller, and vice versa within
certain limits. Comparing the results under
Z2 = 26 ~1 for pf = 0.8, and ~ = 0 °, 30 °, . . . . 150 °, it
is found that the inrush current decreases as
the switch-on angle a increases. However, when
 161

> 90 °, the negative inrush c u r r e n t increases. 100-

For larger values of the switch-on angle ~, b u t
less t h a n 90 ° , flux s a t u r a t i o n in the core is less Condition:
severe, so the inrush c u r r e n t decreases. J0*,
Ar=0 Wb.turns,
U n d e r this test condition the harmonic con-
pf=0.8 lagging,
tents up to the ninth, c o n t a i n e d in the first cycle 60 Z2=26 Ohms.
of the inrush current, are shown in Table 4. The
harmonic contents are also rich in the DC com-
H 40 2nd
ponent, the second and the third harmonics.
Comparing the results u n d e r p f = 1, 0 . 9 , . . . , 0.6
lagging with those u n d e r lower p o w e r factor con-
ditions, the low order harmonic contents
(DC, 2nd, 4th) are smaller, b u t the high order
harmonic c o n t e n t s (8th, 9th) are larger. Compar- 0'~'-~ i i , , I
3 5 9
ing the results u n d e r conditions of pf = 0.8 and Cycle Number
= 0 °, 30 °, 60 °, and 90 °, the low order harmonic
c o n t e n t s (DC, 2nd, 3rd) decrease as the switch-on Fig. 8. P e r c e n t a g e h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s u p t o t h e fifth h a r m o n i c a s
a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e for a = 0 °, ~r = 0 W b t u r n s , p f = 0.8 l a g g i n g ,
angle increases.
a n d Z 2 = 26 ~.
Figure 8 shows the percentages of harmonic
contents up to the fifth harmonic over ten cycles
under Z2 = 26 ~ and pf = 0.8 lagging. The second 180
Condition:
harmonic is seen to be larger t h a n the DC compo- 4th a -0",
nent in the first cycle, b u t decays more rapidly ~rffi0 Wb.turns,
t h a n the latter. Figure 9 shows the phase shifts of 90 pf-0.8 lagging,
the harmonic c o n t e n t s up to the fifth harmonic G,I Z2ffi26 Ohms.
over ten cycles u n d e r Z2 = 26 f~ and pf = 0.8 lag-
ging. The phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the even har- ~ o
DC
1 I I I I I I I I
monics is t o w a r d 0 °, b u t t h a t of the odd h 3 5 7 9
h a r m o n i c s is b e t w e e n - 1 4 0 ° and - 1 8 0 ° under Cycle Number
steady-state conditions.
~ -90 -

4.4. Capacitive load condition

U n d e r capacitiv e load conditions, the inrush
c u r r e n t also has a close relationship with the -180

load p o w e r factors. Fig. 9. P h a s e s h i f t s o f h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s a s a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e

The experiments were carried o u t u n d e r differ- for a = 0 °, ~ = 0 W b t u r n s , p f = 0.8 l a g g i n g , a n d Z 2 = 26 ~l.

ent capacitive loads. The comparison b e t w e e n

the experimental data and the data from the
simulation for peak values within 10 cycles is
listed in Table 3. The results are in good agree-
ment. Comparing the results for p f = 1 , - 0 . 9 ,
. . . . - 0 . 6 , the v a r i a t i o n of the inrush c u r r e n t is
sensitive to changes in the p o w e r factor. For
larger p o w e r factors, the main flux interacts with
the real part of the reverse linkage flux, and
vanishes. Therefore, u n d e r larger p o w e r factor
conditions, the peak inrush c u r r e n t is smaller,
and vice versa within certain limits.
Table 4 lists the harmonic c o n t e n t s up to the
ninth, c o n t a i n e d in the first cycle of the inrush
current. The harmonic c o n t e n t s are rich in the
DC component, the second and the third harmon-
ics. Comparing the results for p f = 1 , - 0 . 9 , . . . ,
- 0 . 6 , the harmonic c o n t e n t s increase as the
power factor decreases.
Figure 10 shows the p e r c e n t a g e s of harmonic
contents up to the fifth harmonic over ten cycles
u n d e r Z2 = 26 ~ and p f = - 0 . 8 leading. The sec-
ond harmonic is larger t h a n the DC c o m p o n e n t
in the first cycle, b u t decays more rapidly t h a n
the latter. Figure 11 shows the phase shifts of the
harmonic c o n t e n t s up to the fifth harmonic over
ten cycles u n d e r Z2 = 26 ~ and pf = - 0 . 8 leading.
The phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the even harmonics
tends t o w a r d 0 °, b u t t h a t of the odd h a r m o n i c s is
b e t w e e n - 1 4 0 ° and - 1 8 0 ° u n d e r steady-state
conditions.
5. D i s c u s s i o n
H a r m o n i c analysis, applying the F F T using the
proposed simulation technique, is investigated.
162

contents, except for the 3rd harmonic, decrease.

lOOklst The larger the r e m a n e n t flux, the longer the phase
[\ Condition: shift v a r i a t i o n of the f u n d a m e n t a l c o m p o n e n t
8OT\'' a =o., remains.
\ r=O b'<urn . (2) Resistive loads. The heavier the load, the
I \ leadi. , more the harmonic contents decrease. The larger
z =26 ohms. the switch-on angle, the more the harmonic con-
tents decrease. The heavier the load, the longer
the phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the f u n d a m e n t a l com-
p o n e n t remains.
(3) Inductive loads. The higher the p o w e r fac-
tor, the more the low order h a r m o n i c contents
increase, b u t the high order harmonic contents
decrease. The larger the switch-on angle, the
1 3 5 7 9
more the low order harmonic contents decrease.
Cycle Number
The higher the power factor, the longer the
Fig. 10. Percentage harmonic contents up to the fifth harmonic phase shift v a r i a t i o n of the f u n d a m e n t a l compo-
a s a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e f o r = = i f , i,. = 0 W b t u r n s , p f = 0.8 l e a d i n g ,
nent remains.
a n d Zz = 26 g/.
(4) Capacitive loads. The higher the p o w e r £hc-
tor, the more the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s decrease. The
180 • larger the switch-on angle, the more the harmonic
Condition:
,th
=0",
c o n t e n t s decrease. The higher the p o w e r factor,
=0 Wb.turns, the s h o r t e r the time the phase shift v a r i a t i o n of
r
90 pfz0.8 leading the f u n d a m e n t a l c o m p o n e n t is observed.
~n
o Z2=26 Ohms.
Cl

I I I I
5 7
Cycle Number
~ -90
-180
Fig. 11. P h a s e s h i f t s o f h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s a s a f u n c t i o n o f t i m e
f o r ~ = O , )~,.= 0 W b t u r n s , p f = 0.8 l e a d i n g , a n d Z 2 = 26 ft.
The h a r m o n i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s in the inrush cur-
r e n t are analyzed and studied in detail. U n d e r
no-load and v a r i o u s loading conditions, the vari-
ations of the h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s and their phase
shifts with r e s p e c t to time are described in vari-
ous diagrams and tables.
From the results obtained, it is found t h a t the
h a r m o n i c c o n t e n t s are rich in the DC compo-
nent, the second and the third harmonics. U n d e r
no load, resistive, inductive and capacitive load,
the second h a r m o n i c is always larger t h a n the
DC c o m p o n e n t in the first cycle, b u t decays more
rapidly t h a n the latter. F u r t h e r conclusions are
summarized as follows.
(1) No-load condition. The larger the r e m a n e n t
flux, the g r e a t e r the h a r m o n i c contents, except for
the DC component, which decreases. The larger
the switch-on angle, the more the h a r m o n i c
I I
6. Conclusions
9
This paper d e m o n s t r a t e s an a c c u r a t e model £br
predicting the magnetizing inrush c u r r e n t in sin-
gle-phase transformers. Conditions under investi-
gation are related to transformer loading,
switch-on angles, and r e m a n e n t flux. The results
of the simulation by the proposed method are
compared with the experimental results by on-
line measurements. These two sets of results
agree very well.
From the analysis and results, harmonics due
to inrush c u r r e n t s can be simulated accurately.
Each c o m p o n e n t t h a t causes effects on protec-
tive relays can also be simulated. This is valu-
able for applications such as t r a n s f o r m e r
protective relaying. Also, the main h a r m o n i c s
can be eliminated by changing loading condi-
tions, switch-on angles and power factors. Over-
voltage resulting from h a r m o n i c r e s o n a n c e can
be avoided in practical system operation.
In addition to this study, investigations on in-
rush currents and harmonics in three-phase trans-
formers are being carried o u t in our laboratory.
Acknowledgement
This w o r k is s u p p o r t e d by the N a t i o n a l Science

Council under research projects NSC78-0404-
E006-04 and NSC80-0404-E006-04.
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