The Wye-Delta Center Tapped

Transformer Bank
W. H. Kersting
Wayne Carr
Milsoft Utility Solutions

1
 Introduction

• Loads to be served
– Three-phase induction motor
– 120/240 volt single-phase loads
• Transformer connection
– Grounded wye-delta
– Ungrounded wye-delta
• The question is should the neutral be
grounded, grounded through an impedance or
ungrounded?
2
 General Thoughts on Grounding
• Always taught that the grounded wye-delta is
preferred because when a primary phase is
open the secondary will still provide three-
phase voltages.
• Always taught that if the neutral is
ungrounded upon the loss of a primary phase
the secondary will become single-phase.

3
 Concerns about Grounding
• Paper at the 2016 REPC demonstrated large
“feedback” current for upstream ground faults
when transformer is connected grounded
wye-delta.
• Do both the grounded and ungrounded cases
provide a dangerous backfeed voltage?
• Purpose of this paper is to investigate the
magnitude of the “feedback” voltages for both
connections.

4
 The Thirty Degree Transformer Connection

B IB a Ia a
A + Z1 +
+ + - + Vtan Van
I A +Z0 VAN n - n
VBG + IDna - +
V AG VTAN VTBN Z2 n I
G IG + Vtnb Vnb
- - b
? N Vca IDbn - -
Zy b+ Ib
- VNG + - IDcb
IDac
VCG VTCN + Vbc
Zz
Vtbc
+ - Ic c
C
+ IC + -
c

Note in the figure that there is a question mark between the neutral and ground. A primary
purpose of this presentation is to answer the question on whether or not to ground the neutral.

Note also that there are switches on the three primary phases. This is done so that various open
switch positions can be studied in order to help answer the question about grounding.

5
 Very Basic Transformer Theory

Center Tap Transformer Two Winding Transformer

1 1
=
Vt1 Vt=2 ⋅ VT =
Vt ⋅ VT
2 ⋅ nt nt
VT =2 ⋅ nt ⋅ Vt1
1
1 I= ⋅ I2
⋅ ( I1 + I 2 )
1
I 0= nt
2 ⋅ nt
I1 I1 nt :1 I2
I0 nt :1 X1 X1
H1 + H1 + +
+ Vt1
_
X2 VT Vt
VT
+ H2 _ _
_ Vt2
_ X2
H2
I2
X3

6
 Two Laws Must Always be Satisfied
B IB a Ia a
A + Z1 +
+ + - + Vtan Van
I A +Z0 VAN n - n
VBG + IDna - +
V AG VTAN VTBN Z2 n I
G IG + Vtnb Vnb
- - b
? N Vca IDbn - -
+ Ib
- VNG + - IDcb Z y b
IDac
VCG VTCN + Vbc
Zz
Vtbc
+ - Ic c
C
+ IC + -
c

Kirchhoff's Voltage Law: Kirchhoff's Current Law

Van + Vnb=
+ Vbc + Vca 0 I a +=
Ib + I c + I n 0
Every Node: ∑ Iin = ∑ Iout

7
Grounded Wye-Delta Test System

Forward Sweep:
[V 2 LG ABC=] [ ELG ABC ] − [ Z ABC ] ⋅ [ I ABC ]
[V 3anbc ] = [ At ]n ⋅ [V 2 LGABC ] − [ Bt ]n ⋅ [ I abc ]
[V 4anbc ] = [V 3anbc ] − [ Zsanbc ] ⋅ [ I anbc ]

Backward Sweep:
[ I ABC=] [ dt ] ⋅ [ I abc ]
8
 Subtransmission Line
2.5' 4.5'
1 2 3
Phase Conductors: "Linnett" 336/400/ 26/7 ACSR
3.0'

4.0' Neutral Conductor: 4/0 ACSR

25.0

 2.2878 + 5.3902i 0.7797 + 2.5084i 0.7674 + 1.9247i 

Z.ABC =  0.7797 + 2.5084i 2.3331 + 5.2408i 0.79 + 2.1182i 
 
 0.7674 + 1.9247i 0.79 + 2.1182i 2.3074 + 5.3253i 
9
Grounded Wye-Delta Transformer Bank
[VLGABC ] [Vanbc ]

[ I ABC ] [ I abc ]

The transformer bank data are:

Lighting transformer (Phase A):
= =
kVA 25, 7200-240 volts, Zt pu 0.012 + j 0.017
Power transformers (Phases B and C)
= =
kVA 10, 7200-240 volts, Zt pu 0.016 + j 0.014

10
Final Grounded Wye-Delta Model
[VLGABC ] [Vanbc ]

[ I ABC ] [ I abc ]

[Vanbc ] = [ At ]n ⋅ [VLGABC ] − [ Bt ]n ⋅ [ I abc ]

[ I ABC
= ] [ dt ]n ⋅ [ I abc ]
where:
[ At ]n
= [ KVL ]n ⋅ [ BV ]
[ Bt =
]n ([ KVL]n ⋅ ([ BV ] ⋅ [ Z 0G ] ⋅ [ AI ] + [ Ztanbc ]) + [ Z12]n ) ⋅ [CI ]n
[ d=
t ]n [ AI ] ⋅ [CI ]n 11
 Quadraplex Secondary

Quadraplex
2

 0.1012 + 0.1429j 0.009 + 0.1102j 0.009 + 0.1102j 

0.009 + 0.1163j
0.009 + 0.1102j 0.1012 + 0.1429j 0.009 + 0.1102j 0.009 + 0.1084j 
Zs anbc = 
 0.009 + 0.1102j 0.009 + 0.1102j 0.1012 + 0.1429j 0.009 + 0.1163j 
3  0.009 + 0.1163j 
1
 0.009 + 0.1084j 0.009 + 0.1163j 0.1151 + 0.1534j 

4
3 - Insulated 1/0 All Aluminum
1 - Bare 1/0 ACSR
Insulation Thickness = 80 mil

12
 The Secondary System
a IM a
_ va
+ Ia
Van IS1 SL1
_ n
SL3
Vca + In
Vnb IM b
_ b
IS2 SL2 IS3 Motor
vb
+ Ib IM c
Vbc
+ _c
vc
Ic

The single-phase lighting loads are:
S=
an 2.85 + j 0.9367 kW+jkvar
S=
nb 4.5 + j 2.1794 kW+jkvar
= 6.8 + j 4.2143 kW+jkvar
Sab
The three phase induction motor is:
25 HP, 240 volts, slip = 0.3
Stator Z: =
Zs pu 0.0366 + j 0.08
Rotor Z:=
Zrpu 0.0394 + j 0.08
Magnitizing Z: Zm pu= 0 + j 2.1
13
Phase A Open, Motor Connected

Connected Motor Voltages and Currents

 201.5/ − 0.6   38.8/ − 86.4 
 219.0/ − 115.2  52.4/ − 158.1
[VM abc ] =
  [ IM abc ] =
 
 226.6/118.5   73.3/51.2 
Vunbalance =
6.6% I unbalance 33.7%

Backfeed Voltages:
=
V 1AG 6302.8/ − 1.9 volts
=
V 2 AG 6313.7/ − 1.8 volts

14
 Phase A Open, Motor Off

Backfeed Voltages
=
V 1AG 6557.0/ − 1.1 volts
=
V 2 AG 6565.5/ − 1.0 volts

Secondary Currents
Single-Phase Load Voltages
Ia  66.4/ − 26.6 
I  18.0/ − 39.2  VLan  103.4/ − 0.7 
[ I anbc
= ] = n
Ib 

 84.0/150.7 
 =VL  108.1/ − 0.8 
 nb   
    VLbc   211.5/ − 0.8
 Ic   0 
15
Phase B and Phase C Open

Phase B Open Phase C Open

V 1BG = 6794.5/ − 120.4 V 1CG =6874.0/119.1
V 2 BG =
6806.1/ − 120.3 V 2CG =
6878.6/119.2
Vunbalance =
1.7 Vunbalance 1.2%
I unbalance = 11.7% I unbalance = 6.9%
Because the voltage unbalance is below the 3% level,
the motor will not be tripped

16
 Summary for Grounded Wye-Delta
• No matter which phase is open, there will be a
significant backfeed voltage at the open switch
• When phase A is open the voltage unbalance at
the motor will be high and therefore the
protective device will trip the motor off.
• When phase B or phase C is open the voltage
unbalance is low so motor will continue to
operate.
• In all cases the single-phase loads are served
17
Ungrounded Wye-Delta Circuit
SW B
IB
B vB
+ +
EBG VBG IA
A vA + + +
+ SW A + + Z0
VTAN VTBN
12.47 kV E AG V +
Source _ _ _ AG IN
- - -
_ _ - VNG + N
G -
ECG VTCN
VCG

+ SW C + IC +
C vC

Ia
a
+
va
Z1 IM a
+ Vtan Van ZL1
n -
_ I na -
+ In
ZL3
Z2
+ Vtnb Vnb ZL2
Vtca Ibn - - vb Motor
I cb Zb b+
I ac Ib IM b
+ + V23 Vbc
Zc Vtbc Ic
- - IM c
vc 18
c
 Phase A Open No-Load Operating
Condition
• Motor and Single-Phase Loads are Off
 0 
[VM ]  207.8/ − 90
=
 207.8/90 

• Single-Phase voltages so motor will not start

• Without three-phase voltages the rotational
magnetic field needed to start the motor is not
there.
19
 Phase A Open with Motor and Loads On

 117.3/ − 20.9  71.7/ − 168.6 

169.3/ − 106.0   78.6/ − 101.8 
[VM abc ] =
  [ IM abc ] =
 
 214.0/107.1   125.6/46.5 
Vunbalance =
29.7 % I unbalance 36.5 %

Because of the high voltage unbalance the protective

device for the motor will open turning the motor off.

20
 Open Phase A, Motor Off
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

VNG = 3600/180
=
VTAN 0, =
VTBN 6235.4/ − 90, VTCN = 6235.4/90
Vt= =
an Vt =
nb 0, Vtbc 207.8/ − 90, Vtca =
207.8/90
V 1AG =
3600/180, V 1BG = 7200/ − 120, V 1CG 7200/120
All currents primary, secondary and single-phase loads = 0

21
 Phase A Open
Currents
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

• I A 0 therefore=
= I an + Ibn 0
• Path for I B and IC so IC = − I B
• Because of above I ac = − I cb
• With motor open I c = 0 for all conditions
• At node c I c =
I ac − I cb =
0 this is impossible since I ac =
− I cb
• Because of the above I=
ac I=
cb 0
• Therefore I=B I=C 0
22
 Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL)
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

• In previous slide I ac =I cb =I na + I nb =I c =0
• Since I na + Ibn =0 then Ibn = − I na
• KCL at node a: I a= I na − I ac= I na − 0= I na
• KCL at node b: Ib = I cb − Ibn =− 0 Ibn = I na
• KCL at node n: I n =Ibn − I na = − I na − I na = −2 ⋅ I na
I a + Ib + I c + I n = 0 = I na − Ibn + 0 − 2 ⋅ I na
• KCL on secondary:
I na + I na − 2 ⋅ I na =0
23
 Phase A Open
SWB
Voltages
IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1
A + + + + Vtan In SL1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2 Vtnb IL2
_ _ AG- - - +
Ib SL2 IL3
VNG
G
_ _ - + N
- Vtca
I ac I bc
I bn -
Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC +
+ + -
C c

• Voltage applied to primary windings: VTBC = VTBN − VTCN = 12, 470/ − 90

• Phase B winding voltage: VTBN =
0.5 ⋅ VTBC =6235/ − 90
• Phase C winding voltage: VTCN =
−0.5 ⋅ VTBC =6235/90
• The secondary ideal voltages are: Vtbc = 207.8/ − 90 and Vtca =
207.8/90
• KVL: Vtan + Vtnb + Vtbc + Vtca = 2 ⋅ Vtan + 0 = 0
• =
Since: Vtan 0= then VTAN 0
• Primary neutral voltage: VNG =VBG − VTAN =3600/180
• Phase A backfeed voltage: VAG =
VTAN + VNG =
0 + VNG =
3600/180 24
Phase B Open with Motor and Loads On

 192.1/ − 10.3  102.3/ − 84.0 

119.3/ − 121.4   36.8/54.2 
[VM abc ] =
  [ IM abc ] =
 
 186.0/133.0   78.8/114.2 
Vunbalance =
28.0 % I unbalance 49.3 %

Because of the high voltage unbalance the protective

device for the motor will open turning the motor off.

25
 Open Phase B, Motor Off
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ _ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

VNG = 7200/0
VTAN =0, VTBN =12470.8/ − 30, VTCN =12470.8/150
=
Vtan =
= Vtnb 0, Vtbc 415.7/
= − 30, Vtca 415 / 7/150
V 1AG =
7200/0, V 1BG = 19049.4/ − 19.1, V 1CG 7200/120
All currents primary, secondary and single-phase loads = 0
26
 Phase B Open
Currents
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ _ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

• I B 0=
= therefore I cb 0
• There is a path for IC and I A so I A = − IC
• =
With I cb 0= and I c 0 then KCL says = I ac 0
• =
With I ac 0 =
then IC 0=and I A 0
• In short I=
A I=B I= C 0
• However: I na + Ibn =0 or Ibn =
− I na
• What about Vt=
an Vt =nb ? 27
 Secondary and Load Currents
Ia
a
Z1 Ia
+ Vtan 2 ⋅ Ia
SL1
n SL3
Ia -
Z2 + Vtnb 0
Ia Ia SL2
Ia -
b
• Look at the circuit and note that Ibn = − I na
• Shown in the circuit is only I a since I nb = − I an =
Ia
• This makes the same currents flow in phase a and phase b
• Now must have 2 ⋅ I a flowing in the neutral as shown
• Note the same current must flow thru the two 120 volt loads
• This requires the voltages VLan = VLbn
• This is impossible because of the polarities of Vtan and Vtnb
• Therefore the only thing that works is Vt= =
an Vt nb VT=
AN 0

28
 Computation of Open Switch B
Line-to-ground Voltage
SW B
B
+ + a
VS BG VBG
A + Vtan SL1
+ SW A + n SL3
VTAN VTBN _ -
VS AG V Vtnb
_ _ _ _ AG - -
VBG
SL2
G - VNG + N Vtca
_ _ - -
Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc
SW C +
+ + -
C c

• =
With the shorted voltages the only primary voltage is VT =
CN VTCA 12, 470/150
1
• Now Vtca =⋅VTCA = 415.7/150
n
• To satisfy KVL: Vtbc = −Vtca = 415.7/ − 30
• Therefore: VTBN = nt ⋅ Vtbc =12, 470/ − 30
• With the neutral and phase A shorted: V=
NG V=
AG 7200/0
• Now: VBG = VTBN + VNG = 19049.4/ − 19.1
29
Phase C Open with Motor and Loads On
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ _ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

 165.5/2.1   30.6/34.5 
 229.0/ − 127.3 103.5/ − 174.7 
[VM abc ] =  [ IM abc ] = 
 178.2/98.6   78.2/ − 5.6 
Vunbalance =
20.0 % I unbalance 56.7 %

30
 Open Phase C, Motor Off
SWB IB
B
+ + a Ia
VS BG VBG IA
Z1 IL1 SL
A + + + + Vtan In 1
+ Z0 n
+ SWA + VTAN VTBN _ I na - SL3
VS AG V + Z2
+ Vtnb IL2
_ _ _ _ AG - - - Ib SL2 IL3
G - VNG + N Vtca I bn -
_ _ - I ac I cb Zb b
VTCN
VSCG VCG + +
Zc Vtbc Ic = 0
SWC IC + -
+ +
C c

VNG = 7200/0
VTAN =
0, VTBN =
12470.8/ − 150, VTCN =
12470.8/30
Vtan ==
Vtnb 0, Vtbc =
415.7/ − 150, Vtca =
415 / 7/30
V 1AG =
7200/0, V 1BG =
7200/ − 120, V 1CG =
19049.4/19.1
All currents primary, secondary and single-phase loads = 0

31
 Conclusions - 1
• The original question was whether the wye
should be grounded. The answer is still ???
• Grounded Wye-Delta
– Provides three-phase service with an open phase
– High backfeed short circuit current for upstream
ground faults
– Provides a backfeed voltage below rated LG
voltage but still dangerous

32
 Conclusions - 2
• Ungrounded Wye-Delta
– Does not provide three-phase service with an
open phase
– Does not provide a backfeed current for upstream
ground faults
– Provides a very high backfeed voltage (2.65 times
rated LG voltage) when phase B or C is open
– Lower backfeed voltage when the center tap
phase is open

33
 Conclusions-3
• So what is the answer?
– Good question
– Neither connection is perfect
– What is known is that both connections will
provide a very dangerous backfeed voltage on the
downstream side of the open switch
– Linemen must be trained to understand that just
because the switch is open, it is not save to touch
the line on either side of the switch

34