IEEE Standards Inrush Current

Transformers Committee Tutorial Session

Oct 15, 2001
Orlando, Florida Ramsis Girgis
 Inrush Current in Power Transformers
n Calculation & typical values of inrush current
parameters requested by customers
n Peak value
n Wave-shape
n integral of i2dt (Energy parameter)
n Maximum di/dt
n Minimum % ratio of 2nd harmonic / peak
n Effect of transformer design parameters
n Number of phases and Winding connection
n Size of transformer
n Core material, geometry, design induction, and type of joint
 General Inrush Current Equation

2U 
− (t −to ) 
sin(ωt − ϕ ) − e τ ⋅ sin α  ⋅ K w ⋅ K S
zt  
 
n U = applied voltage
n zt = total impedance under inrush, including system
n ϕ = energization angle
n t0 = point at which core saturates (function of BR, BS, BN, ϕ )
n BR = remenant flux density
n BS = saturation flux density
n BN = normal rated flux density
n t = time constant of transformer winding under inrush conditions
n α = function of t0
n KW = accounts for 3 phase winding connection
n KS = accounts for short-circuit power of network
Calculated Inrush Current Waveshape
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
Amps

1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 5 10 15 20
Time [ms]
 Calculated Peak inrush current
2000
1800
1600
1400
Current [A]

1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cycle
Inrush Current Energy Parameter
n General Equation

= v(t ) ⋅ i(t )dt

∫
∝ ∫i 2
(t )dt
Users ask for this value
over the first cycle
 ∫
2
Calculated i dt for RGO Grade
30000

25000 Flux Density

1.80 T
20000
integral of i 2dt

1.75 T
1.50 T
15000 1.20 T

10000

5000

0
0 45 90 135 180 225 270 315 360
Degrees
Minimum % Ratio of 2nd Harmonic / Peak

n Customers use this value to distinguish

between Inrush current and short circuit
current
n This minimum % ratio occurs when the
transformer is energized at voltage-angle = 0º ;
which is also the condition that results in the
maximum peak inrush current value
 Inrush current
4500

4000
Peak of Inrush
3500

3000
Peak current amps

2500

2000
Peak of second harmonic
1500

1000

500

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
Voltage angle °
 Inrush Current for First Cycle
2000 400
1500 300
1000 200

di/dt [A/ms]
Current [A]

500 100
0 0
-500 -100
-1000 -200
Inrush Current 1st Peak
-1500 di/dt of 1st Cycle -300
-2000 -400
0 5 10 15 20
Time [ms]

n Value used in setting size of vacuum switch

Effect of Design Parameters
n Number of Phases and Winding connection
n Inrush current in 3 phase transformers is equal to, or less (by
30-40%), than 1 phase, depending on winding connection
n delta, wye, grounded wye, auto, etc
n winding connection combination of energized and secondary
windings

n Transformer Size (MVA)

n Generally inrush/rated current ratio is lower for larger MVA
n Time constant for inrush current is larger for larger MVA
n Core Steel Material
n HiB materials have lower remenance, but slightly higher
saturation level compared to RGO materials
n Thus, HiB materials are associated with lower peak inrush
currents & higher min % 2nd harmonic / peak ratio
Effect of Design Parameters
n Core Geometry
n affects core remenance
n affects the magnetic field distribution in the core (which
hence affects core air inductance)
n Design induction
n peak inrush increases with induction
n min % 2nd harmonic / peak decreases with induction
n Joint type
n transformer core has lower remenance than material of the
core because of the high reluctance of the joints
n non step lap core has slightly lower peak inrush current
than the step lap core
n lower core remenance