Calculation of Short Circuit Reactance and Electromagnetic Forces in Three

Phase Transformer by Finite Element Method

S. Jamali2 M. Ardebili' K. Abbaszadeh'
,

Assistant professor the electrical engineering, Department of K.N. Toosi University, Tehran, Iran
2M.S Student of the electrical engineering, Department of K.N. Toosi University, Tehran Iran
abbaszadeh@eetd.kntu.ac .ir

Abstract:

A new

and simple

procedure

current density of them and permeability of transformer

core. Then this model is divided to triangular elements.
By using magneto static analysis of the finite element
method, the magnetic vector potential of three nodes of
each triangular element is calculated and therefore the
flux distribution over the model is obtained.
Then, the flux density of each element is evaluated.
Because of this reason that magnetic vector potential of
each element is considered as a linear function of x and y,
the flux density of each element becomes a constant
value.
After this step, leakage reactance of transformer can
be calculated by using several post processing methods
such as magnetic energy method.
A model of total three phase transformer is also
considered and since the magnetic vector potential of
each node is evaluated, the self inductances and mutual
inductance of coils is calculated by a post processing
method and then leakage inductance of each winding is
calculated.
The accuracy of these post processing methods is
verified by comparison with experimental result.
For calculation of radial and axial electromagnetic
forces upon the transformer coils, two components of
leakage flux density in x and y directions are calculated.
By analysis of leakage flux distribution over the
transformer window, it can be realized that the
asymmetrical LV and HV windings can result in
asymmetrical forces.

for

determination of leakage reactance and analysis of

electromagnetic forces that acting upon the transformer
coils is presented in this paper. Before manufacturing
and within the design process, it is required that we
model the transformer and analyze the transformer
condition using this model.
The analysis of
electromagnetic forces is essential for mechanical
considerations. This study is accomplished by using
two dimensional planar models utilizing the finite
element method. Just by modeling the transformer
window and using FEM, the magnetic vector potential
is calculated over each node. Then by using three post
processing procedures, the leakage reactance of
transformer coils is calculated and the results are
verified by comparison with experimental result. The
radial and axial electromagnetic forces are calculated
over the transformer coils and the effect of
asymmetrical of winding is analyzed.

I. INTRODUCTION
Electrical machines are usually represented, in
electrical engineering, by means of their equivalent
circuits. Accurate calculation of short circuit reactance
of transformer is essential for modeling of transformers.
However, the calculation of leakage reactance of
transformer coils is performed in many papers by using
different analytical and numerical methods [1] - [6], but
most of the analytical methods are not accurate,
especially when the axial length of HV and LV windings
are not equal, and in several of numerical methods the
whole or a half of a three phase transformer is modeled.
In this paper we determine leakage reactance of
transformer by using FEM and just by modeling the half
of transformer window for a three phase core type
transformer and therefore the required time for our
calculation is decreased.
Furthermore the forces that acting upon the transformer
coils have to be evaluated before manufacturing and then
required mechanical support considerations must be
performed during manufacturing process. For these
reasons, evaluation of magnetic field distribution of
transformer is essential for calculation of electromagnetic
forces and number of useful electric parameters such as
leakage reactance. For our purpose, just the modeling of
transformer window is adequate and therefore an
appropriate model of transformer window is defined
considering the construction and position of coils and the

II. MODELING AND FORMULATION

A. Model definition
The transformer that we considered for our studying
is a 30MVA, (63/20) KV, YnD three phase core type
power transformer that its HV winding has 480turns and
its LV winding has 264turns.
A two dimensional model of the window of this
transformer is defined considering construction and
dimensions of coils of this transformer, as shown in
Fig. 1.
The boundary condition of this model is homogeneous
numan boundary condition over the external rectangle
and means that the flux lines come to limbs and yokes
vertically. This is reasonable due to this fact that the
relative permeability of core and yoke is very larger than
that of air and copper.

1725

In [3] it is shown that the 'core effect' has negligible

effect on the leakage reactance calculation and therefore
modeling of transformer window is adequate for our
purpose.

1.2

O8

U: The reluctivity i.e. the inverse of magnetic

permeability (p ).
And,
A: is magnetic vector potential.
For 2D models in x-y plane, the non-zero component
of A is the z component of magnetic vector potential
which is function of x andy only.
Therefore the equation (4) takes the following scalar
form:
a aA a OA =
(v )+ (v ) Js
(5)

numan

-core

--<

numan

ax

numan

yoke

06

boundury ->
condition

primary winding

secondarY winding

-~~
v
0

0.05

0.1

0.15

numan

I:
~~~
v

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig 1: transformer model

B. Discretization ofthe defined model

By using PDE TOOLBOX of MATLAB software,
the model is discretized by triangular elements.
In the following section, we determine the partial
differential equation that is required for leakage reactance
calculation and electromagnetic force analysis.

1.2

08
06 -

C. Formulation
In this section, the partial differential equation that
governs calculation of leakage reactance problem is
determined.
Amperes law states that:

Where:

VxH=J

ay

Solving equation (5), magnetic vector potential can

be obtained and solving equation (3), magnetic flux
density can be calculated.
By using magneto static analysis of PDE TOOLBOX of
MATLAB software, the flux distribution for our defined
model is obtained, as shown in fig.2.

04
02

ay

ax

04

0.2-

0.05

0.1

0.15

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.2. Flux distribution over the defined model for the transformer
model

(1)

The magnetic vector potential over the defined model

is given as a three dimensional figure .3.

H. magnetic field intensity

J: total current density
We will assume that H is only due to source currents
i.e. no permanent magnets are present.
1) Linear magneto static analysis: Current density J in
equation (1) is due to current sources i.e. current

0 025

densities of the transformer's primary and secondary

0.02

winding.

0.015

We have following relation between magnetic field

intensity and magnetic flux density:

0 01
0 005

B = j.H > H = v.B

(2)

0o

1.5

And the relation between magnetic flux density and

magnetic vector potential is:
B =VxA
(3)
Hence:
Vx(v.VxA)= J

0.3

02

0.5

0.1
0

Fig.3. Magnetic vector potential distribution

The distribution of magnetic flux density

defined model is given in the figure.4.

(4)

Where:

1726

over

the

Color: -ux Height: -ux

1.2

0.12
0.1

0.8

0.1

0.1

0.08

0.6

0. 12

0.15

0.08

0.05

0.06

0.06

0.4

0.04

0.2

0.04

-0. 05,
1.5
'0.4

0. 02

0.3
0.5

0.05

0.15

0.1

0.2

0.25

0.1

0.3

1 0.02

0.2

Fig.4. Magnetic flux density distribution (Tesla)

Fig.7. Axial magnetic flux density distribution (Tesla)

Figs.5, 6and 7 are the three dimensional pictures of

absolute, radial and axial flux densities over the defined
model, respectively.
With a glance to these figures, it is clear that the
value of radial leakage flux density is much smaller than
that of axial leakage flux density.

D. Reactance calculation
The leakage reactance of a transformer arises from
this fact that all the flux produced by one winding does
not link the other winding. The magnitude of this leakage
flux is the function of the geometry and construction of
the transformer.
In this stage of analysis, we able to calculate leakage
reactance of transformer, by using two post processing
methods.
1) Magnetic energy storage method: Due to this fact that
we considered the magnetic vector potential of each
triangular element as a linear function of x and y,
therefore the radial and axial component of magnetic flux
density and therefore absolute value of B of each
triangular element become fix values, as shown in
following equations.

Color: abs(B) Height: abs(B)

10.12

0.2>

0.1

0.15

0.08

0.1

0.06

0.05

0.04
1.5

0.3
u

0.02

A= C1 +C2x+C3Y

(6)

Bx=A

Fig.5. Absolute magnetic flux density distribution (Tesla)

(7)

ay

(8)

=-A

B
Color: uy Height: uy
0.04

o2
+B

B=+2
B=
B

(9)

0.03

0.05-

0.02

Where, C1, C2 and C3 are fix coefficients. B, and By

radial and axial component of magnetic flux
densities.
After the calculation of absolute value of B for each
element, the magnetic energy that stored in window
space can be calculated by using two following formulas.

0.01

are

-0. 05
1.5

-0 02
003
0.3

0.5
00o

0.1

0.2

0. 04

2
1
W

Fig.6. Radial magnetic flux density distribution (Tesla)

B.H.dxdy

(10)

JJffJ.A.dxdy

(1 1)

= J-J

From these two formulas, the former is more accurate

than latter. In the former equation, the integration is
performed on the whole window space whereas in the

1727

The self inductance of the primary winding, for state that

the primary winding is excited by magnetizing current
and the secondary winding is open circuit, as shown in
Fig.8, can be calculated using the following equation:

latter equation, integration must be performed only on

the winding area.
Once the magnetic energy is calculated, leakage
reactance of transformer for each phase referred to
primary can be calculated using following formula.
X

(4x;Txf
xWxt)
.2 .2
1p1 + 1s1

L~ N2 Aavgl Aavg2

(16)

(12)

Where:
Np: is the turn number of primary winding and I is
defined as following:
(17)
I = ff J.ds

Where:

XI: is leakage reactance of transformer referred to

primary side (per phase).

f is the supply frequency.
W: is the magnetic energy that calculated using (10) and
(1 1) equations.
t: is the depth of our defined model.
ip : is the instantaneous current of one phase of primary

In other words, I is the ampere-turn of primary

winding.
Aavg1 and Aavg2 are the average values of magnetic
vector potential of two sheets of primary winding of one
phase, respectively.
The mutual inductance of primary winding and
secondary winding can be calculated by the following
equation:

winding and isl is the instantaneous current of the same

phase of secondary winding (referred to primary
winding).
2) Linkage and mutual flux method: The leakage
reactance of transformer can be calculated by using
linkage and mutual flux calculations.
In this method, the whole three phase transformer is
modeled and A=0 is set as boundary condition on the
rectangle that enclose the three phase transformer model.
Firstly the primary winding of three phase transformer is
excited and the secondary winding is open circuited.
Then the secondary winding is excited and the primary
winding is open circuited.
In each state, the linkage flux of exited winding and
the mutual flux of excited winding with other open
circuit winding can be calculated using following
procedure.
The linkage flux of each winding can be calculated
using the following formula:
(13)
Vt = ff B.ds = A.dl
Each phase of each winding modeled as two same
sheets; therefore if we apply linear integration on each
winding for one phase, considering this fact that the
nonzero component of magnetic vector potential is z
component, we can write the linear integration as the
following form:
(14)
f = Al -A2
Where: Al and A2 are the magnetic vector potential
value of two sheets of each winding of one phase,
respectively.
Each phase of each winding is considered as two
sheets with uniform current densities; therefore the
average value of magnetic vector potential for each sheet
can be calculated as following equations:
X
fJ A.ds
'avg(i)
(15)
S
For each sheet, the above integration must be
performed on the sheet area where S is the area of sheet.

M psM =N
N~N Aavg3 - Aavg4

N~~~

(18)

Where:
N, is number of turns of secondary winding.
Aavg3 and Aavg4 are the average values of magnetic
vector potential of two sheets of secondary winding of
the same phase, respectively.
I in this case is the product of secondary turn number
and Since the Lf and MA,, are calculated, the leakage
inductance the primary current.
of primary winding can be calculated using the
following relation:

(19)

Ip = Lp -Mps
2.5

2-

1.5

0.5

-0.5

0.5

1.5

2.5

Fig.8. Core flux distribution for the case that primary winding is excited
and secondary winding is open circuit

The leakage inductance of the secondary winding can

be calculated in a same procedure.

1728

The self inductance of the secondary winding, for

state that the secondary winding is excited and the
primary winding is open circuit, can be calculated using
the following equation:
Ls~=Ss=N2

to withstand such forces, but this is usually not validated

by tests, and accurate calculations are essential. Utilities
are becoming increasingly concerned with this, and now
often require documentation from manufacturers that
their transformers are designed to withstand short
circuits, based on computer programs that they both are
familiar with and have confidence in.
Since the current density of the coils is known,
Electromagnetic forces upon the transformer coils can be
calculated, if the radial and axial leakage flux density be
known.
We have these quantities from (7) and (8) equations.
Radial forces are dominant and due to interaction of
current and axial component of leakage flux density, as
shown in the following equation:
(24)
Fx = ff (J x By ).I.dx.dy
Where:
J: is current density of the coils.
1: is the depth of model.
The above integration must be performed on the
winding area. Radial forces usually produce tensile stress
in the outer winding and compressive stress in the inner
winding. Compressive stress can cause buckling, and the
winding must be properly supported by axial spacer bars.
The distribution of radial forces that acting upon the
transformer coils is shown in fig (10).

Aavg3 - Aavg4

(20)
The mutual inductance of secondary winding and
primary winding can be calculated by the following
equation:
N5N~ Aavgl - Aavg2
A/I5=
,o

~~~I

(21)
Since the L, and M,p are obtained, the leakage
inductance of secondary winding can be calculated using
the following relation:
(22)
is Ls M5p
The equivalent leakage reactance of transformer
referred to primary can be calculated using following
equation:
Np 2

(23)

3) Comparison of results: The results obtained from these

methods are compared with the experimental result, as
shown in the table 1.
The experimental leakage reactance of the under
study transformer in percent is 13%.
With a glance to this table, we can deduce that our
modeling and post processing methods are very accurate.

105
1.5

x
x

Tablel: Experiment and Simulation Results of Leakage Reactance

Leakage reactance in
method
per unit
Percentage error
Experimental
method
0.13
0%
Energy storage
method using
0.1227761
0.7224%
equation (10)
Energy storage
method using
0.1227455
0.7254%
equation (11)
Linkage
And
0.1215231
0.8477%
Mutual flux method

105

0.5

0.5
-2
1.5

0.3

'

0.5

00o

0.1

0.4

0.2

Fig.9. Distribution of radial forces that acting upon

the transformer coils

-1.5

Axial forces due to interaction of current and radial

leakage flux density are usually compressive, as shown
in the following equation:
(25)
Fy = ff (J x Bx).I.dx.dy
The above integration must be performed on the
winding area. These forces tend to bend the conductors in
axial direction, and their sum total act on the coilclamping ring and other clamping structures. The
distribution of axial forces upon the transformer coils is
shown in the figure. 10.
The distribution of axial forces upon the LV winding
of transformer is not symmetrical due to especial shape

As shown in the table the results obtained from our

modeling is a little smaller than experimental result. This
little difference is reasonable due to this fact that the lead
of winding, that coming out from the transformer, is not
modeled in our modeling and thus the little of leakage
flux is not considered in our modeling. In high current
transformer the leakage flux of high current leads
become much larger and therefore for increasing the
accuracy, the high current leads must be considered in
the modeling.
E. Force Analysis
Forces at short circuit are calculated as flux density
time current time length. The windings must be designed

1729

of flux distribution and flux diverting in the middle of

LV winding toward to core limb in the case that the axial
length of HV and LV winding is not equal. Note to Fig.2.
x

104

6~
4

O2
2

-2

-6,
1.5

.04

0.3

0.5

00O

0.1

0.2