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ECE Tutorials
Electronics and control Systems

zig zag transformer Applications

and Advantages
Transformer
Transformer Types
Losses of Transformer
Hysteresis Losses
Eddy Current Loss
Transformer Faults
Tap Changer
Transformer cooling
Parallel Operation of trnasformers
Open Circuit Test
Zig Zag Transformer
Buckholz Relay

Zig Zag transformer

ZIg Zag transformer is a special purpose transformer used in power
system, which is also called as interconnected start winding. Even
though this type of transformer connection is not useful in
transforming power, it has many features combining Star and Delta
type winding connections.
Zig Zag transformer winding connections
Zig Zag transformer has six coils in which three are outer coils and
three are inner coils as shown in the figure. The outer coil windings
are called as ZIG winding and inner coil windings are connected as
ZAG winding. The zig winding of one phase is connected in series
with the zag winding of another phase so it is called interconnected

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star winding where two star winding coils are interconnected each
other. In each phase two coil windings will have same number of
turns but they are wounded in opposite directions to cancel the
mismatch voltages. Following are the connections of zig zag
winding coils

1) The outer coil of phase a is connected with the inner coil of

phase b
1) The outer coil of phase b is connected with the inner coil of
phase c
1) The outer coil of phase c is connected with the inner coil of
phase c
The inner coil second terminals are connected together and
connected to neutral terminal to pass the zero sequence current
components.
The interconnection of winding of different phases introduces 30
phase shift between zig winding and the corresponding line to
neutral voltage. The zig-zag winding have 15.47% more turns
compared to conventional transformers to get the same magnitude
of voltages. Hence the cost of zig zag transformer is high and it is
essential in some applications to be used.
Zig Zag Transformer applications or uses
Grounding Transformer
It can be used as earthing transformer in a delta connected (no
neutral terminal) system or an ungrounded start connected (three
terminal star) where in neutral is not available for grounding. The
zig zag transformer used for earthing of delta connected
transformer.
In delta connected transformer there will not be path to zero

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sequence components and no protection can be performed for these

components which increases and stress and heating in the
windings. The zig zag transformer provides a neutral for the
proving a path to zero sequence components during line to ground
fault and allows the protection to be operated due to this fault. In
the obsence of grounded neutral, voltages of healthy would increase
line to line voltage level, stressing the insulation connected to
equipment. Thug Zig zag transformer not only helps in protection it
also reduces the voltages stress under symmetrical fault conditions.
2) Power Electronic converters
In power electronic converters the zig zag transformer is used to
eliminate the DC magnetizing component presented due to
improper firing angles. The improper firing angles of power
electronic components (SCR) may introduce DC magnetizing
component and this is canceled in each limb of zig zag transformer
due to opposite direction of DC magnetizing component of currents
flowing in the windings on the same limb.
3) Earthing reference or earthing transformer
Zig zag transformer offers low impedance path to zero sequence
components under fault conditions so it can be perfectly used as
earthing transformer with and earthing reference. If the earthing
current has to be limited under fault conditions, a suitable resistor
can be placed in zig zag neutral terminal.
4) Harmonic voltages presented in system to some extent can be
cancelled in zigzag windings due to opposite connection of winding
coils.
Advantage of Zig zag transformer
The following are the advantages of zigzag transformer compared
to Scott transformer and other grounding transformers
1.

Less cost compared to Scott transformer

2.

Provides low impedance to zero sequence currents

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3.
4.

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Harmonic voltages suppression

It provides perfect isolation between ground and component

R EC ENT P O S TS

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