International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Communication Engineering Vol:7 No:7, 2013
effect of transformers of certain vector groups on the mitigation of sags per year. Three methods have been proposed for the
the expected number of voltage sags per year (sag frequency) at the assessment of voltage sags due to faults: the method of
terminals of critical industrial customers can be estimated. Critical Distances [7]-[9], the method of Fault Positions [10],
[11] and the Monte Carlo method [12]. All methods combine
Keywords—Balanced and unbalanced faults, industrial design, the response of the system to faults with stochastic data.
phase shift, power quality, power systems, voltage sags (or dips).
In this paper, the effect of transformer’s vector group on the
propagation of voltage sags, retained voltage magnitude and
I. INTRODUCTION
sag frequency is studied. Advanced analytical expressions for
V OLTAGE sags are rapid drops in the rms voltage and are
mainly caused by short-circuits in the electric power
transmission or distribution system. They are characterized by
the calculation of voltage sag magnitude in case of
symmetrical (balanced) or asymmetrical (unbalanced) faults
[7] are used to quantitatively study the effect of a Delta-Wye
the remaining (retained or during-fault) voltage magnitude. (D-Y) connected power transformer with a certain phase shift.
Short-circuits give the most severe sags and their A method to incorporate this phase shift on analytical
consequences on sensitive equipment, such as computers, expressions giving the sag magnitude due to unbalanced faults
adjustable speed drives or control devices, can be significant. is provided.
Voltage sags are as critical as voltage interruptions for
common industrial sites, which are more severe but less II. TRANSFORMER’S VECTOR GROUP AND CONNECTIONS
frequent. The sensitivity of equipment and sag frequency
The related terminology for vector groups and winding
(annual number of sags) causes financial losses that may be
connections of power transformers together with common (or
enormous for some industrial customers.
preferred) connections are described in international standards
Several mitigation methods for the consequences of sags
such as IEC [13] or IEEE [14], [15]. “Vector group” is a term
and other power quality phenomena have been proposed [1]-
proposed only by the IEC standards and by transformer
[3]. A proper selection of the power transformer carrying the
manufacturers until now. It denotes the way in which the
electric power from the transmission to the distribution system
windings are connected and the phase position of their
is a common way used by the electric utilities to mitigate
respective voltage vectors. It consists of:
voltage sags caused by unbalanced faults and, especially, the
1) Letters identifying the configuration of the phase
one-phase-to-ground faults which are the most frequent. The
windings. In three-phase ac systems, winding connections
transformer’s vector group determined by winding
are categorized as Delta (D, d), Star or Wye (Y, y),
connections and phase displacement applied on instant
Interconnected star or zigzag (Z, z) and Open or
voltages is a low-cost and effective way to significantly
Independent (III, iii) windings [13]. Capital letters relate
This research has been co-financed by the European Union (European to the High-Voltage (HV) windings, lower-case letters to
Social Fund – ESF) and Greek national funds through the Operational the Medium-Voltage (MV) and Low-Voltage (LV)
Program "Education and Lifelong Learning" of the National Strategic windings. The vector group begins with the capital letter.
Reference Framework (NSRF).
M. N. Moschakis, V. V. Dafopoulos, and I. G. Andritsos are with the 2) A letter (N, n) which indicates that the neutral of a
Technological Educational Institute of Larissa, Greece (phone: +30-2410-684- winding in star or interconnected star is brought out.
325; e-mail: mmoschakis@ teilar.gr). 3) A number indicating the phase displacement between the
E. S. Karapidakis is with the Technological Educational Institute of Crete,
Chania, Greece (e-mail: karapidakis@chania.teicrete.gr).
voltages of the windings taking as a reference the HV
J. M. Prousalidis is with the National Technical University of Athens, winding. This number, multiplied by 300, denotes the
Greece (e-mail: jprousal@naval.ntua.gr).
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World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Communication Engineering Vol:7 No:7, 2013
angle by which the vector of the LV winding (phase vector group has no effect on remaining (during-fault) phase
voltages) lags that of the HV winding. The angle of any voltages and sag magnitude. In case of asymmetrical
LV winding is conventionally expressed by the ‘clock (unbalanced) faults, the transformer’s vector group should be
notation’, that is, the hour indicated by the winding taken into account and proper modifications in the analytical
phasor when the HV winding phasor is at 12 o’clock equations giving during-fault rms phase voltages should be
(rising numbers indicate increasing phase lag). Common done. These modifications include the adjustment of zero-
three-phase transformer connections (with no reference to sequence bus impedance matrix which is related with the
the neutral point of the star-connected windings) winding connections. Moreover, the phase displacement (if
according to IEC 60076-1 are presented in Table I. any) introduced by the transformer should be incorporated into
For example, a transformer with a vector group of Dyn1 has the analytical equations. For example, a Dy1 (or Yd1)
a delta-connected HV winding and a wye-connected LV transformer introduces a phase displacement of -300 in the
winding with its neutral point brought out. The angle of the positive-sequence voltage and a +300 in the negative-sequence
LV winding phase voltages lags the HV by 300. Moreover, a voltage when passing through this transformer from the HV to
transformer with a star-connected HV winding having its the LV winding, which is also applies for the fault currents
neutral ungrounded, and a delta-connected LV winding with [18]. Thus, a phase shift of +600 in the negative-sequence
3300 lagging (or 300 leading) angular displacement, is denoted voltage can be applied, which is finally applied at the
as Yd11. negative-sequence transfer impedance Zkf of buses at HV (bus
In [16], [17], there are some interesting points and criteria k) and LV (bus f) winding [7], [9]. Similarly, a phase shift of -
for the selection of transformer’s vector group. Elimination of 600 in the negative-sequence voltage should be applied when a
International Science Index Vol:7, No:7, 2013 waset.org/Publication/16272
harmonics, earth fault currents, neutral stabilization and type fault occurs on the LV side and observed by a node on the HV
of application (transmission or distribution system, connection side as shown in Fig. 1.
of a generator, power electronic converter, industrial load etc)
are the most common criteria. TABLE I
COMMON CONNECTIONS ACCORDING TO IEC 60076-1 [13]
However, the positive effect of transformers of certain
Number Connections Number Connections
vector groups on the mitigation of voltage sags (or dips) is not 0 Yy0, Dd0, Dz0 2 Dd2, Dz2
thoroughly studied in the literature. This paper presents an 1 Yd1, Dy1, Yz1 4 Dd4, Dz4
attempt to confirm and quantify this effect and other 5 Yd5, Dy5, Yz5 7 Yd7, Dy7, Yz7
6 Yy6, Dd6, Dz6 8 Dd8, Dz8
characteristics related to sags (or dips). 11 Yd11, Dy11, Yz11 10 Dd10, Dz10
III. SAG MAGNITUDE CALCULATION USING FAULT ANALYSIS B. Effect on During-Fault Voltages and Sag Magnitude
Voltage sag magnitude, which is the minimum retained (or The phase displacement introduced by transformers of
during-fault) voltage among the three phases, can be certain vector groups will also affect the characteristics of the
calculated using analytical expressions derived from short- during-fault voltages and the sag magnitude. This happens
circuit theory [6] or performing detailed simulations [4], [5]. when faults occur at the other side of a transformer from
In [1], [2] simplified expressions based on the voltage divider which the during-fault voltages are calculated. Specifically,
model have been proposed for fast assessment of the critical two-phase (2ph) and two-phase-to-ground (2ph-g) faults result
distances and the number of sags. This approach is suitable for in only one sagged phase and one-phase-to-ground (1ph)
radial networks but presents many limitations for meshed faults result in two sagged phase voltages.
systems [10], [11]. In Fig. 2, the sag type (number of sagged phases) and the
For a more accurate calculation of voltage sag magnitude particular sagged phase (in brackets) can be found for an
and phase-angle jump, it is important to use advanced asymmetrical fault between particular phases (also in brackets)
analytical expressions for the sag magnitude due to on the other side of the transformer. The direction of the arrow
symmetrical and asymmetrical faults that are applicable to shown in Fig. 2 is proved to be valid for vector groups with a
meshed and radial power networks. The methodology and the number of 1 or 7. The opposite direction for this arrow applies
analytical expressions for the sag magnitude of the examined for vector groups of 5 or 11, which means also that different
sagged node in relation with the fault distance due to faults at phases give the sag magnitude in relation with the previously
every point of a power line are given in [7]. These expressions mentioned vector groups.
take into account pre-fault voltage, fault impedance, reactance The most interesting effect of transformers with vector
but also resistance of power system components. A set of group of 1, 5, 7 or 11 is related with the sag magnitude, which
mathematical equations is provided when the position at is the minimum among the three during-fault phase voltages.
which the sag magnitude is calculated is at the same or at The sag magnitude at one side of the transformer is equal for
different voltage level with the fault position. either 3ph, 2ph-g or 2ph faults on the other side of the
transformer. Only 1ph faults give different sag magnitude.
IV. EFFECT OF POWER TRANSFORMER VECTOR GROUP This was proved in [9] using the mathematical equations
derived for the during fault calculation and by incorporating
A. Adjustment of Bus Impedance Matrices the effect of transformer’s vector group on zero- and negative-
In case of three-phase (3ph) faults, the power transformer’s sequence bus impedance matrices as described in Section IV.
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International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Communication Engineering Vol:7 No:7, 2013
Fig. 1 Effect on positive- and negative-sequence voltage vectors Fig. 2 Sagged phases at the transformer’s one side due to faults at the
other side. Sagged and faulty phase(s) are in brackets
It should be noted that this applies for a zero fault
The sag magnitude of MV nodes (1 to 6) due to faults at
impedance and equal positive and negative bus impedance
HV power lines is the same for all nodes. In Fig. 4, the sag
matrices, which are common assumptions used in short-circuit
magnitude versus distance to a fault on lines 7-8, 8-9 and 7-9
analysis.
International Science Index Vol:7, No:7, 2013 waset.org/Publication/16272
for each fault type is depicted. 3ph, 2ph and 2ph-g faults on
C. Effect on Sag Frequency HV side give the same sag magnitude at MV side and 1ph
Sag frequency is the expected number of sags of a certain faults give shallow sags, which is due to transformer’s vector
magnitude per year. It is estimated by combining calculation group.
data regarding the sag magnitude with stochastic data related B. Sag Magnitude of Nodes 1 & 7 for Faults at MV Lines
with the fault rate and type.
In Fig. 5 (a), the effect of transformer’s phase shift is
We will now examine the effect of transformers with vector
graphically presented by comparing the sag magnitude of
group number of 1, 5, 7 or 11. It can be proved that for those
nodes 1 and 7 due to asymmetrical faults on line 7-8 (HV
transformers, when 1ph faults occur at one side, two phases at
area). It can be seen that in case of 2ph faults (between phases
the other side are sagged but the sag is less severe. For 2ph
B and C), the Dyn1 transformer results in deterioration as
faults, the opposite occurs: One phase is sagged at the other
regards the sag magnitude of node 1 with respect to node 7,
side of the transformer and the sag is more severe. For 2ph-g
which is also higher for faults close to node 7. In case of 2ph-g
faults, one phase is sagged but the severity is equal at both
faults (between phases B and C), the situation slightly
sides of the transformer and equal with that resulted from 3ph
deteriorates or not at all. In case of 1ph (on phase A) faults,
faults. As 1ph faults are the most frequent with a probability
which are the most frequent faults, the situation is
of more than 70% and the 2ph faults rarely occur, sag
significantly improved. It can also be observed that during-
frequency will be much lower due to this type of transformers.
fault voltages of phases A and B of node 1 for 2ph, 2ph-g and
3ph faults are equal.
V. STUDY CASE
We now consider faults on the LV side and on line 1-4 (Fig.
Voltage sag assessment is mainly important for industrial 3) and examine the effect of transformer’s phase shift by
customers and usually is performed in distribution networks. comparing again the sag magnitude of nodes 1 and 7, as shovn
For a more accurate assessment, the contribution of faults at in Fig. 5 (b). In case of 3ph faults, it is not the transformer’s
the transmission network feeding the distribution network phase shift but the transformer’s equivalent impedance that
should not be ignored. Therefore, a suitable power network for affects the sag magnitude. For asymmetrical faults, both of
the application of a voltage stochastic assessment method is as these factors affect the sag magnitude. Again, the during-fault
the one shown in Fig. 3. Six industrial customers are voltage of the most sagged phases (A, C) of node 7 for 1ph
connected at six nodes of the same 20 kV distribution line faults on LV side is equal. Furthermore, for 2ph and 2ph-g
hrough a solidly grounded Dyn1 transformer, widely used in faults, the most sagged phase is phase C.
Greece. The equivalent transmission system consists of three
150 kV lines and is relatively of large size to take into account C. Calculation of Sag Magnitude using Simulations
the fact that faults even at hundred kilometers away from the Apart from short-circuit analysis, simulations can be
critical customers will cause them severe sags [3]. performed in order to calculate the sag magnitude and to
demonstrate the effect of transformer’s vector group. In Fig. 8
A. Sag Magnitude of MV Nodes for Faults at HV Lines
(Appendix), the sag magnitude of Nodes 1 and 7 (Fig. 3) is
The sag magnitude for all fault types is calculated in calculated through simulations for all fault types on lines 7-8
relation with the fault distance, which is the distance from the and 1-2. Faults are applied at the starting (ℓ=0) and the
starting point of a particular power line to the fault position. receiving point (ℓ=1) of those power lines but also at the
The analytical equations are presented in [7]. A pre-fault
middle of them (ℓ=0.5). In Table II, the results are presented as
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International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Communication Engineering Vol:7 No:7, 2013
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International Journal of Electrical, Computer, Electronics and Communication Engineering Vol:7 No:7, 2013
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(a) (b)
Fig. 5 Sag magnitude (solid line) of nodes 7 and 1 for all fault types on: (a) Line 7-8 and (b) line 1-4. In brackets are the sagged phases
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APPENDIX
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