Umec Approach
Umec Approach
Umec Approach
The leakage impedance is not affected appreciably by a change in phase sequence (a-b-c or b-a-c) as the transformer is a
static device. Therefore, for transformers, positive sequence impedance and negative sequence impedance are identical.
However, excitation for zero sequence flux of the transformer depends on the type of core used. For a core type (fig 12.3)
transformer, . This follows from the analogy of KCL. Now, if the windings of the transformer are provided
with zero sequence excitation, then . Substitutiting it in above equation we get . Practically, the
flux, , and will not be zero. Rather a leakage flux would exist in the high reluctance path through air and
transformer tank. Since, transformer tank is not stacked, it leads to heating of the tank. Hence, - core transformers
should not be preferred for use in systems where load is unbalanced e.g. a distribution system. In contrast, for a shell
type transformer (fig 12.4) there exists a low reluctance path through side limbs for zero sequence flux. Hence, there is no
over heating of transformer tank.
In studies typically involving transformer protection, e.g. estimation of inrush current computation and overfluxing, saturation
of transformer core cannot be neglected. However, such elaborate studies are not carried out with short circuit analysis
programs. Rather, time domain simulation Electro Magnetic Transient Program (EMTP) is used.
In PSCAD, the following transformer core structures can be represented using the UMEC model:
1. Single-phase units with up to four windings.
2. Three-phase, three-limb units
3. Three-phase, five-limb units
For more details on the background theory of the UMEC transformer model, see [5].
Figure 6-12 - Schematic Representation of the Three-Phase, Three Limb Transformer (2 Windings per Phase)
(6-33)
Where,
Winding resistance
Winding self-inductance
Mutual inductance between windings i and j
The elements Li and Mij in Equation 6-33 are dependent on the core dimensions, the magnetic properties of the
core material and the number of turns in different windings.
The transformer core, along with windings 1 and 3 are shown below:
Figure 6-13 - Transformer Core Flux Due To Winding 3 Current
If a current i3 is passed through winding 3 with all other windings kept open-circuited, the following equations
describe the current-flux relationship:
(6-34)
Where,
(6-35)
(6-36)
(6-37)
Similar expressions can be derived for the other inductance terms in Equation 6-33.
Simple Example Derivation
The following example illustrates the approach adopted by the UMEC models to evaluate the above inductance
terms when all the necessary information is not available.
(6-38)
Where,
The response of coils 'a' and 'b' to an electrical signal will depend on the values of L a and Lb. Even if Pa and
Pb are not equal, we can still select the number of turns in each coil so that L a = Lb. The UMEC approach takes
advantage of this fact and assigns the value Vi to the number of turns Ni, so that:
(6-39)
Where,
Although the exact dimensions are not known, it is reasonable to assume that the user is provided with a
scaled drawing of the transformer. The following aspect ratios can be defined based on such a drawing:
(6-40)
(6-41)
Thus substituting these values into Equation 6-36 for the magnetic configuration in Figure 6-13 (and assuming
that w = y, we get:
(6-42)
If winding 3 is then subjected to an open-circuit test (with all other windings kept open-circuited),
(6-43)
Where,
Rated voltage
Open-circuit test current in winding 3
Rated frequency
By combining Equations 6-42 and 6-43, the permeance of a winding limb can be found as:
(6-44)
(6-45)
(6-46)
(6-47)
(6-48)
(6-49)
(6-50)
Core Saturation
The UMEC transformer models treat core saturation differently than the classical models: Here, the piecewise
linear technique is used to control the model equivalent branch conductance.
The non-linearity of the core is entered directly into the model as a piece-wise linear V-I curve, which makes
full use of the interpolation algorithm for the calculation of exact instants in changing of state range.
See Switching and Non-Linear Elements for more details.
Summary
Once Pw and Py are calculated in this manner, all the off-diagonal elements in the transformer inductance
matrix can be assigned the appropriate value.
The leakage flux is treated in a similar manner. The corresponding inductances are estimated based on short-
circuit test results and are added to the self-inductance terms, which forms the diagonal elements.
Thus, in the UMEC models, the transformer inductance matrix is derived based on the nameplate data (V 1, V2,
etc.), the core aspect ratios (rA and rL), and short-circuit and the open-circuit test results.
Detailed information of the UMEC approach can be found in [5] and [6]. Interested users are encouraged to
refer these publications.
The UMEC (Unified Magnetic Equivalent Circuit) transformer model is based primarily on core geometry.
Unlike the classical transformer model, magnetic coupling between windings of different phases, in addition to
coupling between windings of the same phase, are taken into account.
In PSCAD, the following transformer core structures can be represented using the UMEC model:
1. Single-phase units with up to four windings.
2. Three-phase, three-limb units
3. Three-phase, five-limb units
For more details on the background theory of the UMEC transformer model, see [5].
(6-33)
Where,
Winding resistance
Winding self-inductance
Mutual inductance between windings i and j
The elements Li and Mij in Equation 6-33 are dependent on the core dimensions, the magnetic properties of the
core material and the number of turns in different windings.
The transformer core, along with windings 1 and 3 are shown below:
Figure 6-13 - Transformer Core Flux Due To Winding 3 Current
If a current i3 is passed through winding 3 with all other windings kept open-circuited, the following equations
describe the current-flux relationship:
(6-34)
Where,
(6-35)
(6-36)
(6-37)
Similar expressions can be derived for the other inductance terms in Equation 6-33.
(6-38)
Where,
The response of coils 'a' and 'b' to an electrical signal will depend on the values of L a and Lb. Even if Pa and
Pb are not equal, we can still select the number of turns in each coil so that L a = Lb. The UMEC approach takes
advantage of this fact and assigns the value Vi to the number of turns Ni, so that:
(6-39)
Where,
Although the exact dimensions are not known, it is reasonable to assume that the user is provided with a
scaled drawing of the transformer. The following aspect ratios can be defined based on such a drawing:
(6-40)
(6-41)
Thus substituting these values into Equation 6-36 for the magnetic configuration in Figure 6-13 (and assuming
that w = y, we get:
(6-42)
If winding 3 is then subjected to an open-circuit test (with all other windings kept open-circuited),
(6-43)
Where,
Rated voltage
Open-circuit test current in winding 3
Rated frequency
By combining Equations 6-42 and 6-43, the permeance of a winding limb can be found as:
(6-44)
(6-45)
(6-46)
(6-47)
(6-48)
(6-49)
(6-50)
Core Saturation
The UMEC transformer models treat core saturation differently than the classical models: Here, the piecewise
linear technique is used to control the model equivalent branch conductance.
The non-linearity of the core is entered directly into the model as a piece-wise linear V-I curve, which makes
full use of the interpolation algorithm for the calculation of exact instants in changing of state range.
See Switching and Non-Linear Elements for more details.
Summary
Once Pw and Py are calculated in this manner, all the off-diagonal elements in the transformer inductance
matrix can be assigned the appropriate value.
The leakage flux is treated in a similar manner. The corresponding inductances are estimated based on short-
circuit test results and are added to the self-inductance terms, which forms the diagonal elements.
Thus, in the UMEC models, the transformer inductance matrix is derived based on the nameplate data (V 1, V2,
etc.), the core aspect ratios (rA and rL), and short-circuit and the open-circuit test results.
Detailed information of the UMEC approach can be found in [5] and [6]. Interested users are encouraged to
refer these publications.
The UMEC (Unified Magnetic Equivalent Circuit) transformer model is based primarily on core
geometry. Unlike the classical transformer model, magnetic coupling between windings of
different phases, and coupling between windings of the same phase are taken into account.
There are a few UMEC transformer models available in the master library (MLIB\PSYS_V2)
which are _rtds_1P2W_UMEC, _rtds_1P3W_UMEC, _rtds_1P4W_UMEC, _rtds_3P2W_UMEC
and _rtds_3P3W_UMEC.
The UMEC transformer model is based on the magnetic circuits, so it needs the physical core
structure parameters in the computation process. Normalized core parameters are used in the
model so that requirements of physical data are minimized. Only 4 core aspect ratios are
needed. If a three limb core is selected in the CONFIGURATION menu, two ratios are needed,
the ratio of core yoke length (Ly) to the core windinglimb length (Lw), and the ratio of core yoke
area (Ay) to the core windinglimb area (Aw). If the 5 limb core is selected, two additional
parameters are required, the ratio of core yoke length (Ly) to the core outer limb length (Lo) and
the ratio of core yoke area (Ay) to the core outerlimb area (Ao). The core structures of 3 and 5
limb transformer as shown in the following figures.
The Classical Approach
Derivation of Parameters
Inverting the Mutual Induction Matrix
Representing Core and Winding Losses
Core Saturation
More on Air Core Reactance
The theory of mutual coupling can be easily demonstrated using the coupling of two coils as an example. This
process can be extended to N mutually coupled windings as shown in References [1], [2] and [3]. For our
purpose, consider the two mutually coupled windings as shown below:
Where,
The voltage across the first winding is V1 and the voltage across the second winding is V2. The following
equation describes the voltage-current relationship for the two, coupled coils:
(6-1)
In order to solve for the winding currents, the inductance matrix needs to be inverted:
(6-2)
Where,
Coupling coefficient
For 'tightly' coupled coils, wound on the same leg of a transformer core, the turns-ratio is defined as the ratio
of the number of turns in the two coils. In an 'ideal' transformer, this is also the ratio of the primary and
secondary voltages. With voltages E1 and E2 on two sides of an ideal transformer, we have:
(6-3)
And
(6-4)
Making use of this turns-ratio 'a' Equation 6-1 may be rewritten as:
(6-5)
Where,
Now the inductance matrix parameters of Equation 6-1 can be determined from standard transformer tests,
assuming sinusoidal currents. The self inductance of any winding 'x' is determined by applying a rated RMS
voltage Vx to that winding and measuring the RMS current Ix flowing in the winding (with all other windings
open-circuited). This is known as the open-circuit test and the current I x is the magnetizing current. The self-
inductance Lxx is given as:
(6-6)
Where,
Similarly, the mutual-inductance between any two coils 'x' and 'y' can be determined by energizing coil 'y' with
all other coils open-circuited. The mutual inductance L xy is then:
(6-7)
Transformer data is often not available in this format. Most often, an equivalent circuit, as shown in Figure 6-2,
is assumed for the transformer and the parameters L 1, L2 and aL12 are determined from open and short-circuit
tests.
For example if we neglect the resistance in the winding, a short circuit on the secondary side (i.e. V 2 = 0) causes
a current to flow (assuming aL12 >> L2). By measuring this current we may calculate the total
leakage reactance L1 + L2. Similarly, with winding 2 open-circuited the current flowing is ,
from which we readily obtain a value for L1 + aL12.
PSCAD computes the inductances based on the open-circuit magnetizing current, the leakage reactance and
the rated winding voltages.
Derivation of Parameters
To demonstrate how the necessary parameters are derived for use by EMTDC, an example of a two winding,
single-phase transformer is presented. The data for the transformer is as shown in Table 6-1:
If we ignore the resistances in Figure 6-1, we can obtain the (approximate) value for L1 + L2, from the short
circuit test, as:
(6-8)
Where,
Base impedance
As no other information is available, we assume for the turns ratio 'a' the nominal ratio:
(6-9)
Thus, we see that by energizing the primary side with 100 kV, we obtain a magnetizing current:
(6-11)
But we also have the following expression from the equivalent circuit:
(6-12)
Where,
Therefore since,
(6-13)
Then,
(6-14)
By combining Equations 6-8 and 6-14 we obtain L1 = L2 =13.263 mH and from Equation 6-12 we obtain aL12 =
26.5119 H. The values for the parameters in Equation 6-1 are then obtained as:
26.5252 H (6-15)
6.6313 H (6-16)
13.2560 H (6-17)
An excessively small magnetising current also leads to such ill conditioning. In such cases, it is often advisable
to model the transformer with only leakage reactances and no magnetizing branch, as shown in Figure 6-3.
Such a transformer is referred to as 'ideal' in this document and also in PSCAD.
For an ideal transformer, the relationship between the derivatives of current (i.e. ) and the
voltages can be directly expressed as in Equation 6-18; derived by considering the circuit equations for a short-
circuit test conducted on one side, with a voltage source applied to the other (keep in mind that
and either V1 or V2 is zero for a given test):
(6-18)
Where,
Turns-ratio
A similar analysis can be used to define the derivatives of the transformer currents in terms of its voltages for
an 'ideal' transformer (i.e. zero magnetising current), when more than two windings are coupled on the same
core.
EXAMPLE 6-1
Consider a three winding, 40 MVA transformer with zero magnetising current. The three-phase winding
voltages are 230 kV, 66 kV and 13.8 kV.
An equivalent circuit diagram of the positive sequence leakage reactances is shown in Figure 6-4. The
inductances of the equivalent circuit are all based on the rated voltage of one winding, which for this example
is winding 1 (the HV winding), rated at 132.79 kV ( ). The LV winding rated voltage is 38.1 kV and the
tertiary winding rated voltage is 13.8 kV.
Figure 7-6 - Positive Sequence Leakage Reactance Equivalent Circuit
Where,
, ,
and,
, ,
For a 60 hertz frequency rating, the inductance of leakage reactance X 1 as shown above is found be the
expression:
(6-19)
, and
As mentioned previously, the inverted inductance matrix of an 'ideal' three winding transformer is not as
simple as that of an 'ideal' two winding transformer. The inverted inductance matrix of an 'ideal' three winding
transformer is given as follows:
(6-20)
Where,
RMS single-phase voltage rating of winding 1 (HV)
RMS single-phase voltage rating of winding 2 (LV)
RMS single-phase voltage rating of winding 3 (TV)
Core losses are represented internally with an equivalent shunt resistance across each winding in the
transformer. These resistances will vary for each winding in order to maintain a uniform distribution across all
windings. The value of this shunt resistance is based on the No Load Losses input parameter.
In most studies, core and winding losses can be neglected because of the little significance to results. Losses in
the transmission system external to the transformer tend to dominate. Many transformer studies however, do
require core saturation to be adequately modeled.
Core Saturation
An exciting current is required for voltage transformation by a transformer. The excitation characteristic of a
transformer is determined completely by the core design, and winding design affects the characteristic only in
so far as it determines the flux density in the core. Transformers are constrained in their performance by the
magnetic flux limitations of the core. Since ferromagnetic materials cannot support infinite magnetic flux
densities and they tend to saturate at a certain level. The nonlinear flux-current characteristic of a transformer
iron core is illustrated below.
The current IS(t) is a function of winding voltage VL(t). First of all, winding flux S(t) is defined by assuming that
the current IS(t) in is the current in the equivalent non-linear saturating inductance LS(t) such that:
(6-21)
The non-linear nature of Equation 6-21 is displayed in Figure 6-6, where flux is plotted as a function of current.
The air core inductance LA is represented by the straight-line characteristic, which bisects the flux axis at K.
The actual saturation characteristic is represented by LM and is asymptotic to both the vertical flux axis and the
air core inductance characteristic. The sharpness of the knee point is defined by M and IM, which can
represent the peak magnetizing flux and current at rated volts. It is possible to define an asymptotic equation
for current in the non-linear saturating inductance LS if LA, K, M, and IM are known. Current IS can be defined
as:
(6-22)
Where,
Figure 6-6 - Core Saturation Characteristic of the Classical Transformer
The flux S(t) is determined as a function of the integral of the winding voltage VL(t) as follows:
(6-23)
This method is an approximate way to add saturation to mutually coupled windings. More sophisticated
saturation models are reported in literature, but suffer from the disadvantage that in most practical situations,
the data is not available to make use of them - the saturation curve is rarely known much beyond the knee.
The core and winding dimensions, and other related details, cannot be easily found.
Studies in which the above simple model has been successfully used include:
Energizing studies for a 1200 MVA, 500 kV, autotransformer for selecting closing resistors. Ranges of
inrush current observed in the model compared favorably with the actual system tests.
DC line AC converter bus fundamental frequency over-voltage studies.
Core saturation instability where model results agreed closely to actual system responses [4].
In order to appreciate the saturation process described above, Figure 6-7 summarizes the use of Equations 6-22
and 6-23.
Description Value
In the first simulation case the current source is placed at the primary winding terminal and in the second one
it is at the secondary winding terminal. The simulation results of transformer magnetizing current and
secondary voltage for both scenarios are shown in Figure 6-8a and 6-8b respectively.
Figure 6-8a - Primary and Secondary Voltages when the Saturation Current is Injected at the Primary Winding
Figure 6-8b - Primary and Secondary Voltages when the Saturation Current is Injected at the Secondary
Winding
It can be observed above that when the saturation current is injected at the terminals where the source is
connected, the secondary voltage waveform is not distorted since other elements modeling the transformer
are linear. On the other hand, injecting the saturation current at the secondary winding increases the distortion
in its voltage waveform. This phenomena is also true for three and four winding transformer models.
Figure 6-9 shows the true location of magnetizing branch in the transformer T model. The magnetizing current
can be divided into two components; the linear component which is represented as a linear inductance defined
as:
(6-24)
where M and IM are the peak magnetizing flux and current at rated voltage as shown in Figure 6-6, and the
nonlinear component that is the difference between the total magnetizing current and the linear current as
illustrated in Figure 6-10. The nonlinear component or saturation current can be calculated as follows:
(6-25)
Figure 6-10 - Magnetizing Current Consists of Linear Current and Saturation Current
In Equation 6-25, im is the total magnetizing current and m is the magnetizing flux calculated by:
(6-26)
In this method of saturation modeling, the location of the saturation branch should be maintained at the
terminals of the transformer in order to retain the computational efficiency. Therefore the true saturation
current is partitioned between the terminal current sources by appropriate ratios as shown in Figure 6-11. To
do so, the injected currents at both terminals should be accurately computed to be mathematically equivalent
to injection at the magnetizing branch so that the new model behaves exactly the same as the transformer T
model.
The simulation results of the secondary voltage of the same case mentioned above in Figure 6-8, using the new
model, along with the previous simulations for the placement of the saturation at either ends is presented in
Figure 6-12.
Figure 6-12 - Mathematically Equivalent Model of Transformer Electric Circuit
For more details on this saturation method, please see transformer reference [12].
For example, if the saturation is applied to the tertiary winding of the three winding transformer, a reasonable
value to select for air core reactance would be XHT, which is 24%. Thus, as seen from the tertiary, the air core
reactance would be 24%; as seen from the low voltage winding is would be 38%, and as seen from the high
voltage winding it would be 48% or twice the leakage reactance XHT.
The knee point of the saturation curve is sometimes available and is usually expressed in percent or per-unit of
the operating point, defined by rated voltage. Typical ranges in per-unit are 1.15 to 1.25. Referring to Figure 6-
6, this would be:
(6-24)
Where,
If the RMS rated voltage of the winding, across which saturation is applied, is VM, then M is:
(6-25)
Where,
Equations 6-21 to 6-25 are an approximate means of defining transformer saturation and form the basis upon
which the EMTDC subroutine TSAT21 is constructed.