Mitigation of Voltage Drop Using Pre-Insertion

Resistor during Large Transformer Energization in a

Weak System: Simulation and Field Verification
Jingxuan Hu, Bruno Bisewski Dudley Maki Michael B. Marz
RBJ Engineering Corp. Minnesota Power American Transmission Company

Abstract-- Significant voltage drops can be expected during the

energization of a large transformer in a weak system due to high I. INTRODUCTION
inrush currents. Although controlled switching techniques are
now available, pre-insertion resistors continue to be applied
control the inrush current and mitigate the large voltage
M innesota Power (MP) in conjunction with American
Transmission Company (ATC) has replaced an
existing phase shifting transformer bypass breaker (8TX) with
depression[1][2][3]. One of the factors that leads users to apply
closing resistors is the concern that the accuracy in timing of a new breaker equipped with pre-insertion resistors at a
breaker opening and closing in controlled switching may not be 230/345 kV substation as shown in Fig. 1. The closing
achievable, especially where there is a large variation in ambient resistors are intended to mitigate the voltage depression on the
temperature range. There is a perception that timing is less adjacent power system due to transformer energization inrush
critical in application of closing resistors compared with currents that could occur during the energization of either
controlled switching. Phase Shifting Transformer (PST) or 230/345 kV
This paper presents the results of a PSCAD/EMTDC study to Autotransformer (T3). Very severe transient voltage drop can
confirm the selection of a suitable pre-insertion resistor and be expected during energization of the 230 kV phase shifting
minimum insertion time for a 230 kV breaker which would be
transformer and 230/345 kV autotransformer (both 800 MVA)
used to energize a 230kV phase shifting transformer and
since the system short circuit strength can be very low at this
230/345 kV auto-transformer at a 115/230/345 kV substation. A
comparison has been made between the simulated results and
substation especially under line outage conditions. The short
field fault recorder traces for several energization events. The circuit MVA with all lines connected is 3600 MVA.
simulation results demonstrate good agreement with the actual
energization behavior.
LINE1 LINE2
The results indicate that breaker timing, especially the
duration of insertion time, is also a factor in the application of T1
230/115kV
closing resistors. Insertion time is a very important parameter 230kV BUS1 115kV BUS

which affects the effectiveness of a closing resistor solution.

Variations in breaker timing which reduce the total insertion time HVDC
of the closing resistor can reduce the effectiveness of closing
8T
HVDC
resistors in this application.
8T-82LW
115kV BUS
Keywords: Transformer Inrush, Pre-insertion Resistor,
230kV BUS2
Insertion time, PSCAD/EMTDC Simulation. T2
8TX 230/115kV
LINE3
8T4 8T3
230kV BUS3
230kV BUS4
9T PST
230kV,800MVA
Jingxuan Hu is with RBJ Engineering Corp, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
T3
(Corresponding author: email: j.hu@rbjengineering.com; phone: 1-204- 230/345 kV
800MVA
4154853). 345kV BUS1
Bruno Bisewski is with RBJ Engineering Corp, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
(Email: b.bisewski@rbjengineering.com). 345kV LINE
Dudley Maki is with Minnesota Power, System Performance, Duluth, MN
USA (Email: dmaki@mnpower.com)
Michael B. Marz is with American Transmission Company, Waukesha
WI 53187-0047, USA (Email: mmarz@atcllc.com)
345kV BUS2

Paper submitted to the International Conference on Power

Systems Transients (IPST2011) in Delft, the Netherlands June 14-17, Fig. 1 230/345 kV Substation Single Line Diagram
2011
 An Electromagnetic Transients (EMT) study was carried taking into account variations in transformer saturation
out using PSCAD/EMTDC to determine the Ohmic value of characteristics, remanent flux conditions, electrical system
the preferred pre-insertion resistor and the minimum insertion short circuit strength and the point on wave where energization
time required to ensure the new breaker would effectively occurs.
eliminate the transformer inrush under any short circuit level
C. Results
condition so that the voltage depression would be limited to
acceptable levels. 1) Energization without Pre-insertion Resistors
If the Phase Shifting Transformer is energized without pre-
II. SIMULATION
insertion resistors and with all lines connected at the
A detailed three phase simulation model was set up in substation, the voltage can drop to as low as 0.6 pu if
PSCAD/EMTDC. energizing all three phases simultaneously at the phase A
A. Modeling voltage zero point and with 0.8 pu remanent flux on phase A
as shown in Fig. 3. The adjacent system would be affected and
A three single-phase two winding transformer
subjected to large voltage drop in this case.
(230/230 kV) model was used as an equivalent representation
The most favorable case is energizing PST at phase A
of 230 kV phase shifting transformer. The saturation
voltage peak and without remanent flux on any of phases. The
characteristic of PST was modeled and validated based on the
highest voltage dip in this case is 0.1 pu. The voltages
measured V-I magnetization curve from the manufacturer as
recovered to 0.95 pu in less than 0.15 s. The voltages did not
shown in Fig. 2.
drop to below 0.9 pu at any other stations in this case.

Phase Shifting Transformer Magnetization Curve

160

140
Vrms (% or rated Voltage)

120

100

80

60

Measured Curve from VA TECH

40
Simulated Curve in PSCAD

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Irms (% of rated current, 100%=2008 A)

Fig. 2 Measured and modeled PST saturation characteristic

The parameters of the transformer leakage impedance and

the saturation characteristic are given in Table 1

TABLE 1 Fig. 3 Simulated waveforms for Energization of phase shifting transformer

PHASE SHIFTING TRANSFORMER PARAMETERS without pre-insertion resistors (Energized at Phase A voltage zero with 0.8 pu
MODELED IN PSCAD (AT 0 TAP) remanent flux)
Transformer MVA 800
Transformer kV 230 If a weaker system is represented by taking out the 230 kV
Leakage Impedance (p.u.) 0.113 source providing the greatest contribution to the short circuit
Air core reactance (p.u.) 0.21
level, the system short circuit MVA would decrease to
Knee voltage (p.u.) 1.195
2575 MVA and the voltage drops would be more severe.
Magnetizing Current (%) 0.10
Inrush Decay Time Constant (s) 5
2) Effect Ohmic Value of Pre-insertion Resistor
The system was modeled in detail up to four buses away The effect of pre-insertion resistor ohmic value was
from the substation, and equivalent sources were used to investigated by varying the resistance from 0 to 500 ohms as
represent the rest of the system. Transmission lines were shown in Fig. 4. All three phases of the breaker were closed
represented using frequency dependent line models. simultaneously at Phase A voltage zero with 0.8 pu remanence
B. Methodology on Phase A.
Sensitivities studies were performed to optimize both the
ohmic value and insertion time of the pre-insertion resistors
 Minimum 230 kV Bus Voltages at (rms,pu on 230 kV/sqrt(3) ) 1.1
1.05
1.0
1.00
0.9

Minimum 230 kV Bus Voltage

0.95
0.8

(rms, pu on 132.8 kV)

0.90 0.7

0.85 0.6

0.80 0.5

0.75 0.4
8ms Insertion Time
0.70 0.3 Bus Voltage on Phase A
10ms Insertion Time
0.65 0.2
12ms Insertion Time

0.60
0.1

0.0
0.55
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
0.50
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 Insertion Time of Pre-Insertion Resistor (ms)

Pre-Insertion Resistor Ohmic Value (ohms)

(b) Minimum Voltage at 230 kV Bus
Fig. 5 Effect of insertion time of pre-insertion resistor (Energized at Phase A
Fig. 4 Effect of ohmic value of pre-insertion resistor (Energize at Phase A
Voltage Zero Crossing, 0.8 pu Remanence on Phase A)
Voltage Zero Crossing, 0.8 pu Remanence on Phase A)

The voltage dip would be less than 10% if the pre-insertion 4) Remanent flux condition and energization instant
resistor is greater than 40 Ohms. Larger values of pre-insertion The remanent flux could be on any of three phases with
resistance generally result in lower voltage dip but the different polarity and magnitude, and also the transformer can
improvement decreases rapidly above about 200 Ohms. Thus be energized at any instant between voltage peak and zero
any standard value of closing resistor between 200 and crossing on each phase.
500 Ohms offered by a breaker supplier would provide similar Fig. 6 shows the calculated minimum line to neutral voltage
performance in this application. among three phases at 230 kV bus with two combinations of
3) Effect of Insertion Time remanent flux, 0.8 pu on one phase or ±0.8 pu on any two
phases. The PST was energized at four instants with reference
Fig. 5 shows the simulated transformer inrush current and
to Phase A voltage: voltage peak, voltage zero crossing,
230 kV bus voltage of Phase A as a function of resistor
50 degrees and 270 degrees after zero crossing.
insertion time during energization at Phase A voltage zero
Each set of curves includes variation of pre-insertion Ohmic
crossing and 0.8 pu remanence on Phase A. The insertion time
value over the complete range from 400 Ohms to 1400 Ohms.
of the resistor has significant effect on the transformer inrush
It further confirms that the ohmic value does not affect the
current and corresponding voltage drop.
magnitude of inrush current provided it is greater than about
12 200 Ohms as already discussed in Section 2).
10
Transformer Inrush Current (Peak, kA)

1.05
Inrush Current in PhaseA
Remanence on Phase A
Minimum 230 kV Bus Voltage (rms, pu on 132.8kV)

8 Energize at Phase A Voltage

1.00 Remanence on Phase A & C Zero Crossing (Green)
Energize at 270Degree after
Phase A Voltage Zero
0.95 Crossing (Blue)
6

0.90
4
Remanence on Phase B & C
0.85 Energize at Phase A Voltage Remanence on Phase B & C
Zero Crossing (Red) Energize at 50 Degree after
2 Phase A Voltage Zero Crossing
0.80 (Purple)

0 0.75
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Insertion Time of Pre-Insertion Resistor (ms) 0.70 Remanence on Phase A & C

Energize at Phase A Voltage Zero
Crossing (Pink)
0.65
(a) Transformer Inrush Current
0.60
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Pre-insertion Resistor Insertion Time (ms)
Fig. 6 Effects of Remanent Flux Conditions and Energization Instants

The results in Fig. 6 demonstrate that the effectiveness of

the closing resistor depends on:
a) which phases have remanence, and
b) the instant of energization with respect to the phase(s)
which have remanence
 This dependence on closing instant can be completely
eliminated only by ensuring that total minimum resistor
insertion time is not less than 11 to 12 ms. (about 0.7 electrical
cycle) Pre-insertion times less than about 8 ms (0.5 electrical
cycle) provide limited benefit in energization events where the
combination of remanence and energization instant are not
favorable. The simulations were carried out on a 60 Hz
system and thus the conclusions regarding insertion times
would need to be adjusted for a 50 Hz system.

III. COMPARISON OF SIMULATION TO ACTUAL ENERGIZATION

Based on the study results, a breaker was ordered with
specified values of 400 Ohm pre-insertion resistor which is a
standard value offered by the breaker supplier and a minimum
of 12 ms insertion time. Several energization events have taken
place after the breaker was installed.
Unexpectedly high inrush currents were observed on the Fig. 7 Energization of phase shifting transformer with pre-insertion resistor
insufficient insertion time of about 6.8 ms on Oct 15, 2008.
first energization. An investigation showed that this was due
to insufficient resistor insertion time which appeared to be
between 6 ms and 7 ms. In view of the poor performance, the
supplier was requested to improve the insertion time to meet
the specification.
Improved energization behavior was demonstrated in the
subsequent energization events after the adjustment of
insertion time. Sections A and B discuss the energization event
before and after modification of breaker pre-insertion resistor
insertion time.
A. High Inrush Energization Event Due to Insufficient
Insertion Time (2008-10-15)
The phase shifting transformer was first energized with pre-
insertion resistor on Oct 15, 2008. A high inrush current with
peak value of 3.2 kA was observed in Phase A and this
resulted in an unexpected large voltage drop of 17% as shown
in Fig. 7.
The high inrush current was considered to be due to
insufficient insertion time. The actual time that the resistor was
inserted before main contacts were closed was measured to be
about 6.8 ms, which was much less than the specified
minimum insertion time of 12 ms.
Additional EMT simulations were performed to try and
replicate the field measurements as shown in Fig. 8. In this
simulation, the PST was energized at 130 degrees after Fig. 8 PSCAD/EMDC Simulation Showing Energization of phase shifting
phase A voltage zero crossing going positive with ±0.8 pu transformer with 400 ohm pre-insertion resistor and 6.8 ms insertion time
remanence on phases B and C. The simulation results
demonstrated a relatively good agreement with the field
B. Reduced Inrush with Increased Insertion Time
results. The simulated inrush current was 3.9 kA and the
corresponding voltage drop at the 230 kV bus was 10%. The After the breaker was modified to increase effective
small discrepancy is considered due to differences between insertion time, the phase shifting transformer as well as auto
simulated and actual remanent flux conditions. transformer were energized again to document the
improvement in performance.
The recorded DFR traces of the energization on July 7,
2010 are shown in Fig. 9 for the PST and Fig. 10 for the
autotransformer.
Fig. 9 Field Energization of phase shifting transformer (PST) after pre-
Fig. 11 PSCAD/EMDC Simulation of Energizing phase shifting transformer
insertion resistor insertion time was adjusted (July 7 2010)
with 400 ohm pre-insertion resistor and 11 ms insertion time

IV. CONCLUSIONS
The simulations and field energization oscillograms of a
230 kV phase shifting transformer and a 230/345 kV auto-
transformer indicate that both the Ohmic value and insertion
time are important to ensure satisfactory performance of pre-
insertion resistors for limiting inrush currents during
transformer energization.
In critical applications where it is important to limit the
voltage dip due to inrush currents, it is crucial to specify the
minimum insertion time should not be less than about 0.7
electrical cycles. This insertion time is longer than typically
needed for transmission line energization and therefore
breakers which are capable of providing adequate insertion
Fig. 10 Field Energization of 230/345 kV auto-transformer after pre-insertion
times may not be readily available.
resistor insertion time was adjusted (July 7 2010).
The actually achieved insertion time of the circuit breaker
must be verified by field testing and adjusted if necessary to
Measurements of the energization waveforms indicate that an ensure that it meets the specification.
effective insertion time of about 11.6 ms was achieved in both
the PST and auto transformer energization cases. The inrush V. REFERENCES
currents were limited to less than 0.5 kA which is very close to [1] UDC Report No. 5152, Transformer magnetizing inrush current. A.A.
the maximum expected value based on the simulations as Hudson, The electrical research association, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead,
shown in Fig. 11. surrey, 1966.
[2] CIGRE 1968 Session, 10-20 June, Transformer Inrush Current,
International conference on large high tension electric systems.
[3] International conference on Power system transients, New control
strategy of inrush transient plant using a double-breaker 330-kV circuit
breaker, E. Portales, Q. Bui-Van, IPST 2003 in New Orleans, USA
 VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank Dr. S. Rao Atmuri for his
valuable discussion in the performance of the work.

VII. BIOGRAPHIES
Jingxuan Hu received her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in
1995 (China) and her Masters degree in Computer and Electrical engineering
in 2001 (Canada). She has over fifteen years experience in high voltage
technologies and power equipment, protection and digital relays, power
system stability and electromagnetic transient (EMTP) studies;
Subsynchronous resonance phenomena analysis and small signal stability
studies; HVDC system control and modeling; Series and shunt
compensations; Equipment design studies such as breaker TRV, line and
transformer energization, live line maintenance.
She is a registered professional engineer in Manitoba (APEGM), and a senior
member of IEEE.

Bruno Bisewski received B.Sc. (Eng.) degree in electrical engineering from

the University of Manitoba, Canada in 1975. He is a specialist with over 32
years of experience in all aspects of the electrical power transmission industry
including project management, system studies, specification and design,
calculation of electrical effects, design review, cost estimates, equipment
testing and commissioning of EHV ac and HVDC transmission systems.
He is a registered professional engineer in Manitoba (APEGM), and a PE in
the states of Arizona, Vermont, Minnesota and Wisconsin (USA).

Dudley Maki is a Professional engineer with over 20 years of experience in

Transmission System Planning and Operations where he has been responsible
for System Planning and Operational studies; HVDC Operations &
Maintenance, Fault / Disturbance analysis and monitoring systems;
Electromagnetic transients studies; Power quality monitoring and analysis;
Design and testing of special control systems; Development of operating
procedures and guidelines; and Coordination of on-site commissioning
activities and energization plans for major transmission system upgrades.
Dudley has a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Minnesota, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of
Minnesota.

Michael B. Marz is a Principal Transmission Planning Engineer for ATC's

Interconnections and Special Studies Group. Prior to joining ATC in 2001 he
spent 12 years with Cooper Power Systems' Systems Engineering Group and
5 years with Minnesota Power's System Control and Performance Group. He
has a BSEE from Notre Dame, a MSEE Purdue, and an MBA from
Minnesota. He is a Senior Member of IEEE and a PE in Minnesota and
Wisconsin.