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Gade, S., Sound Intensity Instrumentation and Applications, Technical Review No. 4, Brüel & Kjaer, Nerum,<br />

Denmark, 1982.<br />

IEEE Audible Sound and Vibration Subcommittee Working Group, Guide for Sound Level Abatement<br />

and Determination for Liquid Immersed <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Transformer</strong>s and Shunt Reactors Rated to be<br />

500kVA, IEEE C57.156 (draft 9), Institute of <strong>Electric</strong>al and Electronics <strong>Engin</strong>eers, Piscataway, NJ.<br />

Replinger, E., Study of Noise Emitted by <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Transformer</strong>s Based on Today’s Viewpoint, CIGRE Paper<br />

12-08, Siemens AG, Transformatorenwerk, Nürnberg, Germany, 1988.<br />

Specht, T.R., Noise Levels of Indoor <strong>Transformer</strong>s, Westinghouse Corp. <strong>Transformer</strong> Division, 1955.<br />

Westinghouse <strong>Electric</strong> Corp., Bolt Beranek, and Newman Inc., <strong>Power</strong> <strong>Transformer</strong> Noise Abatement,<br />

ESERC Report EP 9-14, Empire State <strong>Electric</strong> Energy Research Corp., New York, 1981.<br />

3.10 Transient-Voltage Response<br />

Robert C. Degeneff<br />

3.10.1 Transient-Voltage Concerns<br />

3.10.1.1 Normal System Operation<br />

<strong>Transformer</strong>s are normally used in systems to change power from one voltage (or current) to another.<br />

This is often driven by a desire to optimize the overall system characteristics, e.g., economics, reliability,<br />

or performance. To achieve these system goals, a purchaser must specify — and a designer must configure<br />

— the transformer to meet a desired impedance, voltage rating, power rating, thermal characteristic,<br />

short-circuit strength, sound level, physical size, and voltage-withstand capability. Obviously, many of<br />

these goals will produce requirements that are in conflict, and prudent compromise will be required.<br />

Failure to achieve an acceptable characteristic for any of these goals will make the overall transformer<br />

design unacceptable. <strong>Transformer</strong> characteristics and the concomitant design process are outlined in the<br />

literature [1–4].<br />

Normally, a transformer operates under steady-state voltage excitation. Occasionally, a transformer<br />

(in fact all electrical equipment) experiences a dynamic or transient overvoltage. Often, it is these<br />

infrequent transient voltages that establish design constraints for the insulation system of the transformer.<br />

These constraints can have a far-reaching effect on the overall equipment design. The transformer must<br />

be configured to withstand any abnormal voltages covered in the design specification and realistically<br />

expected in service. Often, these constraints have great impact on other design issues and, as such, have<br />

significant effect on the overall transformer cost, performance, and configuration. In recent years, engineers<br />

have explored the adverse effect of transient voltages on the reliability of transformers [5–7] and<br />

found them to be a major cause of transformer failure.<br />

3.10.1.2 Sources and Types of Transient-Voltage Excitation<br />

The voltages to which a transformer’s terminals are subjected can be broadly classed as steady state and<br />

transient. The transient voltages a transformer experiences are commonly referred to as dynamic, transient,<br />

and very fast transients.<br />

The majority of the voltages a transformer experiences during its operational life are steady state, e.g.,<br />

the voltage is within 10% of nominal, and the frequency is within 1% of rated. As power-quality issues<br />

grow, the effect of harmonic voltages and currents on performance is becoming more of an issue. These<br />

harmonics are effectively reduced-magnitude steady-state voltages and currents at harmonic frequencies<br />

(say 2nd to the 50th). These are addressed in great detail in IEEE Std. 519, Recommended Practices and<br />

Requirements for Harmonic Control in <strong>Electric</strong>al <strong>Power</strong> Systems [8]. Strictly speaking, all other voltage<br />

excitations are transients, e.g., dynamic, transient, and very fast transient voltages.<br />

Dynamic voltages refer to relatively low-frequency (60 to 1500 Hz), damped oscillatory voltage.<br />

Magnitudes routinely observed are from one to three times the system’s peak nominal voltage. Transient<br />

voltage refers to the class of excitation caused by events like lightning surges, switching events, and line<br />

faults causing voltages of the chopped waveform [9]. Normally, these are aperiodic waves. Occasionally,<br />

the current chopping of a vacuum breaker will produce transient periodic excitation in the 10- to 200-kHz<br />

range [10]. The term very fast transient encompasses voltage excitation with rise times in the range of<br />

50 to 100 sec and frequencies from 0.5 to 30 MHz. These types of voltages are encountered in gasinsulated<br />

stations. The voltages produced within the transformer winding structure by the system is a<br />

part of the problem that must be addressed and understood if a successful insulation design is to be<br />

achieved [11]. Since transient voltages affect system reliability, in turn affecting system safety and economics,<br />

a full understanding of the transient characteristic of a transformer is warranted.<br />

3.10.1.3 Addressing Transient-Voltage Performance<br />

Addressing the issue of transient-voltage performance can be divided into three activities: recognition,<br />

prediction, and mitigation. By 1950 over 1000 papers had been written to address these issues [12–14].<br />

The first concern is to appreciate that transient-voltage excitation can produce equipment responses<br />

different than one would anticipate at first glance. For example, the addition of more insulation around<br />

a conductor may, in fact, make the transient-voltage distribution worse and the insulation integrity of<br />

the design weaker. Another example is the internal voltage amplification a transformer experiences when<br />

excited near its resonant frequency. The transient-voltage distribution is a function of the applied voltage<br />

excitation and the shape and material content of the winding being excited. The capability of the winding<br />

to withstand the transient voltage is a function of the specific winding shape, the material’s voltage-vs.-<br />

time characteristic, the past history of the structure, and the statistical nature of the voltage-withstand<br />

characteristic of the structure.<br />

The second activity is to assess or predict the transient voltage within the coil or winding. Today, this<br />

generally is accomplished using a lumped-parameter model of the winding structure and some form of<br />

computer solution method that facilitates calculation of the internal transient response of the winding.<br />

Once this voltage distribution is known, its effect on the insulation structure can be computed with a<br />

two- or three-dimensional finite element method (FEM). The resultant voltages, stresses, and creeps are<br />

examined in light of the known material and geometrical capability of the system, with consideration<br />

for desired performance margins.<br />

The third activity is to establish a transformer structure or configuration that — in light of the<br />

anticipated transient-voltage excitation and material capability, variability, and statistical nature — will<br />

provided acceptable performance margins. Occasionally, nonlinear resistors are used as part of the<br />

insulation system to achieve a cost-effective, reliable insulation structure. Additionally, means of limiting<br />

the transient excitation include the use of nonlinear resistors, capacitors, and snubbers.<br />

3.10.1.4 Complex Issue to Predict<br />

The accurate prediction of the transient-voltage response of coils and winding has been of interest for<br />

almost 100 years. The problem is complex for several reasons. The form of excitation varies greatly. Most<br />

large power transformer are unique designs, and as such each transformer’s transient-response characteristic<br />

is unique. Each has its own impedance-vs.-frequency characteristic. As such, the transientresponse<br />

characteristic of each transformer is different. Generally, the problem is addressed by building<br />

a large lumped-parameter model of inductances, capacitances, and resistances. Constructing the lumpedparameter<br />

model is challenging. The resultant mathematical model is ill-conditioned, e.g., the resultant<br />

differential equation is difficult to solve. The following sections outline how these challenges are currently<br />

addressed.<br />

It should be emphasized that the voltage distribution within the winding is only the first component<br />

of the insulation design process. The spatial distribution of the voltages within the winding must be<br />

determined, and finally the ability of the winding configuration in view of its voltage-vs.-time characteristic<br />

must be assessed.<br />

© 2004 by CRC Press LLC<br />

© 2004 by CRC Press LLC

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