Comparing two topology transformer hysteresis models derived from DC hysteresis measurements

Dennis Albert (Institute of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria)
Lukas Daniel Domenig (Institute of Fundamentals and Theory of Electrical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria)
Philipp Schachinger (Institute of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria)
Klaus Roppert (Institute of Fundamentals and Theory of Electrical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria)
Herwig Renner (Institute of Electrical Power Systems, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria)

COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering

ISSN: 0332-1649

Article publication date: 28 February 2023

Issue publication date: 20 June 2023

716

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the applicability of a direct current (DC) hysteresis measurement on power transformer terminals for the subsequent hysteresis model parametrization in transformer grey box topology models.

Design/methodology/approach

Two transformer topology models with two different hysteresis models are used together with a DC hysteresis measurement via the power transformer terminals to parameterize the hysteresis models by means of an optimization. The calculated current waveform with the derived model in the transformer no-load condition is compared to the measured no-load current waveforms to validate the model.

Findings

The proposed DC hysteresis measurement via the power transformer terminals is suitable to parametrize two hysteresis models implemented in transformer topology models to calculate the no-load current waveforms.

Originality/value

Different approaches for the measurement and utilization of transformer terminal measurements for the hysteresis model parametrization are discussed in literature. The transformer topology models, derived with the presented approach, are able to reproduce the transformer no-load current waveform with acceptable accuracy.

Keywords

Citation

Albert, D., Domenig, L.D., Schachinger, P., Roppert, K. and Renner, H. (2023), "Comparing two topology transformer hysteresis models derived from DC hysteresis measurements", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 42 No. 4, pp. 861-877. https://doi.org/10.1108/COMPEL-09-2022-0303

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Dennis Albert, Lukas Daniel Domenig, Philipp Schachinger, Klaus Roppert and Herwig Renner.

License

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode.


1. Introduction

Transformer manufactures typically develop detailed models of the transformer based on the geometry and material properties to study the internal dielectric stresses, forces and heating. This detailed information is usually not available outside the manufacturer (da Co Rocha et al., 2014). Therefore, transformer terminal equivalent models derived from terminal measurement, e.g. to study the transformer interaction with the surrounding grid, could be used (da Co Rocha et al., 2014).

Different approaches are used to model transformers, according to the objective of the studies. Depending on the model structure and the procedure calculating the model parameters, the approaches can be classified as white or black box modelling. White box models require the knowledge of the structure of the transformer and the model parameters, which are derived with physical laws and do not depend on measurement data. The black box models, in contrast, depend on input and output parameters. The model structure and parameters have no physical meaning. Between the white and black box models, the grey box models offer a compromise between of both approaches. These topology models are usually based on the principle physical structure of the transformer, and the model parameter estimation is based on measurement data. In this paper, two transformer grey box models, using the inductance–reluctance (Cherry, 1949) and the capacitance–permeance analogy (Buntenbach, 1968, 1969), are used.

Both models are parameterized using the data from the standard factory acceptance test, including the transformer core hysteresis. The hysteresis characteristic is included because the deviation between the calculated and measured power demand should be within 15%, according to IEC 60076-1:2012. From the measured waveforms during factory acceptance test, the short-circuit impedance, the winding resistances, the winding capacitances, the three-phase no-load loss and the zero-sequence impedance can be calculated. The measurement procedures are described in IEC 60076-1:2012 (IEC, 2012). The model parameters are listed in Table A2. The transformer joint air gaps are modelled as non-linear saturation characteristic. The non-linear characteristic is derived from the direct current (DC) hysteresis measurement, whereas the data points above the knee point are derived with linear extrapolation. The non-linear air gap is based on the assumption that as the step-lap transformer core approaches saturation, the flux is forced also to neighbouring transformer sheets, increasing the flux path through air (see Figure A1). Further information on the air gap modelling can be found in Zirka et al.(2022) and Albert (2022). For further application also the residual flux inside the transformer core could be of interest, which requires to include a hysteresis model (Martinez and Mork, 2005). Especially, the modelling of the transformer core hysteresis properties, based on terminal measurements, is challenging, due to the magnetic coupling of the phases in multi-winding multi-leg power transformers (Albert, 2022). Different special transformer terminal measurement setups have been discussed to measure the transformer hysteresis characteristic in Neves and Dommel (1995), Fuchs and You(2002) and Albert et al. (2021). To mitigate the magnetic coupling in a three-phase three-leg two-winding power transformer, the alternating current (AC) saturation test was proposed in Albert et al. (2021). During the AC saturation test, depicted in Figure 5, the transformer in no-load condition is excited by two single-phase voltages via the outer two wounded legs. The flux in the middle leg vanishes because of the 180° phase shift of the test voltages. The current waveforms were used in the subsequent modelling for the parametrization of the Jiles–Atherton (JA), used with the inductance–reluctance analogy, and capacitance–permeance hysteresis (CPH) model, used with the capacitance–permeance analogy, by means of an optimization with the Nelder–Mead Simplex (NMS) algorithm. The drawback of the AC saturation test is the requirement of a two-phase variable power source with a phase shift of 180°, sufficiently large power and a supply voltage which is above the rated voltage of the excited transformer windings. During the AC saturation, moderate saturation conditions can be reached, which requires a sufficiently large short-circuit power of the feeder. Therefore, the AC saturation test was further developed to a DC hysteresis test (depicted in Figure 5), which can be carried out with a portal transformer test device, at the manufacturers facility or on-site. During the DC hysteresis test, the same setup as with the AC saturation test is used. A DC step-voltage is applied to the transformer terminals several times with reversal polarity. The Ψ–i characteristic, derived from the terminal current and voltage measurements, is used for the subsequent hysteresis model parametrization. The hysteresis models are parametrized by simulating the DC hysteresis test with the transformer topological models in MATLAB/Simulink and applying a minimal cost function to the measured and calculated current waveforms during the optimization process.

2. Inductance–reluctance analogy

Using the inductance–reluctance analogy, based on Cherry (1949), the magnetic circuit of the transformer and its stray flux paths are represented by inductances in an electric equivalent circuit. This allows to model the magnetic and surrounding electric circuit in the electrical domain. The equivalent circuit of the transformer, applying the inductance–reluctance analogy, requires first that each element in one network has a counterpart in the other network and second the current through an element in one network is proportional to the voltage across the counterpart in the other network. These requirements are fulfilled by using the analogies listed in Table 1.

The inductance–reluctance analogy is limited to planar networks. A counter example where the analogy cannot be applied is given in Hamill (1993). This limitation can be overcome, if required, by the usage of five special artifices summarized in Bloch (1946).

Applying the inductance–reluctance analogy to the three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer under test, results in the equivalent circuit are depicted in Figure 1, where the upper-case letters A, B and C correspond to the high-voltage terminals/phases and the lower-case letters a, b and c correspond to the low-voltage terminals/phases. A and C represent the outer two legs and B the middle leg.

In Figure 1, L01 and L12 represent the leakage flux paths between the transformer core (index 0) and the inner winding (index 1), as well as the leakage flux path between the inner (index 1) and outer (index 2) winding, respectively. The elements R0 and L0 represent the zero-sequence flux path for each leg. RLV and RHV represent the low- and high-voltage winding resistance per phase, respectively. NLV and NHV are the number of turns of the corresponding winding. The inductor Lgap represents the air gap between the yoke and leg. It was found in Elleuch and Poloujadoff (1998) that the equivalent air gap length varies with the flux density. The effect of a changing equivalent air gap length can be represented by a non-linear inductor (Elleuch and Poloujadoff, 1998; Zirka et al., 2022). The non-linear characteristic can be derived from DC hysteresis measurement by calculating a saturation characteristic from the hysteresis loop and linear extrapolating the saturation characteristic beyond the knee point. Lyoke and Lleg with the blue hysteresis symbol represent the corresponding hysteretical core elements of the legs and yokes. The inverse JA model, in the inductance–reluctance model (Jiles et al., 1992; Jiles and Atherton, 1986), is used for the implementation of the transformer cores hysteresis characteristic, because it requires less measurement data than the Preisach hysteresis model (Philips et al., 1995). Both the transformer legs and yokes are implemented as JA hysteresis model, using the same five JA model parameters. The hysteresis model takes into account the hysteresis losses, the rate dependent excess losses and the eddy current losses. The total eddy current loses are derived from the three-phase no-load test and are multiplied by the total mean magnetic path length of the transformer core. The eddy current losses in every hysterical core element (Lleg and Lyoke) are scaled with their specific length le. Figure 2 depicts one JA hysteresis element implemented in MATLAB/Simulink, where A is the core element’s cross-sectional area; NLV is the number of turns of the low-voltage winding; and k20 is the scaling factor for the rate-dependent excess loss. The dimensionless scaling factor k20 is roughly adjusted manually before the JA parameter optimization.

3. Capacitance–permeance analogy

The capacitance–permeance analogy or gyrator–capacitor approach is based on Buntenbach (1968, 1969). The analogies between the magnetic and electric circuit are listed in Table 2.

Applying the capacitance–permeance analogy to a transformer, the permeances of the magnetic circuit are translated into capacitances, representing the legs, yokes and the stray flux paths. The magnetic equivalent circuit is interfaced with a gyrator, connecting the surrounding electric circuit with the magnetic circuit. The gyrator is governed by the following relations:

(1) I1=GV2,
(2) I2=GV1,
where V2 and I2 correspond to the mmf F and the magnetic flux rate ϕ˙, respectively, and V1 and I1 correspond to the voltage and current of the external electrical circuit, respectively. The resistance of the gyrator G is the reciprocal of N, the number of turns of the corresponding winding.

The capacitance – permeance analogy makes a capacitance on the electric domain analogous to a permeance in the magnetic domain. The two domains are linked as follows:

(3) ϕ˙=PdFdtϕ=PF.

Permeances are the reciprocal of reluctances and are defined as:

(4) P=1R=μ0μrAele,
where le is the effective magnetic path length, Ae is the effective cross-sectional area, μ0 is the vacuum permeability and μr is the relative permeability of the material. An electric resistance is used to model dissipating losses in the CPH model. This can be interpreted as a hampering of the magnetic flux rate. The resulting power loss is calculated as follows:
(5) Ploss=ϕ˙2Rm.

The hysteretical lumped core elements (Figure 3) consist out of three building blocks. The saturation is modelled by a capacitor with a series connected non-linear voltage-controlled voltage source, with the following voltage–voltage relation:

(6) E(Vc)=(aVc)n,

where a and n are shape parameters. This results in an effective capacitance of:

(7) Ceff=Cs1+dEdVc.

To model the hysteresis, a resistor and a parallel non-linear voltage-controlled current source are used. The voltage–current relation is defined as:

(8) I(Vh)=(bVh)m,
where b and m are shape parameters. The resistance for the hysteresis is non-linear to model a rate-independent hysteresis loop and to set the major loop to a certain limit. If a specific value of Vc has been reached, most of the current in the hysteresis element flows through the current source, which limits the amount of current flowing in the resistance, which limits the dissipated power by the resistance and therefore the width of the hysteresis loop. To preserve the properties of (8) and (6) and to realize the saturation and the hysteresis (shape), the values of n and m have to be odd integers. For rate-dependent dissipative losses like eddy currents, a linear resistance can be used in series to the other elements. The material model is controlled by six parameters a, c, m, n, Cs and Rh.

The transformer model parameters are derived from the transformer factory acceptance test measurements. These measured parameters can be used directly in the inductance–reluctance analogy. For the usage in the capacitance–permeance analogy, the following conversions are applied to the measured parameters:

(9) C=LN2,
where L is, e.g. the leakage inductance and N are the number of turns of the inductor representing the leakage flux path, which is chosen to be N = 1, since the leakage flux paths correspond to an air coil with one turn. The equivalent circuit of a three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer, applying the capacitance–permeance analogy, is depicted in Figure 4.

In Figure 4, 1X-1x represents the high-voltage terminals and 2X-2x represents the low-voltage terminals of the corresponding phase (X/x = A/a, B/b, C/c). The hysteretical leg and yoke elements (Cleg and Cyoke) are indicated by the blue hysteresis loop above the capacitor. The flux-shunting elements C01, C12 and C0 represent the leakage flux paths between the core and the inner winding (index 1), the leakage flux path between the inner and outer (index 2) winding and the zero-sequence flux path (index 0), respectively.

4. DC hysteresis measurement

For the accurate modelling of transformers for low-frequency transients, the model should include the transformer core hysteresis effect (Martinez and Mork, 2005). If the core material and its hysteresis characteristic is unknown, transformer terminal measurements and the corresponding Ψ–i or Φ–i characteristic can be used to parameterize the transformer hysteresis model. The derived Ψ–i characteristics from a three-phase no-load test have limited value, due to the electromagnetic coupling of the three phases (Albert, 2022; Fuchs and You, 2002). Therefore, different single-phase measurement techniques have been proposed in Fuchs and You (2002) and Albert et al. (2021). Both measurement techniques are performed at the transformers’ rated frequency, usually 50 or 60 Hz. The testing with rated frequency requires a sufficiently large power source for the tests, which limits the measurement techniques to transformers in test facilities or to transformers with small rated power. To overcome this limitation, a similar test, as proposed in Albert et al. (2021), with DC is used to measure the data for the subsequent hysteresis modelling, with a portable transformer test device. Figure 5 depicts the AC saturation test, proposed in Albert et al. (2021) and the DC hysteresis test. In Figure 5, only one winding per leg is depicted for a better visualization, whereas the AC saturation test is usually carried out via the low-voltage terminals and the DC hysteresis test is carried out via the high-voltage terminals. With both measurement techniques, the flux in the middle leg vanishes, which reduces the electromagnetic coupling.

Plate 1 depicts the transformer under test in the laboratory. The high-voltage neutral was made accessible from outside via a high-voltage bushing. The six low-voltage windings from the zigzag winding were feed through the transformer tank with a connector box. The low-voltage winding vector group is free configurable from outside. For the presented measurement, the transformer was in YNyn0 connection. The transformer core dimensions and the characteristic data of the transformer are listed in Table A1 and Table A2, respectively.

Figure 6 depicts a typical measured voltage and current waveform of the transformer under test with the labelled sequences explained in Table 3.

Figure 7 presents the measured transformer under test Φ – i hysteresis characteristic derived from transformer terminal measurements. The AC and DC hysteresis characteristic are derived from the AC saturation and DC hysteresis test via the low-voltage and high-voltage terminals A-C, respectively. The “ringing”, visible in the DC hysteresis measurement around 0 A, is caused by control parameters in the transformer test device at low current. Clearly visible is the smaller width of the DC hysteresis measurement, due to the absence of rate-dependent and eddy current losses. The “cobra-shape” of the AC hysteresis characteristic is an indicator for the effect of the winding capacitance and the transformer core joint air gap.

During the optimization of the hysteresis parameters of the CPH and JA models, the measured and calculated currents during the DC hysteresis test are used, using the NMS algorithm implemented in MATLAB as function fminsearch() (Lagarias et al., 1998). During the optimization, the objective function is defined as the sum of the squared error between the calculated and measured phase currents of the DC hysteresis test, where also the maximum and minimum currents values during the interval used for the optimization are compared. The objective function is defined as follows:

(10) J=k1J1+k2J2=1Mi=1Mk1[Icalc(i)Imeas(i)]2+k2[Imax,simImax,calc]2,
where I are the measured (meas) and calculated (calc) phase currents; k1 and k2 are weighting parameters, which are chosen by trial-and-error method; and M are the number of data points. The results of the models, using the hysteresis parameters from the optimization, are depicted in Figures 8 and 10 in the following sections. Other parameters used in the objective function, such as the frequency spectrum of the current waveforms or the BH or Φ–i values, did not result in suitable hysteresis parameters. Therefore, current waveform versus time and its maxima and minima should be used in the objective function.

5. Model validation: inductance–reluctance model

The parameters of the hysteresis models (JA and CPH) used in the lumped elements for the legs and yokes are parameterized by means of an optimization, using the NMS algorithm, where the measured and calculated terminal currents of the transformer during the DC hysteresis test are compared. Figure 8 depicts the measured and calculated current and voltage waveform after the optimization process of the JA hysteresis parameters. The total DC hysteresis measurement sequence, depicted in Figure 6 with a duration of 62 s, was reduced to a sequence with a duration of 4.5 s to limit the simulation time per iteration during the optimization. This is applicable, due to the symmetry of the hysteresis characteristic. The depicted excerpt in Figure 8 takes into account the initial magnetization and the descending branch from the positive maximum magnetization to negative maximum magnetization point. The voltage “ringing” at 2.2 s is caused by the control parameters of the portable transformer test device.

The derived JA hysteresis model parameters obtained from the optimization are used in the same transformer model during the standard no-load test to validate the model. The model parameters are listed in Table 5. Figure 9 depicts the measured and calculated three-phase no-load voltage and current waveforms of the transformer under test. The current amplitude and waveform shape are similar. The calculated power in the model underestimates the measured power but have the same order of magnitude (Table 4). Further improvements of the optimization process and especially of the applied minimal cost function should decrease the deviation in the power demand (Table 5).

6. Model validation: capacitance–permeance model

The results of the optimization process are shown in Figure 10. It can be seen that the capacitance–permeance model is able to reproduce the measured current waveform by applying the DC hysteresis test with a high accuracy. However, compared to the AC saturation test, this is only possible using the topology of the lumped elements, as shown in Figure 4. This means each leg and yoke has to be modelled as an individual element to take into account the transformer core geometry and the stray flux paths. The transformers joint air gap is modelled as a linear capacitance in series to the hysteresis element.

The same model as in the DC hysteresis test is subsequently used for the no-load test to validate the identified hysteresis parameter and the overall model. The CPH model parameters are listed in Table 7. In Figure 11, the measured and simulated time evolution of the current and voltage in all phases is compared. It can be recognized that also during the no-load test, the model is able to predict the terminal currents and the power demand (Table 6) with an acceptable accuracy. The minor deviations are most likely due to several inhomogeneities which cannot be modelled with the current version of the topology model like an inhomogeneous distribution of the magnetic flux density in the core, as well as different air gaps in the leg and yoke and different leakage levels of the windings, which has not been considered in the model yet (Table 7).

7. Conclusion

This paper presents the feasibility of using a transformer terminal DC hysteresis measurement to parameterize two different hysteresis models in transformer grey box topology models. The derived models are able to reproduce the measured current waveforms and power demand during the standard no-load test. The parameters of the inductance–reluctance model can be recalculated for the usage in the capacitance–permeance model and vice versa. The capacitance–permeance model is more intuitive because the core design with its legs and yokes do not need to be transformed, as it is the case if the inductance–reluctance analogy is used, to set up the equivalent electric transformer topology model. The five and six parameters of the JA and the CPH models, respectively, are derived by means of an optimization with the NMS algorithm and an objective function. An excerpt of the measured and calculated current waveform during the DC hysteresis test was used during the optimization to reduce the simulation time per iteration. The approach was tested on a 50 kVA three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer. For the topology model, the factory acceptance test data is required to parameterize the model parameters, such as the leakage inductances, zero-sequence impedance, winding resistance, winding capacitance and iron core losses. Furthermore, the core geometry of the transformer is required, which is not always available. The derived models are able to reproduce the measured no-load current waveform and power no-load power demand with acceptable accuracy. The calculated power demand of the inductance–reluctance model with the JA hysteresis model is sensitive to the calculation step size.

The discrepancy between the two models presented in Sections 2 and 3 in the current waveform and in power demand is expected to be caused by the air gap inductance in combination with the CPH model parameters and the step size in combination with the power calculation method in the inductance–reluctance model. The current waveform of the capacitance–permeance model is more linear between the current peaks, in comparison with the inductance–reluctance model, even if the same air gap values are used in the models. By reducing the air gap capacitance in the CPH model before the optimization, the current waveforms during the three-phase no-load test become similar to the measured phase currents. The discrepancy in the power demand between both models is expected to be caused by the power calculation in MATLAB/Simulink in combination with the simulation step size, especially in case of the inductance–reluctance model. If the step size is reduced in the calculation of the inductance–reluctance model, the power demand deviation can also be reduced. The effect of the calculation step size can also be observed by comparing the Φ – i characteristics during the DC hysteresis test of both models with different step sizes. The inductance–hysteresis model with the JA hysteresis model shows dedicated steps in the Φ – i characteristic, if the step size is chosen too large. This behaviour also affects the power calculation in the model.

The paper presents two transformer topology models, including the transformer core hysteresis. Both models are able to reproduce the three-phase current waveform and the power demand with a certain accuracy. Which analogy and hysteresis model should be used depends on the application and will be investigated in future work. The inductance–reluctance model requires sufficiently small calculation step sizes to provide smooth current waveforms, which requires a higher computational power in comparison to the capacitance–permeance model. Today, the inductance–reluctance analogy is more common in electrical power engineering, whereas the capacitance–permeance analogy is more used in the field of electronic circuit simulation. Both models can be parameterized using the same data.

The presented approach using a DC hysteresis measurement has the advantage that it can be conducted on-site on at the manufactures site or on an already installed transformer. This allows to build an electromagnetic model of a transformer, based on measurements which can be conducted with a portable transformer test device. Thus, an electromagnetic model of a transformer can be derived, even if detailed or specific information is no longer or not available. The approach can be used in future, e.g. to determine the increased power demand of step-up transformers in power generation units, where power electronic converters are replacing an existing motor-generator. The retrofitting of power electronic converters in power generating units usually requires a new assessment of the losses caused by higher frequency components in the generation unit. Further work will focus on the model validation under different operation conditions to define the scope of applicability of the model. It will include inrush current calculation, short-circuit test, zero-sequence test and back-to-back operation with and without superimposed DC. Regarding the power demand, of special interest is the accuracy of the derived model, when exposing the transformer to distorted voltage waveform, such as the ones caused by power electronic converters.

Figures

Three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer model derived with inductance–reluctance analogy

Figure 1.

Three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer model derived with inductance–reluctance analogy

Lumped circuit element for transformer leg and yoke with JA element

Figure 2.

Lumped circuit element for transformer leg and yoke with JA element

Lumped circuit element for transformer leg and yoke with hysteresis, saturation and eddy current representation

Figure 3.

Lumped circuit element for transformer leg and yoke with hysteresis, saturation and eddy current representation

Three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer model derived with capacitance – permeance analogy

Figure 4.

Three-phase three-leg two-winding transformer model derived with capacitance – permeance analogy

AC saturation and DC hysteresis test setup on a three-phase two-winding transformer

Figure 5.

AC saturation and DC hysteresis test setup on a three-phase two-winding transformer

Measured voltage and current waveform during DC hysteresis test on the transformer under test via the high-voltage terminals A-C

Figure 6.

Measured voltage and current waveform during DC hysteresis test on the transformer under test via the high-voltage terminals A-C

Comparison of the Φ–i DC and AC hysteresis characteristic of the transformer under test, measured via the low-voltage terminals A-C

Figure 7.

Comparison of the Φ–i DC and AC hysteresis characteristic of the transformer under test, measured via the low-voltage terminals A-C

Calculated and measured DC hysteresis test with identified JA hysteresis parameters

Figure 8.

Calculated and measured DC hysteresis test with identified JA hysteresis parameters

Comparison of calculated and measured current waveforms, derived from the DC hysteresis test of the transformer under test

Figure 9.

Comparison of calculated and measured current waveforms, derived from the DC hysteresis test of the transformer under test

Calculated and measured DC hysteresis test with identified CPH parameters

Figure 10.

Calculated and measured DC hysteresis test with identified CPH parameters

No-load test with identified CPH parameter derived from the DC test

Figure 11.

No-load test with identified CPH parameter derived from the DC test

50 kVA modified transformer under test in the laboratory

Plate 1.

50 kVA modified transformer under test in the laboratory

Ψ – i characteristic of non-linear air gap in inductance – reluctance and capacitance – permeance model and corresponding length change versus flux density B

Figure A1.

Ψ – i characteristic of non-linear air gap in inductance – reluctance and capacitance – permeance model and corresponding length change versus flux density B

Analogies between electric and magnetic circuits

Magnetic circuit Electric circuit
mmf F=Hdl A Voltage V=Edl V
Flux rate Φ˙ V Current i A
Reluctance R H−1 Inductance L H
Permeance P = 1/ R H Capacitance C F
Flux Φ=Φ˙dt Wb Charge q=idt C
Permeability μ=μ0μr H/m Permittivity e=e0er F/m
Power P=FΦ˙ W Power P = vi W
Energy E=FdΦ J Energy E=vdq J

Capacitance–permeance analogy between electric and magnetic circuits

Magnetic circuit Electric circuit
mmf F A Voltage/emf v V
Flux rate Φ˙ V Current i A
Reluctance R 1/H Resistance R Ω
Permeance P = 1/ R H Capacitance C F
Flux Φ=Φ˙dt Wb Charge q=idt C
Power P=FΦ˙ W Power P = vi W

Sequences during DC hysteresis test, according to Figure 6

Sequence Voltage Current Hysteresis characteristic part
1 +DC ΔI > 0 Positive saturation; anhysteretic curve
2 Steady-state conditions
3 −DC ΔI < 0 Negative saturation, descending hysteresis branch
4 Steady-state conditions
5 +DC ΔI > 0 Positive saturation, ascending hysteresis branch
6 Steady-state conditions

Power demand comparison for no-load test with model parameters derived from the DC hysteresis test with inductance–reluctance model

Power Calculated Measured Deviation Deviation in (%)
S in VA 497.4 650.9 153.5 23.6
Qt in var 467.0 629.7 164.7 25.8
Q1 in var 459.3 585.8 126.5 21.6
P in W 171.3 164.6 6.7 4.1

Hysteresis model parameters derived with the DC hysteresis test

Jiles–Atherton hysteresis parameters
Ms α k a c
3.217 · 106 171.9 · 10– 6 14.12 209.54 0.2004

Power demand comparison for no-load test with model parameters derived from the DC hysteresis test with capacitance–permeance model

Power Calculated Measured Deviation Deviation in %
S in VA 665.6 650.9 14.65 2.25
Qt in var 641.2 629.7 11.5 1.82
Q1 in var 641.2 585.8 55.4 9.45
P in W 178.4 164.6 13.8 8.3

Hysteresis model parameters derived with the DC hysteresis test

CPH parameters
Cs Rh a b n m
0.0107 6.9297 1.4953 0.0548 13.0 31.0

Core dimensions of transformer under test

Cross-sectional area Length
Core section mm2 mm
Leg 6740 330
Yoke 6740 230

Transformer under test parameters referred to low-voltage side

Voltages (phase-to-ground, rms) VLV/VHV in kV 16.0/0.23
Winding resistances RLV/RHV in Ω 321/0.034
No-load loss Pfe in W 163
Short-circuit reactance X12 in Ω 0.228
Short-circuit inductance L12 in mH 0.73
Zero-sequence inductance L0 in mH 8.67
Zero-sequence resistance R0 in Ω 3.75
Winding capacitance CHV to ground in nF 3
Number of turns NHV/NLV 7730/102
Scaling factor k20 415

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Corresponding author

Dennis Albert can be contacted at: dennis.albert@tugraz.at

About the authors

Dennis Albert received the master’s degree in electrical engineering from RWTH Aachen University, Germany, and the PhD in electrical engineering from Graz University of Technology in 2022. Since 2022, he is working as an application engineer at OMCIRON electronics GmbH in Austria. His field of research includes power transformer modelling and diagnostics.

Lukas Daniel Domenig is a PhD student at the Institute of Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineering at Graz University of Technology, Austria. His main research interests are electromagnetic network models and finite element methods including hysteresis operators.

Philipp Schachinger received his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Graz University of Technology in 2019. Since 2019, he is pursuing his PhD thesis at the Department of Electrical Power Systems at Graz University of Technology. His research focuses on the influence of solar storms on power grids and grid calculation.

Klaus Roppert received his master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2017 and his PhD in 2020 at Vienna University of Technology. Since 2020, he is a postdoc at the Institute of Fundamentals and Theory in Electrical Engineering and head of the multiphysical modelling and simulation group. His main research interests are computational multiphysics, magnetic material modelling and low-frequency approximations of electromagnetic field problems.

Herwig Renner received the PhD in 1995 and his habilitation in 2003 at Graz University of Technology, where he works as Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Power Systems. His main research work is in the area of electrical power quality and power system dynamics. He is a member of CIRED technical committee and several CIGRE working groups.

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