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Three-Phase Transformer (Three Windings)

Implement three-phase transformer with configurable winding connections

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Simscape / Electrical / Specialized Power Systems / Power Grid Elements

  • Three-Phase Transformer (Three Windings) block

Description

This block implements a three-phase transformer by using three single-phase transformers with three windings. For a detailed description of the electrical model of a single-phase transformer, see the Linear Transformer block.

When activated, the saturation characteristic is the same as the one described for the Saturable Transformer block. If the fluxes are not specified, the initial values are automatically adjusted so that the simulation starts in steady state.

The leakage inductances and resistance of each winding are given in pu based on the transformer nominal power Pn and on the nominal voltage of the winding (V1, V2, or V3). For an explanation of per units, refer to the Linear Transformer and to the Saturable Transformer.

The three windings of the transformer can be connected in the following manner:

  • Y

  • Y with accessible neutral (for windings 1 and 3 only)

  • Grounded Y

  • Delta (D1), delta lagging Y by 30 degrees

  • Delta (D11), delta leading Y by 30 degrees

An input port labeled N is added to the block if you select the Y connection with accessible neutral for winding 1. If you ask for an accessible neutral on winding 3, an extra outport port labeled n3 is generated.

The D1 and D11 notations refer to the following clock convention. It assumes that the reference Y voltage phasor is at noon (12) on a clock display. D1 and D11 refer respectively to 1 PM (delta voltages lagging Y voltages by 30 degrees) and 11 AM (delta voltages leading Y voltages by 30 degrees).

Standard Notation for Winding Connections

The conventional notation for a two-winding three-phase transformer uses two letters followed by a number. The first letter (Y or D) indicates a high-voltage wye or delta winding connection. The second letter (y or d) indicates a low-voltage wye or delta winding connection. The number, an integer between 0 and 12, indicates the position of the low-voltage positive-sequence voltage phasor on a clock display when the high-voltage positive-sequence voltage phasor is at 12:00.

The following three figures are examples of standard winding connections. The dots indicate polarity marks, and arrows indicate the position of phase A-to-neutral voltage phasors on high-voltage and low-voltage windings. The phasors are assumed to rotate in a counterclockwise direction so that rising numbers indicate increasing phase lag.

  • Yd1: The low-voltage winding (d) is lagging high-voltage winding (Y) by 30 degrees. The Winding 2 connection parameter is set to D1.

  • Dy11: The low-voltage winding (y) is leading high-voltage winding (D) by 30 degrees. The Winding 1 connection parameter is set to D1.

  • Dy1: The low-voltage winding (y) is lagging high-voltage winding (D) by 30 degrees. The Winding 1 connection parameter is set to D11.

You can represent many other connections with phase shifts between 0 and 360 degrees (by steps of 30 degrees) by combining the +30- or –30-degree phase shift provided by the D1 and D11 block parameter settings and, in some cases, an additional +/–120-degree phase shift obtained by connecting the output terminals of delta winding to the appropriate phases of the network.

The table explains how to set up the Three-Phase Transformer block to obtain common connections.

Clock PositionPhase Shift (degrees)ConnectionWinding 1 ConnectionWinding 2 ConnectionTerminals of Delta Winding to Connect to Network ABC Phases
00Yy0YY
Dd0D1D1abc
1–30Yd1YD1abc
Dy1D11Yabc
2–60Dd2D11D1abc
5–150Yd5YD1bca
Dy5D11Ycab
7+150Yd7YD11cab
Dy7D1Ybca
10+60Dd10D1D11abc
11+30Yd11YD11abc
Dy11D1Yabc

For example, to obtain the Yd5 connection, set the Winding 1 connection parameter to Y and the Winding 2 connection parameter to D1, and connect the network phases to the winding 2 as follows:

For more details on conventional transformer winding notations, see International Standard IEC 60076-1 [1].

Parameters

Configuration Tab

Winding 1 connection (ABC terminals)

The winding connection for winding 1. Choices are Y, Yn, Yg (default), Delta (D1), and Delta (D11).

Winding 2 connection (abc-2 terminals)

The winding connection for winding 2. Choices are Y, Yn, Yg (default), Delta (D1), and Delta (D11).

Winding 3 connection (abc-3 terminals)

The winding connection for winding 3. Choices are Y, Yn, Yg (default), Delta (D1), and Delta (D11).

Type

Select Three single-phase transformers (default) to implement a three-phase transformer using three single-phase transformer models. You can use this core type to represent very large power transformers found in utility grids (hundreds of MW).

Select Three-limb core (core type) to implement a three-limb core three-phase transformer. In most applications, three-phase transformers use a three-limb core (core-type transformer). This type of core produces accurate results during an asymmetrical fault for both linear and nonlinear models (including saturation). During asymmetrical voltage conditions, the zero-sequence flux of a core-type transformer returns outside the core, through an air gap, structural steel, and a tank. Thus, the natural zero-sequence inductance L0 (without delta winding) of such a core-type transformer is usually very low (typically 0.5 pu < L0 < 2 pu) compared with a three-phase transformer using three single-phase units (L0 > 100 pu). This low L0 value affects voltages, currents, and flux unbalances during linear and saturated operation.

Select Five-limb core (shell type) to implement a five-limb core three-phase transformer. On rare occasions, very large transformers are built with a five-leg core (three phase legs and two external legs). This core configuration, also known as shell type, is chosen mainly to reduce the height of the transformer and make transportation easier. During unbalanced voltage conditions, as opposed to the three-limb transformer, the zero-sequence flux of the five-limb transformer stays inside the steel core and returns through the two external limbs. The natural zero-sequence inductance (without delta) is therefore very high (L0 > 100 pu). Except for small current unbalances due to core asymmetry, the behavior of the five-limb shell-type transformer is similar to that of a three-phase transformer built with three single-phase units.

Simulate saturation

If selected, implements a saturable three-phase transformer. See also the Saturation characteristic parameter on the Parameters tab. Default is cleared.

Simulate hysteresis

Select to model a saturation characteristic including hysteresis instead of a single-valued saturation curve. This parameter is visible only if the Simulate saturation parameter is selected. Default is cleared.

Hysteresis Mat file

This parameter is visible only if the Simulate hysteresis parameter is selected.

Specify a .mat file containing the data to be used for the hysteresis model. When you open the Hysteresis Design Tool of the Powergui, the default hysteresis loop and parameters saved in the hysteresis.mat file are displayed. Use the Load button of the Hysteresis Design tool to load another .mat file. Use the Save button of the Hysteresis Design tool to save your model in a new .mat file.

Specify initial fluxes

If selected, the initial fluxes are defined by the Initial fluxes parameter on the Parameters tab. This parameter is visible only if the Simulate saturation parameter is selected. Default is cleared.

When the Specify initial fluxes parameter is not selected upon simulation, Simscape™ Electrical™ Specialized Power Systems software automatically computes the initial fluxes to start the simulation in steady state. The computed values are saved in the Initial Fluxes parameter and will overwrite any previous values.

Measurements

Select Winding voltages to measure the voltage across the winding terminals of the Three-Phase Transformer block.

Select Winding currents to measure the current flowing through the windings of the Three-Phase Transformer block.

Select Fluxes and excitation currents (Imag + IRm) to measure the flux linkage, in volt seconds (V.s), and the total excitation current including iron losses modeled by Rm.

Select Fluxes and magnetization currents (Imag) to measure the flux linkage, in volt seconds (V.s), and the magnetization current, in amperes (A), not including iron losses modeled by Rm.

Select All measurements (V, I, Flux) to measure the winding voltages, currents, magnetization currents, and the flux linkages.

Default is None.

Place a Multimeter block in your model to display the selected measurements during the simulation. In the Available Measurements list box of the Multimeter block, the measurements are identified by a label followed by the block name.

If the Winding 1 connection (ABC terminals) parameter is set to Y, Yn, or Yg, the labels are as follows.

Measurement

Label

Winding 1 voltages

Uan_w1:

or

Uag_w1:

Winding 1 currents

Ian_w1:

or

Iag_w1:

Flux linkages

Flux_A:

Magnetization currents

Imag_A:

Excitation currents

Iexc_A:

The same labels apply for winding 2 and winding 3, except that the 1 is replaced by 2 or by 3 in the labels.

If the Winding 1 connection (ABC terminals) parameter is set to Delta (D11) or Delta (D1), the labels are as follows.

Measurement

Label

Winding 1 voltages

Uab_w1:

Winding 1 currents

Iab_w1:

Flux linkages

Flux_A:

Magnetization currents

Imag_A:

Excitation currents

Iexc_A:

Parameters Tab

Units

Specify the units used to enter the parameters of the Three Phase Transformer block. Select pu to use per unit. Select SI to use SI units. Changing the Units parameter from pu to SI, or from SI to pu, will automatically convert the parameters displayed in the mask of the block. The per unit conversion is based on the transformer rated power Pn in VA, nominal frequency fn in Hz, and nominal voltage Vn, in Vrms, of the windings. Default is pu.

Nominal power and frequency

The nominal power rating, in volt-amperes (VA), and nominal frequency, in hertz (Hz), of the transformer. Note that the nominal parameters have no impact on the transformer model when the Units parameter is set to SI. Default is [ 250e6 , 60 ].

Winding 1 parameters

The phase-to-phase nominal voltage in volts RMS, resistance, and leakage inductance in pu for winding 1. Default is [ 735e3 , 0.002 , 0.08 ] when the Units parameter is pu and [7.35e+05 4.3218 0.45856] when the Units parameter is SI.

Winding 2 parameters

The phase-to-phase nominal voltage in volts RMS, resistance, and leakage inductance in pu for winding 2. Default is [ 315e3 , 0.002 , 0.08 ] when the Units parameter is pu and [3.15e+05 0.7938 0.084225] when the Units parameter is SI.

Winding 3 parameters

The phase-to-phase nominal voltage in volts RMS, resistance, and leakage inductance in pu for winding 3. Default is [ 315e3 , 0.002 , 0.08 ] when the Units parameter is pu and [3.15e+05 0.7938 0.084225] when the Units parameter is SI.

Magnetization resistance Rm

The magnetization resistance Rm, in pu. Default is 500 when the Units parameter is pu and 1.0805e+06 when the Units parameter is SI.

Magnetization inductance Lm

The magnetization inductance Lm, in pu, for a nonsaturable core. The Magnetization inductance Lm parameter is not accessible if the Saturable core parameter is selected. Default is 500 when the Units parameter is pu and 2866 when the Units parameter is SI.

Inductance L0 of zero-sequence flux path return

The Inductance L0 of zero-sequence flux path return, in pu, for the three-limb core transformer type.

This parameter is visible only if the Type parameter is set to Three-limb core (core type). Default is 0.5 when the Units parameter is pu and 2.866 when the Units parameter is SI.

Saturation characteristic

This parameter is accessible only if the Simulate saturation parameter on the Configuration tab is selected. Default is [ 0,0 ; 0.0024,1.2 ; 1.0,1.52 ] when the Units parameter is pu and [0 0;0.66653 1910.3;277.72 2419.7] when the Units parameter is SI.

The saturation characteristic for the saturable core. Specify a series of current/ flux pairs (in pu) starting with the pair (0,0).

Initial fluxes

Specifies initial fluxes for each phase of the transformer. This parameter is visible only if the Specify initial fluxes and Simulate saturation parameters are selected on the Configuration tab. Default is [ 0.8 , -0.8 , 0.7 ] when the Units parameter is pu and [1273.5 -1273.5 1114.3] when the Units parameter is SI.

When the Specify initial fluxes parameter is not selected upon simulation, Simscape Electrical Specialized Power Systems software automatically computes the initial fluxes to start the simulation in steady state. The computed values are saved in the Initial Fluxes parameter and will overwrite any previous values.

Advanced Tab

The Advanced tab of the block is not visible when you set the Simulation type parameter of the powergui block to Continuous, or when you select the Automatically handle discrete solver parameter of the powergui block. The tab is visible when you set the Simulation type parameter of the powergui block to Discrete, and when the Automatically handle discrete solver parameter of the powergui block is cleared.

Break Algebraic loop in discrete saturation model

When selected, a delay is inserted at the output of the saturation model computing magnetization current as a function of flux linkage (the integral of input voltage computed by a Trapezoidal method). This delay eliminates the algebraic loop resulting from trapezoidal discretization methods and speeds up the simulation of the model. However, this delay introduces a one simulation step time delay in the model and can cause numerical oscillations if the sample time is too large. The algebraic loop is required in most cases to get an accurate solution.

When cleared (default), the Discrete solver model parameter specifies the discretization method of the saturation model.

Discrete solver model

Select one of these methods to resolve the algebraic loop.

  • Trapezoidal iterative—Although this method produces correct results, it is not recommended because Simulink® tends to slow down and may fail to converge (simulation stops), especially when the number of saturable transformers is increased. Also, because of the Simulink algebraic loop constraint, this method cannot be used in real time. In R2018b and previous releases, you used this method when the Break Algebraic loop in discrete saturation model parameter was cleared.

  • Trapezoidal robust—This method is slightly more accurate than the Backward Euler robust method. However, it may produce slightly damped numerical oscillations on transformer voltages when the transformer is at no load.

  • Backward Euler robust—This method provides good accuracy and prevents oscillations when the transformer is at no load.

The maximum number of iterations for the robust methods is specified in the Preferences tab of the powergui block, in the Solver details for nonlinear elements section. For real time applications, you may need to limit the number of iterations. Usually, limiting the number of iterations to 2 produces acceptable results. The two robust solvers are the recommended methods for discretizing the saturation model of the transformer.

For more information on what method to use in your application, see Simulating Discretized Electrical Systems.

Examples

The power_transfo3wdn circuit uses two Three-Phase Transformer blocks. Two Multimeter blocks are used to measure the phase A voltage (or AB for delta connections) of each winding

Version History

Introduced before R2006a