2nd IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon 08), December 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia
Simulation of the Impact of Harmonics on
Distribution Transformers
D.M. Said* and K.M. Nor**
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Malaysia,
* Email: dalila.matsaid@gmail.com** Email: khalidmn@fke.utm.my
AbstractThe harmonic power losses cause increased
operational costs and additional heating in power
system components, which will reduce their expected
lifetime. This is especially in the commercial building,
where the usage of power is very high as there are
many large scale types of equipment being used. This
paper presents the effect of harmonic current
distortion on the transformer useful life, K-factor
calculation and using Malaysian standard to be
compared in these finding. In this paper the impact of
harmonic distortion on the selected distribution
transformer in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia are
discussed. For this research, the harmonic problem
can be analyzed with the simulations, real
measurements and assessments. The results show that
an increase in the current harmonic distortion can
increase the transformer losses and decreased it life
expectancy.
Keywords harmonic distortion, transformer losses,
real life of transformer, hot spot temperature
I. INTRODUCTION
Transformers are usually designed for utilizing
at the rated frequency and linear load. Nowadays with the
present of nonlinear load, transformer leads to higher
losses and reduction of the useful life. In Malaysia the
power quality problems have been identified and
recognized as early in 1990 but the progress in managing
the problems nationally has been quite slow. Harmonics
proliferation in power distribution system with the
increasing use of nonlinear loads, have become the power
quality problem for both customers and suppliers. The
increased losses due to harmonic distortion can cause
excessive winding loss and abnormal temperature rise. If
the transformer cannot be operated up to its standard
lifetime, there will be an economic loss.
The measurement of a transformers losses and
calculation of its efficiency is applied in the power and
distribution transformer. Three method of estimating
harmonic load content are the crest factor, harmonic
factor (percent total harmonic distortion- %THD) and K-
Factor. The first two methods are most common methods
of harmonic estimation but limited because harmonic
frequencies are not considered, and a K-factor is the most
complex [1]. Increased in harmonic distortion component
of a transformer will result in additional heating losses,
shorten insulation lifetime, higher temperature and
insulation stress, reduce power factor, lower productivity
1-4244-2405-4/08/$20.00 2008 IEEE
and capacity and lack of performance of the system
[5].To prevent these problems, rated capacity of
transformer supplying non-linear load must be reduced
[2]. Manufacturer of distribution transformer have
developed a rating system called K-Factor, a design that
is capable of withstanding the effects of harmonic load
currents [3].
Transformers are one of the component and
usually the interface between the supply and most non-
linear loads. Harmonic voltage increase losses in its
magnetic core while harmonic currents increased losses
in its winding and structure [6]. In general, harmonics
losses occur from increased heat dissipation in the
windings and skin effect both are a function of the square
of the rms current, as well as from eddy currents and core
losses [7]. This extra heat can have a significant impact in
reducing the operating life of the transformer insulation.
The increased of eddy current losses that produced by a
non-sinusoidal load current can cause abnormal
temperature rise and hence excessive winding losses.
Therefore the influence of the current harmonics is more
important. Many works have been developed about the
harmonic effect on power transformer loss of life [4,8-
12]. However, these works did not take in consideration
the standards of harmonics. In this study, harmonic data
at distribution transformer of the commercial building
have been measured. This study looks at the transformer
loss of life when the Malaysian standards on harmonics
limit are referred.
II. TRANSFORMER LOSSES IN NONSINUSOIDAL
CONDITION
Transformers are designed to deliver the
required power to the connected loads with minimum
losses at fundamental frequency. Transformer losses are
generally classified into no load losses and load losses as
shown in (1) [2, 3, 8].
PT = PNL + PLL (1)
Where,
PT = total loss, watt,
PNL = no load loss, watt,
PLL = load loss, watt
The no load loss or excitation loss are the losses due to
the voltage excitation of the core and are due to magnetic
hysteresis and eddy currents. The load loss or impedance
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 2nd IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon 08), December 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia

loss is subdivide into I2R loss and stray loss caused by 2

electromagnetic flux in the winding, core, core clamps, Ih 2
h = hmax

magnetic shield, enclosure or tanks walls, etc [3,8]. Thus, h

h =1 I 1
the total stray loss is subdivided into winding stray loss FHL = 2 (11)
h = hmax
Ih
and stray loss in components other than the windings
( POSL ). The windings stray loss includes winding

h =1 I 1

conductor strand loss and loss due to circulating currents 2

between strands or parallel winding circuits. The total I h 0.8
h = hmax

load loss can be stated as follows: h

h =1 I 1
FHL STR = (12)
PLL = PI 2 R + PEC + POSL (2) h = hmax
Ih
2

Where,
h =1 I 1
PI2R = loss in the winding
PEC = eddy current loss Where,
POSL = other stray loss FHL = harmonic factor for eddy current loss,
FHL-STR = harmonic factor for other stray loss
The rated losses of the transformer can be
calculated by using the data provided but first the rated The per unit load losses and rated per unit eddy current
current at the primary and secondary parts are calculated loss is given by the expression [13],
as follows;


(13)
(3)


 (14)
(4)

Where,
The I2R losses is the following form, h = harmonic order
hmax = maximum harmonic order
] (5) I1 = rms current of fundamental component
pu = per unit quantities
Where
K = 1.0 for single-phase transformers III. TRANSFORMERS LOSS OF LIFE
= 1.5 for three-phase transformers CALCULATION

(6) The estimation of transformer loss of life is

based on the deterioration rate achieved by insulating
(7) materials [8, 10, and 11]. About 50% of a transformer
loss of life is caused by thermal stresses which are
Where, produced by the non-linear load current [10]. The hottest
I1 = current in primary side of transformer, spot winding temperature is [14];
I2 = current in secondary side of transformer (15)
R1 = primary dc resistance
R2 = secondary dc resistance Where,
PTSL = total stray loss A = ambient temperature,
HS = is the hottest-spot winding temperature, in C,
Based on the IEEE Standard [13] for the dry type HS = is the hottest-spot winding temperature rise
transformer the eddy current loss is assumed to be about above ambient, in C.
0.67 of the total stray losses. The relative aging factor, the loss of life and real life of
(8) this transformer can be express in the following manner;

(9)
(16)
The eddy current loss is increased by a factor of FHL and
the other stray loss are increased by a factor of FHL-STR in

the presence of harmonics.  (17)


(10) (18)
This factor are calculated by the following equation [13]
Real life = Life (pu) x normal insulation life (19)
or

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 2nd IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon 08), December 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia

Real life = normal insulation life(year)/ FAA (20) TABLE I: THE CHARACTERISTIC OF DISTRIBUTION
Where, TRANSFORMER
FAA = relative aging factor CASE 1 CASE 2
%LOL = lost of life in percent No Load Losses 2000W 2500W
t = given time period Load Losses 25000W 25000W
Power (kVA) 1750 2500
IV. POWER QUALITY MEASUREMENT
Primary Voltage 11000V 11000V
The power quality analyzer is used to log the Secondary Voltage 433V 433V
harmonic data. This equipment is used for two different Winding
cases of load types. The first case is at the library and the Temperature Rise 65 C 65 C
second case being the Centre for Information and Ambient
Communication Technology (CICT) building. For both Temperature 30 C 30 C
cases, the type of loads connected include personal
computers, fluorescent lamps, air conditioners, printers,
The load losses are also calculated considering the actual
photocopy machines and LCD projectors.
load and the effects of harmonic. The total eddy current
For both cases the data was logged for one week
loss and other stray loss are also determined using
with intervals of five-minute. Optical cable for USB and
harmonic loss factor for eddy current loss and harmonic
Power Log software was used to transfer the data stored
factor for other stray losses. The result of this calculation
in the instrument to the computer. The data was set to
is then summarized in Table III. The result shows that the
measure quantities such as frequency, voltage, current,
harmonic load current can be detrimental on the power
total harmonic distortion, active power, reactive power,
transformer. The relative aging factor and real life of this
apparent power, voltage harmonic, current harmonic, true
transformer are as follows,
power factor and displacement power factor.
Table I shows the specifications of the
FAA = 0.00034
distribution transformers and Table II shows harmonic
%LOL = 0.00045%
current for the transformer load which are compared to
Real life = 20.55 years
the standards. The total harmonic distortion for Case 1
and Case 2 are 41.43% and 27.85% respectively. The
With 0.5 per unit loading, the aging acceleration factor, is
daily curve or load per unit of the transformer is shown in
less than 1. This means that the transformer life will not
Fig.1. The usage of the loads in the building are based on
be less than its normal life. However, with the same
the duration of working hours at the buildings which is
harmonic levels, 30C ambient temperature and
from 8.00 am to 10.30 pm for the library and fot the
references temperature of 110C, if the load is increased
CICT the operating hours is from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.
to 0.8 per unit, the aging acceleration factor will be 1.22
Maximum per unit load that achieved by the transformers
and the real life of this transformer decreased from 20.55
is about 0.4 per unit and 0.5 per unit for Case 1 and Case
to about 16.78 years as shown in Fig. 2. Fig.2 also shows
2 respectively.
that for the total harmonic distortion 41.43% the
transformer will have a normal life with loading smaller
V. RESULT AND ANALYSIS
than 0.80 per unit, because its aging factor is less than 1.
For Case 2, from the simulation result, Fig.3 shows that
From the harmonic data Case 1 in Table II,
the transformer still has its normal life for the higher load
harmonic loss factor for eddy current loss and harmonic
but if the load exceeds 90%, the transformers real life
factor for other stray loss are calculated using (11) and
will decrease dramatically, which is about 50% for each
(12) as follows,
2% increase in load. When the harmonic limit are applied
FHL = 3.418
for the both cases, Fig.4 and Fig.5 show the curve of
FHL-STR = 1.278
transformers real life reduction, for Case 1 the limit of
per unit load to maintain its normal life increased from
In this case, the transformer loading, is considered 0.5 per
0.79 per unit to 0.89 per unit. However the maximum
unit. The total load loss of the transformer being used
limit was maintain in Case 2 but if the load exceeds than
(13) is,
0.9 per unit the real life of the transformer will decrease
about 49% for each 2% increase in load.
pu

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 2nd IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon 08), December 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia

0.6
0.5

Load (per unit)

0.4
0.3
CASE 1
0.2
CASE 2
0.1
0
0:04:53
1:24:53
2:44:53
4:04:53
5:24:53
6:44:53
8:04:53
9:24:53
10:44:53
12:04:53
13:24:53
14:44:53
16:04:53
17:24:53
18:44:53
20:04:53
21:24:53
22:44:53
Time

Figure 1: Daily load cycle for the transformer

25
25

20
20 X: 0.9
X: 0.5 X: 0.79
Y: 20.55
Y: 20.55 Y: 20.55

Real Life (year)

X: 0.8 15
Real Life (year)

15 Y: 16.78
X: 0.92
Y: 11.01

10 10

X: 0.94
Y: 5.604

5 5 X: 0.96
Y: 2.816

0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Load(pu) Load(pu)

Figure 2: The transformer life versus loading in presence Figure 3: The transformer life versus loading in presence
of harmonic using measured data for Case-1 of harmonic using measured data for Case-2
(THD=41.43%) (THD=27.85%)

25 25

20 20
X: 0.89 X: 0.9
Y: 20.55 Y: 20.55

X: 0.92
Real Life (year)

Real Life (year)

15 15
Y: 13.12

10 10
X: 0.94
Y: 6.733

X: 0.96
5 5 Y: 3.408

0 0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4
Load(pu) Load(pu)

Figure 4: The transformer life versus loading by using the Figure 5: The transformer life versus loading by using the
maximum limit of MS 1555:2002.( IEC TR 61000-3-4:1998) for maximum limit of MS 1555:2002.( IEC TR 61000-3-4:1998) for
Case 1 Case 2

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 2nd IEEE International Conference on Power and Energy (PECon 08), December 1-3, 2008, Johor Baharu, Malaysia

TABLE II: HARMONIC DISTORTION FOR A TRANSFORMER LOAD COMPARE WITH THE STANDARD
Measured Maximum Limit of MS Measured Maximum Limit of MS
Harmonic data (A) 1555:2002(IEC TR 61000-3- data (A) 1555:2002(IEC TR 61000-3-
No. (Case 1) 4:1998) (Case 2) 4:1998)
1 933 933 1584 1584
3 332.055 201.528 363.845 342.144
5 153.292 99.831 206.395 169.488
7 100.204 67.176 126.562 114.048
9 63.911 35.454 58.925 60.192
11 33.308 28.923 11.088 49.104
13 15.208 18.66 4.118 31.680
15 13.249 6.531 7.286 11.088
THD% 41.43 25.72 27.85 25.72

TABLE III: THE BREAKDOWN OF LOSSES IN DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER

Rated Load losses Harmonic Corrected losses
Type of loss losses(W) (W) multiplier (W)
No load 2000 2000 2000
I 2R 8750 2563 2563
Eddy current 10888 3189 3.418 10900
Other stray 5362 1571 1.278 2007
Total losses 27000 9323 17470

The K-Factor for the above cases is given by the
expression [3];
  (21) loading, because the lifespan will maintain only at 90%
The K-Factor calculated by using (21) are;
K-factor ( Case 1) at 50% load = 0.6402
K-factor ( Case 1) at 70% load= 1.2549
K-Factor of 1 means the loads are linear load or no
harmonic distortion [16]. At 50% load K-Factor is equal
to 0.6402 and transformer at its normal life. At the same
total harmonic distortion and current harmonic spectrum
K-Factor is equal to 1.2549 at 70% load. Fig. 2 shows at
0.7 per unit load the transformer are still at normal life, so
the K-Factor are not very accurate to determine the real
life of transformers. The usage of the K-Factor to
determine the size of the transformer is not clearly
mentioned. To calculate the K-Factor at the existing
building is difficult, because harmonic analysis must be
performed, moreover most of the buildings go through a
daily cycle which high during the day and light loading at
night. The worst cases of harmonic condition are
considered for transformer design [1].
VI. CONCLUSION
The study of harmonic impact on power
transformer are important because power transformers are
among the most expensive equipment and the most
critical plant equipment in transmission and distribution
network. In Case 1 the transformer will not be less than
its normal life until the loading exceed 0.79 per unit. For
Case 2 the transformer will maintain its real life until the
loading is 0.90, in this both cases it is sufficient to apply
the standard. Even if the harmonic limit are applied for
the both cases it will still have loss of life at the higher
of load, this will add some cost to the consumer to
compensate the transformer loss of life. The simulation
result of harmonic effect on transformer shows that
higher the loads, the lower will be the life of transformer
due to current harmonics generated by the electrical
devices. The harmonic standard shows that harmonic
current need to be monitored. These maximum limits of
MS 1555:2002 [15] which are correspond to IEC TR
61000-3-4:1998 Standard should be used as a guide for
both customer and suppliers facing the highest total
harmonic distortion to protect the power system
equipment that could be affected by high harmonic
currents and raise the quality of power supply. K-factor is
suitable for the design purpose of a new system. It means
that, this value are not very suitable in estimating the real
life of transformer. A better understanding could be
gained about these harmonic problems and harmonic
contents by conducting this research,
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ministry of
Higher Education (MoHE) for the financial support of
this project.

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