Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on

Modelling, Identification and Control, Okayama, Japan, July 17-19, 2010

Fault Analysis of a Grounding Transformer

Hu Chenwang, Non-Member, Zeng Xiangjun, Member, IEEE, Tao Jin, Non-Member, Wang Yuanyuan, Non-Member

Abstract-The grounding transformer is a transformer the tertiary winding instead of the station transformer.
intended solely for establishing a neutral connection point The grounding transformer grounded with the
on an ungrounded power system. Then grounded with the Petersen-coil or the low resistance. Due to the different
Petersen-coil or the low resistance. This paper makes the principle between the grounding transformer and the
depth analysis of the structure principle of the grounding normal distribution transformer, which directly connected
transformer and its electromagnetic relation. Then a zigzag to the station bus of the 500kV, 220kV, lOkV and the
grounding transformer is modeled in MATLAB simulator lOkV, its technical index is stricter. The faults of the
with the single-phase 5 winding transformer. It could realize grounding transformer may cause the losing voltage of
the phase-to-phase faults and interterm faults simulation of the station power supply. Domestic incident has been
the grounding transformer' any point .The simulation repeatedly happened, such as the incident of Hunan
results prove the analysis' correctness and validity, which Province in 2006 Xue-shi 220 kV Substation "11.27"
provide the theoretical basis for the grounding pressure loss of the power stations.
transformer's protection device. More attentions have been attach to the study of
grounding transformer at home and aboard. The technical
I. INTRODUCTIONS literature covering grounding transformers is scattered. A
number of technical publications [1-13] discuss
G
ROUNDING transformers are often connected to
ungrounded three-phase systems. The use of various aspects of the purpose, application, protection
grounding transformers on three-phase distribution philosophy, and specifications of different types of
systems is well known.Ground-fault protection schemes grounding transformers. Publications [3] and [13]
that provide selective and reasonably fast tripping are make the model of the grounding transformer in PSCAD,
often incorporated with these grounding transformers. and simulation the phase to phase faults. It appears that
Since grounding transformers are not encountered on an no single publication discusses all internal faults of the
everyday basis by most governmental, industrial, and grounding transformer's winding, there is no grounding
commercial power systems electrical engineers, improper fault analysis and theory of protection transformer. For
application of these devices and/or the associated this reason, this paper makes the analysis on special
ground-fault protection systems sometimes occurs. structure principle and the electromagnetic relation of the
The grounding transformer of our nation is usually of grounding transformer; Achieves failure analysis; provide
the zigzag arrangement as shown in Figure I. In order to the fault simulation model of the grounding transformer,
save the investments and the space of the station, increase which could realize the any point's simulation for the
fault of the grounding, phase to phase ,and the interterm.
This work was supported in part by Scientific Research Fund of Provide the theoretical basis for the further study of the
Hunan Provincial Education Department 09K067 and 09CYOll.
Hu Chenwang is a master student with School of Electrical &
grounding transformer's protection device.
Information Engineering, Changsha University of Science and
Technology, Hunan Province, 410076, P. R. China.
( e-mail:Wgg42@163.com)
II. CONNECTION PRINCIPLE OF THE GROUNDING

Zeng Xiangjun is with School of Electrical & Information TRANSFORMER

Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Hunan
Province, 410076, P. R. China (phone 86-731-85258300, e-mail: The transformer is usually of the Znynll or Znynl
eexjzeng@hotmail.com )
arrangement, here to be described ZnynII. This grounding
Tao jin is a master student with School of Electrical & Information
Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Hunan transformer is composed of the Station Power load and
Province, 410076, P. R. China.( e-mail: TaojingOI7407@163.com)
Wang Yuanyuan is a lecturer with School of Electrical & Information the Petersen-coil load. Cut each High-voltage winding in
Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Hunan
the middle so that the winding splits into two sections.
Province, 410076, P. R. China.( e-mail: WYLI012@163.com)

978-0-9555293-3-7/10/$25.00 579
Tum the outer winding around and rejoin the outer A. Grounding transformer internal winding fault analysis
winding to the next phase in the sequence. (i.e. outer A
phase connects to inner B phase, outer B phase connects
to inner C phase, and outer C phase connects to inner A
phase). As shown in Figure 1, the fIrst half coil of the
grounding transformer is the main winding with regulator
of the tap, the second half is phase-shifting winding Fig.2 Windings of the ZNynll grounding transformer in primary

effects phase-shifter. The main winding and the Label the six windings of the grounding
phase-shifting winding with each phase of the phase transformer's primary side as shown in fIgure 2.
relationship of 60 degrees.
A B C
U6
. ]T (5)

High-Voltage Side
. [. . .
T (6)
- -I -
Outer coil 1= II lz 13 14 s i6
o

High-Voltage Side
Inside coil
II = 16 ,12 = 14,13 = Is (7)
Low-Voltage Side
When Grounding transformer runs without load
coil
under normal circumstances, there are:
b
RI
Fig.l Grounding transformer with ZNynll connection
R2
(8)
R3
In fIgure 1, AA',BB',CC' are the main windings with R=
R4
regulator of the tap; A'O,B'O,C'O are phase-shifting
Rs
winding effects phase-shifter; aO,bo,co are the low R6
winding. UAO, UBO, Uco respectively are the Phase voltage
of the A,B,C; UAA·,UBB·,UCC' respectively are the Phase LI MI2 M13 MI4 MI5 MI6

M31 L2 M23 M24 M25 M26

voltage of the main windings;UA'O,UB·o,UC'o respectively
M31 M 32 L3 MBb M35 M36
(9)
are the Phase voltage of the phase-shifting windings[7]. L=
M41 M42 M43 L4 M45 M46

M51 M52 M52 M54 L5 M 56

Phase voltage ratio (1) M61 M62 M63 M64 M 65 L6

Voltage ratio of the main winding

U = (R+ jOJL)1 (10)

(2)
Vi is the voltage phasor of the winding i, Ii is the
Voltage ratio of the phase-shifting winding
current phasor of the winding i.By computing: Ri, Li are
the winding's resistance and inductance of their own, Mij
(3)
is the mutual inductance between winding i and j.

u,
R, +JuKL,-MI6) JuKM,,-M,,) JuKM13-M lS)
U,
JuKM,,-M26) R, +JuKL, -M,,) JuKM,,-M,,) II
III. GROUNDING TRANSFORMER INTERNAL FAUL T
U, JuKM'1-M36) JuKM32-M34) R, +JuKL,-M,,)
ANALYSIS -R, +JuKM" -L,) JuKM" -M,,)
I,
JuKM4I-M46)
U,
JuKM'I-M,,) JuKM,,-M,,) -R, +JuKM" -L,) I,
Grounding transformer internal faults contains the U, -R. +JuKM6I-L6) JuKM" -M64) JuKM63-M,,)

grounding transformer internal winding faults, U6

short-circuit fault of the Lead-out phase of the
(11)
transformer and inter-tum short-circuit fault.
Make

580
 Ra
R, + JOXL,-M'6) JOXM12 -M'4) JOXMI3 -M,S)
Rb (14)
JOXM2I -M'6) R, + JOXL2 -M'4) JOXM2J -M,s)
R,
JOXM3I -M36) JOXM J2-M34) R3 + JOXLJ -M3S)
Z= R' =
R,
JOXM4,-M4(,) - R4 + JOXM42 -L 4) JOXM43 -M4S) R,
JOXMs,-MS6) JOXMS2 -Ms,) - Rs + JOXMS3 -L) R,
-R" + JOXMb,-L6) JOXM6, -M6,) JOXM63 -M6S) Rb

(12) La Mab Ma' MaJ Ma4 MaS Ma6

·
Mba Lb Mb' Mb 3 Mb' MbS Mb6 (15)
I] V,
M 'a M2b L2 M23 M2, M2S M '6
. ] ·
=Z- v (13)
, L' = M 3a MJb M32 LJ M34 MJS M J6
12 ·

V3 M 4a M' b M'2 M43 L, M 4S M 46

13 ·

Msa MSb Ms, MSJ Ms, Ls M'6

V,
·
M6a M6b M6, M6, M64 M 6, L6
Vs
·

Vb
Ra =
na R] Rb = nb R]
] �
According to the formula (12), high-pressure side's n (16)
three-phase current of grounding transformer can be na Presents for the turns of winding a, nb is for the
obtained under the normal circumstances. When the turns of winding b. make k=na/nb, k Represents the
positive and negative sequence currents of the three-phase winding fault location. Other unknown parameters
flow, the magnetic potential of each core column is a total according to the literature get from the three principles:
of phasor of the two winding magnetic potential belonged consistency, magnetic flux leakage, the ratio.
to the different phase. So that the internal winding faults
of the grounding transformer are included five points
(17)
(f]-f5).

(18)

Mab = �FCi::
1
'i""=CT
k+-+ 2 Vl-Vab
k (19)

O"ab is for the magnetic flux leakage coefficient of

winding a and b, When the point fl in one-half of the coil
I ground fault occurred, k=l, that is na= nb,Under ideal
circumstances, O"ab=O.

1
Fig.3 Five types faults of the transformer in primary winding La =Lb =Mab ="4L1
(20)
B. Grounding transformer's winding ground fault
1 1 1
The following as an example to f\ point failure, Mai ="2MJi MbI =-M] I Ra =Rb=-R1
2 2 (21)
calculate the three phase fault current and the grounding
Fault matrix L' becomes:
fault current when internal winding grounded of the 1 1 1 1 1
.!.L ' .!.L ' M M M M M
grounding transformer. 4 4 2 " 2 " 2 " 2 " 2 ,.
1 1 1 1 1
.!.L ' .!.L ' M M Ml4 M M'
When the point f\ failure, the coil 1 was divided into 4 4 2 " 2 " 2 2 " 2 6
1 1
M M L, M 'J M24 M" M'6
two parts a and b. 2 " 2 "
1 1
L' =
M M M32 L, M34 M" M,.
2 " 2 "
u] = U a+ U b , The matrix R and L bands from six 1
M4
1
M4 M42 M43 L, M45 M,.
2 J 2 J
1 1
M M M5 2 M" M54 L, Ms.
2 " 2 "
to seven-order:
1 1
M' M' M6, M6, M64 M6, L6
2 6 2 6
(22)

581
 � R, +J�) 21 (l� +R,) -10M" R represents the winding resistances, X is the
' Joi,M,,-M,) Ja:J,M" -M,,)
2
1 ,
210M" �
Joi, M21-M26) R, +Ja:JL,-M,,) Joi,M"-M,,)
winding leakage reactance, Rmag and Xmag are the

Z'=
1 ,
210M" �
Joi, M31-M36) Joi,M,,-M,.) R, +Joi,L, -M,,)
Parallel resistance and reactance of the magnetizing
1 ,
210M,. �
Joi, M41-M ..l -R, +Joi,M,,-L4) Joi,M" -M.,)
branch.
1 ,
210M" �
Joi, MS1-MS6) Joi,M" -M,,) -R, +Joi,-L, +M,,) A. failure modeling of the grounding transformer
1
21'oM" -R. +Joi,M" -L6) Joi,M62-M64) Joi,M" -M,,) When one side coils of the two-winding
transformer ground fault occurs, the original side of the
(23)
coil is divided into two sub-coils, Which is equivalent
·

fa U,
to a three-winding transformer's winding short-circuit in
·

U2 the third; when Turn-to-turn short circuit occurs, the

fb =Z-1 (24)
·
.
U3 original side of the coil is divided into three sub-coil,
f; ·

Equivalent to a five-winding transformer short-circuit. In

U4
f� Us this paper, based on this thinking, build the failure model
·

U6 of the grounding transformer, which could make

simulation of any point's fault. A grounding transformer
(25) failure modeling is built with the single-phase 5 winding
transformer in MATLAB. It could achieve the failure
It can be obtained the three phase current and the
simulation of any point by adjusting the Variable ratio.
grounding current Ifl when f1 point faults through the
formula (23) and (24).then the fault and the grounding
current could be obtained with the use the same method.
Series RLC BI�nch4

C. Grounding transformer winding inter-turn

short-circuit fault I
-do-
J
-do-
When a grounding transformer winding inter-turn
short-circuit fault occurs when the(f4 f5 point faults),Fault
'
coil windings are divided into three, At this point the
matrix R, L into a eight bands from six bands, the Fig.4 the fault model of the grounding transformer

Calculation method of the Fault parameters and fault

current is the same. V. SIMULATION ANALYSES

In addition to the grounding transformer model

IV. MODELING OF THE GROUNDING TRANSFORMER
introduced in pervious section, a lOkV ungrounded
The internal connection of the zigzag grounding three-phase transmission system is constructed, the
transformer is illustrated in Figure 4. In PSCAD/EMTDC grounding transformer is directly connected to the lOkV
simulator, three single-phase 3-winding transformers are bus, which creates a neutral point used to connected to the
used to model the zigzag grounding transformer. arc-suppression coil to the grounding; Grounding
Oppositely connect the secondary winding of each transformer's secondary side connect the O.4kV
single-phase transformer to the primary winding of next load .System simulations and analyses will be taken place
single-phase transformer in the sequence; a zigzag based on this system topology.
grounding transformer model is obtained. Also the As presented above, the grounding transformer
positive sequence impedance Zl and the zero sequence creates a neutral point for the 3-wire ungrounded
impedance Zoof the primary winding could be get . transmission system; therefore the original 3-phase
ungrounded system is converted to 3-phase grounded
R X
I
�=3 Jmag mag
Z=R+ J I I
(26) system, which now can supply any unbalanced or
Rmag + jXmag •

single-phase loads. The unbalanced current will go to

ground and pass through the grounding transformer back
(27)
to the system.

582
 A. Simulation analysis of the Grounding transformer's
Internal Winding Faults
Make the simulation of the Internal winding faults in
five points above. The fault is also applied on the Phase
A.

80 ,--.--,--.---,--,-,

60 -j At-J.--J.-
, ,
B
,
I
,
I
" ' £\'-'- 1A\-,' - /\',__ll,
11..1_
I I I I
A '

I
A
__11

40 - I I
C T

I
- T -- - - -
I I
I
I'
I
I
�
I

I
r- ,
I
I
I
I
I
,
I
- -
20 L __ L __ .! __ .! __ I I ,
tis '
__ _

:\: h : \ \ , \
, ,

Fig.S fault current when single-phase earth fault in the resonance ,.

-20 --�--�--+--+ -- . -

grounding system ,
-40 - - I- - - +- - - + - - -+ - - -l - - -l - - - - - -1- - -
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 :\
x
.::
;:...�r---;r---;r---;---;---.
10-4

I I
---r---r---,---,
I I I
-60 - - � - - � - - f - - f - - �0 - � v
- -
: -- -
:V - :�- -

- Os--:---:-�-:--
2.5

-80
2 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2
- c--I-__I- - -I tis
, ,
1.5

1 - - 1- - - ,_ - - ,_ - _1_- - -j/
Fig.8 the three phase current of the primary when the winding ground

faults

- - I- - -1- - -1- - -1- -I

I I
- -1-II - -1-II - - 1-
-1.5

- - I- -I - -1- - -1- - -1- - -I - -

I I I I I
-2

0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2

2.5

tis
- 0 0.02

Fig.6 phase voltage of non-fault-phase when single-phase earth faults in

the resonance grounding system

II �---�--�--�--
20

--�--�--�--J-- 1:
'--'--'--'---'--'-
t -'-
A -'--'---'-'

� - �\-.
I I I I
10

O �-�-�--L-�
I I
- II
- � i- �
I 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
tis
0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18

I
:\ I I I I
I__ L_
I
- - .L __ 1- __ ..J ___ .! _J
, , , , , , Fig.9 the three phase current of the primary when the winding inter-tum
-10

� I

::: ��:��I��J��]- �!- � - [ - � I

faults

�
J
I I I I I I I I I
II I I I I I II I I
-
40

0
-5 0
--f---+---j----l
I
I I
I I
I
I
I
- -r -
I
I
--- I il-I--V-+-V
I v '
I I
I
I
.... -v
,
10 --
� 't :
1
,
� � --� -
"

tis
0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2

Fig.7 the neutral point current single-phase earth fault in the resonance

grounding system -5

On this transmission system, if a fault is applied on -10

1 1
- - I" - - I" - - I" - - I" 1 1 -
,
the Phase A to ground at 0.083s in Figure 7. Because the
1
- 50 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18
tis
0.2
fault is applied on the Phase A, the voltage on phase A
will be dramatically decreased. However, the voltage on Fig.lO the three phase current of the primary when the winding junction

Phase B and C are still maintained nearly at the normal faults

operating rate. Simulation verification is shown in Figure From figure 8-10, we can see that when the
8 and Figure 9. As compensation of the Petersen-coil 0, winding-to-ground fault is applied to the system; the three
the fault point current harmonic tends to zero. phase's current is larger than the inter-turn faults
happened. Mean while, the fault current will be sensed by
the CT's for the protection purpose.

583
 VII. REFERENCES

I I I I I [I] Hong baodi, Application of the grounding transformer to power

__ L __ L __ L __ L __
5
I I
network. Journal of Inner Mongolia agricultural university

(natural science edition) [J],2005 26(4) :143-145

[2] Ma Hongbin. The grounding transformer of the IOkV Distribution

I I I I
-5 --r--r--r--r
System [J].Inner Mongolia science technology and

I I
�O --�--�--�--� � --� --�--� --� --
economy.2007 ,138:308-309
I
[3] Li Ling, Li Guoqing, Wang Zhenhao. Design on Zigzag

- 15 0 Grounding Transformer Model in Low Current grounding System.

tis
0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2

Jilin Electric power [J], 2006 34(3).24-27

Fig.11 the current of the neutral point and the fault point when the
[4] Han Ting, Hu Defei. Introduction to the principle and testing
winding ground faults
method of the Znyn transformer. Water Conservancy & Electric

1 . 5 .---,----,---,---,---,---,--,----,-,,-,
Power Machinery [J] 2004, 26(6):37-40
I I I 1 1 1 1
1 --T--�---,---r--T--'------ , [5] Wang Lifang, Analysis on the Protection of 35 kV Grounding
1 1 1 1 1

0.5 -- I - Transformer with Different Connection Modes, DistributionI &

Utilization[J].2008,25(3): 58-61
r -
I
[6] Yuan Yong,Li Ling, Analysis malfunction of grounding
.0.5 t-

1 1 1 1 1
transformer's zero-sequence current protection in 10 kV low
- - + - - -1- - - 1- - -I- - - + - - -1- - -1 - -I- +-
1 1 1 1 1
-1
resistance grounding system. East China Electric
1 1 1 1 1 1 1
- - J. __ ...J ___1___ I- __ J. __ ...J ___1___ I- __ .L._
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
-1 .5
Power[J],2003(6):31-32

2
[7] Ha Gang, Song Wangjian, Analysis of ZIY Wire and Phases of
tis
- 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18 0.2

Grounding Transformer, Metallurgical Power [1], 2006(2): 44-46

Fig.12 the current of the neutral point and the fault point when the
[8] Electrical Transmission and Distribution Reference Book, ABB,
winding inter-tum faults
1997.

From the above simulation, it is clear that the [9] IEEE Recommended Practice for Grounding of Industrial and

grounding transformer creates a neutral point for the Commercial Power System, IEEE Std 142-1991, June 1991.

transmission system, and allows the un-balanced [10] IEEE Guide for the Application of Neutral Grounding in

ground current pass by. in addition, the Neutral Electrical Utility Systems, Part IV-Distribution, IEEE

compensation current is larger when winding ground C62.92.4-1991, December 1992.

fault happen. [II] Edson R. Detjen, and Kanu R. Shah, "Grounding Transformer

[12] Applications and Associated Protection Schemes", IEEE

VI. CONCLUSION
Transactions on Industry applications, 1992, 28(4),

In this paper, fIrst of all, the state of the art of the [13] L. 1. Carpenter, "Connecting a Grounding Transformer to the

grounding transformer is reviewed. Then, the electrical System", General Electric Co., GER-1062.

and the fault model of the grounding transformer is built [14] M.shen,L.Ingratta,G.Roberts,Grounding Transformer

in MATLAB simulator. This paper makes the analysis on Application,Modeling,and Simulation, IEEE Transactions on

the grounding transformer's intern windings with the Industry applications 2008: 1-7

matrix method. And different fault scenarios are [IS] Hu Zhikun,He Duochang, Fault Simulation Model of Three-phase

simulated and verifIed under different conditions, which Transformer Based on Matlab, Converter TechnologyY & Electric

prove the reasonable of the theory analysis. And provide traction [1],2007(1):18-23

a theoretical basis for grounding transformer protection [16] Wang Zengpinp,Xu Yan,Wang Xue,et al. Study of the novel

devices' study. transformer protection principle based on the transformer model.

Proceedings of the CESS [1],2003(12):54-58

584