Purpose. Development a new effective approach for determining the open-circuited transformer parameters by implementing a combination of a schematic and spatial mathematical model of nonstationary electromagnetic fields in three-phase transformers, taking into account the constructive structure of the active part, the nonlinearity of the magnetic properties of electrical steels providing high accuracy and computational efficiency. Methods. The researches were carried out using the methods of the electromagnetic field theory, the theory of electrical circuits, the theory of power transformers, mathematical physics, the finite element method, regression analysis methods. Results. Theoretical researches of electromagnetic processes based on numerical realization of a three-dimensional mathematical model of a power three-phase transformer in open-circuited operation are carried out. An approach is proposed for improving the field simulation efficiency of the open-circuited operation, which consists in reducing the dimension of the computational domain and the transition to 2D models. It allow reducing the computing resources cost more than 2.8 times, time resources more than 250 times at a weighted average discrepancy of not more than 3.6%. The regularities of the distribution of flux density and the energy of the magnetic field for the active part of the transformer in open-circuited operation are determined. Their quantitative ratio value for the rods of different phases, which determining the ratio of the currents and resistances of the forward and reverse sequences of the transformer are calculated. A new approach to determine the open-circuited parameters of three-phase transformers with flat rod magnetic systems, based on the methods of circuit and 3D modeling, harmonic analysis and symmetrical components is realized. It characterized by high efficiency of numerical realization and accuracy for transient processes in switching moment of the three-phase transformer without loads. System of phase idle currents, characterized by non-sinusoidality and asymmetry, is proved. The harmonic composition of these currents is dominated by the 1st, 5th and 7th harmonics, but the first harmonic component predominates. The parameters of the forward and reverse sequence of the phases of the first harmonic for open-circuited operation, based on symmetrical components method were determinated. A corrective technique, which clarifies the traditional engineering approach, is proposed. The use of parameter correction for the researched ratios of the currents of the forward and reverse sequences will been increase the accuracy of calculation of the idle current by 12-14% and the idle losses by 9-11% in comparison with the generally known engineering design techniques. Originality. An approach is proposed for improving the efficiency of field simulation of the open-circuited operation, which consists in reducing the dimension of the computational domain and the transition to 2D models. A new approach of determination of the open-circuited parameters of three-phase transformers with flat rod magnetic systems based on the methods of circuit and 3D modeling, harmonic analysis and symmetrical components is realized. It characterized by high efficiency of numerical realization and accuracy for transient processes in switching moment of the three-phase transformer without loads. Practical value. The approaches and techniques allows to reduce the cost of computing resources by more than 2.8 times, time resources more than 250 times, with a weighted average discrepancy of not more than 3.6%, and increasing the accuracy of calculation of idle currents by 12-14% and losses of idling by 9-11% in comparison with the well-known engineering methods of designing.