Bidirectional impedance-type transformer inrush current limiter

Abstract Transformer inrush current is harmful to the transformer's windings and may bring about inadvertent tripping of the protective relays. In order to reduce the magnitude of inrush current, a bidirectional impedance-type inrush current limiter (BIT-ICL) is proposed in this paper. When a power transformer is energized, the BIT-ICL immediately and automatically inserts into the circuit to suppress the inrush current without any control or detection circuit. After completing transformer inrush suppression, the BIT-ICL is bypassed automatically, and the transformer appears to connect directly to the voltage source. Thus, when the transformer is loaded, there is almost no distortion in the steady-state load voltage and current waveforms due to the voltage-compensation effect in the limiter. The feasibility and performance of the proposed BIT-ICL are verified by a low-voltage single-phase power transformer under different residual flux and load conditions. Moreover, as long as the power loss that results from the related components in the BIT-ICL can be greatly reduced, this limiter can be applied to high-voltage and large-capacity distribution transformers.

[1]  D. Czarkowski,et al.  Mitigation of Inrush Currents in Network Transformers by Reducing the Residual Flux With an Ultra-Low-Frequency Power Source , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[2]  V. Molcrette,et al.  REDUCTION OF INRUSH CURRENT HN SINGLE-PEUSE TRANSFORMER USNG VIRTUAL AJR GAP TECHNIQUE , 1998 .

[3]  K. J. Frohlich,et al.  Elimination of transformer inrush currents by controlled switching. II. Application and performance considerations , 2001 .

[4]  Chin E. Lin,et al.  Investigation of magnetizing inrush current in transformers. I. Numerical simulation , 1993 .

[5]  R. Haghmaram,et al.  Inrush current limiter based on three-phase diode bridge for Y-yg transformers , 2012 .

[6]  Chul-Hwan Kim,et al.  Superconducting Fault Current Limiter Application for Reduction of the Transformer Inrush Current: A Decision Scheme of the Optimal Insertion Resistance , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[7]  R. Yacamini,et al.  Transformer inrush calculations using a coupled electromagnetic model , 1994 .

[8]  Gevork B. Gharehpetian,et al.  Improved bridge type inrush current limiter for primary grounded transformers , 2013 .

[9]  O. A. Mahgoub.  Microcontroller-based switch for three-phase transformer inrush current minimization , 1996, V IEEE International Power Electronics Congress Technical Proceedings, CIEP 96.

[10]  R.-L. Lin,et al.  Magnetizing inrush model of transformers based on structure parameters , 2005, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[11]  Yu Cui,et al.  A sequential phase energization technique for transformer inrush current reduction - Part I: Simulation and experimental results , 2005 .

[12]  M. Steurer,et al.  The Impact of Inrush Currents on the Mechanical Stress of High-Voltage Power Transformer Coils , 2001, IEEE Power Engineering Review.

[13]  H. Shimizu,et al.  Inrush-current-limiting with high T/sub c/ Superconductor , 2005, IEEE transactions on applied superconductivity.

[14]  K. J. Frohlich,et al.  Elimination of transformer inrush currents by controlled switching. I. Theoretical considerations , 2001 .

[15]  Z. Gajic,et al.  Power Transformer Characteristics and Their Effects on Protective Relays , 2007, 2007 60th Annual Conference for Protective Relay Engineers.

[16]  Chih-Kun Cheng,et al.  Novel approach to reducing the inrush current of a power transformer , 2004 .

[17]  N Chiesa,et al.  Novel Approach for Reducing Transformer Inrush Currents: Laboratory Measurements, Analytical Interpretation and Simulation Studies , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[18]  Jiann-Fuh Chen,et al.  Symmetrical Structure Transient Limiter for Suppression of Capacitor Switching Transients , 2011, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[19]  A. Adly.  Computation of inrush current forces on transformer windings , 2001 .

[20]  Yu Cui,et al.  A sequential phase energization technique for transformer inrush current reduction - Part II: theoretical analysis and design guide , 2005 .

[21]  N. Fischer,et al.  Single-Phase Transformer Inrush Current Reduction Using Prefluxing , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery.

[22]  Jae-Sun Huh,et al.  Application on of SFCL in Automatic Power Changeover Switch System of Electric Railways , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity.

[23]  Chih-Kun Cheng,et al.  Asymmetrical winding configuration to reduce inrush current with appropriate short-circuit current in transformer , 2005 .

[24]  Mehdi Abapour,et al.  DC reactor type transformer inrush current limiter , 2007 .