DELTA-WYE TRANSFORMER PERFORMANCE RELATED TO TRIPLEN HARMONIC

Wahyu Pamungkas

Introduction

It is well-known that transformer ∆-Y is able to eliminated third harmonic to be pumped

back to generation power plant. The third harmonic will stay in the transformer due to
blocking by ∆ configuration. It is rare any math approach why this phenomena is
occurred. The purpose of this document to define the calculation.

Harmonic Definition (1) (Square D, 1994)

A harmonic is a component of a periodic wave having a frequency that is an integral

multiple of the fundamental power line frequency of 60 Hz. How this hamonic is
produced in power system? Harmonics are the by-products of modern electronics. They
occur frequently when there are large numbers any electronic devices using solid state
power switching supplies to convert incoming AC to DC. Non linear loads crate
harmonic by drawing current in abrupt short pulses, rather than in smooth sinusoidal
manner. See figure 1.

Figure 1

The definition of triplen harmonic is he odd multiples of the 3rd harmonic (ex. 3rd, 9th,
15th, 21st etc.). If fundamental frequency can be modeled as :

A triplen harmonic can be described as ; where A(3) is triplen harmonic

of fundamental frequency of phase A and k is any integer number constant.
Transformer ∆-Y Analysis

Transformer ∆-Y is usual transformer used in power system. Usually the ∆ part is primary
(or source part) and Y part is in secondary (or source part). This installation will prevent
triplen harmonic running back to power generation plant.

In balance load among the three phase of Y winding, the neutral wire contain zero
power or no losses in the neutral, since . As described above, A(3) is
described as For phase B, the triplen harmonic is described as
or = =A(3). Then, if C(3) is
described as . It means:

The vector summary shows that triplen harmonic is

cumulative in neutral cable. It creates losses in neutral. If the triplen harmonic is not
considered in sizing the neutral cable, then it may be overloaded and burnt.

What is the impact of triplen harmonic in ∆ winding? Any waveform in Y-winding will be
shifted 300 in ∆-winding. Therefore any triplen harmonic of each phase will also be
shifted 300.

The impact of the shifted waveform can be seen by system, if the voltage output of ∆-
winding can be seen by system. The voltage different between each phase, which
sensed by system, is modelled as :

= -

= cos(300)-cos(3600+300)=cos(300)-cos(300)

= 0 volt

From above equation, it is clear that phase to phase voltage of any triplen harmonic is
zero when seen from power generation; therefore ∆-winding is blocking triplen
harmonic to reach power generation and let them circulate in ∆-winding.

Since the triplen harmonic circulating in ∆-winding, the total eddy current losses are
bigger; therefore the dissipated heat is also increase. The impact of eddy current losses
can be seen in many documents.

Conclusion

Transformer ∆-Y is simple equipment to filter triplen harmonic and secure power
generation from its impact. The transformer will take the impact in increasing heat
dissipation. This aspect shall be considered during sizing of transformer in rich harmonic
content. Relevance K factor during sizing transformer with rich harmonic content shall
be applied

Bibliography

1. Power System Harmonics, Causes and Effects of Variable Frequency Drives, Relative
to the IEEE 519-1992 Standard, Square D Product data bulletin, bulletin no.8803PD9402
August 1994.