2013 International Conference on Electrical Machines and Systems, Oct.

26-29, 20l3, Busan, Korea

Research on Vibration and Noise of Transformer

under DC Bias based on magnetostriction
Wang Jiayin, Bai Baodong, Liu Hongliang, Ma Chuang
Special Electric Machines and High Voltage Apparatus Key Lab National Education Ministry and Liaoning Province,
Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China
E-mail: jane_116@163.com

Abstract -The phenomenon of direct current (DC) magnetic sheets were researched fustly. Then single-valued curves were
bias is main cause of the increased noise and vibration of the adopted to model magnetostriction and used in calculating the
transformer core and the magnetostriction is main cause of noise vibration of transformer. As a result, the distribution of
and vibration. This paper studies the magnetostriction vibration displacement of core, the vibration waveform in time
characteristics of grain-oriented (GO) electrical silicon steel
domain, and vibration spectrum were obtained from the
sheets. Especially the anisotropic magnetostriction along the
simulation. Finally, the vibration and noise of a 160KVA
rolling direction (RD) and transversal direction (TD) deviating
transformer at no load were measured under different DC bias.
from RD 90 was measured based on a standard single sheet
measurement system, and the single-valued curves of The effect on DC magnetic bias on vibration and noise were
magnetostriction were obtained to applied in the calculation of studied through the results of simulation and experiment.
finite element (FEM). The vibration and noise of a 160KVA
transformer caused by magnetostriction was calculated at no II. MEASUREMENT OF MAGNETOSTRICTI0N
load under DC magnetic bias, are studied in detail. CHARACTERISTICS

I. INTRODUCTION A. Measurement approach

The measurement device specified in IEC/TR 62581 [13] is
Magnetostriction is a property of ferromagnetic materials
shown in Fig.1. One end of a single sheet sample of 30ZH120
that causes them to change their dimensions during the process
GO steel, 500mm long 100mm wide, is fixed on it and an
of magnetization. It is also the main source of vibration and
optical sensor with 10nm/m resolution is at the free end of this
noise of the core of transformers and electrical machines
sample. In order to investigate the anisotropy of
which operate in normal alternating magnetic fields. DC bias
magnetostriction, the sample was cut along the rolling
is an abnormal phenomenon which may occur in the operation
of a power transformer, hence may cause some undesirable
direction (RD) to transverse direction (TD). The sample was
magnetized under sinusoidal induction.
effects, especially the more heavy vibration and noise. For the
research of vibration and noise in power transformers, if both B. Magnetostriction Anisotropy
of the DC bias and magnetostriction are taken into account,
Fig.2 (a) shows magnetic flux density waveforms in the
the problem will become more complicated to deal with,
electrical silicon steel samples for peak of magnetic flux
considering the magnetostriction property of the core of
density Bmax of 0.6T, 0.8T, 1.2T, and 1.5T during a time
electrical steel sheets relates with the applied magnetic field
period, because of electromotive force cannot be induced by
closely. This is a practical problem which deserves further
DC components of the magnetic flux, so the waveforms of
study.
magnetic flux density B don't contain the DC component, and
The electromagnetic properties of transformer are studied,
still change sinusoidally. According to Ampere's law, the
the magnetizing current is saturated in the positive half of a
[11 [21 magnetic field strength H waveforms were calculated, as
period, and loss is increased under DC bias - .The
shown in Figure 2 (b).
characteristics of transformer' noise and vibration is affected
by DC bias, and the odd harmonic the vibration increases
significantly while sound pressure level of vibration increases
[31 [41
obviously - .The magnetostriction is the main source of
vibration and noise of transformers and other electrical
[5] [6]
machines. - . The previous papers of the authors also do
some researches on the DC bias and magnetostrictive
characteristics of silicon steel sheet as well as the noise and
[7]
vibration caused by magnetostriction .But there is no
simulation calculation of vibration of transformer under DC
bias based on measurement of magnetostriction within the (a) configuration of measurement device
authors' eyesight. The vibration and noise of transformer still \) optical sensor head 2) positioner 3) air cylinder 4) load cell 5)
is one of the difficult problems in the international arena. So it stressing device 6) winding 7) anti-vibration table 8) base plate 9) yoke
is important to research the vibration and noise of transformer
10) spacer sheet II) test specimen 12) clamp 13) optical target 14) the
distance between the clamp and the optical target
caused by magnetostriction under DC bias.
In this paper, the anisotropic magnetostrlctlve Fig. I Measurement device for magnetostriction
characteristics of grain-oriented (GO) electrical silicon steel

978-1-4799-1447-0/13/$31.00 2013 IEEE

2225
 60r-----'-----
--O.6T

600
/
V-
1 .5r----_+----hl_+---f
I
Or--,-r--

0:1

_0.81------\\'---'+'-1------+
-,4,
:r:
-30 I- ---....q;f------ --.j 200
/ .-:

/
0.5r----o/r-----r--_+---f
-1.6 '--------"-'-<--------< _60L-------'--.l
o 3.14 6.28 o 3.14 6.28 o
..----r'
T (rad) o 0.5 1.5 2
T (rad) 0.5 1 1 .5
B (T) B eT)
(a) B waveform (b) H waveform
Fig.2 Magnetization under sinusoidal voltage at SO Hz along RD (a) RD (b) TO
Fig.S Single-valued magnetostrictive curves
800 ------,---,--=

E 600-4,---+---------;
E
c:

01-------"1
L---------
_200
o 3.14 6.28
T (rad)
Fig.6 Magnetostrictive waveforms

Fig. 3 Magnetostriction loops under alternating magnetization along RD

gradually attains to saturation at B above 1.4 T at the same
level as the saturation of the magnetization due to the
90"
reduction in the number of active domain walls.
600 nrnlm

The data needed for [mite element computation have to be

single-valued, thus, the magnetostrictive loops are, in this
paper, handled to two single-valued magnetostrictive curves.
A butterfly loops maximum elongation of magnetostriction,
..1.max" and its peak value of the applied magnetic flux, Bmax,
are chosen to form a data point on a single-valued curve. In
this way, we can obtain the data describing the
magnetostriction at RD and TD. The B-spline interpolation
(a) RD (b) TD was employed to adjust these data and smooth single-valued
Fig. 4 Magnetostriction for B of O.7 T and 1.6 T at the polar coordinate
magnetostrictive curves, as shown in Fig. 5.
Fig.6 shows magnetostriction curves for the peak of
Fig.3 shows the magnetostrictive hysteresis loops, i.e.
magnetic flux density Bmax at 0.6T, 0.9T, l.2 T, and l.5T,
butterfly loops under alternating flux condition at B from 0.2T
50Hz. The corresponding magnetostriction changes time
to 1.8T along the rolling direction. The greater the peak value
periods within a time period of excitation magnetic field
of B, the wider the "butterfly wing". In addition, the
changing sinusoidally. The magnetostriction frequency from
elongation of magnetostriction,t and contraction .r increase
100Hz is the double of the excitation voltage frequency,
due to the increase of the magnetization intensity, and ..1.+ at
because the magnetostriction has no relation with the direction
l.8 T is nearly six times bigger than that at 0.8 T.
of magnetic flux density.
Fig.4 displays magnetostriction in one time period with B at
0.7 T and l.6 T at the polar coordinate when magnetization C. Magnetostriction under DC Bias
directions along RD and TD. The elongation of Different direct currents was overlapped to alternating
magnetostriction ..1.+ varies with magnetization direction and current exciting windings in Fig. 1 to make the magnetic field
magnetostriction at TD is several dozen times of one at RD. In intensity around the sample biased and the measured

this figure, the contraction of magnetostriction ..1.- at TD is not magnetostriction and magnetization waveforms were obtained,

seen clearly due to relatively big ..1.+ in this direction. This the A. waveforms are biased in this way that the two peak
measurement data show the sample of 30ZHl20 GO steel has values of A. waveforms in one time-period are not equal any
highly strong anisotropy of magnetostriction, and especially, more, and even one of two peak values is negative before

..1.+ at TD is far greater than at RD.These data are useful for magnetic saturation. As a result, the butterfly loops under DC
investigating the vibration at the lapped seam of transformer bias have not a symmetric wing which is quite different from
core. The magnetostriction is nonlinear phenomena that that without DC bias in Fig. 2. When the magnetization
becomes saturated deeply, the peak-peak value may restore to
be identical.

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 III. FEA CALCULATIONS OF VIBRATION OF TRANSFORMER

The fmite element calculation of core vibration and noise

refers to coupled multi-physics including electrical circuit,
magnetic field, mechanical field and acoustic field. Moreover
the problem becomes more complex when the effect of DC
magnetic bias is considered. In this paper, a software wars
used to calculate the vibration and noise of a dry 160KVA,
2000V1400V transformer, which operating at no load under
different DC magnetic bias. It was simulated by applying
400V, 50Hz alternating voltage on the secondary coil on
different voltage biases to produce DC magnetic bias with DC 3S

current of 1.9A. The Primary winding is in an open circuit, .

IE

l
and the measured single-valued magnetostrictive curves along 2

.
RD and TD used to calculate the vibrations caused by
magnetostriction in simulation, in addition, the vibrations
.
sV
.AA A
caused by magnetic forces was calculated. 1.76 1.77 1.78 --.
1 79 100 200 300 400 500 60,
Time Frequency(HzI

Fig.7 shows the vibration displacement of the transformer (a) Vibration versus time (b) Vibration spectrum
Fig. 8 Vibration laws of a point on transformer
core for DC current at 1.9A. The red region represents a
maximum displacement of 0.3248/lm, and the blue region
represents a minimum displacement of O/lm, which is
consistent with the constraints of fixed bottom in simulation.
The maximum displacement increases by 9.66% from the
value of 0.2962/lm to 0.3248/lm when there is DC magnetic
bias flux in the core. The DC bias causes the increscent of
vibration of transformer core It also verifies the DC bias does
Fig.9 Transformer model and testing points
cause the increscent of vibration of transformer core.
The simulated vibration displacement waveform of a point 0.8 ,------- 0.5
--Idc=OA---Idc=lA
on transformer in time-domain from 1.76 seconds to 1.80 07
.
-- Idc=2A -Idc=3A
--Idc=OA -- Idc=lA
0.6 04
.
seconds is shown in Fig.8 (a), and under DC magnetic bias the '20.5 1------iI-I'r+--j E'0.3 I---------jf--
Idc2A I3A

time period is 0.02 seconds, which is the same as the period of 1 04

.
,>",0.3 o.2 I---------Jl------\.\-
----
- -j
power source. The vibration laws comply with the actual
02
. G;_,r-----"&

physical characteristics of vibration. The vibration spectrum 0.1 I---------"'-------j
------' -------.J
was obtained by Fourier transform of waveform ,as shown in 00
. 0.0 ________

1 2 3 4 5 67891011 1213141516 I 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 II 12 13 1415 16

Fig. 8 (b), where the vibration frequencies are mainly at 50Hz, (a)RMS ofv (b) RMS of S
100Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz, 250Hz, 300Hz, 400Hz, and Fig.!0 RMS of vibration velocity and displacement on !6 testing points
450Hz.That is because the DC magnetic bias increases odd
harmonics in vibration spectrum. There are some harmonics direction to offset the 2000V induced voltages, the DC

on others frequencies that may be caused by the model did not voltage source (15V, 5A) was connected in the circuit of

be meshed fine enough in the simulation calculation. primary coils to produce different DC magnetic bias when
adjust DC from OA t05A.
The structure of transformers and the distribution of
IV. EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS OF VIBRATION AND
magnetic flux density are symmetric, and the experimental
NOISE UNDER DIFFERENT DC MAGNETIC BIAS
transformers were fixed on the bottoms, so half transformer is
A. Experiment Design chosen as measured subject. Fig.9 shows the vibration testing
The vibration and noise experiments were carried out under points No. 1-16 on transformer. The testing points No. 1-6 are
different DC bias conditions when the transformer model located in the upper yoke, No. 7-10 located in the clamp, and
operated at no-load. The vibrations were measured by a data testing points No. 11-16 are located in side yoke.
acquisition & signal analyzer, which acquires vibration signal
including displacement, velocity and acceleration in time
B. Experiment results
domain and conducts Fourier spectrum analysis simultaneous
The root mean square (RMS) values of vibration velocity (v)
in dual-channels. The noise measurement device used in this
and displacement(S) on 16 testing points were obtained for
experiment has a test range of 20dB-140dB.
DC current of OA, lA, 2A, 3A, as shown in fig.l0. It shows
The two experimental transformers have the same
the vibration on testing points No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15,
parameters and capacity as which were simulated, as shown in
and 16 increases monotonically when DC current increases,
Fig.9.In order to generate DC magnetic bias flux in
and the vibration on testing points No. 3, 4, and 11 is
transformers, the experiment circuit was designed where the
magnified in non-monotonic law, however, the vibration on
secondary coils of the two transformers were connected in
testing points No. 1 and 2 decreases under DC bias. The
parallel and applied rated 400V, 50Hz AC voltage by
strongest vibration located in side yoke on the testing points
regulator, and the primary coils were connected in opposite
No. 11 and 12, because there are no clamps or other structural

2227
parts to constram It. The vibration on testing points No.12 for Idc=IA Idc=3A
Idc=OA
DC current of 2A increases obviously, that maybe caused by
resonance on some natural frequencies.
The effect of DC bias on vibration spectrum was studied
quantitatively and qualitatively taking testing point No. 7 as
example. The spectrum contents for DC currents of OA, lA,
and 3A are shown in Fig.ll. On the one hand the frequency
multiplications (FM) of 100Hz accounts for less and decrease
50Hz 100Hz 150Hz 200Hz 250Hz 300Hz 350Hz 400Hz
from 82.46% to 47.07% and 45.68%, as given in line 2 of .450Hz .500Hz .550Hz .600Hz .650Hz .700Hz .750Hz 800Hz
Tab.l. On the other hand the odd harmonics increase greatly .850Hz .900Hz 950Hz 1000Hz 1050Hz 1100Hz
Fig.11 Vibration spectrum of test NO. 7
in the spectrum contents. The percentages of main harmonics
of 50Hz, 150Hz, 250Hz, and 350Hz are listed in Tab.l, and
0.12 rr-------------------,
the DC bias does increase them a lot.
-=.::.:.,:
.cO A..:....::.
..,: l A..:...-
...:.:. --1
0.10 It- _______ __

Tab.! The spectrum contents under different DC bias

DC current OA lA 3A
-:;- 0.08 It-------------------I
0.06 1t--------------------1
frequency multipli
82.46% 47.07% 45.68% E
-cBtions of 100Hz
50Hz 4.15% 5.59% 16.05% ';' 0.04 It-+----------,------------I
150Hz 0.96% 9.31% 11.32% 0.02 It-t-hLl------rt-:-t---;--.-:+--y-------I
250Hz 0.00% 6.65% 3.50% 0.00 .....L.LJ
... "---'----'--'----'--"--"-.L.LLLJL..L.O
----'---L-'---L.L.LLLJ --"----'---'--'--- ---"- L.LJLL.L--'---
-'-- -'.J
N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N
350Hz 0.00% 5.85% 7.40%
00000000000000000000

N M OO
The vibration becomes smaller under DC bias on testing Fig.12 Vibration spectrum of test No. I under DC current at OAand IA
points No.1and No.2 that is inconsistent with other testing
points. So the spectral contents of points No.1 are studied in
68
detail for DC current of OA and lA respectively, as shown in
V
Fig.12. When there is no DC current, the frequency of 50Hz is 64 V ...-'
dominant in the vibration spectrum, whereas the frequencies at I-'""""'" r-"
each point of the spectrum are present, especially there is a ..-..
spectrum above 1500Hz when DC current of 1A. This may be
the reason why the vibration decreases on testing points 56
V
o 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
No.land No.2.
The measured noise of transformer operating at no load Idc(A)
increases under DC magnetic bias, which varies from OA to Fig.13 Sound pressure level of noise under DC currents
5A at the step of 0.5A, the corresponding A-weighted values
of sound pressure level were recorded, as shown in Fig.13.
REFERENCES
The value of sound pressure level increases monotonically
[I] G. Eason, B. Noble, and 1. N. Sneddon, "On certain integrals of
when DC current increases. When the DC current changes
Lipschitz-Hankel type involving products of Bessel functions," Phil.
from OA to 5A, the noise increases from 57.3 to 67.ldB, it Trans. Roy. Soc. London, vol. A247, pp. 529-551, Apr. 1955.
increases by 9.8 dB. Moreover, the odd harmonics also [2] Li, Xiaoping,Wen, Xishan; Markham, Penn N.; Liu, Yilu, "Analysis of
account for more in the noise spectrum. nonlinear characteristics for a three-phase, five-limb transformer under
DC bias", IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, v 25, n 4, p 2504-
2510, October 2010.
V. CONCLUSIONS [3] Ramsis S. Girgis, Ramsis S. Girgis, Ramsis S. Girgis, Jan Anger,
Donald Chu, Harold R. Moore, "Development of Ultra-Low-Noise
The method of calculating vibration and noise of
Transformer Technology", IEEE transactions on power delivery, VOL.
transformer at no load was developed with the single-valued 26, NO. I, January2011
magnetostrictive curves on the base of accurate measurement [4] A J Moses, P I Anderson, T Phophongviwat and S Tabrizi,
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2010,31st Aug - 3rd Sept 2010
and the simulation and experimental results are in good
[5] R.GrOssinger, H.Sassik, D.Holzer, etc. "Accurate measurement of the
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that the vibration is magnified by DC magnetic bias on most Engineering B 131 (2006) 22-26.
measurement points, however, it decreases on others points. [6] Okita, Kazuhiko; Ishiyama, Kazushi; Miura, Hideo, "Magnetostriction
measurement of a giant magnetoresistance film on a practical substrate
The vibration of transformer core is affected by structural
covered by a shield layer", Journal of Applied Physics, v III, n 7, April
parts obviously, e.g. clamps. DC magnetic bias caused the odd 1, 2012.
harmonics increase and the frequency multiplications of [7] Baodong Bai, Jiayin Wang , "Research on Magnetostriction of Common
100Hz decrease in the vibration spectrum. As a result, the Electrical Silicon-steel Sheet", International Journal for Computation
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noise of transformer at no load gets louder and louder as DC
published)
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Magnetostriction Characteristics by Means of Single Sheet and Epstein
Test Specimens," 2010.

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