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Effects of harmonics on distribution transformers

Conference Paper · January 2009

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Dalila Mat Said K.M. Nor

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 Effects of Harmonics on Distribution
Transformers’
D.M. Said* and K.M. Nor**
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai Johor, Malaysia.
*dalila@fke.utm.my, **khalidmn@fke.utm.my
Abstract| - Proliferation of harmonics in power distribution
systems, which are using increased nonlinear loads, have
become a power quality problem for both customers and
suppliers. The harmonic power losses not only cause an
increase in operational costs but also create additional
heating in power system components, which in turn will
reduce their life expectancy. This happens especially in
commercial buildings, where usage of nonlinear loads is very
high. In general the cost of power quality and in particular
the aging costs due to harmonic losses in transformers will
increase since harmonics will affect all power system
equipment. This study examines the effect of harmonic
distortion on power transformers when supplying non-
sinusoidal load currents. The Malaysian Standards are used
in the findings for comparison. For this research, the
harmonic problem can be analysed with simulations, real
measurements and assessments. The results show that an
increase in the current harmonic distortion can increase
transformer losses and decrease its life expectancy.
I. INTRODUCTION
Power quality problems in Malaysia have been
identified and recognized as far back as in the early
1990’s but however progress in managing the problems
nationally has been rather slow. Higher harmonics
distortion can cause excessive losses leading to abnormal
temperature rises. If a transformer cannot be operated up
to its stipulated standard lifetime expectancy, the
phenomena would definitely cause an economical loss.
The theory proves that the losses on power
transformer increases with the presence of harmonics. A
more serious effect of harmonic loads served by
transformers is due to an increase in eddy current losses.
The eddy current losses increase appears as the square of
the current in the conductor and the square of its
frequency. The increase in transformer eddy current loss
due to harmonics has a significant effect on the operating
temperatures of the transformers. The other stray losses in
the core, clamps and other structural parts are found to be
proportional to the square of the load current and
frequency to the exponent factor of 0.8. Several measures
and development works on the effect of harmonics on
losses of life of power transformers have been conducted
[1-8]. However, these works did not take in consideration
the standards of harmonics. In this study, harmonic data of
distribution transformers at commercial buildings is
measured. This study examines the loss of life of
transformers where the Malaysian Standards on the
limitation of harmonics is being used as a reference.
One of the major effects of harmonic distortion is
the increasing transformer losses [2]. Component losses
2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08)
that are affected by the harmonic current loadings are the
I2R loss, eddy current loss and the stray losses.
A. Harmonic current effect on ohmic losses
The ohmic losses ( I 2 R ) are the losses due to
primary and secondary distorted currents flowing through
the windings. If the root mean square value of the load
current is increased due to a harmonic component, the I2R
loss will be increased accordingly [8].
B. Harmonic current effect on eddy current loss
The transformer core eddy-current loss ( PEC ) in
the power frequency spectrum is proportional to the
square of the load current and the square of frequency.
This characteristic will cause excessive core losses
thereby creating abnormal temperature rise in
transformers when supplying non-sinusoidal load
currents[8].
C. Harmonic current effect on other stray loss
Other stray loss ( POSL ) in the core, clamps, and
structural parts will also increase at a rate proportional to
the square of the load current, but these losses will not
increase at a rate proportional to the square of the
frequency, as transformer core eddy-current losses.
Studies by manufacturers and other researchers have
shown that the eddy-current losses in bus bars,
connections and structural parts increase due to the
harmonic exponent factor of approximately 0.8 or less [8].
For dry-type transformers temperature rise in these
regions are less critical than in the windings but it has to
be properly accounted for transformers that are liquid
filled.
D. Effect on top oil rise
The top oil rise (θ TO ) , will increase as the total
load losses increase with harmonic loading for liquid-
filled transformers. Any increase in other stray loss will
primarily affect the top oil rise [8].
II. TRANSFORMER LOSSES IN NONSINUSOIDAL
CONDITION
Transformers are usually the interfaces between
supply and most non-linear loads [1]. Transformers are
designed to deliver the required power to the connected
loads with minimum losses at a fundamental frequency.
Transformer losses are generally classified into no load
losses and load losses as shown in (1) [2, 9-13].
Paper P-107 page 1
PT = PNL + PLL (1) The eddy current loss is increased by the factor FHL and
the other stray losses are increased by a factor FHL-STR in
the presence of harmonics.
Where,
PT = total loss, watt,
PNL = no load loss, watt,  =   + '(.  + '(. !


PLL = load loss, watt (10)

These factors are calculated by the following equation [8]
2
The no load loss or excitation loss are the losses due to the  Ih  2
h = hmax

voltage excitation of the core and are due to magnetic ∑   h

h =1  I 1 
hysteresis and eddy currents. The load loss or impedance FHL = (11)
2
loss is subdivided into I2R loss and stray loss caused by
h = hmax
 Ih 
electromagnetic flux in the windings, core, core clamps, ∑  
h =1  I 1 
magnetic shield, enclosure or tank walls, etc [2,9]. Thus, 2
the total stray loss is subdivided into winding stray loss  I h  0.8
h = hmax

and stray loss in components other than the windings ∑   h

h =1  I 1 
FHL −STR = (12)
( POSL ). The windings stray loss includes winding h = hmax
 Ih 
2

conductor strands and loss due to circulating currents ∑  

h =1  I 1 
between strands or parallel winding circuits. The total
load loss can be stated as follows. Where,
PLL = PI 2R + PEC + POSL (2) FHL = harmonic factor for eddy current loss,
Where, FHL-STR = harmonic factor for other stray loss
PI2R = loss in the winding
PEC = eddy current loss The per unit load losses and rated per unit eddy current
POSL = other stray loss loss is given by the expression [8],

 
The rated losses of a transformer can be calculated by )* =  (+,) × ∑23245
23 / 0 1 (13)
using the data provided but first the rated currents at the 

primary and secondary parts are calculated as follows; .7(

89:;<=>? )
  )* = .@(  (14)
:;<=>? ) 

( )

 = (3)
√ 
Where,

( ) h = harmonic order

 = (4) hmax = maximum harmonic order
√ 
I1 = rms current of fundamental component
The I2R losses is the following form [8], pu = per unit quantities

 = [
   +
   ] (5) III. TRANSFORMER’S LOSS OF LIFE

CALCULATION
Where
K = 1.0 for single-phase transformers Harmonic losses occur in the form of increased
= 1.5 for three-phase transformers heat dissipation in the windings and skin effects. Both are
a function of the square of the root mean square current;
 =   +  (6) as well as from eddy currents and core losses [14]. This
extra heat can have a significant impact in reducing the
 =   + ! (7) operating life on the insulation of a transformer. The
estimation of transformer loss of life is based on the
Where, deterioration rate achieved by insulating materials [2, 4,
I1 = current in primary side of transformer, and 5]. About 50% of a transformer loss of life is caused
I2 = current in secondary side of transformer by thermal stresses which are produced by the non-linear
R1 = primary dc resistance load currents [4]. The hottest spot winding temperature is
R2 = secondary dc resistance [15];
PTSL = total stray loss A( = A + ∆A( (15)

Based on the IEEE Standards [8] for the dry type Where,
transformer the eddy current loss can be assumed to be θA = ambient temperature,
about 0.67 of the total stray losses. θHS = is the hottest-spot winding temperature, in °C,
  = 0.67 (8) θHS = is the hottest-spot winding temperature rise
above ambient, in °C.
! =  −   (9)

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-107 page 2
The relative aging factor, the loss of life and actual real active power, reactive power, apparent power, voltage
life of this transformer can be expressed in the following harmonic, current harmonic, true power factor and
manner [16]; displacement power factor.
Table I shows the specifications of the
@EEE @EEE
' = CD+ / 7
−F 1 (16) distribution transformers and Table II shows harmonic
G HI currents for transformer loads which are compared to the
MNN × ×EE
standards. The total harmonic distortion for Case 1 and
%KLK = (17) Case 2 are 51.91% and 18.36% respectively. The daily
OPQRST UOVWTSXUPO TUYZ
curve or load per unit of the transformers is shown in
`aaa Fig.1. The usage of the loads in the building is based on
( )
K[\C(+,) = 9.8 × 107 C bG cde (18) the duration of working hours at the buildings which is
from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm. Maximum per unit load that is
Real life = Life (pu) x normal insulation life (19) achieved by the transformers is about 0.5 per unit and 0.7
or per unit for Case 1 and Case 2 respectively.
Real life = normal insulation life/ FAA (20)
Where, V. RESULT AND ANALYSIS
FAA = relative aging factor
%LOL = lost of life in percent From the harmonic data Case 1 in Table II,
t = given time period harmonic loss factor for eddy current loss and harmonic
factor for other stray losses are calculated using (11) and
IV. POWER QUALITY MEASUREMENT (12) as follows,
FHL = 7.1222
The power quality analyzer is used to log the FHL-STR = 1.5418
harmonic data. This equipment is used for two different In this case, the transformer loading, is considered 0.5 per
cases of load types. The first case is at the computer unit. The total load loss of the transformer being used(13)
centre building and the second case being the office and is,
lecture hall buildings. The difference here is that the )* = 0.3174 pu
number of computers connected to the first case is much The load losses are also calculated considering
higher than that of the second case. However for both the actual load and the effects of harmonic. The total eddy
cases, the type of load connected include personal current loss and other stray loss are also determined using
computers, fluorescent lamps, air conditioners, printers, harmonic loss factor for eddy current loss and harmonic
photocopy machines and LCD projectors.
factor for other stray losses. The result of this calculation
At the computer centre building the burnt
is then summarized in Table III. The result shows that the
transformer was replaced in 2001 with a 2500 kVA rated harmonic load current can be detrimental on the power
power. The old transformer with the rated power of 2000 transformer. The relative aging factor and real life of this
kVA had been used since 1985, so the life of this transformer are as follows,
transformer had been reduced to 16 years from a life
expectancy of 20.55 years or the percent of loss of life FAA = 0.002
being 0.2214%. As for the transformer in Case 2, the %LOL = 0.00015%
transformer was used since 1988, and the life expectancy Real life = 20.55 years
of this transformer is twenty years. For both cases the data
was logged for one week with intervals of five-minute. With the 0.5 per unit loading, the aging acceleration factor
Optical cable for USB and Power Log Software was used is less than 1. This means that the life of the transformer
to transfer the data stored in the instrument to the
will not be less than its normal expected life. However,
computer. The data was set to measure the quantities such with the same harmonic levels, 30 ᴼC ambient
as frequency, voltage, current, total harmonic distortion, temperature and reference temperature of 110 ᴼC, if the
load is increased to 0.7 per unit, the aging acceleration
TABLE I: DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER CHARACTERISTICS factor will be 2.53 and the real life expectancy of this
CASE 1 CASE 2 transformer decreases from 20.55 to about 8.12 years. Fig.
2 shows that for the total harmonic distortion of 51.91%,
No Load Losses 2500 W 1600 W the transformer will have a normal life with a loading
Load Losses 25000 W 14570 W smaller than 0.60 per unit because its aging factor is less
Power (kVA) 2500 1500 than 1. When the standard limits are applied for this case,
Primary Voltage 11000 V 11000 V as Fig.3 shows the curve of transformer’s real life
Secondary Voltage 433 V 433 V reduction, but if the load exceeds 90%, the real life of the
transformer will decrease to about 28% for each 1%
Winding Temperature increase in load. For Case 2, from the simulation results,
Rise 100 ᴼC 65 ᴼC Fig.4 shows that the transformer still maintains its normal
Ambient Temperature 30 ᴼC 30 ᴼC life with the higher load but if the load exceeds 98%, the
Normal Insulation Life 20.55 years 20.55 years transformer’s real life expectancy will decrease
dramatically, which is about 12% for each 1% increase in
load.

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-107 page 3
 VI. CONCLUSION
The study of harmonic impact on power
transformers is important because power transformers are
among the most expensive equipment and the most
critical plant equipment in electric utilities especially in
transmission and distribution network. In Case 1 the
transformer will not be less than its normal life
expectancy until the loading exceeds 0.6 per unit.
However for Case 2, the transformer will maintain its real
life expectancy for a higher loading. In this case it is not
sufficient to apply the standards. Even if the IEC TR
61000-3-4:1998 Standards are applied for both the cases;
there will still be a loss of life at a higher loading because
the lifespan will be maintained only at 90% of the load.
This will involve some expenses on consumers to
compensate for the loss of life of the transformers. The
simulation results of harmonic effects on transformers
show that higher the loads, the lower will be the life of
transformer due to current harmonics generated by the
electrical devices. The harmonic standard shows that
harmonic currents need to be monitored. These maximum
limits of MS 1555:2002 which correspond to IEC TR
61000-3-4:1998 should be used as a guide for both
customer and suppliers facing the highest total harmonic
distortion to protect power systems equipment that could
be affected by high harmonic currents and raise the
quality of power supply. By conducting this research, a
better understanding could be gained about these
harmonic problems and harmonic contents.

TABLE II: HARMONIC DISTORTION FOR A TRANSFORMER LOAD COMPARE WITH THE
STANDARD
Maximum Limit of MS
Harmonic Measured data (A) Measured data (A) 1555:2002(IEC TR 61000-3-
No. (Case 1) (Case 2) 4:1998)
1 100 100
3 33.83 13.2 21.6
5 29.62 10.16 10.7
7 19.35 5.66 7.2
9 14.7 4.1 3.8
11 6.81 2.1 3.1
13 5.07 1.78 2.0
15 3.25 1.8 0.7
THD% 51.91 18.36 25.72

Figure 1: Daily load cycle for the transformer

TABLE III: THE BREAKDOWN OF LOSSES IN DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMER

Rated Load losses Harmonic Corrected losses
Type of loss losses(W) (W) multiplier (W)
No load 2500.000 2500.000 2500.000
I2R 12500.252 3967.000 3967.000
Eddy current 8374.800 2658.000 7.1222 18930.000
Other stray 4124.900 1309.000 1.5418 2018.000
Total losses 27499.952 10434.000 27415.000

2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-107 page 4
 25
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Ministry of Higher
20
Education (MoHE) for the financial support of this project.

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2008 Australasian Universities Power Engineering Conference (AUPEC'08) Paper P-107 page 5

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