1. Levine Lectronics and Lectric, Inc.
Grounding Transformers
Medford, Oregon
Medford, Oregon
John S. Levine, P.E.
Levine Lectronics and Lectric, Inc.
February, 2007
March 2011

2. What is a Grounding Transformer?
It is used to provide a ground path on either an ungrounded Wye or a Delta connected system
The relatively low impedance path to ground maintains the system neutral at ground potential

3. Why do I need to have a Grounding Transformer?
On Ungrounded systems you can have overvoltages of 6 to 8 times normal with arcing faults

4. Arcing Ground Faults Intermittent or Re-strike
Plot of transient over-voltage for an arcing ground fault 1

5. Arcing Ground Faults Intermittent or Re-strike
Intermittent ground fault: A re-striking ground fault can create a high frequency oscillator (RLC circuit), independent of L and C values, causing high transient over-voltages.
i.e. re-striking due to ac voltage waveform or loose wire caused by vibration 1

6. THE HIGH RESISTANCE GROUNDED POWER SYSTEM
CONTROL OF TRANSIENT OVERVOLTAGE 1

7. What is a Grounding Transformer?
It supports the voltage on a faulted phase
If a single line-to-ground fault occurs on an ungrounded or isolated system, no return path exists and no current flows
The system will continue to operate but the other two un-faulted lines will rise in in voltage by the square root of 3, possibly overstressing the transformer insulation, and other components, by 173%

8. UNGROUNDED SYSTEM NORMAL CONDITIONS1

9. UNGROUNDED SYSTEM GROUND FAULT ON PHASE A1

10. What is a Grounding Transformer?
Provides a metering point to measure faults

11. Where are Grounding Transformers used?
A typical example is a Wind Farm. They utilize grounding transformers for fault protection on ungrounded lines
When a ground fault occurs on a collector cable causes the substation circuit breaker to open, the wind turbine string becomes isolated
Turbines do not always detect the fault and the generators continue to energize the cable.
Voltages between the un-faulted cable and the ground rise by the 173%
The transformer, placed on the turbine string, provides the ground path

12. Typical Wind Farm System Design
A typical example is a Wind Farm.
When the feeder breaker
Opens, the collector bus and
the step up transformer delta
connected MV windings
rely on the Grounding
Transformer for their ground
path and voltage support.

13. Types of Grounding Transformers
Two different constructions:
ZIG ZAG (Zn)
WYE CONNECTED

14. How do you create the Ground?
What if no neutral exists (i.e. delta systems)?
A grounding transformer is installed (either a zig-zag or a wye-delta) from all three phases to create an artificial neutral for grounding purposes only. A Ø B C A Ø B Ø C Ø A Ø B Ø C Ø
HRG
Zig-Zag
Grounding
Transformer
HRG
Wye-Delta
Broken Delta
Grounding
Grounding
Transformers
Transformers
HRG 1

15. ZIG ZAG
The zigzag transformer contains six coils on three cores. The first coil on each core is connected contrariwise to the second coil on the next core.
The second coils are then all tied together to form the neutral and the phases are connected to the primary coils.
Each phase, therefore, couples with each other phase and the voltages cancel out

16. Vector diagram of
balanced system A B C
Typical Wye connection with
Neutral end of windings connected
Together A B C
Symmetrical three phase source A B C

17. a A c C
The Zig-Zag connection has 2 windings on each leg. B b

18. Each leg of the Zig-Zag
Connection is connected
to a winding from another which
is out of phase B C A c b a C B A b c a

19. The resulting Zig-Zag connection
Is phase shifted with respect to the
incoming three phase source Az Cz Bz

20. ZIG ZAG Limits circulation of triplen harmonics ( 3 rd, 6th, 9th, etc)
Can be used without a Delta connected or 5-legged core
Elimination of secondary winding results in smaller footprint, lower cost (25-30%)

21. Wye Connected Includes a Delta or Wye connected secondary
Utilizes 4 or 5 legged core when Wye connected secondary is specified
Multi-functional, provides benefit of auxiliary power

22. How to Specify a Grounding Transformer
Know the basic parameters
Primary Voltage
Phase to Phase continuous primary current (or Rated kVA)
Continuous Neutral current
Available Fault Current and Duration
Impedance as a % or as an ohms/phase value
Primary Winding connection
Secondary connection
Basic overall construction

23. Primary Voltage
This is the system voltage to which the grounded winding is to be connected.
Don’t forget to specify the BIL also.
In some cases the BIL will be dictated by equipment considerations, such as 150 kV BIL on 34.5 kV wind farms because of the limitation of dead front connectors

24. Primary Current
The Transformer must be sized to carry the rated continuous, phase-to-phase current without exceeding its temperature limit
The higher the current, the larger and more costly the transformer
Typical values can be as low as 5 amps to as high as a few hundred
Include any auxiliary loading requirements

25. Continuous Neutral Current
Is defined as 3X the Phase-to-Phase current (Zero Sequence Current)
It is the value that is expected to flow in the neutral circuit without tripping protective circuits
Used to design for thermal capacity of the transformer

26. Fault Current and Duration
Used to determine the short time heating resulting from a fault on the system which returns through the transformer
Typical ranges run from a few hundred to a few thousand amps
Duration is expressed in seconds (i.e. 400 amps for 10 seconds)

27. Impedance Can be expressed as either a percentage or as an ohmic value
Either should be chosen such that the un-faulted phase voltages are within the temporary over-voltage capability of:
The Transformer
Associated equipment (i.e. arresters, terminal connectors, etc.)
Typical values can be as low as 8% and as much as 100%
Must be determined by the system designer

28. Primary Winding Connection
Zig Zag or Grounded Wye

29. Secondary Connection
Specify the secondary voltage and connection for primary Wye connected transformers
Specify size of auxiliary loading to be connected
If two winding with no secondary load, advise if the delta winding can be “buried” (not brought out) or if only one bushing is to be brought out for grounding to the tank or testing

30. Construction Features
Compartmental pad mount or unit substation design
Indoor or outdoor
Fluid type (Mineral Oil, Silicone, or Envirotemp FR3)
Site Elevation or Environmental conditions
Connectivity
Dead Front or Live Front
Spade terminals
Cover-mounted or sidewall
Exposed or enclosed
Temperature Rise
65 degrees C
55 degrees C
55/65 deg. C
Special Coating requirements

31. Pictures of Liquid Filled Transformer

32. Round Coils 360 degree cooling ducts
Radial forces are equalized during short circuits & overloads

33. Cruciform stacked core construction

35. Padmount Transformer

36. Unit Substation and Substation Transformer

37. Other types of Transformers
The following transformers are for reference only to let you be aware of different type transformers for different applications.

38. NEUTRAL GROUNDING RESISTOR with Transformer

39. What is a Scott – T Transformer?
A Scott – T Transformer is a transformer that is designed for converting 2 phase current to 3 phase current or vice-versa.

40. What is an Autotransformer
An autotransformer is a transformer that only have one winding with taps. No isolation is provided between the primary and secondary.

41. Buck-Boost
A Buck-Boost transformer is one that is designed to lower (buck) or raise (boost) the voltage in the range of 5% to 25%. This is a great (low cost) way to get between 208 and 240 Volts, or between 480 and 575 Volts. Used on 1 and 3 Phase applications.

42. Drive Isolation Transformers
A drive isolation transformer is one that is typically used on AC or DC Drive systems. It typically has the same primary and secondary voltages and is used for isolation. In addition you typically have a shield to attenuate line to ground noise.

43. Constant Voltage Transformer
A constant voltage transformer is one in which the secondary stays constant with large swings on the primary voltage. This is accomplished by operating the primary in a saturated mode so even when the primary voltage dips you can still maintain a constant output. Typical input may be 80% to 110% with the output maintaining 1% voltage regulation.

44. A copy of this presentation can be found at: www.L-3.com

45. www. PacificCrestTrans.com
For more information and specification sheets
www. PacificCrestTrans.com