ELECTRONICS AND ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

ISSN 1392 1215

2011. No. 3(109)

ELEKTRONIKA IR ELEKTROTECHNIKA
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

T 190 
ELEKTROS ININERIJA

Calculation and Analysis of Transformer Inrush Current Based on

Parameters of Transformer and Operating Conditions
M. Jamali, M. Mirzaie, S. Asghar Gholamian
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Babol University of Technology,
P. O. Box. 484, Shariaty Ave., Babol, Iran, phone: +981113239214, e-mail: [email protected]
energizing circuit impedance and remanent flux on the
characteristics of inrush current are investigated in detail.

Introduction
Magnetizing inrush current in transformers results
from any abrupt changes of the magnetizing voltage. This
current in transformer may be caused by energizing an
unloaded transformer, occurrence of an external fault,
voltage recovery after clearing an external fault and out-ofphase synchronizing of connected generator [1-2]. Because
the amplitude of inrush current can be as high as a shortcircuit current, a detailed analysis of the magnetizing
inrush current under various conditions is necessary for the
concerns of a protective system for the transformers. In
this regard, some numerical and analytical methods have
been proposed in the literature. In [3], analytical
expressions for the magnetic fluxes of no-load three-phase
transformer is presented that can be used for inrush current
calculation. In [4], by analytical solution of two differential
equations that governs the behavior of a transformer, the
magnetic flux and inrush current are determined. For
modeling transformer core including hysteresis, [5] used
Jiles-Atherton theory and presented a new algorithm on a
sample transformer. In [6], an analytic formula is presented
to calculate the peak inrush current of a nonlinear inductor
with a series resistor. In [7], a simple model for the
transient period of inrush current is presented. This model
is developed from the structural parameters of transformer.
To avoid malfunctiom of protection system under
magnetizing inrush current, many researches are conducted
for the discrimination of inrush current from internal fault
currents. For example, in [8-10], inrush current are
discriminated from internal fault current by second
harmonic criterion. For discrimination of these currents,
[11] used the sum of active power flowing into the
transformer from each terminal. In [12], a criterion
function in terms of difference of amplitude of wavelet
coefficients is defined. Then by using this criterion
function for three phases, the internal faults are
discriminated from the inrush current.
In this paper, first, the fundamentals of inrush current
and the formulas that are used for calculation it, are
presented. Then a one-phase transformer is simulated in
MATLAB and the effects of switching angle variation,

Fundamentals of Inrush Current

It is very well known that a transformer will
experience magnetizing inrush current during energization.
Inrush current occurs in a transformer whenever the
residual flux does not match the instantaneous value of the
steady-state flux which would normally be required for the
particular point on the voltage waveform at which the
circuit is closed [13].
For the explanation of the mechanism causing inrush
current in a transformers primary winding when
connected to an AC voltage source, we consider (1), where
 and v are the instantaneous flux in a transformer core and
voltage drop across the primary winding, respectively

(1)

As we see from (1), the rate of change of

instantaneous flux in a transformer core is proportional to
the instantaneous voltage drop in the primary winding or
on the other hand, the flux waveform is the integral of the
voltage waveform. In continuously-operating transformer,
these two waveforms are shifted by 90. But a significant
difference exists between continuous-mode operation and
energization of a transformer. During continuous
operation, the flux level is at its negative peak when
voltage is at its zero point, but during energization the flux
has to start at zero. So, for a rising voltage just started from
zero, the magnetic flux will reach approximately twice its
normal peak as it integrates the area under the voltage
waveforms first half-cycle. This amount of flux, because
of the nonlinear characteristic of the magnetization curve,
causes saturation of the transformer. During saturation,
disproportionate amounts of mmf are needed to generate
magnetic flux. This means the winding current, which
creates the mmf to cause flux in the core, will
disproportionately rise to a value easily exceeding twice its
normal peak. Fig. 1 shows the generation of inrush current
in a transformer. As seen from the figure, exceeding flux
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with those parameters are presented in [4], is selected. The

parameters of the equivalent circuit of this transformer
referred to the 220V winding are shown in Table 1.

from the knee point, results in large magnetizing current

that in some circumstances can be ten times of the rated
current in a transformer.

Fig. 2. Equivalent circuit of the transformer under no load

Table 1. Parameters of the simulated transformer
Rs ()
Ls (mH)
Parameter
15.476
12
Value

Fig. 1. Generation of inrush current in a transformer

The general equation that gives the amplitude of

inrush current as a function of time can be expressed as
(2):

Also, the magnetization curve of the transformer is

given in (4) where i and are magnetizing current and flux
respectively

(2)

where Vm maximum applied voltage; Zt total impedance

under inrush, including system; energization angle; t
time; t0 point at which core saturates;  time constant of
transformer winding under inrush conditions;  function
of t0; Kw accounts for 3 phase winding connection; Ks
accounts for short-circuit power of network.
For the purpose of designing a protective system for
transformer, the peak value of inrush current is an
important factor. In these cases, a simplified equation can
be used to calculate the peak value of the first cycle of the
inrush current. This equation is as follow

Rp ()
7260

(4)

It should be noted that equations (5)-(8) are used to

calculate the fundamental and second harmonic
components of inrush current, where N, T and f are number
of samples in each cycle, period and frequency of the
power system, respectively. Also, m indicates fundamental
and second components with the numbers 1 and 2,
respectively. The sampling rate of 30 kHz has been used in
this paper:

(3)

where Vm maximum applied voltage; L air core

inductance of the transformer; R total dc resistance of the
transformer; BN normal rated flux density of the
transformer core; BR remanent flux density of the
transformer core; BS saturation flux density of the core
material.
As seen from the equations (2) and (3), the value of
inrush current is dependent to the parameters of
transformer and operating conditions. So a detailed
analysis for finding the relations between the inrush
current characteristics and these factors are needed.

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

Simulation results

Effects of switching angle

When a transformer is energized under no load or

lightly loaded conditions, inrush current may flow in the
primary circuit. In this situation, the equivalent circuit of
transformer can be shown as Fig. 2 where Rs, Ls, Rp, Lm
and Rt are series resistance, series inductance, core losses
resistance, magnetizing inductance and source resistance
respectively.
In order to investigate the effects of some parameters
of transformer or network on the inrush current of a typical
transformer, a 120 VA, 60 Hz, (220/120) V transformer

In this section, the effect of switching angle variation

on the characteristics of inrush current has been
investigated. The remanent flux (Br) for all switching
angles is 0.826 Wb-coil. Also the source resistance has
been considered to zero. Fig. 3 shows the effect of
different switching angles () on the amplitude of inrush
current. As seen from the figure, the highest amplitude of
inrush current is at 0 that is 5.52A. Also, it can be seen,
increasing of the switching angle will decrease the
amplitude of inrush current.
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inrush current. Also, it causes faster decay in the amplitude

of inrush current. Therefore, it can be said that
transformers located closer to the generating plants display
higher amount of inrush currents lasting much longer than
transformer installed electrically away from generator.

Fig. 3. Effect of switching angle variation on the amplitude of

inrush current

The second harmonic content of inrush current is

shown in Fig. 4. As seen from this figure, increasing of the
switching angle causes to a decrease in the percentage
second harmonic.

Fig. 5. Effect of source resistance on the amplitude of inrush

current

The effect of source resistance in the percentage of

second harmonic has been shown in Fig. 6. The results
show that the amount of percentage of second harmonic
will be decreased by increasing the source resistance.

Fig. 4. Effect of switching angles in the percentage second

harmonic

It should be noted that, although, the highest

amplitude of the inrush current appears in the first cycle
and then decays, but the highest percentage second
harmonic does not necessarily appear in the first cycle. For
instance as seen from Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, at =90, both
amplitude and percentage second harmonic have been
decreased with increasing cycle, but at =0, although the
amplitude of inrush current have been decreased, but
second harmonic firstly increased and then decreased. This
is important when using second harmonic content to
restrain the relay operation during magnetizing inrush
conditions.

Fig. 6. Effect of source resistance in the percentage second

harmonic

Effects of the remanent flux

The effect of remanent flux on the first cycle peak
current at different switching angles is shown in Fig. 7. As
seen from figure, the first cycle peak current has large
change when the remanent flux varies. Also the results
indicate that switching at =90 or Br=0 may not
necessarily reduce the magnitude of inrush current. So, for
reducing inrush current, an appropriate switching angle by
considering remanent flux must be selected.

Effects of source resistance

In this case, the switching angle () is 0. Also, the
remanent flux (Br) is the same as the previous section. The
effects of source resistance have been considered by
increasing Rt. Fig. 5 shows the effect of source resistance
on the amplitude of inrush current. As seen from figure,
increasing source resistance will decrease the amplitude of

Conclusions
In this paper, the effects of some parameters on the
characteristics of inrush current are investigated in
MATLAB Simulink.
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4. Vanti M. G., Bertoli S. L. Semianalytic solution for a simple

model of inrush currents in transformers // IEEE Trans.
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inrush current in transformers using JilesAtherton theory of
ferromagnetic hysteresis // IEEE Conf. Tencon, Hong Kong.
November, 2006. P. 14.
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estimate the maximum inrush current // IEEE Trans. Power
Delivery. April, 2008. Vol. 23. No. 2. P. 12661268.
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// IEEE Trans. Power Delivery. July, 1997. Vol. 12. No.
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Fig. 7. Effect of remanent flux on first cycle peak current

Results show that increasing switching angle at a

positive remanent flux or source resistance will decrease
the amplitude of inrush current. It has been shown that
largest second harmonic content may not necessarily
appear at the first cycle. The effect of remanent flux on the
first cycle peak current shows that it has large changes
when the remanent flux varies. Also, it has been concluded
that for reducing inrush current, an appropriate switching
angle by considering remanent flux, must be selected.
References
1. Blume L. F. Transformer Engineering. New York: Wiley
& Sons, 1951.
2. Karsai K., Kerenyi D. and Kiss L. Large power
transformers. New York: Elsevier, 1987.
3. L. Andriuien, P. Kostrauskas, D. Mikalaj8nas.
Determination of the Magnetic Fluxes of NoLoad Three
Phase Power Transformer // Electronics and Electrical
Engineering. Kaunas: Technologija, 2003. No. 2(44). P.
4347.

Received 2010 07 04
M. Jamali, M. Mirzaie, S. Asghar Gholamian. Calculation and Analysis of Transformer Inrush Current Based on Parameters
of Transformer and Operating Conditions // Electronics and Electrical Engineering. Kaunas: Technologija, 2011. No. 3(109).
P. 1720.
An inrush current is a transient current with high amplitude that may occur when a transformer is energized under no load or lightly
loaded conditions. The magnitude of inrush current may be as high as ten times or more times of transformer rated current. This could
result in huge mechanical and thermal stresses on transformer in addition to inadvertent operation of the protective relay systems. This
paper represents the effects of some factors on the inrush current of transformers. For this purpose, a one-phase transformer is simulated
in MATLAB and the effects of switching angle variation, the energizing circuit impedance and the remanent flux on the characteristics
of inrush current are investigated. The results show that increasing circuit resistance or switching angle will decrease inrush current
amplitude. Also, it is concluded that for reducing inrush current, appropriate switching angle with respect to the remanent flux must be
selected. The results can be used for a better understanding of the inrush current characteristics and proper actions of the protective
system. Ill. 7, bibl. 13, tabl. 1 (in English; abstracts in English and Lithuanian).

M. Jamali, M. Mirzaie, S. Asghar Gholamian. Transformatoriaus parametr[ ir darbo s\lyg[ >takos transformatoriaus
>magnetinimo srovei apskaiiavimas ir tyrimas // Elektronika ir elektrotechnika. Kaunas: Technologija, 2011. Nr. 3(109).
P. 1720.
magnetinimo srov/ yra didel/s amplitud/s momentin/ srov/, kuri gali atsirasti, kai transformatorius susiadina, kai n/ra jokios
apkrovos arba kai ji maa. magnetinimo srov/ gali bti daugiau nei deimt kartQ didesn/ u nominali vert. Toks poveikis, atsirads
d/l mechaniniQ ir terminiQ procesQ, neigiamai veikia reles. Apraomi veiksniai, turintys takos magnetinimo srovei. Atliktas vienfazio
transformatoriaus modeliavimas programQ paketu Matlab, vertinti pagrindiniai parametrai. Il. 7, bibl. 13, lent. 1 (anglQ kalba;
santraukos anglQ ir lietuviQ k.).

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