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Analysis and Simulation of Ferroresonance in Power Transformers using

Simulink

Article in IEEE Latin America Transactions · February 2018    

DOI: 10.1109 / TLA.2018.8327400

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460 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS, VOL. 16, NO. 2, FEB. 2018

Analysis and Simulation of Ferroresonance in

Power Transformers using Simulink
Ramón Pérez Pineda, Member, IEEE, Roberto Rodrigues and Alexander Aguila Telléz,
Member, IEEE

Abstract— This paper presents a study using Simulink to A practical example of this behavior is the
investigate the response of the voltage transformers to the disconnection of a voltage transformer when opening a
phenomenon of ferroresonance. In analyzing the behavior of this automatic switch [2]. The transformer remains powered
phenomenon are considered purely electrical variables (currents
by the capacitance of the breaker breaking chambers: the
and voltages). The methodology is based on documentary
research, which presents the theoretical principles, causes and
This maneuver can lead to zero voltage at the terminals of the
effects of this phenomenon and analyze the simulation results transformer, or to a highly distorted permanent voltage
generated using Simulink. Different situations are simulated with and of an amplitude much greater than that of the normal tension,
satisfactory results. Energization and deenergization of the which can also affect distribution systems [3]
transformer is presented as a critical situation for the emergence To avoid the effects of ferroresonance, you need
of ferroresonance. The influence of the capacitance value and
understand the phenomenon, predict it, know how to identify it,
connecting the primary winding of the transformer has been
analyzed through different simulations, it being shown that the
avoid or suppress it [4]. Due to its rarity, this phenomenon is not
phenomenon is accentuated when the transformer is connected in well known and cannot be analyzed or predicted by
delta and the magnitude of the overvoltage and overcurrent traditional methodologies.
depends capacitance value. A distinction between resonance and ferroresonance allows
highlight the particular characteristics and some
Keywords - Ferroresonance, MATLAB / Simulink, Voltage
puzzling times of the phenomenon of ferroresonance. The
Transformers, Simulations.
practical examples of power network configurations
INTRODUCTION electricity with risk of ferroresonance allow to identify and
highlight the variety of configurations potentially

H having appeared for the first time in the literature in

1920, the term ferroresonance designates all
dangerous. If when finalizing the design, doubts persist regarding
limit settings and are unavoidable, you should take
oscillatory phenomena that appear in an electrical circuit carried out a predictive study. Analysis tools
comprising at least: one non-linear inductance
numerical and simulation such as Simulink, allow to alert the
(saturable ferromagnetic), a capacitor, a source of
possibility of ferroresonance in a network by means of
voltage (usually sinusoidal) and weak losses.
simulation of the energization or de-energization of
Electrical networks contain numerous inductances
three-phase transformers or transformer banks.
saturable (power transformers, transformers
In the present work the analysis method is applied
inductive medium voltage, reactances in parallel), thus indirectly using the MATLAB Simulink tool, the
such as capacitors (cables, long lines, transformers which has been chosen for its robustness in the treatment of this
voltage capacitive, series compensation capacitors type of phenomena. Starting from a published base system
or parallel, voltage sharing capacitors between chambers by [5], several cases of ferroresonance were simulated and
circuit breaker cut-off centers,
graphed the results via script commands
armored transformation). Therefore, networks are
developed in MATLAB, whose applied methodology results
capable of presenting configurations conducive to
efficient in terms of precision and computational time.
existence of ferroresonance. The main feature of
this phenomenon is to present at least two regimes II. G ENERALITIES
permanent stable. Appears after transients,
surges of atmospheric origin, connection or disconnection A. Ferroresonance
transformers or loads, appearance or elimination of The fundamental differences of a ferroresonant circuit
defects, work under tension, among others. There is with respect to a linear resonant circuit they are, for a given:
possibility of abrupt transition from a normal stable state the ability to resonate within a wide range of values
(sinusoidal at the same frequency as the network) to another state capacitance; the frequency of the voltage waves and the
stable ferroresonant characterized by strong overvoltages currents that may be different from the source of
and by important harmonic rates dangerous for the sinusoidal voltage; and, the existence of various regimes
teams [1]. stable permanent for a configuration and values of
given parameters. One of these regimes is the regimen
Ramón Pérez Pineda, Salesian Polytechnic University, Quito, Ecuador, normal; the other abnormal regimens are often
[email protected]
dangerous. The regime achieved depends on the conditions
Robert Rodrigues, UNEXPO, Barquisimeto, Venezuela,
[email protected] initial (electrical charges of capacitors, flux
Alexander Águila Telléz, Salesian Polytechnic University, Quito, remnant of the material that forms the magnetic circuit of the
Ecuador, [email protected]

Page 3
 PEREZ PINEDA et al .: ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION 461

transformers, the moment of connection, among others).

Ferroresonance is therefore a special case of the
resonance where an inductive reactance is present not
linear that depends not only on the frequency but on the density
of magnetic flux in transformers with core of
iron. The inductive reactance is represented by the curve of
saturation of a magnetic iron core. Theoretically,
this non-linear inductance can be represented by two
Inductive reactances given by (1) and (2) [6].
Linear ⇒ X !!! "# $%! = L !" # $%!

(1)
Saturation ⇒ X !!! "# = L !" #

(2)

Figure 2. Evolution of the solution increasing the tension E.

In Fig. 1 three possible operating points are shown,
where point 1 is stable non-ferroresonant, point 2 is
ferroresonant stable and point 3 is unstable in operation.
It can be seen that the main characteristic of a circuit
ferroresonant is that it has at least two stable points,
producing a current or voltage jump from a point of
stable operation to another.

Figure 3. Evolution of the solution increasing the capacitance C [6].

The connection time is also an important factor in

ferroresonant analysis and its influence is similar to the effect of
Inrush current in transformer energization.
Figure 1. Graphic solution of the series resonant circuit [6].
B. Three-Phase Transformer Model in Simulink

Final operating point will depend on conditions In the Simulink it is possible to simulate electrical machines
initials (residual flux, capacitance value and source such as transformers, motors and generators [7]. For him
voltage, connection time). In this way, under certain transformer it is possible to simulate core saturation and
initial conditions, for example, transients of connect windings in Y, Y with accessible neutral and Delta.
overvoltage, the ferroresonance manifested in Leakage inductance and resistance of each winding
Oscillating overvoltages and overcurrents. Once the can be entered in values per unit (pu) based on the
ferroresonance appears, the system remains in that state, rated power of the transformer and at the rated voltage of the
until the source is able to maintain the supply of primary or secondary winding.
energy for the phenomenon. In Figs. 4 and 5 the transformer model is shown
Fig. 2 shows the evolution of the operating point three-phase saturable with its saturation characteristic.
ferroresonant as the voltage source value
changes, keeping the capacitance value constant.
Similarly, Fig. 3 shows the evolution of the point of
ferroresonant operation as the value of the
capacitance changes, keeping the value of the
voltage source.

Figure 4. Model of the saturable three-phase transformer [8].

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462 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS, VOL. 16, NO. 2, FEB. 2018
 Figure 5. Three-phase transformer saturation characteristic.

Table I shows the definition of the parameters

indicated in Figs. 4 and 5.

T ABLE I
P ARAMETERS OF THE M ODEL T RANSFORMADOR T RIFÁSICO S ATURABLE

Parameter Definition
R1 Primary winding resistance
L1 Inductance of the primary winding
Rm Magnetization resistance Figure 7. VI saturation curve of the three-phase transformer [5].
Lm Magnetization inductance
Ls Saturation inductance
L2 Secondary winding inductance T ABLE II
R2 Secondary winding resistance P OINTS M UR OF C URVA OF S ATURACIÓN VI
phi Magnetizing flow
i Magnetizing current
Magnetization Voltage (V) Magnetization Current i ()
0 0.00000
III. M ETHODOLOGY 20000 0.00025
45000 0.00100
A. Determination of parameters 55000 0.00200
59000 0.00375
As the objective is to simulate and analyze the effect of
62000 0.01000
ferroresonance in a saturable three-phase transformer, 64000 0.02000
raises the general schematic diagram of Fig. 6.

T ABLE III
P OINTS M UR OF C URVA OF S ATURACIÓN Ψ-I

Magnetizing Flux Ψ (pu) Magnetization Current i (pu)

0.00000000 0.0000000
Figure 6. General schematic diagram of the system. 0.00254648 1.0825e-7
0.00572958 4.3301e-7
The saturation characteristic of the transformer is extracted 0.00700282 8.6603e-7
0.00751211 1.6238e-6
from the one provided in [5], which is shown in Fig. 7.
0.00789409 4.3301e-6
The saturable three-phase transformer model in Simulink 0.00814873 8.6603e-6
requires that the saturation curve data be
expressed in pairs of points (magnetizing flux, current
Tables IV-VII show the rest of the
magnetization), so that from Fig. 7 a series of transformer, generator, line and capacitor parameters, the
sample points reflected in Table II. which are mostly typical values found in
Considering that the nominal voltage of the transformer is different publications [5].
of 25 kV and its nominal power of 100 MVA, applying (3) and
(4) the data are obtained in the representation required by T ABLE IV
Simulink, which are shown in Table III.(V) G ENERATOR 'S P ARAMETERS

25
Magnetizing pu =
2 × × 50Hz Parameter Value
(3) Amplitude 25000 Vrms Phase to Phase
i () Phase 0°
Magnetization Current pu = Frequency 50 Hz
100
3 × 25 (4)

Page 5
PEREZ PINEDA et al .: ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION 463

T ABLE V T ABLE VIII

P ARAMETERS OF L INE E STUDIO C ASOS

Parameter Value Initial State of Connection of

Case Phase Switched
Resistance 0.605 Ω Switches Transformer
Inductance 0.0193 H 1 Opened TO Yy
2 Opened TO DY
T ABLE VI 3 Closed C Yy
P ARAMETERS OF THE C APACITOR 4 Closed C DY

Parameter Value
Capacitance 10 mF
 IV. R ESULTS
T ABLE VII Below are the simulation results
P ARAMETERS OF THE T RANSFORMADOR for each case study.

Parameter Value A. Case 1: Open Switches, Phase A, Connection YY

Primary Winding Connection Star (y) Starting from the capacitance value that appears in the Table
Secondary Winding Connection Star (y)
VI, the simulation of the system was made by graphing the currents
Nominal Power 100 MVA
Frequency 50 Hz
and voltages in order to take their peak values, which is reflected
Nominal Voltage of Primary Winding 25000 Vrms Phase to Phase In Table IX, it can be seen that for a
Primary Winding Resistance 0.5 Ω capacitance value of 5.3e-4 F, the ferroresonance had the
Primary Winding Inductance 0.0023895 H
higher positive and negative peak values, taking
Nominal Voltage of the Secondary Winding 25000 Vrms Phase to Phase
Secondary Winding Resistance 1 0Ω
this value as a reference for the rest of the cases of
Inductance of Secondary Winding 1 0H simulation.
Magnetization Resistance 2 3125.2 Ω
Saturation Characteristic Table III T ABLE IX
1 Values taken arbitrarily equal to zero (transformer without load) C APACITANCIA AND E FFECT ON T ENSIONS AND C ORRIENTES
2 Value taken arbitrarily large (ideal transformer)

Capacitance Voltage Peaks (V) Peak Current (A)

The circuit in the Simulink environment is shown in Fig. (F) Positive Negative Positive Negative
1.00E-02 4620 -2970 56 -28
8.
1.00E-03 40,000 -37000 118 -78
9.00E-04 47582 -46427 126 -86
8.00E-04 58228 -59883 145 -111
7.00E-04 79887 -81429 170 -148
6.00E-04 130750 -130950 243 -274
5.40E-04 195640 -195580 388 -388
5.30E-04 201870 -201970 397 -400
5.20E-04 201450 -201710 398 -399
5.10E-04 194880 -194850 388 -387
5.00E-04 184390 -184690 369 -357
4.90E-04 173630 -173690 3. 4. 5 -3. 4. 5
4.00E-04 102360 -103550 187 -189
3.00E-04 64074 -64660 135 -126
1.00E-04 32720 -28920 85 -80
1.00E-05 23056 -22005 77 -96
1.00E-06 33388 -40371 25 -29
Figure 8. Assembling components in Simulink. 1.00E-07 21123 -21122 2 -2

B. Component Parameterization
The schematic diagram representing the present case of
In the present investigation, four (4) cases are considered
study is shown in Fig. 9 [9].
study to be simulated. In all cases we work with the
assembly of Fig. 8 and the components are parameterized
according to what is stated in Tables IV-VII except for the
exceptions that distinguish one case from another and that are displayed
in Table VIII. It is noteworthy that in all cases, the
switch operates in two cycles with respect to the
energization of the voltage source.
Taking as reference case 1, the
capacitances in a wide range in order to find the value
optimal that favors the appearance of the phenomenon of
ferroresonance and allows corroborating the influence of the
the capacitance in the phenomenon. Figure 9. Diagram: Case 1 (Open Switches, Phase A, Connection YY)

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464 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS, VOL. 16, NO. 2, FEB. 2018

The signals of currents and voltages in the present case of

study are shown in Fig. 10 and 11.

Figure 13. Currents: Case 2 (Open Switches, Phase A, Connection DY)

 Figure 10. Currents: Case 1 (Open Switches, Phase A, Connection YY)

Figure 14. Voltages: Case 2 (Open Circuit Breakers, Phase A, Connection DY)

C. Case 3: Closed Circuit Breakers, Phase C, Connection YY

Figure 11. Voltages: Case 1 (Open Circuit Breakers, Phase A, Connection YY)
The schematic diagram representing the present case of
study is shown in Fig. 15 [9].

B. Case 2: Open Switches, Phase A, Connection DY

The schematic diagram representing the present case of
study is shown in Fig. 12 [9].

Figure 15. Diagram: Case 3 (Closed Switches, Phase C, Connection YY)

The signals of currents and voltages in the present case of

study are shown in Fig. 16 and 17.
Figure 12. Diagram: Case 2 (Open Switches, Phase A, Connection DY)

The signals of currents and voltages in the present case of

study are shown in Fig. 13 and 14.

Page 7
PEREZ PINEDA et al .: ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION 465

Figure 16. Currents: Case 3 (Closed Switches, Phase C, Connection YY)

Figure 20. Voltages: Case 4 (Closed Circuit Breakers, Phase C, Connection DY)

V. A NALYSIS OF R ESULTS
- As can be seen in Table IX, the variation of the
capacitance directly affects the magnitude of the
overcurrents and overvoltages experienced by the
transformer under the appearance of the phenomenon of
ferroresonance. It is noteworthy that the surges arrived
at levels as high as several times the rated voltage of the
 transformer. It is also observed that at very low values
or very high capacitance the phenomenon of ferroresonance
is attenuated considerably, having an optimal point
about 5.30e-4 F, where its effect is magnified. These
Figure 17. Voltages: Case 3 (Closed Circuit Breakers, Phase C, Connection YY)
results are consistent with ferroresonance theory
D. Case 4: Switches Closed, Phase C, Connection DY raised, where the system solution evolves to
The schematic diagram representing the present case of as capacitance and operating point vary
study is shown in Fig. 18 [9]. final outcome is the consequence of multiple factors among which
find the value of capacitance.
- In case 1 where the transformer connection is YY, the
can be seen in Fig. 10 as the current of phase A is
much higher than the currents of phases B and C
which is consistent with the case diagram; in Fig. 11
all three phases have voltage despite being connected
only phase A, but due to the magnitude of this
last, they are considerably attenuated. In case 2 where the
transformer connection is DY, it is seen as the flux
of currents is similar to case 1 with connection YY,
so the graphs of currents (Fig. 13) and voltages
Figure 18. Diagram: Case 4 (Switches Closed, Phase C, Connection DY)
(Fig. 14) are similar but to a greater extent, that is, the
DY connection magnifies the effect of ferroresonance with
The signals of currents and voltages in the present case of
relation to the YY connection.
study are shown in Figs. 19 and 20.
- In case 3 where the transformer connection is YY, the
can be seen in Fig. 16 as the current of phase C is still
higher than the currents of phases A and B which is
consistent with the case diagram; in Fig. 17 it is
appreciates how despite phase C being open, there is a
tension that is decreasing and tending to zero. In case 4
where the transformer connection is DY, it can be seen
as the flow of the currents is similar to case 3 with the
YY connection, so the graphs of the currents (Fig.
19) and stresses (Fig. 20) are similar but in greater
magnitude, that is, the DY connection this time
also magnifies the effect of ferroresonance with
Figure 19. Currents: Case 4 (Switches Closed, Phase C, Connection DY)
relation to the YY connection.

Page 8
466 IEEE LATIN AMERICA TRANSACTIONS, VOL. 16, NO. 2, FEB. 2018

- In all cases it can be seen that ferroresonance for ferroresonance detection », Proceedings of the
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the value of the capacitance and the type of connection of the for distribution Voltage Transformer », ISIEA 2012 -
transformer, others not considered in the simulation but 2012 IEEE Symposium on Industrial Electronics and
of equal importance, they constitute the instant of commutation Applications , n. or 1, pp. 124-129, 2012.
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tension. the Status of the Voltage Supply in Induction Motors
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Ramón Pérez (Y'1981-M'11) He is graduated in electrical
regardless of the primary winding connection engineering from the National Polytechnic University
the transformer, the worst case also being when the Antonio Jose de Sucre in Venezuela. I have received the M.Sc
degree in electrical engineering and his PhD in Engineering
connection is in delta. Ferroresonance in the affected phase
Sciences, at the same institution. He is Member of the GIREI
it tends to disappear as time passes. Research Group and his research interest is the artificial
- Ferroresonance is a phenomenon characterized by intelligence applied to electrical systems, electrical machines
 oscillating overvoltages and overcurrents of magnitude and smart grids. He is a professor of Universidad Politécnica Salesiana-
Ecuador.
whose effect depends on the capacitance and the
transformer connection and its saturation curve. Roberto Rodrigues Electronic Engineer graduated from the
National Polytechnic University "Antonio José de Sucre"
Vice-rectorate Barquisimeto in 2008. He works at the
R EFERENCES B IBLIOGRÁFICAS
Corporación Eléctrica Nacional SA His research interest is
[1] S. Rezaei, «Impact of Ferroresonance on protective the electrical machines and smart grids.

relays in Manitoba Hydro 230 kV electrical network »,

2015 IEEE 15th International Conference on
Environment and Electrical Engineering, EEEIC 2015
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- Conference Proceedings , pp. 1694-1699, 2015. of Electrical Engineering and M.Sc. degreesin Energetic
[2] D. McDermit, D. Shipp, T. Dionise and V. Lorch, Efficiency. He is currently working toward his Ph.D degree
in Engineering with the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana -
«Medium-voltage switching transient-induced
Colombia- Medellín, and he is a Member of the GIREI
potential transformer failures: Prediction, Research Group. His major research interests include fault diagnosis on
measurement, and practical solutions », IEEE electrical distribution system, smart grids, minimizing powerlosses, renewable
energy systems and energetic efficiency. He is a professor of University
Transactions on Industry Applications , vol. 49, n. or 4,
Salesian Polytechnic- Ecuador.
pp. 1726-1736, 2013.
[3] W. Chunbao, T. Lijun and Q. Yinglin, «A study on
factors influencing ferroresonance in distribution
system », DRPT 2011 - 2011 4th International
Conference on Electric Utility Deregulation and
Restructuring and Power Technologies , pp. 583-588,
2011.
[4] S. Shahabi, D. Babazadeh, R. Shirvani and M.
Purrezagholi, «Mitigating ferroresonance in coupling
capacitor voltage transformers with ferroresonance
suppressing circuits », Ieee Eurocon 2009, Eurocon
2009 , pp. 817-822, 2009.
[5] V. Valverde, G. Buigues, E. Fernández, A. Mazón and I.
Zamora, «Behavioral patterns in voltage transformer

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