5/2/24, 4:04 PM Power And Distribution Transformers Sizing Calculations – Part Six ~ Electrical Knowhow

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4-Special Cases In Transformers Sizing
Calculations: Secondary Unit Substations

Note: I’d like from all of you to review our course “EP-3: Electrical Procurement – Transformers
Course” to be more familiar with the contents of our new articles about the Power and Distribution
Transformers sizing calculations.

Today, we will explain other special cases for Power and Distribution Transformers sizing
calculations; Paralleled Transformers.

Special Cases In Transformers Sizing Calculations

2- Paralleled Transformers

Here we will explain the limiting conditions of connecting transformers in parallel and
loading/sizing considerations that must be followed. Firstly, let’s see what is meant by
Paralleled Transformers?

If two or more transformers are connected to a same supply on the primary side and to
a same load on the secondary side, then it is called as Paralleled transformers.

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5/2/24, 4:04 PM Power And Distribution Transformers Sizing Calculations – Part Six ~ Electrical Knowhow

Fig-1: Paralleled Transformers

Figure-1 shows two transformers connected in parallel. The transformers are connected
in parallel by connecting the similarly marked terminals together. For example, terminal
X1 of T1 to terminal X1 of T2, terminal X2 of T1 to X2 of T2, etc.

Importance for using Paralleled Transformers

1- Increased Load:

When load is increased and it exceeds the capacity of existing transformer, another
transformer may be connected in parallel with the existing transformer to supply the
increased load.
2- Non-availability of large transformer:

If a large transformer is not available which can meet the total requirement of load,
two or more small transformers can be connected in parallel to increase the capacity.

3- Increased reliability:
If multiple transformers are running in parallel, and a fault occurs in one transformer,
then the other parallel transformers still continue to serve the load and the faulty
transformer can be taken out for the maintenance.
4- Transportation is easier for small transformers:

If installation site is located far away, then transportation of smaller units is easier and
may be economical.

Conditions for Parallel Operation of Transformer

1- Mandatory conditions for Parallel Operation:

Same Phase angle shift (vector group are same),

Same Frequency rating,

Same Polarity,
Same Phase sequence.

2- Mandatory Conditions for Optimal Parallel Operation:

Same primary and secondary voltage ratings,
Same Turns Ratio,

Same Percentage Impedance and X/R ratio,

Identical Position of Tap changer,

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5/2/24, 4:04 PM Power And Distribution Transformers Sizing Calculations – Part Six ~ Electrical Knowhow
Same KVA ratings.

The factors that should be considered when paralleling transformers

1. Increased Fault Levels,

2. Circulating Currents,

3. Limiting kVA.

1- Increased Fault Levels

The paralleling of the secondaries of transformers increases the short circuit current available, and,
therefore necessitates higher interrupting capacity and more expensive secondary switchgear (bus,
breakers, etc.).

Example#1:

Fig-2

Referring to Figure-2, what is the total transformer let-through current at the secondary bus?

Answer:

1. IT = ILT(T1) + ILT(T2) = 2ILT(T1) = 2 [1500/( 3 x .48 x 0.055) = 2 (32803) = 65.6 kA

2- Circulating Currents

If the Mandatory Conditions for Optimal Parallel Operation do not exist, circulating
currents will flow between and through the secondary windings of both transformers.

Definitions:

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5/2/24, 4:04 PM Power And Distribution Transformers Sizing Calculations – Part Six ~ Electrical Knowhow
The circulating current is the current flowing at no load in the high and low voltage
windings, excluding exciting currents.
Full load current is the current flowing in the transformer with a load connected,
absent of exciting and circulating currents.

Disadvantages of Circulating Currents:

Lower the transformer efficiency
Reduce the maximum amount of load that the combined transformers can
carry.

The magnitude of the circulating current

The magnitude of the circulating current that flows depends on which of the above
optimal conditions do not exist. Let’s consider each of these optimal conditions to
determine what occurs if they do not exist as follows:

a- If the turns ratios are not equal

A circulating current flows even if there is no load on the transformers. This circulating
current flows because the voltage is different on the secondary side of the transformer.
In figure-1, if transformer T1 has a higher turns ratio than transformer T2, then T1 will
have a lower secondary voltage than T2.

b- If the transformers do not have equal impedances

Transformers will not equally share the load. Current will divide between the two
transformers, but not necessarily equally. . In figure-1, if transformer T1 has a higher
impedance than transformer T2, then more current will flow through T2 than T1. This is
the same principle as the principle of current dividing between two paralleled
impedances. If unequal impedances exist, one transformer can easily overload.

c- Different Phase shift and polarity

Paralleling two transformers with different phase shifts (e.g., Δ-Δ to Δ-Y) or different
polarities (e.g., subtractive to additive) will cause large secondary circulating currents
to flow.

3- Limiting kVA

Two dissimilar transformers (where one of the Mandatory Conditions for Optimal
Parallel Operation doesn’t exist) may be operated in parallel, but the following two
conditions must be met:

1. The circulating current should not exceed 10% percent of the full load rated
current of either transformer.
2. The total load (combination of the circulating currents and full load current)
should be limited to a value below the full rated current in either transformer.
This total load limit is called the limiting kVA or the maximum kVA load of two
transformers that are being operated in parallel.

Example#2:

Referring to Figure-1, what is the circulating current magnitude that flows between the
paralleled transformers, and what is the limiting kVA of the two transformers that are
being operated in parallel?

Answer:

Icirc = (kV1 - kV2)/[(Z1kV1)/(100*I1) + (Z2kV2)/(100*I2)]

Where:

kV1 and kV2 are the kV secondary voltages for transformers T1 and T2 at
no-load.
Z1 and Z2 are the percent impedances for transformers T1 and T2.
I1 and I2 are the full load current for transformers T1 and T2.

I1 = kVA1/( 3 x kV1) = 12000/( 3 x 14.0) = 494.9 A

I2 = kVA2/( 3 x kV2) = 10000/( 3 x 13.9) = 415.4 A
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Icirc = (14.0 - 13.9)/[(9 x 14.0)/(100 x 494.9) + (8 x 13.9)/(100 x 415.4)] = 19.15 A

The circulating current must be less than 10% of the smaller of I1 or I2.

Icirc <(0.10 x I1)<(0.10 x 494.9) = 49.5 A

Icirc <(0.10 x I2)<(0.10 x 415.4) = 41.5 A

The circulating current is less than 41.5 A and therefore it is acceptable.

kVAlimit = Zmin x [(kVA1/Z1) + (kVA2/Z2)] x 0.9 = 8 x [(12000/9) + (1000/8)] x 0.9 =

18600 kVA = 18.6 MVA

So, Total power supplied to the secondary bus cannot exceed 18.6 MVA. If more than
18.6 MVA of load is connected, transformer T2 will overload resulting in possible
damage.

Additional precautions must be considered before paralleling transformers

If paralleling two transformers with load tap changers, the automatic

sensing relay which controls the tap position of the transformers must be
set up in a master/slave configuration. Both load tap changers must “stay in
step” (stay on the same taps). The master/slave configuration system should
allow one transformer’s sensing relay to control the tap changer on both
transformers.
If paralleling transformers that have a high secondary current, consider the
impedance of the cables or bus that is used to parallel the secondary
windings. Small changes in impedance may have a large effect on load
sharing.

Summary for Parallel Transformers Connections

Transformer
Recommende
Parallel Equal Unequal Overloading Circulating
d
Connection Loading Loading Concerns Currents
paralleling
Types
Connection

Equal
impedances—
Yes No No No Yes
Equal ratios—
Same kVA
Equal
impedances— Yes but Not
No Yes No No
Equal ratios— Optimal
Different kVA
Unequal
impedances—
No Yes Yes No Not Optimal
Equal ratios—
Same kVA
Unequal
impedances—
No Yes Yes No Not Optimal
Equal ratios—
Different kVA
Unequal
impedances—
Unequal ratios Yes No Yes Yes Not Optimal
—
Same kVA
Unequal
impedances—
Unequal ratios No Yes Yes Yes Not Optimal
—
Different kVA
Different Phase
shift—
Not allowed
Different
polarity

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