LnkedIn Posting 28 06 2024

Zig Zag Power Transformer Behavior During Unbalanced Faults

Dr K Rajamani

1.0 Introduction
Among the various vector groups of Power transformer, Zig Zag connection is the most
esoteric one. The main advantage of Zig Zag connection is that it offers zero sequence
isolation between Zig Zag and other winding. Power system engineers prefer to use the
term ‘Zero Sequence Current’ which is same as ‘ground fault current’ used by protection
engineers. Since ground fault one side of transformer does not get reflected as ground
fault on other side, ground fault relaying and coordination becomes easier. The two
widely used vector groups are Dz (Delta – Zig Zag) and Yz (Star – Zig Zag). This article
explains current distribution for unbalanced faults (L-G and L-L) on either side of
transformer.
2.0 Dz connection (Delta – Zig Zag) connection
In case of Zig Zag connection, voltage rating of Zig or Zag winding is one third of line
voltage. Refer Fig 1.

Figure 1
2.1 Line to Ground fault on Zig zag side (Secondary) with source on Delta side
(Primary).
Refer Fig 2A.
Rated secondary voltage = VS

Rated primary voltage = VP

Voltage Rating of Zig or Zag winding = VS / 3

Number of Turns of Zig or Zag winding = NS

Number of Turns of Primary winding = NP

 VS 
 N   3   1  V
= 
 S =   
S 
N  VP  3   VP 
 P  

For Line to Ground fault on R phase, the current distribution is shown in Fig 2A. Let the
Ground Fault current be Ι. In the unfaulted phases Y and B, current is zero. Hence
current through ZigY and ZigB are forced to 0. Because of Zig Zag connection, current
through ZagR and ZagB are also forced to 0. The fault current returns via ZagY and
ZigR as shown in figure.
Turns Ratio TR1 = NP / NS = 3VP / VS
The reflected current on delta winding is as shown. Since current through ZigB and ZagB
are 0, the current through corresponding delta winding will also be 0 to maintain AT
(Ampere Turns) Balance. The current distribution on delta side is as shown that satisfies
both KCL and AT balance. The current distribution is in the ratio of 1:1:2 on delta side.
Ground fault on Zig Zag side is not reflected as ground fault on delta side achieving zero
sequence isolation between Zig Zag and Delta.

Figure 2A

Let us illustrate with an example. Consider 33/11kV Delta -Zig Zag transformer. For
stability testing of differential protection, we apply test voltage on delta side and create
 (R-G) faults on Zig Zag side and find the resulting currents. The resulting currents are
shown in Fig 2B. In the test case,
Turns Ratio TR1 = NP / NS = 3VP / VS = 3 x 33 / 11 = 9
The observed current distribution on delta side (1:1:2) matches with theoretical results
given in Fig 2A.

Figure 2B

2.2 Line to Line fault on Zig Zag side (Secondary) with source on Delta side (Primary).
For Line-to-Line fault between R & Y phase, the current distribution is shown in Fig 3A.
Let the Fault current be Ι. In the unfaulted phase B, current is zero. Hence current
through ZigB and ZagR are forced to 0. The fault current flow is ZigR-ZigY-ZagB-ZagY.
as shown in figure.
The reflected current on delta winding is as shown. Since both ZigY and ZagY carry
current, the reflected current on delta side is also twice to maintain AT balance. The
current distribution on delta side is as shown that satisfies both KCL and AT balance.
The current distribution is in the ratio of 1:1:0 on delta side, i.e. L-L fault on Zig Zag side
is reflected as (L-L) fault on delta side also.
 Figure 3A
Let's examine the sample case of a 33/11kV Delta-Zig Zag transformer. We apply a test
voltage to the delta side and create an (R-Y) fault on the Zig Zag side to determine the
resulting currents. These currents are illustrated in Fig. 3B.
The observed current distribution on delta side (1:1:0) matches with theoretical results
given in Fig 3A.

Figure 3B

3.0 Yz connection (Star – Zig Zag) connection

3.1 Line to Ground fault on Zig zag side (Secondary) with source on Star side (Primary).
Rated secondary voltage = VS

Rated primary voltage = VP

Voltage Rating of Zig or Zag winding = VS / 3

Number of Turns of Zig or Zag winding = NS

Number of Turns of Primary winding = NP

  VS 
N   3   1  V
= 
 S =    V
S 
N  V   3  
 P   P  P 
 3 

For Line to Ground fault on R phase, the current distribution is shown in Fig 4A. Let the
Ground Fault current be Ι. In the unfaulted phases Y and B, current is zero. Hence
current through ZigY and ZigB are forced to 0. Because of Zig Zag connection, current
through ZagR and ZagB are also forced to 0. The fault current returns via ZagY and
ZigR as shown in figure.
Turns Ratio TR2 = NP / NS = √3VP / VS
The reflected current on star winding is as shown. Since current through ZigB and ZagB
are 0, the current through corresponding star winding will also be 0 to maintain AT
Balance. The current distribution on star side is as shown that satisfies both KCL and
AT balance. The current distribution is in the ratio of 1:1:0 on star side. Ground fault on
Zig Zag side is reflected as (L-L) fault on star side achieving zero sequence isolation
between Zig Zag and star.

Figure 4A
Let’s consider again 33/11kV transformer but vector group is Star-Zig Zag. We apply
test voltage to the Star side and create (R-G) faults on Zig Zag side to determine the
resulting currents. These currents are shown in Fig 4B.
Turns Ratio TR2 = NP / NS = √3VP / VS = √3 x 33 / 11 = 5.2
The observed current distribution matches on Stara side (1:1:0) matches with theoretical
results given in Fig 4A.
 Figure 4B

3.2 Line to Line fault on Zig zag side (Secondary) with source on Star side (Primary).
For Line-to-Line fault between R & Y phase, the current distribution is shown in Fig 5A.
Let the Fault current be Ι. In the unfaulted phase B, current is zero. Hence current
through ZigB and ZagR are forced to 0. The fault current flow is ZigR-ZigY-ZagB-ZagY.
as shown in figure.
The reflected current on Star winding is as shown. Since both ZigY and ZagY carry
current, the reflected current on Star side is also twice to maintain AT balance. The
current distribution on Star side is as shown that satisfies both KCL and AT balance.
The current distribution is in the ratio of 1:1:2 on Star side.

Figure 5A
 The same example of 33/11kV Star -Zig Zag transformer is considered. Now, we apply
test voltage on Star side and create (R-Y) fault on Zig Zag side and find the resulting
currents. The resulting currents are shown in Fig 5B.
The observed current distribution on Star side (1:1:2) matches with theoretical results
given in Fig 5A.

Figure 5B
4.0 Line to Line fault on Star (Primary) side with source on Zig Zag side (Secondary)
The situation is exactly like Fig 5A except the source is connected to Zig Zag side and
fault is on Star side. For Line-to-Line fault between R & Y phase, the current distribution
is shown in Fig 6A. Let the Fault current be Ι. In the unfaulted phase B on Star side,

current is zero. Current (ΙS) through ZigB and ZagB oppose each other and net flux is
zero to maintain AT balance with B phase winding on star side that carries no current.
Current in other windings will be as shown in figure to satisfy KCL and AT balance. The
current distribution is in the ratio of 1:1:2 on Zig Zag side
.

Figure 6A
 Let’s consider the sample example of 33/11kV Star -Zig Zag transformer. Now, we apply
test voltage on Zig Zag side and create (R-Y) fault on Star side and find the resulting
currents. The resulting currents are shown in Fig 6B.
The observed current distribution matches on Zig Zag side (1:1:2) matches with
theoretical results given in Fig 6A.

Figure 6B

4.1 Line to Ground fault on Star (Primary) side with source on Zig Zag side (Secondary)
The result is most unexpected as we will see at the end of analysis.
Refer Fig 7A. For argument’s sake, assume that 2 units of fault current flows on R phase
winding on Star side. Current in Y phase and B Phase windings on Star side must be
zero as the fault is only on R phase.
A possible current distribution on zig zag side is shown. ATs due to currents in ZagR
and ZigR can be balanced by fault current flowing in StarR to satisfy AT Balance. Since
Y and B phase star winding are open, very little current is expected to flow through ZigY
and ZagB. The reflected fault current is forced to return through ZagY and ZigB due to
Zig Zag connection and satisfy KCL. Since the corresponding star windings Y and B
are open, the current on Zig Zag side behaves like exciting current or magnetizing
current. The magnetizing impedance is very high. Hence the current through ZagY and
ZigB shall be very low (practically zero) to maintain AT balance. This forces the current
in ZagR and ZigR also to be practically zero!
 Figure 7A
In summary, for (L-G) fault on star side, contribution from source is negligible. Refer Fig
7B. Even if Star winding is solidly grounded, it behaves like ungrounded system if the
vector group of transformer is YNzn and source is only on zig zag side.
Another way to interpret is that the ground fault current is zero sequence current. Zig
Zag does not permit transfer of zero sequence current from primary to secondary side.

Figure 7B

If Star winding is rated for EHV level, ungrounded EHV system operation is not desirable
unless the insulation of equipment is specially designed for ungrounded operation. Refer
Fig 7C. In case another grounded source (grid) is connected to star side of transformer,
132kV system will behave like solidly grounded system. If Circuit Breaker CB on incomer
from grid trips, the transformer also needs to be tripped; otherwise, ground fault on
132kV system will go undetected by conventional over current relays.
 Figure 7C

5.0 Acknowledgement
The insightful discussions the author had in the past with Prof. S. V. Kulkarni and Mr. P
Ramachandran have greatly contributed to a deeper understanding of the fundamentals
of the Zig Zag connection. Additionally, the simulations conducted by Sonu Karekar and
Amol Salunkhe were instrumental in verifying the theoretical current distributions.

6.0 Conclusion
The current distributions for (L-G) fault and (L-L) fault on either side of Delta – Zig Zag
and Star – Zig Zag are shown. Also, source is considered on Star side in one case and
Delta side in another case. In all cases, ground fault on one side is never reflected as
ground fault on other side. The important conclusion to be drawn is that when one of the
windings of power transformer is Zig Zag, zero sequence current cannot be transferred
across the transformer from one side to other.i.e., zero sequence isolation between
primary and secondary is inherently achieved

7.0 References
[1] J & P Transformer Hand Book, 9th Edition, 1961
[2] “Zig Zag Transformer - Fault Current Distribution, Short Circuit testing and Single
Phase loading”, K Rajamani and Bina Mitra, IEEMA Journal, July 2013, pp 84 - 91.
[3] “Application Guide for Power Engineers Part 1 – Earthing and Grounding of Electrical
Systems”, K Rajamani, Notion Press, 2018.
.