Journal of Electrotechnology, Electrical Engineering and Management (2023) DOI: 10.23977/jeeem.2023.

060409
Clausius Scientific Press, Canada ISSN 2560-6697 Vol. 6 Num. 4

Simulation Analysis of Transformer Short Circuit Fault

Yiying Li*, Ying Zhang
State Grid Shaanxi Electric Power Co., Ltd., Ultra High Voltage Company, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
*
Corresponding author

Keywords: Transformer short circuit; simulation; MATLAB/Simulink Modeling

Abstract: Power transformers are one of the main equipment in power production, with
high cost and long manufacturing time. If a fault occurs during the power supply process,
it will prevent the normal operation of the power system and result in no electricity
available to power users. One of the main factors affecting the safe operation of
transformers is short circuit fault, and short circuit faults at the outlet of substations or in
close proximity can also pose a serious threat to transformers. This article simulates
transformer short-circuit faults and establishes a simulation model using
MATLAB/simulink to verify the harm caused by transformer short-circuit. Verification
has shown that short circuit faults pose significant risks.

1. Introduction

Through statistical analysis of the operation and accidents of power transformers across the
country over the years, it has been found that equipment damage accidents caused by external short
circuit faults are increasing year by year. Controlling the upward trend of such accidents has
become the key to improving the safe operation level of power transformers [1]. In transformer
accidents, the probability of occurrence is high, and the transformer short circuit accident poses a
greater threat to the equipment, especially the short circuit fault on the low-voltage side of the
transformer [2]. This article elaborates on the cause analysis and handling methods after the short
circuit faul [3].
With the rapid development of the power industry and the increasing requirements of society for
the reliability of power supply, ensuring the quality of power supply is an obligation that every
operation and maintenance personnel should fulfill [4]. Power transformers are important
equipment for the safe operation of the power system and the heart of the transmission and
transformation system [5]. Short circuit fault of power transformer is one of the more serious faults
among all [6].

2. Analysis of Short Circuit Fault Factors in Transformers

The main reasons for transformer short circuit faults are as follows: 1) Local short circuit and
overheating of the iron core and clamp (some with multiple grounding points), fastening the bolt
clamp magnet core is a local short circuit of the iron core, insulation fracture or carbonization of the
through core bolt causes local short circuit of the iron core, welding slag or other metal foreign
objects cause local short circuit, and the through core nut seat sleeve is too long; The grounding

66
strip is too long and tightly adheres to the iron core, causing local short circuits. The locking nuts at
the ends of the upper and lower iron yoke pull rods are loose; 2) High voltage inter layer arc
discharge, poor grounding, accumulation or operation of overvoltage, severe dampness of insulation,
insufficient insulation margin (such as thin insulation), and short circuit accidents at the outlet of the
voltage transformer; 3) Short circuit discharge of low-voltage turn layer box, low-voltage phase to
phase short circuit discharge, insufficient insulation margin between turns or insulation aging,
lightning stroke or overvoltage caused by operation, failure of joint welding, and outlet short circuit
impact; 4) The protection system has a dead zone and malfunctions, resulting in the transformer
being subjected to stable short-circuit current for a long time. During winding deformation, rough
statistical results show that when subjected to external short-circuit, the transformer that cannot trip
from time to time and is damaged accounts for 10% of short-circuit damage accidents; 5) When a
transformer is subjected to a sudden short circuit, both the high and low voltage sides will be greatly
impacted by short-circuit current [7]. In a short period of time before the circuit breaker can open,
the short-circuit current will generate an electric force proportional to the square of the current,
which will act on the transformer winding. This electric force can be divided into radial force and
axial force [8]. During a short circuit, the radial force acting on the winding will cause tension on
the high-voltage winding and pressure on the low-voltage winding, Due to the circular shape of the
winding, circular objects are more likely to deform under pressure than under tension [9]. Therefore,
low-voltage windings are more prone to deformation. The axial force generated during sudden short
circuits causes compression, twisting, bulging, and inter turn short circuits in the winding [10].
Causes axial displacement of the high-voltage and low-voltage windings, and axial force also acts
on the iron core and clamp [11].
The low-voltage winding and balance winding are the most susceptible to deformation when
transformers are subjected to sudden short circuits, followed by the high and medium voltage
windings, iron cores, and clamps. So, the main purpose of the transformer short-circuit accident is
to check the windings, iron cores, clamps, and other components.

3. The Manifestation and Harm of Transformer Short Circuit Fault

3.1 Main Forms of Transformer Winding Short-Circuit Fault

Under the action of transformer short-circuit electromagnetic force, winding damage and lead
displacement are the most likely consequences of transformer short-circuit faults. Both
experimental research and operational practice have shown that the damage modes of transformer
windings under short-circuit electromagnetic force mainly have the following forms:
(1) Winding deformation leads to the rupture of turn insulation, resulting in inter turn short
circuits. This type of fault is the main form of damage to small distribution transformers with
smaller diameters under the action of amplitude tensile electromagnetic force in short circuit
accidents.
(2) The deformation of the winding leads to a decrease in the strength of the main insulation,
resulting in the breakdown of the main insulation. The deformation of the winding leads to a
decrease in the strength of the main insulation, resulting in a breakdown accident of the main
insulation. This is the main damage mode of medium-sized and above power transformer windings
subjected to amplitude tensile short circuit forces. Therefore, when designing the short-circuit
strength of transformer windings, it is necessary to consider the accumulation effect of residual
deformation of the winding under the action of short-circuit electromagnetic force.
(3) The amplitude instability of the winding may be caused by the circumferential compression
caused by the electromagnetic force of the amplitude short circuit in the short circuit condition of
the inner winding of the transformer placed next to the iron core or the intermediate winding of the

67
multi winding transformer. The amplitude instability of the internal windings of medium-sized and
above transformers is the main manifestation of transformer damage under the action of amplitude
short circuit electromagnetic force.
(4) The axial instability of the winding is the main form of winding damage caused by the
combined action of short-circuit axial electrodynamic force and short-circuit amplitude
electrodynamic force.
(5) The overall displacement and tilt of the three-phase transformer winding occur in the case of
a three-phase symmetrical short circuit fault.

3.2 Hazards of Transformer Winding Short Circuit Fault

Short circuit damage to transformers is calculated based on the degree of equipment damage.
Mild damage refers to the deformation of the winding of the equipment, the burning of the leads,
but the insulation is not damaged; Moderate damage refers to significant deformation of the
winding, burning of the winding or lead wire, and certain degree of insulation damage; Severe
damage refers to severe deformation of the winding, breaking of the pressure plate, burning of the
winding, breakdown or burning of the insulation, and in severe cases, explosion and fire, resulting
in the burning of the transformer.
The internal fault of the transformer leads to accelerated oil flow, which may cause heavy gas
action, circuit breaker tripping, and the transformer exiting the power grid operation.

4. Testing and Inspection of Transformers after Short Circuit Fault

Due to the fact that when a transformer is short circuited, the winding is subjected to various
forces such as compression, tension, and bending under the action of electric force. The faults
caused by these forces are sometimes hidden and difficult to inspect and repair. Therefore, after a
short circuit fault, the condition of the winding should be carefully inspected.

4.1 Measurement of Transformer DC Resistance

Checking the DC resistance imbalance rate of the winding based on the measured value of the
transformer's DC resistance can effectively investigate the damage situation of the transformer
winding compared to previous measurements. For example, after a short circuit accident of a certain
transformer, the DC resistance of phase A on the low-voltage side increased by about 10%.
Therefore, it was determined that there may be a broken strand in the winding. After the winding
was lifted out for inspection, it was found that the A-phase winding had a broken strand.

4.2 Measurement of Insulation Resistance of Transformer Winding

Before and after transformer maintenance, as well as during drying, a 2500V megger should be
used to measure the insulation resistance absorption ratio of each winding to ground and between
windings. The insulation resistance of the winding should usually be greater than 500M Ω and not
less than 70% of the initial measured value. According to the requirements of the operating
regulations for power transformers, the allowable values for the insulation resistance of oil-
immersed power transformer windings are shown in Table 1. Whether they are qualified or not
should be based on the values measured when immersed in oil. After oil injection, it should be
allowed to stand for 5-6 hours before measurement.

68
 Table 1: Allowable Insulation Resistance Values of Oil Immersed Power Transformer Windings
Unit: M Ω
Voltage level of high-voltage Temperature ℃
winding 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
3~10KV 450 300 200 130 90 60 40 25
20~35KV 600 400 270 180 120 80 50 35
60~220KV 1200 800 540 360 240 160 100 710

4.3 Measurement of Transformer Winding Capacitance

The capacitance of a winding is composed of inter turn, inter layer, and inter cake capacitance of
the winding, as well as the capacitance generated by the winding. The specific capacitance is related
to the gap between the winding and the iron core and the ground, the gap between the winding and
the iron core, and the gap between turns, layers, and cakes of the winding. When the winding
deforms, it is generally an S-shaped bend, which causes the gap distance between the winding and
the iron core to decrease, and the capacitance of the winding to the ground will increase. Moreover,
the smaller the gap, the greater the change in capacitance. Therefore, the capacitance of the winding
can indirectly reflect the degree of deformation of the winding.

4.4 Inspection after Lifting the Cover

After hanging the transformer cover, if molten copper or aluminum slag or fragments of high-
density cable paper are detected inside the transformer, it can be determined that the winding has
undergone significant deformation and strand breakage. In addition, the degree of damage to the
winding can also be determined by the displacement or detachment of the winding pad, the
positioning of the pressing plate, and the displacement of the pressing pin.

4.5 Inspection of Iron Cores and Clamps

The iron core of a transformer should have sufficient mechanical strength, which is ensured by
the strength of all clamping components and connectors on the iron core. When the winding
generates electrical force, the axial force of the winding will be offset by the reaction force of the
clamp. If the strength of the clamp, pull plate is less than the axial force, the clamp, pull plate, and
winding will be damaged. Therefore, the condition of the iron core, clamps, pull plates, and their
connections should be carefully inspected.

5. Transformer Fault Simulation Analysis

5.1 Simulation Model Establishment

Establish a transformer simulation model using MATLAB/simulink to establish a simple power

system with dual side power supply and dual winding transformers. The schematic diagram is
shown in Figure 1:

69
 M N
Em T En

Figure 1: Power system diagram of a dual winding transformer with dual current sources
In Figure 1, Em and En are the power supplies on both sides of the system, and T is the double-
winding transformer.
The simulation model is shown in Figure2:

Figure 2: Simulation diagram of a dual winding transformer with dual current sources
In order to simulate the current situation of longitudinal differential protection during ratio
braking when faults occur inside and outside the transformer area, an operation module has been
added. The calculation module is shown in Figure 3. The simulation parameters are shown in Table
2.
Table 2: Simulation Parameter Settings
Parameter settings Parameter settings
Power supply voltage Transformer 1 and 2
35kV, 50Hz 35kV
and flat frequency secondary side voltage
5MW, Transformer capacity and
Load1, Load2 50MVA, 50Hz
1Mvar frequency
Transformer Single phase ground
Y-Yconnect Short-circuit
connection method short circuit

Figure 3: Calculation module

5.2 Simulation Waveform Analysis

The A phase difference dynamic current and braking current of the system during the
longitudinal differential protection within the transformer fault protection zone are shown in Figure

70
4, while the A phase difference dynamic current and braking current of the system during the
longitudinal differential protection outside the transformer fault protection zone are shown in Figure
5.

Figure 4: Simulation Waveform of Short Circuit Fault in Transformer Protection Zone.

Figure 5: Simulation Waveform of Short Circuit Fault Outside the Transformer Protection Zone.
From the simulation waveforms inside and outside the transformer protection zone mentioned
above, it can be seen that when an A short circuit to ground fault occurs at the output end of the
transformer, the A-phase current at the transformer end increases, the differential current is the sum
of the output currents of the two power sources, and the braking current is 1/2 times the difference
between the output currents of the two power sources, and the harmonic content in the output
current is relatively high. Therefore, dealing with it when it is not urgent will cause excessive input
current of the transformer and cause transformer damage. Through simulation, it can be concluded
that transformer short-circuit fault handling is very important for the safe and stable operation of the
power system.

6. Conclusion

This article provides in-depth analysis of transformer faults, elaborates on the causes and hazards

71
of transformer short circuit faults, and establishes a simulation model using MATLAB/Simulink.
Through the simulation waveform, it can be concluded that when a transformer experiences a short
circuit fault, the transformer terminal current will increase, with a current of 2-3 times the original
value. If not handled in a timely manner, it will cause transformer damage.

References
[1] GE X. D. (2023). Fault location and cause analysis of short circuit in transformer operation. Electronic Technology
(01), 272-273.
[2] Cui J. C. (2022). Simulation research on strength of winding and support structure of power transformer under
short-circuit condition (master's thesis, Shenyang University of Technology).
[3] Gu K & Zheng X. D. (2022). Simulation test of transformer short-circuit impedance based on equivalent model at
different frequencies. Journal of Vibroengineering (6).
[4] Huerta-Rosales R., Granados Lieberman D., Garcia Perez A., Camarena Martinez D., Amezquita Sanchez J. &
Valtierra Rodriguez M. (2021). Short-Circuited Turn Fault Diagnosis in Transformers by Using Vibration Signals,
Statistical Time Features, and Support Vector Machines on FPGA. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) (11).
[5] He S. (2022). Selection of short-circuit impedance of rectifier transformers in electrical transmission systems
Metallurgical Automation (S1), 462-465.
[6] Luo X. X, Xiao Q. B., Wang Q. & Sheng Z. P. (2021). A Novel Method for Distribution Transformer Short-circuit
Test. Journal of Physics: Conference Series (4).
[7] Wang L. (2022). Diagnosis and maintenance of 6 kV transformer short circuit fault in power system. Equipment
Management and maintenance (20), 149-150.
[8] Wang L. L., Huang S., Zhao C. & Jiang Z. H. (2017). Simulation and test of field-circuit coupling method for on-
line monitoring of transformer short-circuit impedance. Guangdong Electric Power (06), 120-125.
[9] Wang W. T., Lu J. F. & Lu Z. C. (2022). Simulation of network-side current balance control of power supply device
for transformer short-circuit test. Manufacturing Automation (02), 213-216.
[10] Xie W., Zhao M. M., Chen S. & Li W. B. (2020). Analysis of a 220kV transformer short circuit accident. Henan
Science and Technology (22), 120-122.
[11] Zhao M. Y. and Li Y. B. (2021). Analysis and preventive measures for short-circuit resistance of transformers
under short-circuit impact. Equipment Management and Maintenance (23), 38-40.

72