Parallel Operation of

Power Transformer
MODULE- 3
INTRODUCTION
 For supplying a load in excess of the rating of an existing
transformer, two or more transformers may be connected in
parallel with the existing transformer.

 The transformers are connected in parallel when load on one of

the transformers is more than its capacity.

 The reliability is increased with parallel operation than to have

single larger unit.

 The cost associated with maintaining the spares is less when two
transformers are connected in parallel.
Condition for Parallel Operation of Transformer
 For parallel connection of transformers, primary windings of the
Transformers are connected to source bus-bars and secondary
windings are connected to the load bus-bars.
 Various conditions that must be fulfilled for the successful parallel
operation of transformers:
1. Same voltage Ratio & Turns Ratio (both primary and secondary
Voltage Rating is same).
2. Same Percentage Impedance and X/R ratio.
3. Identical Position of Tap changer.
4. Same KVA ratings.
5. Same Phase angle shift (vector group are same).
6. Same Frequency rating.
7. Same Polarity.
8. Same Phase sequence.
 Some of these conditions are convenient and some are mandatory.

 The convenient are: Same voltage Ratio & Turns Ratio, Same

Percentage Impedance, Same KVA Rating, Same Position of Tap

changer.

 The mandatory conditions are: Same Phase Angle Shift, Same Polarity,

Same Phase Sequence and Same Frequency.

 When the convenient conditions are not met paralleled operation is

possible but not optimal.

1.Same voltage Ratio & Turns Ratio (on each tap):
 If the transformers connected in parallel have slightly different voltage ratios, then due to the
inequality of induced emfs in the secondary windings, a circulating current will flow in the
loop formed by the secondary windings under the no-load condition, which may be much
greater than the normal no-load current.
 The current will be quite high as the leakage impedance is low. When the secondary windings
are loaded, this circulating current will tend to produce unequal loading on the two
transformers, and it may not be possible to take the full load from this group of two parallel
transformers (one of the transformers may get overloaded).
 If two transformers of different voltage ratio are connected in parallel with same primary
supply voltage, there will be a difference in secondary voltages.
 Now when the secondary of these transformers are connected to same bus, there will be a
circulating current between secondary’s and therefore between primaries also. As the
internal impedance of transformer is small, a small voltage difference may cause sufficiently
high circulating current causing unnecessary extra I2R loss.
 The ratings of both primaries and secondary’s should be identical. In other words, the
transformers should have the same turn ratio i.e. transformation ratio.
2. Same percentage impedance and X/R ratio:
 If two transformers connected in parallel with similar per-unit impedances they

will mostly share the load in the ration of their KVA ratings. Here Load is mostly
equal because it is possible to have two transformers with equal per-unit
impedances but different X/R ratios. In this case the line current will be less
than the sum of the transformer currents and the combined capacity will be
reduced accordingly.

 A difference in the ratio of the reactance value to resistance value of the per

unit impedance results in a different phase angle of the currents carried by the
two paralleled transformers; one transformer will be working with a higher
power factor and the other with a lower power factor than that of the
combined output. Hence, the real power will not be proportionally shared by
the transformers.
 The current shared by two transformers running in parallel should be proportional to their MVA ratings.

 The current carried by these transformers are inversely proportional to their internal impedance.

 From the above two statements it can be said that impedance of transformers running in parallel are inversely
proportional to their MVA ratings. In other words percentage impedance or per unit values of impedance should
be identical for all the transformers run in parallel.

 When connecting single-phase transformers in three-phase banks, proper impedance matching becomes even
more critical. In addition to following the three rules for parallel operation, it is also a good practice to try to
match the X/R ratios of the three series impedances to keep the three-phase output voltages balanced.

 When single-phase transformers with the same KVA ratings are connected in a Y-Δ Bank, impedance mismatches
can cause a significant load unbalance among the transformers

 Lets examine following different type of case among Impedance, Ratio and KVA.

 If single-phase transformers are connected in a Y-Y bank with an isolated neutral, then the magnetizing
impedance should also be equal on an ohmic basis. Otherwise, the transformer having the largest magnetizing
impedance will have a highest percentage of exciting voltage, increasing the core losses of that transformer and
possibly driving its core into saturation.
Case 1: Equal Impedance, Ratios and Same kVA:
 The standard method of connecting transformers in parallel is to have the
same turn ratios, percent impedances, and kVA ratings.
 Connecting transformers in parallel with the same parameters results in equal
load sharing and no circulating currents in the transformer windings.
 Example: Connecting two 2000 kVA, 5.75% impedance transformers in parallel,
each with the same turn ratios to a 4000 kVA load.
 Loading on the transformers-1 =KVA1=[( KVA1 / %Z) / ((KVA1 / %Z1)+ (KVA2 /
%Z2))]X KVAl
 kVA1 = 348 / (348 + 348) x 4000 kVA = 2000 kVA.
 Loading on the transformers-2 =KVA1=[( KVA2 / %Z) / ((KVA1 / %Z1)+ (KVA2 /
%Z2))]X KVAl
 kVA2 = 348 / (348 + 348) x 4000 kVA = 2000 kVA
 Hence KVA1=KVA2=2000KVA
 Case 2: Equal Impedances, Ratios and Different kVA:
 This Parameter is not in common practice for new installations, sometimes two transformers with
different kVAs and the same percent impedances are connected to one common bus. In this
situation, the current division causes each transformer to carry its rated load. There will be no
circulating currents because the voltages (turn ratios) are the same.
 Example: Connecting 3000 kVA and 1000 kVA transformers in parallel, each with 5.75% impedance,
each with the same turn ratios, connected to a common 4000 kVA load.
 Loading on Transformer-1=kVA1 = 522 / (522 + 174) x 4000 = 3000 kVA
 Loading on Transformer-2=kVA2 = 174 / (522 + 174) x 4000 = 1000 kVA
 From above calculation it is seen that different kVA ratings on transformers connected to one
common load, that current division causes each transformer to only be loaded to its kVA rating.
The key here is that the percent impedance are the same.
Case 3: Unequal Impedance but Same Ratios & kVA:
 Mostly used this Parameter to enhance plant power capacity by connecting existing transformers in parallel that
have the same kVA rating, but with different percent impedances.
 This is common when budget constraints limit the purchase of a new transformer with the same parameters.
 We need to understand is that the current divides in inverse proportions to the impedances, and larger current flows
through the smaller impedance. Thus, the lower percent impedance transformer can be overloaded when subjected
to heavy loading while the other higher percent impedance transformer will be lightly loaded.
 Example: Two 2000 kVA transformers in parallel, one with 5.75% impedance and the other with 4% impedance, each
with the same turn ratios, connected to a common 3500 kVA load.
 Loading on Transformer-1=kVA1 = 348 / (348 + 500) x 3500 = 1436 kVA
 Loading on Transformer-2=kVA2 = 500 / (348 + 500) x 3500 = 2064 kVA
 It can be seen that because transformer percent impedances do not match, they cannot be loaded to their combined
kVA rating. Load division between the transformers is not equal. At below combined rated kVA loading, the 4%
impedance transformer is overloaded by 3.2%, while the 5.75% impedance transformer is loaded by 72%.
Case 5: Equal Impedance & KVA Unequal Ratios:
 Small differences in voltage cause a large amount of current to
circulate. It is important to point out that paralleled transformers
should always be on the same tap connection.
 Circulating current is completely independent of the load and load
division. If transformers are fully loaded there will be a considerable
amount of overheating due to circulating currents.
 The Point which should be Remember that circulating currents do not
flow on the line, they cannot be measured if monitoring equipment is
upstream or downstream of the common connection points.
 Example: Two 2000 kVA transformers connected in parallel, each
with 5.75% impedance, same X/R ratio (8), transformer 1 with tap
adjusted 2.5% from nominal and transformer 2 tapped at nominal.
What is the percent circulating current (%IC)
%Z1 = 5.75, So %R’ = %Z1 / √[(X/R)2 + 1)] = 5.75 / √((8)2 +
1)=0.713
%R1 = %R2 = 0.713
%X1 = %R x (X/R)=%X1= %X2= 0.713 x 8 = 5.7
Let %e = difference in voltage ratio expressed in
percentage of normal and k = kVA1/ kVA2
Circulating current %IC = %eX100 / √ (%R1+k%R2)2 + (%Z1+k
%Z2)2.
%IC = 2.5X100 / √ (0.713 + (2000/2000)X0.713)2 + (5.7 +
(2000/2000)X5.7)2
%IC = 250 / 11.7 = 21.7
The circulating current is 21.7% of the full load current.
Case 6: Unequal Impedance, KVA & Different Ratios:
 This type of parameter would be unlikely in practice.
 If both the ratios and the impedance are different, the circulating current (because of the unequal
ratio) should be combined with each transformer’s share of the load current to obtain the actual
total current in each unit.
 For unity power factor, 10% circulating current (due to unequal turn ratios) results in only half
percent to the total current. At lower power factors, the circulating current will change
dramatically.
 Example: Two transformers connected in parallel, 2000 kVA1 with 5.75% impedance, X/R ratio of 8,
1000 kVA2 with 4% impedance, X/R ratio of 5, 2000 kVA1 with tap adjusted 2.5% from nominal and
1000 kVA2 tapped at nominal.
 %Z1 = 5.75, So %R’ = %Z1 / √[(X/R)2 + 1)] = 5.75 / √((8)2 + 1)=0.713
 %X1= %R x (X/R)=0.713 x 8 = 5.7 - %Z2= 4, So %R2 = %Z2 /√ [(X/R)2 + 1)]= 4 / √((5)2 + 1) =0.784
 %X2 = %R x (X/R)=0.784 x 5 = 3.92
 Let %e = difference in voltage ratio expressed in percentage of normal and k = kVA1/ kVA2
 Circulating current %IC = %eX100 / √ (%R1+k%R2)2 + (%Z1+k%Z2)2.
 %IC = 2.5X100 / √ (0.713 + (2000/2000)X0.713)2 + (5.7 + (2000/2000)X5.7)2
3. Same polarity:
 Polarity of transformer means the instantaneous direction of induced emf in
secondary. If the instantaneous directions of induced secondary emf in two
transformers are opposite to each other when same input power is fed to the
both of the transformers, the transformers are said to be in opposite polarity.
 The transformers should be properly connected with regard to their polarity. If
they are connected with incorrect polarities then the two emfs, induced in the
secondary windings which are in parallel, will act together in the local
secondary circuit and produce a short circuit.
 Polarity of all transformers run in parallel should be same otherwise huge
circulating current flows in the transformer but no load will be fed from these
transformers.
 If the instantaneous directions of induced secondary emf in two transformers
are same when same input power is fed to the both of the transformers, the
transformers are said to be in same polarity.
 4. Same phase sequence:
The phase sequence of line voltages of both the transformers must be identical for parallel
operation of three-phase transformers.
If the phase sequence is an incorrect, in every cycle each pair of phases will get short-
circuited.
This condition must be strictly followed for parallel operation of transformers.

5. Same phase angle shift:(zero relative phase displacement between the

secondary line voltages):

 The transformer windings can be connected in a variety of ways which produce

different magnitudes and phase displacements of the secondary voltage. All the
transformer connections can be classified into distinct vector groups.

 Group 1:Zero phase displacement (Yy0, Dd0, Dz0) Group 2:180° phase
displacement (Yy6, Dd6, Dz6) Group 3:-30° phase displacement (Yd1, Dy1, Yz1)
Group 4: +30° phase displacement (Yd11, Dy11, Yz11)
6. Same KVA ratings:
 If two or more transformer is connected in parallel, then load sharing % between them is according to
their rating. If all are of same rating, they will share equal loads
 Transformers of unequal kVA ratings will share a load practically (but not exactly) in proportion to
their ratings, providing that the voltage ratios are identical and the percentage impedances (at their
own kVA rating) are identical, or very nearly so in these cases a total of than 90% of the sum of the
two ratings is normally available.
 It is recommended that transformers, the kVA ratings of which differ by more than 2:1, should not be
operated permanently in parallel.
 Transformers having different kva ratings may operate in parallel, with load division such that each
transformer carries its proportionate share of the total load To achieve accurate load division, it is
necessary that the transformers be wound with the same turns ratio, and that the percent impedance
of all transformers be equal, when each percentage is expressed on the kva base of its respective
transformer. It is also necessary that the ratio of resistance to reactance in all transformers be equal.
For satisfactory operation the circulating current for any combinations of ratios and impedances
probably should not exceed ten percent of the full-load rated current of the smaller unit.
Other necessary condition for parallel operation
1- All parallel units must be supplied from the same network.
2- Secondary cabling from the transformers to the point of paralling has approximately equal
length and characteristics.
3- Voltage difference between corresponding phase must not exceed 0.4%
4- When the transformers are operated in parallel, the fault current would be very high on the
secondary side. Supposing percentage impedance of one transformer is say 6.25 %, the short
circuit MVA would be 25.6 MVA and short circuit current would be 35 kA.
5- If the transformers are of same rating and same percentage impedance, then the downstream
short circuit current would be 3 times (since 3 transformers are in Parallel) approximately 105
kA. This means all the devices like ACBs, MCCBs, switch boards should withstand the short-circuit
current of 105 kA. This is the maximum current. This current will get reduced depending on the
location of the switch boards, cables and cable length etc. However this aspect has to be taken
into consideration.
6- There should be Directional relays on the secondary side of the transformers.
7- The percent impedance of one transformer must be between 92.5% and 107.5% of the other.
Otherwise, circulating currents between the two transformers would be excessive.
Summary of Parallel Operation of Transformer:
The combinations that will operate in parallel:
Following Vector group of Transformer will operate in parallel.
The combinations that will (not) operate in parallel:
Following Vector group of Transformer will not operate in parallel.