Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
(OP)
I remember participating in a discussion sometime in Aug 2003 regarding paralleling transformer (see thread238-68183)...I'm doing a study now on technical loss...I have come to the issue of circulating current in parallel XFs...circulatin current (Ic) arises due to difference in the turns ration of the XFs in parallel...Ic adds up to the current in the XF with lower turns ration while it subtracts to the current in the XF with higher turns ration...this effectively changes the capacity of the XFs in parallel...however, in general I'm being confused on how this affects the losses of the combined parallel combination...of course the one with the lower turns ration will have a resulting additional loss due to this circulating current...however, isn't it that the other XF with higher turns ration effectively will have reduce loss because the current it its wdg will be lesser than the actual load...so assuming that the 2 XFs have equal resistance, isn't it that the effective loss of the parallel combination is actually equal as in the condition wherein there is no circulating current (in cases with equal turns ratio)...
In the thread I mentioned above, one of the respondents has this to say in paralleling XFs...
"But an advantage is the reduced losses, especially near full load of one transformer. This applies equally to I^2X and I^2R loss - on a 25MVA transformer, times about one hundred substations, it adds up. Halving the current quarters the loss. But the primary advantage is supply availability - it was this that was the primary driver for us doing it."
How could this be?
In the thread I mentioned above, one of the respondents has this to say in paralleling XFs...
"But an advantage is the reduced losses, especially near full load of one transformer. This applies equally to I^2X and I^2R loss - on a 25MVA transformer, times about one hundred substations, it adds up. Halving the current quarters the loss. But the primary advantage is supply availability - it was this that was the primary driver for us doing it."
How could this be?






RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
thread238-143892
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I think that the lossses will depend on the resistive component of the transformer impedance. This can be different in transformers of equal ratings. Even though they may be sharing the load 50-50.
Apart from that, I agree with you completely. It's the I2 part of I2R that does it.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I agree with you if the circulating currents are caused by harmonics, or distorted wave forms. With different wave forms the instanteneous voltage can be higher for one transformer at one point in the cycle and lower than the other at another point in the cycle. As the voltage relationship is changing several times a cycle, the resultant current will be a higher frequency. The current is actually going from "A" to "B", and then from "B" to "A" several times a cycle. This is one cause of harmonics.
I suspect that you are more familiar with harmonics than I am, and I respect your posts in regards to harmonic currents.
My submissions are not to do with harmonics but with mismatched voltages and/or turns ratios. After you consider the effects of the mismatched characteristics, you can add the effects of the harmonics.
yours
In the instance where the transformer characteristics and wave forms are similar, but the turns ratios or the percent impedances are different, the resulting current is actually trying to transfer energy from one system to another. Failing to do that the resulting voltage and the resulting division of load will be dependant on the impedance of the transformers and their turns ratios.
Calculating the actual current in a transformer may require considering the power factor of the various loads, but once the current is determined, at what -ever power factor or phase angle, the losses are I2R, and there is no place in the this formula for phase angle.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
The circulating currents I'm speaking of are fundamental. There is nothing in the circulating current circuit that is non-linear to cause harmonics. It is conceivable that a non-linear load might move the source voltage enough to cause harmonic circulating current, but I am not considering that circumstance. I stand by my earlier posting. Superposition is the theory that allows the circulating component of current to be calculated for a no-load condition and then applied to the loaded condition. Great references at Beckwithelectric.com.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I think it is more correct to say that circulating currents are due to the difference in open circuit secondary voltages of trfrs in parallel (this is the bottomline for circulating current - not merely just due to different turns ratios). The latter is most commonly the cause but we had a case where two trfrs were paralelled with the HV bus being about 5km upstream from the trfrs in question. The HV cables feeding the trfrs had different impedances resulting in the HV terminal voltages being different. With the trfrs having the same turns ratio the open circuit secondary voltages were different resulting in circulating current.
Also, all else being equal, impedance mismatching does not result in circulating current but in disproportionate sharing of the load current.
Finally, another interesting phenomenon with circulating current is that with different turns ratios, the LV circulating current magnitude is the same for both trfrs but not the HV. This results in an imbalance, the difference being supplied by the source. The source current is primarily reactive. This fact is used by some utilities to sink excess vars on the system during low load conditions.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Given the condition you described, as you start to load the transformer pair, one transformer will initially take all the load plus the circulating current. The second transformer will carry only the circulating current.
As the load increases, the circulating current will drop on both transformers. As the load is increased further the circulating current will eventually drop to zero. At that point, 100% of the load will still be carried by one transformer and the other will have virtually zero secondary current.
Further increases in the load will be carried by both transformers.
Parallel transformers of different percent impedance ratings will not share the load in the proper proportion. In an emergency you can get a better sharing of current between transformers of different percent impedences by simulating a higher voltage on the transformer with the higher percent impedance by setting it's tap down. (If the tap is set low, then the actual voltage is more than the transformer is expecting.)
The capacity of a transformer bank may have to be de-rated drastically in the event of poor load sharing.
You can dramatically improve the proportional load sharing at heavy loads on mismatched transformers by changing tap settings.
The down side is the circulating currents at light load conditions.
A caveat. Transformers with equal percent impedances will share the load in proportion to their KVA ratings.
Transformers with UNEQUAL percent impedances may be adjusted to share the load proportionately at one load level only. The load sharing will be disproportionate at higher or lower loads.
A rule of thumb is that the effective percent impedance at full load will be changed by the percentage of voltage change. Setting a tap 2.5% low is equivalent to numerically reducing its percent impedance 2.5%. (7% impedance becomes 4.5% impedance.
This is a combination of "It was a dark and stormy night!" and "Whatever gets you through the night!"
A note to you gentlemen with the high priced modelling software. Can you set up a model of two parallel transformers with different pecent impedances and see what the software says about load sharing? Then try changing the applied voltage a percent or so and see what the loading curves look like.
yours
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I will accept that statement. However loading reduces the voltage difference that causes the circulating currents and this is what reduces them to zero, not the load current.
If you change my wording to "the load current adds vectorilly to the circulating current" then I believe my description is correct.
Please work a couple of examples.
The circulating currents we are discussing (I think) are 60 Hz., not harmonics. They are caused by unequal voltages. Loading will change the secondary voltages and so change the magnitude of the circulating currents.
yours
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
This is what the math says. Look at the Beckwith Electric Application notes on the subject. But my experience is not just in working the math. I operate actual transformers in parallel, and have observed the affects of loading and out of step LTC positions on circulating current as well as on the individual transformer loading. The infinite bus primary, constant impedance, variable turns ratio model works very well since LTC position has a negligible affect on impedance.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
OK - I modeled two transformers in parallel in EasyPower. When impedance are unequal, the load is shared per the impedance ratio, with the lower impedance xfmr taking more of the load. So if one transformer has 6% Z and the other has 3%, 2/3 of the load is supplied by the 3%Z unit and 1/3 by the 6%Z unit. Changing the primary voltage has no effect on the load sharing split.
Was that the question you were asking??
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Thanks.
Now if it's possible, change the applied primary voltage on one transformer.
Put the primary voltage on the transformer with 6%Z up one percent. You should see a circulating current at no load, and better sharing of the load at higher load levels. The circulating current should also be gone at the high load level.
If you put the primary voltage up 3 % you should see close to equal load sharing at full load and close to zero circulating current at full load.
This is assuming an infinite supply.
Thanks for the help.
yours
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Are you talking about changing the actual voltage at the transformer primary or changing the turns ratio of the transformer. If the transformers are truly in parallel, the primary voltage is the same.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Good point. Change a tap setting please.
In the example you have chosen, 3%Z and 6%Z we should get interesting results if you set the tap on the 6%Z transformer down 2.5%
Thanks
yours
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I suspect if Easypower is like the software I use, it won't give you circulating current directly. Begin with no load to see circulating current directly. Then use phasor addition/ subtraction to see what part of the transformer current goes to load and what part goes to circulating current. To make it easy, use a purely resistive load and purely reactive transformer impedances. Prediction: load current will remain proportional to the inverse of the transformer impedance while circulating current will be constant.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Total losses are higher when taps are not matched, due to the circulating current and the unavoidable losses it creates.
The circulating current is a result of the turns ratio difference between the two transformers. When the two transformers have identical turns ratios, there is no circulating current.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I understood that the phase angle of the secondary current was determined by the load. What would introduce a phase shift in one transformer that is different than the other?
The load sharing in dpc's model is about what I expected it to be, but I'm having a problem with the circulating current.
respectfully
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
dpc, you actually have shown that what have been discussed here is true, as far as simulation is concerned...however, maintaining the different turns ratio and everything else from this simulation of yours, could you please vary the load...my initial knowledge is the same with stevenal, that is, the circulating current will be constant whatever the load is, since it is brought by the difference in turns ratio of the XFs in parallel...however, I also believe that waross has a strong point in that, secondary voltage between the XFs in parallell will be affected by the load they carry, and thus might have an effect on the circulating current.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I'm confused by your post. The lower impedance transformer when moved to a lower high side tap increased its share of the load from 2/3 to 41%? Sounds like a decrease to me.
I did some similar modeling in Aspen Power Flow, and found the lower impedance unit when tapped down on either the high or low side increased it's share of the real power. Aspen must use tap position to adjust the transformer impedance in its calculation. Changes in the resistive load did nothing to change the real power load sharing once impedance and ratios were fixed.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I'm sorry, I got confused and may have misread your post.
Can you adjust your tap setting so that the open circuit voltage of the 6% transformer is the higher of the two and then put a load on it please. We want to try to increase the loading of the transformer that has the higher percent impedance.
Another simulation if you have time. can you parallel two identical transformers. Everything equal, no circulating currents. Then vary the ratio of resistance and inductance in one of the transformers, while leaving the impedance the same.
If this causes circulating currents, I may be on the verge of learning something.
I was taught that transformers divided the load in inverse proportion to their impedances. I am wondering if this is an approximation, rather than an absolute law.
Thank you for your time gentlemen.
yours
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
Circulating currents during parallel operation may also be caused by not only voltage difference/impedence values but also by different x/r ratios. Like waross says regulation of the transformer may cause change in the terminal voltage @ (when loaded) thereby causing voltages to be equal @ some point and hence ceasing the circulating current due to voltage difference BUT since the r/x ratios (between 2 units) may not be the same, leading to the currents being out of phase of the total load current. This circulating current cannot be ceased. The circulating current is because of the phase angle dfference between the 2 transformer currents. These currents can be calculated if the r & x values of the units is separately known.
As far as impedence variation by changing taps, this is possible if the taps are located physically on the regulated winding.(such as in smaller transformers). In large transformers @ higher voltages, the regulating winding is separately wound and hence will not effect the impedence envelope along the length of the winding.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
So, two transformers of the same impedance but different X/R values (amps21, please, it is X/R not R/X) will share the power load unequally because of the different phase angles coming out of the two transformers.
It is all basic power system analysis, check "Transformer, Regulating" in the index of your power system analysis text or other power system analysis reference book.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
In addition to halving the total load losses, it would double the no load losses though. An economic analysis and the loss evaluation part of a transformer specification needs to take both effects into account.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
we are using PTI/PSSE, however, I can't seem to make simulation in which to reveal the circlating current (Ic) between the two XFs in parallel...the loadflow report in this PSSE always shows that the power in and out of 2 XFs in parallel is always equal...most of my readings tell that Ic is independent on the load, that it will remain constant no matter the load since it is due to the difference in votage ratio of the XFs in parallel...but, what Waross discuss makes me think...
My idea why the circulating current will not be affected by the load is that since the Xfs are in parallel, they will "always" have the same secondary voltage already (they are forced to)...the difference actually resulted to the circulating current...when loaded, they will share the load depending on their impedance, not voltage (since they are equal)...this will be in contrary to what Waross' claim that when loaded, the XFs with higher open circuit voltage (that is before they were paralleled) will take all the loads...
regarding the X/R ratio, I also have read that although it may have an effect on Ic, it is very minimal and might be insignificant. How true is this? Has anyone made a confirmation of this based on simulation of calculation? This is why I wanted to know if dpc was able to do the request of Waross'...because this, I think what Waross' wanted to know also...
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I think I owe some of you and this forum an apology. Thank you for your patience with my partial knowledge and the contributions you have made to my education.
I particullarly regret any negative affects my inaccurate posting may have caused to the stature of this excellent Forum.
I now must agree with stevenals suggestion that my theory was a simplification that did not take all the factors into account.
If I havn't worn out my welcome, may I ask a couple of questions.
1> Is the situation of parallel transformers with different turns ratios similar the situation with paralleled generators where attempting to raise the voltage on one changes the power factor but not the loading?
2> Is it correct that the reactive current is dependent on the turns ratios only?
3> Will the different tap setting help the transformers share the load current, (Understanding that the reactive currents may well outweigh any actual gain in capacity.)?
4> Do I understand from the simulation that setting the taps higher on the transformer with the higher percent impedance has two effects? First the load sharing is improved somewhat, (possibly related to the resistive component of the transformer impedance) but this advantage is outweighed by the resulting reactive currents.
5> In the instance of unequal voltages caused by unequal line impedances, If the impedances of the lines are added vectorily to the impedances of their respective transformers, could combined impedances be used as if they were the transformer impedances to evaluate the results of paralleling the combinations.
6> Will we get circulating currents in paralleled transformers with enequal X/R ratios?
respectfully.
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
RE: Loss due to Circulating Current in Parallel Transformers
I think that I had the right idea with paralleling and rerating, but I really blew it when I suggested changing taps.
respectfully