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CIGRE 2008

Autotransformer and Reactor Models Development for Core and Shell

Type Windings for Frequency Analysis Studies

A. VILLA
CVG Electrificacin del Caron, C.A. (CVG EDELCA)
(Venezuela)

SUMMARY
To study the autotransformer and reactor performance against switching or lightning surges, the
utilities and manufacturers use to make some frequency analysis studies that need developments of
detail models for the common types of windings (Core or Shell) using in these equipments. In this
paper, are presented the equations to derive the inductance, capacitance and resistance from the
physical windings dimensions for core or shell type for autotransformers and reactors, developed by
the application of some electromagnetic laws like Ampere, Biot-Savart, Gauss and Ohm's to obtain the
equipments models. The paper includes the comparison for the admittances as frequency function that
was calculated with the models through simulation with the Alternative Transients Program (ATP)
with the measures in the autotransformers in factory or was gotten with the parameters obtained from
factory test on reactors. The results for the autotransformers and reactors admittances showed a similar
behavior with the factory measurements, ratifying the equations versatility to derive the windings
parameters of these equipments, which will help the researchers to perform frequency analysis studies
to detect some windings movement, resonance frequencies or internal insulation margin.

KEYWORDS
Admittance,

ATP,

avilla@edelca.com.ve

Autotransformer,

Magnetic-Core,

Reactor,

Resonance,

Winding.

INTRODUCTION
The commercial operation of the electric power system can stress the autotransformers and reactors in
different ways than the dielectric factory test, which try to verify their quality and reliability, to avoid
service failures and the substitution times and associated costs. To study the autotransformers and
reactors behavior against switching or lightning surges, to obtain the resonances frequencies and the
internal insulation margin, are required the developments of detail models. At the present time, by the
use of the autotransformers or reactors models with the electromagnetic transients programs, the
utilities, researchers and manufacturers study and determine the internal insulation margin against
switching and lightning overvoltages, resonances and others, avoiding possible damages in the
insulation and equipments failures. In this paper, are presented the equations to derive the inductance,
capacitance and resistance from the physical windings dimensions for core or shell type for
autotransformers and reactors, developed by the application of some electromagnetic laws like
Ampere, Biot-Savart, Gauss and Ohm's to obtain the equipments models. Finally, the paper includes
the comparison for the admittances as frequency function that was calculated with the models through
simulation with the Alternative Transients Program (ATP) with the measures in the autotransformers
in factory or was gotten with the parameters obtained from factory test on reactors.
2. OBJECTIVES
1. A model elaboration for core or shell type for autotransformers and reactors from their physical
dimensions of windings, insulations and magnetic core type.
2. Verification of the autotransformers and reactors models, by comparison of the admittances as
frequency function obtained with the models simulations through the ATP with the measures in the
autotransformers in factory or through calculation with the parameters from factory test on reactors.
3. METHODOLOGY
1. To obtain the equations to calculate the inductances, capacitances and resistances for the
autotransformers or reactors models, were used the physical dimensions of windings (layer or
pancake), insulation and core types of these equipments.
2. Development of a software to calculate the inductances, capacitances and resistances for
autotransformers and reactors models with a format to be read by ATP.
3. To obtain through ATP simulation the admittances as frequency function for the models and do the

comparison with the measures in the autotransformers in factory or gotten with the reactors
parameters obtained from factory test.
4. DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTOTRANSFORMERS AND REACTORS
The autotransformers and reactors analyzed in this paper are three windings and one winding single
phase units respectively with a magnetic core design like core or shell types. In the core type, the
windings are layers or concentric cylinders in a radial disposition from a core column. For the shell
type, the windings are disk or rectangular pancakes symmetrically distributed from the winding half
point and placed axially over a core column. In both design, each windings has several layers or disks
and electrostatics screens to improve the internal voltages distribution. The magnetic cores are
laminated and have some columns used for a flux return. In Figure # 1, is showing the schematic cut
of the magnetic cores and the windings disposition for autotransformers and reactors types core or
shell respectively.

LV
MV
Hc H

HV

Hc

E
Lc
HV
MV

E
D

Lc
Lo
Magnetic
core

LV

Pancake coil

Layer
winding

Do

(a) Core type autotransformer

Di

Li

Magnetic
core

(c) Shell type autotransformer

Hc H

Hc

E
Lc
E
D

Lc
Lo
Magnetic
core
Layer
winding

(b) Core type reactor

Pancake coil
Do

Li

Di

Magnetic
core

(d) Shell type reactor

Figure # 1. Schematic cut for autotransformers and reactors cores and windings.
These autotransformers have the windings placed in the following form:
- The Low Voltage winding (LV) or Tertiary (T). It is the winding closed to the core column by the
insulation level.
- Followed by an electrostatic screen. This are connected to ground and is located among the Tertiary
and the Common winding.
- The Medium Voltage winding or Common winding (MV or Common).
- Followed by an electrostatic screen. This are connected to medium voltage and is placed between
this and the regulation winding.
- The regulation winding (TAP). This are connected in series with medium voltage winding and it
allow a voltage regulation in a certain range.
- Followed by an electrostatic screen. This are connected to the regulation winding and placed among
this one and the Series winding.
- The High Voltage winding or Series winding (HV or Series).
- As last, an electrostatic screen. This are connected and is placed over the Series winding.
And the reactors have the following windings organization:
- An electrostatic screen. This are connected and is placed over the High Voltage winding.
- The High Voltage winding (HV). This winding is assembling over the core column.
- Followed by an electrostatic screen. This are connected to ground and is located among the bottom of
the High Voltage winding and ground.

5. THE AUTOTRANSFORMERS AND REACTORS MODELS

The models of these autotransformers and reactors consist in series and parallel arrangements of
inductances (L), capacitances (C) and resistances (R) or Elementary Cells that represent the different
layers or pancakes of the windings, furthermore the inductive or capacitive coupling between
windings, the core and the tank. In Figure # 2, is shown the elementary cell diagram and the
autotransformer model.
HV
Elementary Cell
Csh
Rs
Rp

Cs
Ls

Csh

MV

Rs, Rp = Series and Parallel

Resistances
Ls, M = Self and Mutual

LV1

Inductances
Cs, Csh = Series and Shunt
Capacitances

LV2

Figure # 2. The elementary cell diagram and the autotransformer model.

Additionally, the following premises are considered for the elaboration of the autotransformers and
reactors models:
- The short circuit impedance of the winding is not depending from the core saturation [1] and when
increases the frequency but keeping constant the applied voltage to the winding, the flux through the
core reduce, doing depreciable any effect from the core.
- To energize one winding in the autotransformer with the other windings in open circuit condition [1],
the voltages ratio are equal to the relationship between the numbers of turns from the windings
respectively and these voltages ratios are independent of the core saturation.
A next, is explained the theoretical foundations and is presented the equations that was obtained to
calculate the inductances, capacitances and resistances for the cells that are part of the
autotransformers and reactors models.
5.1 The self and mutual inductances
The self inductance (Faraday-Henry laws) for winding types layer or disk can be determined from
the magnetic flux (Ampere or Biot-Savart laws) inside the cylinder or ring made by the turns within
the total current that circulate by the turns. The previous explanation is summarized with the following
equations.
a) Layer type windings:
Lself in H = 0,987N 2 D 2 H

(1)

b) Disk type windings:

These windings can be type, disk or rectangular pancake and to unify the expression, is feasible to
determine an equivalent diameter for a rectangular pancake as square or disk, applying the
corresponding geometric relationship.
Lself in H = 1,974N 2 D 4

(D 2 + E 4 )3

(2)

Where:
N = Total number of winding turn by layer or disk
D = Winding diameter in meters by layer or disk
H = Winding height in meters by layer or disk
E = Winding thickness in meters by layer or disk
The self inductance values by winding can be corrected with an adjustment factors by the manufacture
process to compensate the deviation and tolerances. These factors can be obtained directly from the
final value of the short circuit impedance measured in the factorys tests. Then, the mutual inductance
(M) between windings is feasible to determine it, calculating the product of the coupling factor "k" by
the square root of the self inductances, according the following equations.
M in H = k L i L j

(3)

k = D j H jH i Di H j

(4)

c) Layer type windings:

d) Disk type windings:

This type of winding have different coupling factors kij y kji because the windings i and j have
different diameters. To unify the coupling factors kij, the average factor is calculated through the
following expression.
k = 0,25 (DiDj) 3[

(Di 2 + Eij2 )

(5)

(Dj2 + Sij 2 )

Where:
i = 1, 2,.... n-1 layers/disks
j = (i + 1), ... n layers/disks
S = Separation in meters between disks of winding
5.2 Series and shunt capacitances
The series capacitance is the existent one between the layers or disks of the windings. These are
determined by the electrical field (Gauss laws) between layers or disk from the windings and the
electrical charge that produce it. The previous explanation is summarized with the following
equations.
a) Layer type windings:
E r Hi
Cseries in pF = 55,633
Ln(D j /D i )

(6)

Where:
Er = Dielectric insulation constant (paper, oil, resin, etc.)
b) Disk type windings:
E A

Cseries in pF = 8,8542 r d
Ld

(7)

The shunt capacitance is due the windings (layer or disk) border and the core or tank from the
autotransformer or reactor. This can be calculated through the following equation:
E A
Cshunt in pF = 8,8542 r b
L

(8)

Where:

Ad = Area in square meters from the disk winding

Ab = Area in square meters from the border for layer or disk winding
Ld = Separation distance in meters between the disks windings
Lb = Separation distance in meters between the winding border and the tank or core
5.3 Series and parallel resistances
These are calculated beginning from an equivalent series or parallel resistances value by turns of the
windings. In case of the series resistances for windings, the total values were determined by the
factory during the resistances measurement test and whose values for each cell were obtained with the
following equation:
Rseries in = R tw N wc N tw
(9)
Where:
Rtw = Total resistance in Ohms for HV, MV or LV windings
Nwc = Total number of turns by layer or disk from windings
Ntw = Total number of turns by windings
Then, the total parallel resistances of the windings were calculated from disperses or stray losses that
were determined in factory during the short circuit test and whose values by cells were obtained from
the following equation [2]:
Rparallel in = 3 (Vw N wc N tw ) 2 Pt (10)
Where:
Vw = Winding voltage to ground in Volts peak
Pt = Disperse o stray losses in Watts
6. SIMULATION OF THE ADMITTANCE TEST AS FREQUENCY FUNCTION
The admittance measurement tests as frequency function are performed to the autotransformers and
reactor, to determine the resonance frequencies that can be excited by switching or system failures and
to cause damage in the equipment insulation.
In the factory test or in their simulation, a source with constant voltage and variable frequency, it is
applied to the windings or equivalent model for the autotransformer or reactor and it is measure the
input current in the windings to determine the admittance behavior as frequency function.
In this paper were analyzed two (2) autotransformers and two (2) reactors, one core type and one shell,
with an operation frequency of 60 Hz. The core type autotransformer have a 765/400/20 kV for High,
Medium and Low Voltages (HV, MV and LV), power of 500/500/100 MVA and 1,950/1,425/150 kV
of Basic Insulation level by Lightning (BIL). The shell type autotransformer, have voltages of
765/230/20 kV, power of 333/333/15 MVA and BIL of 1,950/900/150 kV. Finally, the core and shell
type of reactors have a line to line voltage of 765 kV, a reactive power of 100 MVARS and BIL of
1,950 kV.
6.1 The admittance measurement test in autotransformer
This test consists in to apply a voltage source at one autotransformer windings or its model, with the
other windings short circuited to ground. The admittance is calculated as the quotient of the current
among the voltage. The input admittance will be the result of dividing the current in the winding
where were connected the source among the source voltage. The transference admittance will be the
result of dividing the current in the winding short circuited to ground and the source voltage.
a) Admittance results analysis in autotransformer
In the Figures # 3, is shown the comparison for the input admittances Y11 obtaining by simulations
using the autotransformer models for core and shell types with the factory measurements respectively.

In this Figure can be observed that the models admittances Y11 have a similar behavior to the
measurement in factory. In case of the core types autotransformer, the admittance Y11 has a
maximum magnitude at the resonance frequency of 6.1 kHz and 5.5 kHz for the shell types.
Also in the Figures # 3 and 4, is shown the comparison for the transference admittances Y12 and
Y13 determined from simulation with the models and the factory measurements in the core type
autotransformer. For shell type, it was not possible to obtain the factory measurement for the
admittance Y13 to compare with the model but is shown the model response alone.

(a) Y11 input admittances for core type (c) Y11 input admittances for shell type
autotransformer.
autotransformer.

(b) Y12 transference admittances for core (d) Y12 transference admittances for shell
type autotransformer.
type autotransformer.
Figure # 3. Input (Y11) and Transference (Y12) admittances for core and shell type autotransformers.
In the Figures # 3 and 4 can be observed that the model admittances Y12 and Y13 had a similar
behavior to the measurements in factory, with a frequency difference maximum of -24% in relation to
the resonance frequency at 10 and 19 kHz for Y12 and Y13 measurements for core type
autotransformer respectively. In case of "Y12 and Y13" for shell autotransformer model, the resonance
frequency was 9.1 and 30.6 kHz as showed in the Figures # 3(d) and 4(b), with a difference of 48%
with regard to the frequency measurement in factory or 17.4 kHz for Y12.

(a) Y13 transference admittances for core

type autotransformer.

(b) Y13 transference admittances for shell

type autotransformer.

Figure # 4. Transference admittance (Y13) for core and shell type autotransformers.
6.2 The admittance measurement test in reactor
This test consists in to apply a voltage source at the reactors windings or its model, with the neutral
connected to ground. The input admittance will be the result of dividing the current in the winding
where were connected the source among the source voltage.
a) Admittance results analysis in reactor
In the Figure # 5, is shown the test results for the input admittances Y11 obtained from the
simulations with the models for core and shell types reactors of 765 kV respectively. In this Figure
can be observed that the models admittances Y11 have a similar behavior for core and shell types
reactors and without another resonance frequency furthermore the main. In case of the core types
reactors, the admittance Y11 has a maximum magnitude at the resonance frequency of 0.97 kHz and
for shell types of 1.01 kHz.
For example, the insulation power factor test for this 765 kV shell type reactor with a reactive power
of 100 MVARS, gave a 5.88 nF as total winding capacitance with an inductance of 5.2 H, then the
main resonance frequency of the reactor was a 0.91 kHz that is 18.7% lower than the reactor model
frequency shown in Figure # 5(b).

(a)Y11 input admittances for core type reactor.

(b)Y11 input admittances for shell type reactor.

Figure # 5. Input (Y11) admittances for core and shell type reactors.

6.3 The models frequencies differences

These frequencies differences for the autotransformers and reactors models observed previously can
be a consequence of the following aspects:
- The approximations introduced by the equations to calculate the inductances, capacitances and
resistances of the model.
- The physical dimensions of the equipment supplied by the manufacturer for the model development,
were not necessarily the same of the autotransformer or reactor that were tested, due the tolerances
and deviation from the manufacturing process.
7. CONCLUSIONS
1. The equations were determined to calculate the inductances, capacitances and resistances for
windings (layer or disk) for core and shell types autotransformers or reactors from the physical
dimensions of their windings, insulations and magnetic core size.
2. The autotransformers and reactors models were verified by comparison with the results of
admittances tests as frequency function made in factory to these equipments with the simulated
with the models and the Alternative Electromagnetic Transients Program (ATP). In this were
appreciated a similar behavior in the wave shape for the admittances as frequency function,
ratifying the equations versatility to derive the windings parameters for these equipments and the
utility of the models to study resonance frequencies, dielectrics solicitations or to detect some
windings movement on autotransformers and reactors.
3. The observed differences for the frequency responses of the autotransformers and reactors models
in relation to the measurements by the factory can be a consequence of factors like:
- The approximations introduced by the equations to calculate the inductances, capacitances and
resistances of the models.
- The physical dimensions of the equipment supplied by the manufacturer for the model
development, were not necessarily the same of the autotransformer or reactor that were tested,
due the tolerances of the manufacturing process and the quantity and type of insulation using
among the windings.
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