On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

GRID
Technical Institute

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Contents

On Load Tap Changing Transformers Voltage Regulation Time Delays Grading Between Voltage Levels Line Drop Compensation Parallel Operation Distributed Generation Supplementary Control Functions

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation Purpose

Electrical plant is designed to operate within finite voltage limits To control the system voltage transformers with tap changers are commonly used

Off Load manually changed On Load automatically adjusted

Tap changers physically alter the transformer ratio and hence the voltage

Automatic voltage regulating relay is used to control the tap changer

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation Performance Criteria

Two Mutually Exclusive Parameters

voltage quality number of tap changes

Voltage Quality

customer focused quality measurement percentage of time outside deadband or statuary limits length of voltage disturbance
Number of Tap Changes

supplier focused quality measurement directly relates to cost of ownership of the tap changer
4 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

On Load Tap Changing Transformers

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

On Load Tap Changing Transformers Typical Supply Network

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

On Load Tap Changing Transformers Tap-Outs and Windings

Tap-outs are normally on the HV winding Tap-outs can be at the Line End or Neutral End Causes variations in the impedance of the transformer

Transformer impedance calculated at the centre tap position

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

On Load Tap Changing Transformers Development of the Tap Changer

Developed in the late 1920s Two primary considerations

The load current must not be interrupted No windings should be short-circuited during transitions
Early tap changers were reactors, could be continuously rated useful when mechanisms were unreliable Resistor transition tap changers now used, reliable stored energy drive mechanisms

Typical Operation ~75ms

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

On Load Tap Changing Transformers Double Resistor Flag Sequence

Double Compartment Tap Changer
Selector Compartment
No load switching takes place here. 'In Tank' double compartment tap changers, have selectors immersed in the main transformer tank. 'External' double compartment tap changers, have selectors external to the main transformer tank and separate from diverters, but can share oil with the main transformer tank.

Single Compartment Tap Changer

8+ 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
All switching takes place in the same compartment. Oil is shared between selectors and diverters. Oil is not shared between the single compartment and the main transformer tank.

Diverter Compartment
All load switching takes place here. Oil contamination takes place here. Oil kept separate from selectors and main transformer tank.

The diverter may be a vacuum switch to prevent oil contamination.

Double compartment tap changers are usually found on large distribution and transmission transformers.

Single compartment tap changers are usually found on distribution transformers.

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation

10

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation Basic Operation

Controller monitors secondary voltage

voltage setting - nominal voltage level voltage deadband - permissible range

Initial Time delay used to filter transient voltage fluctuations

definite time inversely proportional to the

deviation from the voltage setting

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Basic Regulating Requirements

Voltage Vs

+ dVs

Control a voltage regulating transformer (on-load tap changer)

- dVs

Maintain system voltage within set limits

Issue tap up/down commands

Time

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation Example Operation

V
Voltage out of deadband

Time Delay

+ Voltage Deadband Voltage Setting - Voltage Deadband t

Voltage restored to within deadband

13

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Voltage Regulation Algorithms

There are different voltage regulation algorithms Basic On/Off Controller

Simple time delayed with immediate reset

Hysteresis on the Voltage Limits

Using different pick-up and drop-off quantities

Proportional Resetting Initial Delay Timers

The timer resets proportionally

Complex

Standard deviation measures Performance criteria functions

14 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Time Delays

15

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Time Delays Initial Time Delays

Initial time delay used to filter transient voltage fluctuations

definite time

inversely proportional to the deviation from the voltage setting

Time Delay Definite Time tINIT

Inverse Time

V<< Inhibit

Deadband

Voltage

16

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Multiple Tap Change Sequence Inter-Tap Delay - Definite Time

Voltage Deviation Initial Delay

Inter-tap Delay

dVs Vs

Time
Tap pulse duration - 0 to 5s (MVGC fixed at 1s)

The timer is reset after each operation to invoke initial timer

17 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Multiple Tap Change Sequence Inter-Tap Delay - Inverse Time

Voltage Deviation
Initial Delay (Inverse Time)

dVs Vs

Time
The timer is reset after each operation to invoke initial timer

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Initial Time Delays Typical Setting Ranges

Initial Time Delay Setting Ranges

0 to 300s
Inter-tap Delay Setting Ranges

0 to 120s (typically 5 10s)

Initial Time Delays also ensure time grading between voltage levels

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Grading Between Voltage Levels

20

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Grading Between Voltage Levels Causes of Voltage Deviations

Load
T1

Grid Supply A

Line

T2

T3

B Load

C Load

Voltage deviations occur for three reasons

Change in downstream load

Change in upstream supply voltage Embedded generation

21 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Grading Between Voltage Levels Time Grading

Load Load
T1

Grid Supply A

Load
T2 T3

B C

Discrimination to allow higher voltage to operate first

T1 time delay < T2 time delay < T3 time delay (initial)

Otherwise hunting can occur between voltage levels Can be compromised by embedded/distributed generation
22 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Line Drop Compensation

23

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Line Drop Compensation Regulating the Voltage at a Remote Point

Simulates voltage drop of the line
Artificially boosts transformer voltage at times of high loading
Bus

Supply
CT Feeder

Load
X R Voltage Drop

Tap Changer

VT

Time Delay

Voltage Deadband AVC Relay

+ -

Line Drop Compensation

VLOAD VS I LOAD ( RFEEDER jX FEEDER ) VBUS VS I AVC ( RAVC jX AVC )

Voltage Setting

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Line Drop Compensation Relay Implementation

Calculate the Voltage Drop at nominal load

Vr
Bus Voltage VB

Vxl

Load IL
Remote Voltage VREM

Bus Voltage VBUS = VREM + Vr + Vxl

25 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Line Drop Compensation Phasor Diagram

-ILX
The measured bus voltage

-ILR

VBUS VREM
Voltage Setting

IL

The relay calculates and regulates the VREM magnitude ILX required for power factor

26

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Transformer Operating in Parallel

Transformers in parallel can cause Circulating Currents

Circulating Current affects LDC causing tap changer

runaway

Circulating Current are damaging to Transformer

Therefore special control techniques are required

Paralleling using Master-Follower Control Paralleling using Circulating Current Control Paralleling using Negative Reactance Control

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Master - Follower

One controller designated the master All other controllers (followers) follow the master Requires that

Identical transformers / tap changers Locality of equipment Security of communications is critical

Circulating current should be monitored

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Circulating Currents due to Tap Disparity

#2

T2

IL-Ic

If T1 is on a higher tap than T2

Ic

2IL Current seen by

#1 is IL + IC Current seen by #2 is IL - IC

T1
IL+Ic #1

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Circulating Current Effect on LDC

#2

T2

IL-Ic

Vxl Ic T1
IL+Ic #1

Vr

2IL

IC is measured in LDC circuit but is not present in the feeder

32

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation LDC on T1

-ILX
The measured bus voltage

-IcR -IcX

-ILR

VREM
The regulated voltage

VBUS
VREG IL
Voltage Setting

IC IL + IC (Volts High)

The regulated voltage VREG contains a -VC component VREG will be regulated up to VREM, therefore increasing the over voltage even further

33

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation LDC on T2

-ILX
The measured bus voltage

-ILR VREM VBUS VREG

-ICX -ICR
The regulated voltage

Voltage Setting

IL IC IL - IC (Volts Low)
The regulated voltage VREG contains a +VC component VREG will be regulated down to VREM, therefore reducing the under voltage even further

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Circulating Current Control

Pilot Method (when tap changers are matched)

Extract the circulating current Apply to a compensation circuit, derive a proportional

voltage magnitude

Feed this derived VC back into the measuring circuit to

compensate for the circulating current effect

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Circulating Current Control Pilot Method

jXt IL+IC
T1

V1C = ICXt
T1>T2

VC IC

IL
2IL

Ic
-IC V2C = -ICXt IL-IC
T2

IL

VC

jXt

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Circulating Current Control Circulating Current Compensation on T1

-ILX
The measured bus voltage

VC -ILR

-IcR VBUS

-IcX
VREG
The regulated voltage

VREG
Voltage Setting

VREM IL IC IL + IC (Volts High)

The voltage VREG is compensated by VC VREG will be regulated correctly reducing the over voltage

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Circulating Current Control Circulating Current Compensation on T2

-ILX
The measured bus voltage

-ILR VC

-ICX -ICR VREG

The regulated voltage

VBUS
Voltage Setting

VREG IL IC IL - IC (Volts Low)

VREM
The voltage VREM is compensated by VC VREG will be regulated correctly increasing the under voltage

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Alternative Connections for LDC Circuits (Parallel)

Ic

IL IL+Ic IL-Ic IL Ic 2IL

+Ic
IL

-Ic

Rs

Ic

Rs

Requires the use of swamping resistors (Rs)

39

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Alternative Connections for LDC Circuits (Series)

Ic

IL IL+Ic
ICT 2IL

ICT 2IL
IL+Ic

+Ic

-Ic 2IL

IL-Ic IL+Ic

Requires the possible use of interposing CTs (ICTs)

40

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Parallel Operation Negative Reactance Control

Reverse Reactance Control (non matched tap changers or different sources)

Utilises the reactance compensation of the Line Drop

Compensation circuit

Reverses reactance and feeds back into compensation

circuit

Lack of specific feeder reactance in LDC results in

susceptibility to power factor

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control Compensation on T1

The regulated voltage

ILXt -ILR

-ILX -IcR -ILR

ICXt

-ICR

VBUS
VREM

-IcX V REM VREG

The measured bus voltage

VREG

Voltage Setting

IC IL + IC (Volts High)

IL

The reactance of LDC is reversed VREG will be regulated correctly reducing the over voltage

42

On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control Compensation on T2

ILXt
The measured bus voltage

-ILX -ILR -ICX -ICR VBUS

-ILR-I R C ICXt

VREM
The regulated voltage

VREG

VREG

Voltage Setting

VREM IL
The reactance of LDC is reversed VREG will be regulated correctly increasing the under voltage

IC IL - IC (Volts Low)

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control Unity Power Factor

ILXt Error

VREG

VBUS

VX = ILXt

IL

VR = 0 Small error present at unity power factor

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control Non - Unity Power Factor

ILXt.tan ILXt

VREG

VBUS

VX = ILXt

IL

VR = IL(Xt.tan) Error enlarges with a lower power factor, unless R is specified

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control LDC and Low Power Factor

-ILR

ILXt -ILX -ILR VBUS

IL(Xt+X).tan

Error VREG

VREM
VX = ILXt VR = -ILR + IL(X+Xt).tan Addition of LDC results in greater error

IL
ZA2390

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Negative Reactance Control LDC and Low Power Factor Correction

-ILR I LR

IL(Xt+X).tan

VR

ILXt -ILX -ILR VBUS IL(Xt+X).tan

VR

(IL(Xt+X).tan).cos = IL(X+Xt).sin

VREG VREG

VREM
VX = ILXt VR = -ILRcos - IL(Xt+X).sin Corrects for low power factor

IL
47 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Distributed Generation

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Distributed Generation and LDC circuits

Distributed generation can cause reverse power flow through transformer bus Effects LDC circuit and hence voltage regulation G
Load A Load B

Load C

When:

Bus Voltage VB

G < Load A no significant problem (if design practice followed) G > Load A potential for low voltage levels due to reduced observed load

G > Load A, B and C LDC scheme will not operate correctly due to reverse power
49 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Distributed Generation and Cancellation CT

Cancellation CT can be used to maintain direction load seen by control relay Maintains voltage during high load periods G
Load A Load B

IG VB

IB

Load C

Now When:
G < Load A no significant problem (if design practice followed) G > Load A IG summed into IB therefore control relay sees all load current

G > Load A, B and C LDC scheme will not operate correctly due to reverse power
50 On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Distributed Generation and Negative Reactance Schemes

Distributed generation can cause a change in power factor This will effect Negative/Reverse Reactance paralleling schemes which require a constant and specified power factor Circulating current minimisation schemes are preferential

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Supplementary Control Functions

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Supplementary Control Functions

Load Shedding

voltage setting override ( 10%)

Over Current / Under Voltage Supervision

inhibit control during fault conditions

Excessive Circulating Current

protects against parallel control failure

Under Current Inhibit

stops operations when low forward or reverse power

Reverse Current Operation

Auto/Manual/Remote Operations
Measurements

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control

Supplementary Control Functions Tap Changer Supervision

Tap Changer Monitoring

tap changer confirmation response (time limited) voltage monitoring

voltage change occurs in the correct direction

of sufficient magnitude

operations with no initiating signal

Tap Change Operations Counter

alarms at settable threshold frequency alarms

excessive operations per time period (day / month / maintenance period)

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On/Under Load Tap Changing Transformer Voltage Regulating Control