Phase Shifting Transformers

Day by day, the energy market and complex power generation is growing; the capacity to control
the power flow is very important. For that, a phase-shifting transformer (PST) is used. As they
defend transmission lines, they make power grids more reliable as well as decrease losses in
transmission. The classification of this transformer can be done based on the symmetrical
otherwise asymmetrical & direct otherwise indirect character of this transformer. This article
discusses an overview of the phase-shifting transformer, construction, and its types.

A phase shifting transformer (PST) is a specialised type of transformer, typically used to control
the flow of active power on three-phase electric transmission networks. It does so by regulating
the voltage phase angle difference between two nodes of the system. The principle relies on a
phase shifted voltage source injection into the line by a series connected transformer, which is
fed by a shunt transformer. The configuration of the shunt and series transformer unit induces the
phase shift.

It is a simple, robust and reliable technology. Preventive and curative control strategies are
implemented for power flow controllability. In the preventive mode, the permanent phase shift
allows redistributing the power flows and relieves network stresses in the event of line outage. In
the curative mode, the phase shift is small (sometimes down to zero) in normal operation, but it
is automatically controlled to reduce the power flow on the overloaded lines and to avoid a
tripping out. The active redirection of power flows allows exploiting lines closer to their thermal
limits.

These transformers mainly allow for controlling the flow of power within the transmission grid
separately for the generation. By avoiding overloads of the system as well as instabilities, these
transformers defend and HV equipment as well as transmission lines from thermal overload, so
that it improves the capacity of the transmission system & controls the flow of power among
various networks for parallel cables or overhead lines.

These transformers are extremely specialized devices that need leading-edge construction &
manufacturing skills united through stringent quality control. As compared to a traditional
transformer, PSTs are extremely complex power transformers including more tap changers,
windings as well as a number of connections among the 3-phases.

Construction

The theory of phase-shifting transformer is, the flow of power throughout a transmission line can
be proportional toward the sine of the disparity within the phase angle of the voltage among the
end of transmitter & the receiver of the transmission line.
So the phase angle can be shifted within the ends of the transmitter and receiver of a line. The
flow of load flow in the line will be modified & also other transmission lines’ load flow can also
be changed because they are arranged in parallel.

The construction of a phase-shifting transformer mainly includes two sets of the transformer.
The first one is the shunt unit that is connected in parallel through the transmission line whereas
the second one is the series unit that is connected within series through the transmission line.

Construction of Phase Shifting Transformer

The shunt unit is used to shift the power angle by 90° to apply this power toward the series unit.
Lastly, the series unit includes the phase-shifted power toward the transmission line. The
modification of phase angle can be done by the blend of connection as well as the position of tap
change. These kinds of transformers are also called phase angle regulator (PAR), phase angle
regulating transformer, phase shifter, phase-shifting transformer otherwise quadrature booster.

The Function of Phase Shifting Transformer

The function of phase-shifting transformers includes the following.

 These transformers are used to control the flow of power among two power systems that are
big in size.
 To modify the efficient phase displacement among the i/p voltage as well as the o/p voltage for
a transmission line, therefore controlling the quantity of active power that can supply within the
line.
 The loading can be balanced when the power systems are allied jointly in the above one point so
that loops will exist & the impedances within parallel lanes result in the undesired flow of power
distribution within the lanes.
 To guard from thermal overload as well as to progress the stability of the transmission system.
 The phase-shifting transformers applications mainly include high voltage systems like 420 KV &
the throughput power rating can be quite high like 1630 MVA.

Types of Phase Shifting Transformer

The classification of the phase-shifting transformer can be done based on the characteristics like
the following.
Direct PSTs

The direct PSTs or direct phase-shifting transformers mainly depend on the three-phase core and
its phase shift can be obtained by connecting the windings within a suitable way.

Indirect PSTs

The indirect PSTs or indirect phase-shifting transformers mainly depend on a design using two
separate transformers like variable tap exciter and another one is the series transformer. So,
variable tap exciter is used to change the quadrature voltage’s amplitude whereas the series
transformer is used to insert quadrature voltage within the correct phase.

Asymmetrical PSTs

Asymmetrical phase-shifting transformers are used to generate an o/p voltage through changed
amplitude as well as phase angle as compared to the i/p voltage.

Symmetrical PSTs

Symmetrical phase-shifting transformers generate an output voltage through a changed phase

angle as compared to the i/p voltage, however with a similar amplitude.

The rectifiers are used to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). The advantages
of increased number of phases of the AC supply are given as follows −

 A smoother waveform is obtained on the DC side as the number of phases of the AC

supply is increased.
 The objectionable harmonics in the AC being reduced with the increase in the number of
phases.
 With the increase in the number of phases, the efficiency of the converter unit (rectifier)
is also increased.

Therefore, because of these advantages 6-phase is preferred instead of 3-phase for rectification.
In order to obtain three to six phase supply, the double star connection is used.

Double Star Connection for Three-to-Six Phase

Transformation of ac voltage
For three-to-six phase conversion, three identical 1-phase transformers are used, whose
secondary windings are divided into two equal sections. The primary windings of the three
transformers must be connected in delta. One set of three secondary windings being connected in
star while the other set being connected in the reversed star.
The output terminals for the first star connection are r1y1b1 with r2y2b2 connected together to form
the neutral terminal n. The output terminals for the second star connection (or reversed star
connection) are r4y4b4 with r3y3b3 connected together to form neutral 𝑛′. The connection diagram
of the double star connection for 3-to-6 phase transformation is shown in the figure below.

Here, the terminals r1y1b1 and r4y4b4 are connected to the 6-phase load terminals 1, 3, 5, 4, 6, 2
respectively. The two neutral terminals 𝑛 and 𝑛′ may be connected together. This neutral point
serve as the neutral point of the DC supply from the rectifier. In such a way, a true 6-phase star
connected system with a neutral terminal is obtained.

The phasor diagram of the primary side and the secondary side is shown in the figure. Now, in
order to determine the connections of the transformer terminals to the load terminals, the
transformer terminal is marked 1 as shown in the figure below.
The other terminals are marked 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 in the clockwise direction. Hence, from the figure it
is clear that the terminal b4 should be connected to the load terminal 2, the terminal y1 to the load
terminal 3 and terminal r4 to the load terminal 4 and so on.

In the double star connection, six voltages are obtained which are displaced by 60° from each
other.

Analysis of Graetz circuit (6-pulse converter bridge):

The schematic diagram of a six-pulse Graetz circuit is shown in the fig

Six pulse bridge converter:

The conduction time of a thyristor in a six pulse connection can be increased when the converter
is obtained by a series or parallel connection of two three-pulse midpoint converters. A Six pulse
bridge converter is obtained by connecting two three pulse converters in series on the dc side and
in parallel on the ac side. The converter configuration is shown in Fig. 3.34. The three-pulse
converter feeding current to the load is called the positive group and the other providing the
return path for the current is called the negative group. The star point is no longer necessary, and
can be eliminated. There are some obvious advantages when compared to a three-pulse
converter:
1.Because of series connection of the converters on the dc side, the mean output voltage is
twice that of a 3 pulse converter for the same supply Consequently the power capability
doubles.

2.As no star point is required for the return path, a transformer can be

3.The number of pulses is increased to six and the amplitude of the ac ripple is decreased.

4.The dc component in the secondary of the transformer is completely eliminated. This

aspect decreases the design rating of the transformer, if used.

Bridge connections are called two way circuits, since the transformer windings carry current in
both directions. This is the reason for eliminating the dc magnetisation of core. On the other
hand, midpoint connections have no such facility and thus are one way connections. The bridge
connection has thyristors conducting for 120° which increases the utilisation of both the
thyristors and the transformer, as compared to a Six pulse bridge converter.

The current and voltage waveforms of three-pulse converters connected to form the bridge
converter are shown in Fig. 3.35 for different values of the firing angle a. The output voltage of
the bridge converter is the algebraic sum of the voltages of the component converters. The
positive group has common cathode connection, and will have a thyristor with maximum
positive anode voltage conducting. The negative group has a common anode connection and will
have a thyristor with maximum negative cathode voltage, conducting. Thus the output voltage at
the dc terminals has segments of three phase voltages. Due to the phase –difference between the
positive and negative group voltages, the output voltage has a pulse frequency of 6f. The
commutations occur alternately in the positive and negative groups. At all times, two thyristors,
one in the positive group and the other in the negative group are in conduction. From Fig. 3.35 it
is clear that the firing angle can be increased from 0 to 180°. Firing angle α = 0 is the natural
firing instant, as has already been defined in the case of a three pulse converter. As the firing
angle increases to 90°, the average dc voltage falls to zero. Power flow takes place from ac to dc
and the converter is in the rectifying mode. When the angle increases further to 180°, the mean
voltage increases from 0 to its maximum value with reversed polarity. If there is a dc source on
the load side, power flow takes place from dc to ac and the converter is in the inversion mode.
As has already been explained, there is an inverter limit, which is the maximum firing angle (<
180°), beyond which commutation failure occurs in the converter.

The mean voltage at the dc terminals can be shown to be

where VL is the line to line voltage. The control characteristic is shown in Fig. 3.36.

The peak forward or reverse voltage of a thyristor in a Six pulse bridge converter is the peak
value of the line voltage, √2VL. The average current carried by the thyristor is

The RMS current carried by the thyristor is

The effective value of the secondary current is

It is clear that a bridge circuit is superior compared to a three-pulse or six-pulse connection, in
the design rating of the converter transformer.

Considering the effects of overlap, resistance and device drop, the terminal voltage of the
converter can be determined in the same way as for a Six pulse bridge converter. It is given by
The ripple factor of the ac voltage, the smoothing inductance, harmonics in the line current, the
power factor and the effects of overlap on these quantities can be determined in the same way as
for a Six pulse bridge converter. The performance of the converter is shown graphically in Fig.
3.37.
Six channels of firing pulses are required, each separated by 60°. During continuous conduction a single
pulse is sufficient, whereas in discontinuous conduction each thyristor must be gated for 60°, because an
initial starting current is required.

Twelve pulse converter:

It is clear from the preceding discussion that increasing the pulse number to six greatly improves
the performance of the converter. The ac line current has only odd harmonics and the value of g
increases to 0.96, indicating that the fundamental content is 96% of the total rms value of the
current. A six-pulse converter is obtained by suitably connecting two three-pulse converters. The
idea can be extended to increases the pulse number of the output voltage to 12 or 24 by suitable
interconnections of six-pulse converters. It can be shown that connecting two six-pulse
converters with 30° phase displacement results in a Twelve pulse converter having an input
current in which the lower fifth and seventh harmonics are absent. Also, increasing the pulse
number decreases the output ripple which results in a reduced layout of smoothing inductance.
The power factor improves, consequent to the improvement of g.
A Twelve pulse converter, for higher voltage applications, is obtained by interconnecting two six
pulse converters, as shown in Fig. 3.42. The input voltage to the converters should have a phase
difference of 30°, which can be achieved in two ways.

1. The primary of one transformer is connected in star and that of the other in delta.
2. The converter transformer has two secondaries, one of which is connected in star and the
other in delta.

These connections are depicted in Fig. 3.43, 3.42.

Twelve pulse converters are also obtained by connecting two six pulse converters with an
interphase transformer through another interphase transformer. 12 pulses are obtained due to the
phase difference between the instantaneous values and output voltages of individual converters.
The additional interphase transformer has almost the same design as other interphase
transformer. The connections are shown in Fig. 3.44.
The advantages of Twelve pulse converter are obvious. The ripple content of the ac voltage
superimposing the mean value of the dc voltage is reduced greatly. The value of g increases
(0.988) effectively improving the power factor. The line currents of Twelve pulse converter are
shown in Fig. 3.44(b). They are built up by the individual primary currents shown in the figure.
The harmonics present are = 12K ± 1, K = 1, 2, 3,

Sometimes the advantages of increasing the pulse number are offset by the complexity of the
transformer connection and by the difficulties of maintaining balance in the system. This
happens when two Twelve pulse converter are interconnected to form a 24 pulse one. Such
difficulties do not encourage increasing the pulse number beyond 12 or at most 24.