Transformer Model Test System

W. H. Kersting, Life Fellow, IEEE

Abstract - The IEEE 4 node test feeder [l] will be

presented and slightly modified for the study of an
ungrounded wye-delta transformer connection serving an The line segment on the source side [ZeqS] and the line
unbalanced load. The transformer bank will consist of segment on the load side [ZeqL] of the transformer bank use
three unequal transformers which adds an additional the pole spacings as shown in Figure 2.
unbalance to the system. Three methods of analysis for
the system will be presented. The first will be an iterative
process using the transformer models in reference [Z].
The second will be a crank and grind basic circuit
analysis. The third method will be to study the system a
2.5’
b
If + 3-4.5’
using “Windmil” [3].

I. Introduction

The IEEE test feeders of reference [ I ] were developed for the

sole purpose of providing a set of common data that can be
used for testing the validity of distribution analysis software.
The 4-node test feeder was developed primarily for the
purpose of testing transformer models. That test feeder will n
be presented with a minor modification in this paper to test an
ungrounded wye-delta unsymmetrical transformer bank
serving an unbalanced three-phase load. Along with the
description of the feeder three different methods of analyzing
the feeder will be presented along with the results.

11. The Test System

Fig. 2 - Pole Spacings
The system to be used in testing transformer models is shown
in Figure 1 below:
The conductors used in Figure 2 are:

01
y&ile
2ooO_ft.
UAuc 1
I 1 2 5 2
Uatc 1
1 ~~
Phase Conductors: “Linnett” -- 336,400 26/7 ACSR
Neutral Conductor: 4/0 ACSR

The voltage levels for the system in Figure 1 are:

Source: 12,470volts line-to-line
Load 4,160 volts line-to-line
Fig. 1 - Transformer Model Test System
The loads used for Ilk system I Figure 1 are:

Unbalanced1500 kVA, .85 PF (a-b), 2000 kVA, .9 PF (b-c),

2500 kVA, 0.95 PF (c-a).

Unbalanced Three-phase Transformer Bank in Figure 1:

Bank consists of three single-phase transformers with

ratings:
(a-b) 1500 kVA, 7,20&4,160 volts, Z = 0.01 + j0.06 pu
(b-c) 2000 kVA, 7,20& 4,160 volts, 2 = 0.01 + j0.06 pu
(c-a) 2500 kVA, 7,200- 4,160 volts, Z = 0.01 + j0.06 pu

0-7803-81 IO-6/03/$17.0002003 IEEE 1022

The four wire wye line segment uses the pole spacings of
Figure 2 and the phase and neutral conductors as given. The
phase impedance matrix using the modified Carson’s
equations in [2] in ohms/mile is:
Note in Equation 2 that the current used is the same as that of
the forward sweep. In other words, the currents computed for
the forward sweep are held constant for the backward sweep.
The backward sweep starts with the specified voltages at the
substation as the voltages at node n.

0.4576+ j1.0780 0.1559+ j0.5017 0.1535+ j0.3849

0.1559+ jO.5017 0.4666+jl.WEZ 0.1580+ j0.4236
L0.1535+ j0.3849 0.1580+ j0.4236 0.4615+j1.06511
1 thegeneral parameters “:
When the shunt admittance of the line segments is neglected

[U] = [ d] = unity matrix (3)

Transforming the phase impedance matrix to the symmetrical [b]= phase impedance matrix (4)
component matrix gives the following sequence impedances: 1. = matrix (5)
24+ = 0.3061 + j0.6270
Wmile For the specified ungrounded wye - delta transformer bank,
240 =0.7735+ j1.9373 the transformer ratio is:

The three-wire delta secondary line uses the same pole 7200
spacings and phase conductors. For this case there is no “t =-=1.73077
4160
neutral. The phase impedance matrix per mile is:
The general parameters for transformer hank [l] are:
[0.4013+ j1.4133 0.0953+0.8515 0.0953+ j0.72661

I
23 = 0.0953+ j0.8515 0.4013+ j1.4133 0.0953+ j0.7802
0.0953+ j0.7266 0.0953+ j0.7802 0.4013+ j1.4133 1 (7)

Transforming to the sequence impedances for the this case

gives:
23, = 0.3060+ j0.6272
Wmile
230 =0.5919+ j2.9855
-2 .zr, -ztc,
The four-wire wye impedances are used for the impedances of (8)
a line segment connected to wye connected transformer
windings while the three-wire delta impedances are used for r .0666+ j.3994 -.0666- j.3994 01
the impedances of a line connected to delta connected .0499+ j.2995 .0998+j.5990 0
transformer windings.
-.0799- j.4792 -.0399- j.2396 0-
III. Iterative Analysis

The first method of analysis is the ladder (forward and

backward sweeps) iterative technique using the transformer
and line models of reference [2]. In this procedure the two
line segments are modeled by their phase impedance matrices
as defined previously. The loads are modeled as constant
[Cl]’

[:1 :I
0 0 0 (9)

complex power and it is assumed that the voltages at node 1 1

are balanced three-phase line-to-ground voltages of 7200
volts/phase. For the line segments and the transformer hank ‘ d t l = 3.1.7308
-2 -1 0
the general equations for the forward sweep is:

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 For this system convergence was achieved in 4 iterations with
1 the following results:
P,l=g
7.1 11.6-

1
.0353+ j.2155 -.0064- j.0385 0 7,111.7/119.5
[ B t ] = [ .0038+ j.0231 .0308+ j.1846 0
-.017Y- j.1077 -.0282- j.1692 0 12,359.4/29.8

The forward sweep starts by assuming nominal line-to-line 12,301.9149.7

voltages at the loads. The currents in the delta are computed
and then the line currents using KCL at the three nodes.
Equivalent line-to-neutral voltages are computed using
Equation 13 [2].

i a]
[vwTubc].q =[wl.[vLLabc]4 (13)
VNG = 8 Y . 2 m V

where: [ W ] = l3[ p 3 1 0 . V /
(14)

386.5/85.9
Next the equivalent line-to-neutral voltages and line currents

I 1
at node 3 are computed using Equations 1. Now using the 3,873.1-
generalized parameters for the transformer the equivalent line- [vLLubc]3 = 3 , 9 3 3 . 2 m v
to-neutral voltages at node 2 are computed and line currents
entering the transformer bank are computed. 3,Y 12.31115.8

At this point in the forward sweep it must he understood that 3,404.8m

there is a difference between the line-to-neutral and line-to-
ground voltages at node 2. Since the source voltages are
3,334.4-
balanced line-to-ground voltages, then the line-to-ground
voltages at node 2 must he used in the continuation of the
forward sweep. Initially the line-to-ground voltages at node 2 1,082.5/-71.0
will he assumed to be the source line-to-ground voltages. [I,bcl4 =[ 8 5 2 S m ] A
Using these line-to-ground voltages and the just computed
1,OY 7.8/63.0
currents the forward sweep is completed by computing the
voltages and currents at node 1. In the iterative process the
computed node 1 voltages will be compared to the specified 440.6-
source voltages. Convergence is achieved when the computed
and specified voltages are within a small tolerance. For this
example the tolerance was specified to be 0.00001 per-unit.
When convergence has not been reached the backward sweep
starts by setting the node 1 voltages to the specified line-to- Using the computed line-to-line voltages at node 4 and the
ground voltages and then computing the line-to-ground computed load currents the equivalent delta connected load
voltages at node 2. Once again the difference between line-to- impedances are:
ground and equivalent line-to-neutral voltages must be made.
In the backward sweep the computed line-to-ground voltages
are converted to line-to-line voltages and then using Equation
13 the equivalent line-to-neutral transformer voltages are
computed. These voltages are used to continue the backward
sweep. It should be pointed out that on the next forward
I, 1
6.5692 + j4.07 12
[ZloudI4 = 5.8402+ j2.8285 R
4.2250+ j1.3887

These impedances are used to model the fixed impedance

sweep the computed line-to-ground voltages from the previous
backward sweep will he used at node 2 for the continuation of loads for the circuit analysis method to be described next.
the forward sweep. The forward and backward sweeps
continue until convergence is achieved.

1024
 o=-U, a ' I5 - u b = . f 6 + ( u n b + u b = + z ) , f 7
N.Cicuit Analysis
O=-VAN+nl.Vr& ~

The second method of analyzing the system is to use basic

circuit and transformer theory. Figure 3 shows the three-
o=-vBN + "r 'vlbc
phase circuit used for this analysis.
IA

+TI+
VlAG

+
V4ab

When these 17 equations are solved simultaneously the

primary and secondary voltages and currents are exactly (to
SecondaryCircuit five significant figures) the same as shown above for the
Fig. 3 -Three-phase circuit "iterative" technique.

~i~~~~ 3 the primary and secondary windings of each It is important that the results of the two methods are exactly
transformer are drawn in parallel, N~~~in the figure that there the same. The results listed are indeed the "correct" results.
is a difference between the line-to-ground and line-to-neutral transformer models for this Particular transformer
voltages on the primary side of the transformer. The voltage connection, loading, etc. must @e the same results.
VNG -represents- the voltage between the transformer bank
V. Windmil Solution
neutral and ground.
The test feeder was created in the commercially available
The analysis of this circuit involves the solution for 17
distribution analysis program Windmil" developed by Milsoft
variables. The 17 independent equations consist of 7 loop Utility Solutions in Ahilene, Texas ,31,
equations, 3 ideal transformer voltage equations, 1 ideal
transformer current equation, 3 KCL equations and 3 For this application of Windmi, the data was input via a
secondary voltage drop equations. The 17 independent
graphical technique. In this technique the one-line diagram of
equations are. as follows:
I
Rrmre 1 is sketched in. Data for each element is entered as
the element is added to the system. The option for Windmil to
EAC =VAN +V"G +ZABCi,l .I1 +ZABCi,2 -12 +zABC1,3. 13
compute the impedances of the lines was selected. In this
option the user specifies the spacings on the pole by phase and
EEG = VBN + VNNG + zABC2,l.11+ ZABC2,2.12 + Z4BC2,3.13 then the phase conductor and neutral conductor. Data for
conductors are stored in a permanent database. After the first
ECG = VCN + VNNG+ Z ~ B C ~ , I+ZABC3.2 .I2 + ZABC3,3 .I3 execution of the program the computed impedances for each
line can be displayed. For the transformer hank the
o = - v f , b - v l ~ ~ -+v (l ~
~~~ b + z ~ b ~ b c + z r ~ ~ ) ' f '16 ungrounded
4-zr~~~~~-zlb~ wye-delta hank was selected from a list of all of
the standard three-phase transformer bank connections. Since
the bank i s composed of three different transformers, the kVA
0=Vlca - zr,. I4 +(.TIca + qo). & .I7 + Va - VC
15 - z and voltages ratings and impedances for each transformer are
input. Finally a node was specified being connected at node 4.
0 = -vrb, -Zl,. 4 +(zrbc f m c ) . 16 -%c, 17 +Vc -Vb The node load was selected to he a constant PQ.

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A partial output report for this study is shown in Figure 4.

Unbalanced Voltage Drop Report

Source: SRCl

Database: C:\IEEE\MILSOFT DATA\UNBALANCED IEEE 4 NODE.WM\

Title: Unbalanced IEEE 4-Node System
Case: Steady-state 03/13/2003 15:52 Page 1
____..._.______.__________________
Units Displayed In Volts
-Base Voltage:120.0-
Tme/ Pri Base Element Accum Thru
Name Cnf Conductor kV Volt Drop Drop Amps
________________________________________-----------------------
P SRCl A Milsoft 14 7.20Y 120.0 0.00 0.00 310.05
B 7.20Y 120.0 0.00 0.00 316.00
C 7.20Y 120.0 0.00 0.00 386.49

C OH2 A 336 MCM AC 7.11Y 118.5 1.45 1.45 310.05

C B 7.14Y 119.1 0.92 0.92 316.00
C C 7.11Y 118.5 1.45 1.45 386.49

L XFMR3 A-B Transformer 3.87D 111.7 7.08 8.13 310.05

L B-C 3.93D 113.5 5.28 6.45 316.00
L C-A 3.91D 112.9 5.46 7.06 386.49

L OH4 A-B Delta 2500 3.40D 98.2 13.28 21.41 1082.47

L B-C 3.60D 103.9 7.01 13.45 852.48
L C-A 3.33D 96.2 14.74 21.81 1097.80

L NODE5 A-B Node 3,.4’2D 98.2 0.00 .21.41 1082.47

L B-C 3.69D 103.9 0.00 13.45 852.48
L C-A 3.40D 96.2 0.00 21.81 1097.48

Fig. 4 -Partial Windmil Output Report

The partial report in Figure 4 shows that the voltages and

currents match those of the previous methods described earlier
in this paper. This report displays the voltages in actual values
and on a base of 120 volts. The voltages on the 120 volt base
show clearly just how bad the feeder is operating. While this
would never he an actual operating feeder it does serve as an
excellent test of the convergence for distribution analysis
programs
REFERENCES
[l] http://ewh.ieee.or~soc/pcs/dsacom/testfeeders.html
[2] W.H. Kersting, Distribution System Modeling and
Analysis; Boca Raton, Florida, CRC Press, 2002.
[3] http://www/milsoft.com

VI. Conclusions

The IEEE 4-node test feeder has been modified slightly to
provide a very unbalanced operating condition. Three different
methods have been presented for the analysis of the feeder.
The first method utilized the transformer model of reference 2.
The second method incorporates “brute force” circuit analysis
that can not be disputed. The third method utilized the
commercial distribution program Windmil. Since all three
methods give exactly the same results, the conclusion is that
they must be the “right” answers. It is hoped that developers
of distribution analysis programs will use this test feeder to
verify that their program gives the same “right” answers.
W. H.Kersting (SM64. F’89) was hom in Santa Fe, NM.
He received the BSEE degree from New Mexico State
University, Las Cruces, and the MSEE degree from Illinois
Institute of Technology. He joined the faculty at New
Mexico State University in 1962 and served as Professor of
Electrical Engineering and Director of the Electric Utility
Management Program until his retirement in 2002. He is
currently a consultant for Milsoft .Utility Solutions. He is
also a partner in WH Power Consultants.

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