Effect of Three-Winding Transformer Models on the

Analysis and Protection of Mine Power Systems

M athew P. O om m en and Jeffrey L. K ohler, Senior Member, IEEE

Abstract Computer-aided loadflow and fault analyses of mine

power systems are routinely conducted to ascertain system per
formance and also to provide information to assist in the protec
tion and coordination of these systems. Three-winding transform
ers are frequently encountered in mining applications, typically
at continuous miner and longwall sections where there exists
a need for dual utilization voltages. These transformers are
often modeled as a three-bus system neglecting the secondary to
tertiary winding impedance and the effect of base changes. This
paper analyzes the impact of more accurate transform er models
on voltages and fault currents which are realized from loadflow
and fault studies of mine power systems.

Utilities have long appreciated the need for accurate trans

former models. There is a variety of models one could use
for intricate modeling of transformers to accurately delineate
their performance under steady-state and transient conditions
[4][6 ]. Unfortunately, mine power systems analysis, for the
most part, has not considered the impact of even simpler
representation and its effects on mine power system design
and protection.

Index Terms Fault analysis, load flow analysis, power system

analysis, power system modeling, transform er models.

Transformer equivalent circuits are typically based on the

parameters obtained from open- and short-circuit tests [7]-[9].
An approximate model is often obtained by neglecting the
shunt admittance.
Both the primary and secondary windings of a two-winding
transformer have the same kilovoltampere rating. However,
all three windings of a three-winding transformer may have
different kilovoltampere ratings. The impedances of each
winding of a three-winding transformer may be specified as a
percent or in per-unit based on the rating of its own winding,
or could be referred to a common base.
In the case of three-winding transformers, the impedances
may be measured by the standard short-circuit tests and could
be represented as follows [ 1 0 ]:
Z ps leakage impedance measured in primary with sec
ondary short circuited and tertiary open;
Z pt leakage impedance measured in primary with tertiary
short circuited and secondary open;
Zst leakage impedance measured in the secondary with
tertiary short circuited and primary open.
If these impedances are referred to the primary circuit, the
impedances of each individual winding can be computed as
follows [ 1 0 ], [ 1 1 ]:

I.

I n t r o d u c t io n

HE design of a mine power system should always be

supported with computer analyses, including loadflow,
fault, and machine starting. Engineers now have access to
a variety of loadflow and fault analysis programs [1 ][3],
However, the availability of such tools does not eliminate the
need for accurate system modeling. Oftentimes, these tools are
used without an appropriate understanding of their capabilities
and limitations.
System modeling is a key component in the proper eval
uation of any power system. This, for example, includes the
representation of cables, loads, correction devices, and trans
formers. The results from the analysis of mine power systems
will only be as accurate as the model that is represented by
the user. Most programs in use today can assist the user in
easily specifying most of the components encountered in a
mine power system. However, the representation of threewinding transformers and the effect of inaccurate models is
not well understood in the context of mine power systems.
The need for accurate representation is all the more important
since more systems are utilizing dual voltages at longwall and
continuous miner power centers.

Paper PID 98-01, presented at the 1993 Industry Applications Society

Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ont., Canada, October 2-8, and approved for
publication in the IEEE T r a n s a c t i o n s o n I n d u s t r y A p p l i c a t i o n s by the
Mining Industry Committee of the IEEE Industry Applications Society.
Manuscript released for publication February 17, 1998.
M. P. Oommen was with the Department of Mineral Engineering, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA. He is now
with Marston International, Inc., St. Louis, MO 63021 USA.
J. L. Kohler was with the Department of Mineral Engineering, The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802 USA. He is now
with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh
Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 USA.
Publisher Item Identifier S 0093-9994(99)03859-1.

II. T h r e e -W i n d in g T r a n s f o r m e r s

Zp = 2 ^ p s

^ st)

Zs = 2 ^ p s

^ st ^p*)

Z t = 2 ^ st

^p s)'

(1)

The individual impedances referred to the primary circuit are

related to the leakage impedances as follows:
Zps = Z p + Z s
Zpt = Zp + z t
Z st = Z s + Z p t.

(2)

V WW
AAAM Zps

VWW
MMA Zpt
(a)

W WV
M MA

zp

VWW
MMA Z

WWV
/Wj\MZ
(b)

The impedances of the windings computed in (1) can

be represented as a Y single-phase equivalent of the threewinding transformer with the magnetizing current neglected.
This representation is shown in Fig. 1. The neutral point (N )
is a fictitious neutral that has no physical meaning, but is
necessary in the representation.
in .

S y s t e m M o d e l in g

In a computer-aided analysis of a mine power system

containing a three-winding transformer, the points p, s, and
t in Fig. 1 are connected to the buses designating the primary,
secondary, and tertiary, respectively. However, in a system
representation, the values of Z s and Z t must be referred to
their individual kilovoltampere bases.
For example, given Z ps, Z pt, and Z st referred to the
transformers primary kilovoltampere base (consistent with the
respective winding voltages), one could apply ( 1 ) to compute
values for Z p, Z s, and Z ,. These values, however, are based
on the primary kilovoltampere rating.
Given that the kilovoltampere rating of the primary, sec
ondary, and tertiary winding are kVAp, kVA,, and kVAt ,
respectively, the following base transformations have to be
made to prepare the model for computer analysis:

Fig. 2. (a) Innacurate representation of three-winding transformer, (b) Cor

rect three-winding transformer winding.

compare the two models, it is necessary to perform an analysis

of a typical mine power system containing a three-winding
transformer. Fig. 3 shows a typical longwall section employing
a three-winding transformer.
The program used to evaluate the mine power system
is called MPAP and was developed at the Mine Electrical
Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University, University
Park. The program provides a single platform for performing
loadflow analysis, symmetrical fault analysis, and first-cycle
(transient) fault analysis. Details of the program may be found
in [ 1 2 ],
The analysis was performed on three cases.
1) Case I is the base case, where the transformer is repre
sented as a three-bus system, ignoring the secondary-totertiary impedance. Furthermore, it is assumed that Z ps
and Z pt are not converted to their individual winding
capacities (kilovoltamperes).
2) Case II also employs a three-bus representation, but the
necessary base changes are performed to convert Z ps
and Zpt to their respective kilovoltampere bases.
3) Case III uses the complete four-bus model of the threewinding transformer with the appropriate base changes.
In all cases, it is assumed that the manufacturer-specified
values for leakage impedances are referred to the primary
circuit of the transformer.
The values used for the analysis are as follows:
Z ps = 3.5% ( X / R = 4)

This base change is necessary, since all impedances during

analysis will be converted to a uniform system base.
Fig. 2(a) shows the often used inaccurate representation
of three-winding transformers ignoring the second-to-tertiary
impedance. Fig. 2(b) depicts the more accurate four-bus model
developed in this section.

Zpt = 5.5% (X / R = 6 )
Z st = 3.0% (X / R = 4).
The utility short-circuit capacity is assumed to be 280 MVA
at 7.2 kV.
A. Loadflow Analysis

IV. S y s t e m A n a l y s is
The previous sections have introduced and developed the
modeling aspect of three-winding transformers. However, to

Table I summarizes the results from the three cases. The

values shown are percentage differences of Cases II and III as
compared to the base case.

o
U tility S hort C ircuit

vww

7.5 MVA 5%

C apacity : 280 MVA

MAM

23.1 : 7.2 kV

11,000
4 /0 MPF

W vW

MAM

3500 kVA
3 Winding XFMR
P rim ary
Bus

wwv
MAM

VWW
MAM

2000 kVA
7200:2400

S ec o n d ary .
Bus

52)

53

Water
Pum p
125 hp

4 /0

100 '

100 '
2/0

T ertiary
Bus

2 /0

150'
4 /0
850'

Hydraulic
Pum ps
150 hp

55)
625'

C rusher
200 hp

2 /0

V
(6 0 ) .

V
Fig. 3.

AFC Tail
600 hp

Stage Loader
150 hp

AFC Head
600 hp

S h e a rer
Control
Box

2 /0

2/0
1150

4 /0

150 hp

2 /0

58) y

100 '

Longwall
Control
Box

7200:1040 V

175

63j
850'

1500 kVA

Motors Connected To
The Secondary Bus Are
2300V & Those Connected To
The T ertiary Bus Are 995V

MidFace
Connection
Box
575'

2 /0
S h earer
470 hp

Example of longwall power system.

Given voltage values \ \ , I'2, and V3 for Cases I, n , and HI,

respectively, the values in Table I were computed as

(V2 - Vi)
Vi

* 100

(4)

* 100

(5 )

for Case II, and as

(V3 - Fx)

Vi
for Case III.

It can be easily seen that the relative change is minimal in

both cases. There is, however, a small improvement in voltage
regulation. This can be explained by the drop in line impedance
between transformer buses due to the base change in Case II
and due to the effective transformation to smaller impedances
in the three-winding representation in Case III.
B. Fault Analysis
Table II shows the comparative results of symmetrical fault
analysis, and Table in shows the results from symmetrical

TABLE I

TABLE III

P e r c e n t a g e I n c r e a s e in V o l t a g e M a g n itu d e s
C o m p a re d t o I n c o r r e c t M o d e l in C a s e I

C u r r e n t s C o m p a re d t o I n c o r r e c t M o d e l in C a s e I

P e r c e n t a g e I n c r e a s e in F ir s t- C y c l e F a u l t

Bus

Case II

Case III

Bus

Case II

Case I]

1
2
52
53
62
63
54
55
61
60
59
58
56
57

0.00
0.02
0.88
1.20
0.91
1.21
1.21
1.27
0.94
0.91
0.91
0.91
1.35
1.43

0.00
0.01
0.52
0.44
0.54
0.44
0.44
0.47
0.55
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.50
0.53

1
2
52
53
62
63
54
55
61
60
59
58
56
57

0.02
-0.10
16.48
42.08
10.61
27.79
32.38
10.89
4.70
10.12
10.16
10.15
3.34
0.82

0.01
0.20
25.04
58.94
15.89
36.48
42.93
14.30
7.48
15.08
15.13
15.12
4.80
1.59

TABLE II

The results directly affect the protection and coordination of

such a system. For example, the main molded case breaker on
the secondary and tertiary buses will be affected and so will the
instantaneous settings for the distribution system overcurrent
relays.
A similar analysis was performed on another longwall
system to ensure that these results were not peculiar to the
example under scrutiny. The analysis yielded results similar
to those summarized in the above results.

P e r c e n t a g e I n c r e a s e in S y m m e t r ic a l F a u l t
C u r r e n t s C o m p a r e d t o I n c o r r e c t M o d e l in C a s e I

Bus

Case II

1
2
52
53
62
63
54
55
61
60
59
58
56
57

0.00
0.00
24.87
59.88
17.65
38.44
45.73
19.36
10.47
16.74
16.74
16.74
9.88
6.61

Case III
0.00
0.00
26.32
61.45
19.01
40.03
47.28
20.25
11.57
18.09
18.09
18.09
10.44
7.02

V . T e m p e r a t u r e E f f e c t s a n d H ig h e r
O rd er T r a n sfo r m er M odels

fault analysis. These results are percentage changes referred

to Case I as the base case.
Given fault currents I\, I 2, and I 3, for Cases I, II, and III,
respectively, the values in Table II were computed as
(h ~ h )
h

* 100

(6)

for Case II, and as

(h h

* 100

(7)

for Case III.

It can be seen that there is a significant difference that
can be observed in Cases II and III. The most significant, in
both tables, can be observed at the tertiary bus and the buses
connected to it. Results show that the fault current can be
higher by as much as 60% compared to the incorrect model in
Case I. The results of the more accurate three-winding model
are higher than those of Case II.

The previous analysis used manufacturer-supplied data

which is assumed to be for transformers operating at 170 C.
For a transformer at 20 C, the X / R ratio is expected to be
about 1.6 times higher than that at 170 C. Therefore, it is
necessary to consider this effect to determine the difference
in maximum fault analysis.
An analysis, similar to that in the previous section, was
performed to investigate the effects of temperature. Compared
to the three-winding four-bus model, the values differed by
2% for two systems which were analyzed. These included the
example system and the verification system.
Higher order transformer models can be utilized to incor
porate the effects of mutual coupling across windings. These
models are typically represented as impedance matrices [13].
These can then be incorporated into the system representation
[14], The development of such models requires more detailed
information from manufacturers.
VI. S u m m a r y
This paper has presented the impact of accurate, threewinding transformer models in the analysis of mine power sys
tems. Although the disparity in voltage regulation is minimal,
the enhanced representation of three-winding transformers
seriously affects the results of both steady-state and first-cycle
fault analysis. Fault current magnitudes could be underesti
mated by as much as 60% at strategic locations in the mine

power system. This directly affects the choice and sizing

o f protective and coordination devices used in mine power
systems. The effect o f winding temperature is also important,
but the values do not vary too much from values computed
for correctly represented four-bus three-winding transformer
models.
Computer analysis o f mine power systems is routinely
utilized to analyze and evaluate mine power systems. Accurate
system modeling o f components in the power system is
essential for proper analyses o f these systems. The accurate
modeling o f three-winding transformers is critical, consider
ing their widespread use in longwall and continuous miner
sections.

R eferen ces

[13] M. J. Gorman and J. J. Grainger, Transformer modeling for distribution

system studiesPart I: Linear modeling basics, IEEE Trans. Power
Delivery, vol. 7, pp. 567-574, Apr. 1992.
[14] M. J. Gorman and J. J. Grainger, Transformer modeling for distribution
system studies Part. II: Addition of models to Y b u s an(I Z b u s IEEE
Trans. Power Delivery, vol. 7, pp. 567-574, Apr. 1992.

M athey P. Oommen received the B.Tech, M.S.,

and Ph.D. degrees in mining engineering from The
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, in
1985. 1988, and 1994, respectively.
While at The Pennsylvania State University, he
served as a Graduate Research Assistant from 1986
to 1994, a Teaching Assistant from 1989 to 1994, a
Software Development'Support and Computer Con
sultant from 1991 to 1994, and he developed, dis
tributed, and supported a computer program for
mine power systems analysis while earning his
advanced degrees. Upon graduation, be joined Marston & Marston, Inc. as a
Project Mining Engineer. He is currently the General Manager of the Indonesia
Representative Office, Marston International, Inc. Balikpapan, Indonesia, and
is a past Senior Project Mining Engineer of Marston & Marston, Inc.,
St. Louis, MO.
Dr. Oommen is a member of the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration.

[1] F. C. Trutt, L. A. Morley, and R. A. Riveli, Interactive mine power

system analysis, U.S. Bureau of Mines, Washington, DC., Tech. Rep. on
Contract JO199060, 1981.
[2] F. C. Trutt and L. A. Morley, Mine power system analysis, IEEE
Trans, ind. A p p l ic a ivol. 24, pp. 839-845, Sept./Oct. 1988.
[3] F. C. Trutt and J. L. Kohler, A noniterative approach to mine power
system analysis, in Conf. Rec. IEEE-IAS Artnu. Meeting, 1984, pp.
113-116.
[4] R. C. Degeneff and P. J. McKenney, A method for constructing reduced
order transformer models for system studies from detailed lumped
Jeffrey L, K ohler (S74-M >76-SM 88) received
parameter models, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. 7, pp. 649-655,
the B,S. degree in engineering science in 1974 and
Apr. 1992.
the M.S. and Ph.D degrees in mining engineering in
[5] V. Brandwajn, H. W. Dommel, and 1.1. Dommel, Matrix representation
1976 and 1983, respectively, from The Pennsylvania
of three-phase N-winding transformers for steady-state and transient
State University, University Park.
studies, IEEE Trans. Power App. Syst., vol. PAS-101, pp. 1369-1378,
He worked as an Electronics Technician and then
June 1982.
as an Electrical Engineering Assistant while an
[6] F. Leon and A. Semiyen, Reduced order model for transformer
undergraduate. While working toward the advanced
transients, IEEE Trans Power Delivery, vol. 7, pp. 361-369, Jan. 1992.
degrees, he was an Instructor of Mining Engineering
[7] S. J. Chapman, Electric Machinery Fundamentals. New York:
at The Pennsylvania State University. From 1979 to
McGraw-Hill, 1985, pp. 66-70.
1982, he was a Senior Associate with Ketron, Inc.
[8] A. E. Fitzgerald, C. Kingsley, and S. D. Umans, Electric Machinery.
In 1983, he joined the faculty of the Department of Mineral Engineering,
New York: McGraw-Hill, 1985, pp. 4548.
The Pennsylvania State University, where he was an Associate Professor
[9] V. E. Mablekos, Electric Machine Theory fo r Power Engineers. New
and Director of the Mine Electrical Laboratory. His teaching and research
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interests included electrical engineering applications in the mineral industries.
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He is currently with the National Institute of Occupational Safety and
McGraw-Hill, 1982, pp. 153-155.
Health. Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, where he is Research
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Practice fo r Power System Analysis, ANSI/IEEE
Director.
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Dr. Kohler
is the Past Chairman of the Mining Industry Committee of the
[12] M. P. Oommen and
J. L. Kohler,
An improvedmodel
foranalyzing
IEEE Industry Applications Society and a member of the Society for Mining
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