Contribuições para o estudo térmico em transformador a seco na presença de sub e inter-harmônicos

Abstract

The harmonic pollution in distribution systems has increased significantly due to the widespread use of nonlinear loads. The current and voltage harmonics deteriorate the power quality supplied by feeders and compromise the efficiency of the equipments connected to the electric network. These equipments require a sinusoidal waveform to ensure its suitable functioning, as in the case of transformers. Its performance and mainly the protection depend largely of the insulation of the windings, which is closely related to the operating temperature. Concerning this, this work proposes a study on energy efficiency, whose main aim is to investigate the transformer heating in the presence of harmonics. It is presented comparative measurements between the increasing of temperature caused a 10kVA three-phase dry-type transformer when submitted to sinusoidal voltages and currents and nonsinusoidal. Later a comparison was made between experimental results and the simulations obtained from a 3D model of the same transformer developed in the software COMSOL Multiphysics. It was observed that the higher harmonic current distortion, the higher temperature at the core, and especially in the coils. While in the case of supply voltage with interharmonic and subharmonic, the impact on transformer heating become much more pronounced in relation to the cases in which their supply voltage is sinusoidal or contains harmonics of the 3rd, 5th and 7th orders. The errors checked between the measurements and the results of simulations were considered acceptable. With the refinement of the model, will be possible use it in order to predict the temperature spectrum of transformers at the begining of the design, mainly in nonlinear conditions of operation.