A Low-Power Setup Proposal for Power Transformer Loading Tests

Abstract

A setup for testing transformers under load through low power converter is presented in this paper. This setup is used for testing power transformers as it allows to verify their performance under operating conditions regarding aspects such as heating, voltage regulation, and mounting robustness. The main goal of the study is centered on replacing a full power Back-to-Back converter (1 pu) by a fractional power one (less than 0.1 pu). The converter, a Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), is a series connected between two equally sized transformers and controls the current flowing in the system. Load profile configurations set according to power factor, current harmonics, or even power level can be imposed to evaluate the performance of the Transformer Under Test (TUT) and the entire system. Theoretical analysis, and simulation results employing Matlab/Simulink platform, considering a typical transformer of a 75 kVA power distribution grid with 13.8 kV/220 V voltage are presented to corroborate the proposal. The required VSI power achieved in the simulations is a fraction of the total power of transformer under test, and the grid power consumed is also of small order justified by losses.