Studies on the impact of capacitor bank switching on grid connected transformers

Switching events in power system generate transients. These transients have unfavorable impact on grid connected EHV transformers due to their complex oscillatory wave shapes embodying wide spectrum of frequencies. One or more of these frequency components can often excite the natural resonant frequencies of the transformer windings while travelling through transformers and may result severe internal voltage amplification and development of abnormal voltage stresses on the transformer insulation. While designing insulation for grid connected EHV transformers, adequate considerations must therefore be given to the voltage stresses which are likely to develop on the insulation during such occurrences of oscillatory transient overvoltages. In this paper, the authors have analyzed the stresses developed in the windings of a 400/220/33 kV grid connected transformer operating in the National Power Grid of India by model based studies when natural frequencies of the windings are triggered by oscillatory transient overvoltages originated from deliberate switching of static capacitor banks at substation.