Transformer Inrush Currents Taking Into Account Vector Hysteresis

Inrush currents have undesired effects on transformers when these ones are, for example, switched into service. Theses effects have to be taken into account when designing a transformer, what leads to a constraint on its magnetic core and size definition. This paper investigates the modeling of inrush currents in a three phase transformer under sinusoidal voltage operation conditions. The transformer core is modeled taking into account the magnetic hysteresis including the anisotropy. Therefore, a Jiles-Atherton vectorized model is used for the nonlinear core modeling. The key advantage of this vector model is its reluctivity tensor which is appropriated for the Finite Element calculations in vector potential formulation. A time-domain simulation was carried out and the results were compared with experimental data for the procedure validation.