A Sequential Phase Energization Method for Transformer Inrush Current Reduction—Transient Performance and Practical Considerations

This paper presents an improved design method for a novel transformer inrush current reduction scheme. The scheme energizes each phase of a transformer in sequence and uses a neutral resistor to limit the inrush current. Although experimental and simulation results have demonstrated the effectiveness of the scheme, the problem of how to select the neutral resistor for optimal performance has not been fully solved. In this paper, an analytical method that is based on nonlinear circuit transient analysis is developed to solve this problem. The method models transformer nonlinearity using two linear circuits and derives a set of analytical equations for the waveform of the inrush current. In addition to establishing a set of formulas for optimal resistor determination, the results also reveal useful information regarding the inrush behavior of a transformer and the characteristics of the sequential energization scheme. This paper also proposed a method, the use of surge arrester, to solve the main limitation of the sequential phase energization scheme-the rise of neutral voltage. Performance of the improved scheme is presented