Influence of saturation levels on transformer equivalent circuit model

Abstract

This paper presents a modelling approach for a transformer with different saturation levels. First, the magnetic field distributions at different saturation levels in the transformer are analyzed by using numerical simulations. Then, the characteristics of the leakage magnetic flux are analyzed, and the magnetic circuits with varying leakage reluctance topologies are modeled. Finally, based on the mature duality relationship between electric and magnetic circuits, the equivalent electric circuit models are obtained. These kinds of models embody the effect of different saturation levels on the connection points of the leakage flux branches, and it can fully reflect the various working states of the transformer. The accuracy of the models is verified by comparing the circuit simulation results with those of FEM transient simulations.