Transformer inrush
Practical Considerations Of Transformer Inrush Current
Inrush current phenomenon
When a transformer is initially connected to a source of AC voltage, there may be a substantial
surge of current through the primary winding called inrush current. This is analogous to the
inrush current exhibited by an electric motor that is started up by sudden connection to a
power source, although transformer inrush is caused by a different phenomenon.
Practical Considerations Of Transformer Inrush Current (photo credit: winderpower.co.uk)
We know that the rate of change of instantaneous flux in a transformer core is proportional to
the instantaneous voltage drop across the primary winding. Or, the voltage waveform is the
derivative of the flux waveform, and the flux waveform is the integral of the voltage waveform.
In a continuously-operating transformer, these two waveforms are phase-shifted by 90º (see
Figure 1 below).
Since flux (Φ) is proportional to the magnetomotive force (mmf) in the core, and the mmf is
proportional to winding current, the current waveform will be in-phase with the flux waveform,
and both will be lagging the voltage waveform by 90º:
Figure 1 –
Continuous steady-state operation: Magnetic flux, like current, lags applied voltage by 90°
Let us suppose that the primary winding of a transformer is suddenly connected to an
AC voltage source at the exact moment in time when the instantaneous voltage is at its
positive peak value. In order for the transformer to create an opposing voltage drop to balance
against this applied source voltage, a magnetic flux of rapidly increasing value must be
generated.
The result is that winding current increases rapidly, but actually no more rapidly than
under normal conditions (see Figure 2). Both core flux and coil current start from zero and build
up to the same peak values experienced during continuous operation. Thus, there is no “surge”
or “inrush” or current in this scenario. (see Figure 2)
Figure 2
– Connecting transformer to line at AC volt peak -Flux increases rapidly from zero, same as
steady-state operation
Alternatively, let us consider what happens if the transformer’s connection to the AC
voltage source occurs at the exact moment in time when the instantaneous voltage is at zero.
During continuous operation (when the transformer has been powered for quite some time),
this is the point in time where both flux and winding current are at their negative peaks,
experiencing zero rate-of-change (dΦ/dt = 0 and di/dt = 0).
As the voltage builds to its positive peak, the flux and current waveforms build to their
maximum positive rates-of-change, and on upward to their positive peaks as the voltage
descends to a level of zero:
A significant difference exists, however, between continuous-mode operation and the sudden
starting condition assumed in this scenario: during continuous operation, the flux and current
levels were at their negative peaks when voltage was at its zero point; in a transformer that has
been sitting idle, however, both magnetic flux and winding current should start at zero.
When the magnetic flux increases in response to a rising voltage, it will increase from zero
upward, not from a previously negative (magnetized) condition as we would normallyhave in a
transformer that’s been powered for awhile.
Thus, in a transformer that’s just “starting,” the flux will reach approximately twice its normal
peak magnitude as it “integrates” the area under the voltage waveform’s first half-cycle: (Figure
4)
Figure 3
– Starting at e=0 V is not the same as running continuously in Figure 1. These expected
waveforms are incorrect– Φ and i should start at zero
Figure 4
– Starting at e=0 V, Φ starts at initial condition Φ=0, increasing to twice the normal value,
assuming it doesn’t saturate the core
In an ideal transformer, the magnetizing current would rise to approximately twice its normal
peak value as well, generating the necessary mmf to create this higher-than-normal flux.
However, most transformers aren’t designed with enough of a margin between normal
flux peaks and the saturation limits to avoid saturating in a condition like this, and so the
core will almost certainly saturate during this first half-cycle of voltage.
During saturation, disproportionate amounts of mmf are needed to generate magnetic flux.
This means that winding current, which creates the mmf to cause flux in the core, will
disproportionately rise to a value easily exceeding twice its normal peak (Figure 5).
Figure 5
– Starting at e=0 V, Current also increases to twice the normal value for an unsaturated core, or
considerably higher in the (designed for) case of saturation
This is the mechanism causing inrush current in a transformer’s primary winding
when connected to an AC voltage source. As you can see, the magnitude of the inrush
current strongly depends on the exact time that electrical connection to the source is made.
If the transformer happens to have some residual magnetism in its core at the moment of
connection to the source, the inrush could be even more severe. Because of this, transformer
overcurrent protection devices are usually of the “slow-acting” variety, so as to tolerate current
surges such as this without opening the circuit.
