Power Transformer Short-Circuit Force Calculation Using Three and Two-Dimensional Finite-Element Analysis

Jian Wang, Junchi He (), Xiaohan Chen, Tian Tian, Chenguo Yao and Ahmed Abu-Siada
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Jian Wang: State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Junchi He: State Grid Lianyungang Power Supply Company, Lianyungang 222000, China
Xiaohan Chen: State Grid Langfang Electric Power Company, Langfang 065000, China
Tian Tian: State Grid Lianyungang Power Supply Company, Lianyungang 222000, China
Chenguo Yao: State Key Laboratory of Power Transmission Equipment Technology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Ahmed Abu-Siada: School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley 6102, Australia

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: In a power transformer short-circuit, transient current and magnetic flux interactions create strong electromagnetic forces that can deform windings and the core, risking failure. Accurate calculation of these forces during design is critical to prevent such outcomes. This paper employs two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) finite-element analysis (FEA) to model a 110 kV, 40 MVA three-phase transformer, calculating magnetic flux density, short-circuit current, and electromagnetic forces. The difference in force values at inner and outer core window positions, reaching up to 40%, is analyzed. The impact of physical winding displacement on axial forces is also studied. Simulation results, validated against analytical calculations, show peak short-circuit currents of 6963 A on the high-voltage (HV) winding and 70,411 A on the low-voltage (LV) winding. Average radial forces were 136 kN on the HV winding and 89 kN on the LV winding, while average axial forces were 8 kN on the HV and 9 kN on the LV. This agreement verifies the FEA models’ reliability. The results provide insights into winding behavior under severe faults and enhance transformer design reliability.

Keywords: electromagnetic forces; finite element analysis; mechanical deformations; transformer modeling; short-circuit faults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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