A Solid-State On-Load Tap Changer for the Power Transformers of 10—0.4 kV Distribution Networks

The specific features relating to voltage control of power transformers at distribution network transformer substations are considered. An approach to implementing high-speed on-load voltage control of serially produced 10/0.4 kV power transformers by using a solid-state on-load tap changer (SOLTC) is presented. An example of the SOLTC circuit solution on the basis of thyristor switches is given. On-load voltage control algorithms for power transformers equipped with SOLTC that ensure high reliability and high-speed operation are proposed. The SOLTC performance and the operability of the suggested voltage control algorithms were studied by simulation in the Matlab/Simulink environment and by experiments on the SOLTC physical model. The structure and peculiarities of the used simulation Matlab model are described. The SOLTC physical model design and its parameters are presented. The results obtained from the simulating the SOLTC operation on the Matlab model and from the experiments on the SOLTS physical model jointly with a power transformer under different loads and with using different control algorithms are given. An analysis of the experimental study results has shown the soundness of the adopted technical solutions. It has been demonstrated that the use of an SOLTC ensures high-speed voltage control, high efficiency and reliability of its operation, and arcless switching of the power transformer regulating taps without load voltage and current interruption. By using the SOLTC operation algorithms it is possible to perform individual phase voltage regulation in a three-phase 0.4 kV distribution network. The possibility of integrating SOLTC control and diagnostic facilities into the structure of modern digital substations based on the digital interface according to the IEC 61850 standard is noted.