Analysis of the Current Harmonics in a Transformer Caused by Geomagnetically Induced Currents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24160/0013-5380-2026-6-15-25Keywords:
geomagnetically induced currents, transformer, saturation, harmonics, monitoring, modelingAbstract
The article presents the results of processing the data obtained from long-term monitoring of neutral currents in four autotransformers of the Northern Transit backbone transmission grid in the Murmansk region and the Republic of Karelia. Harmonic analysis of the currents was performed, and the dependences of the fundamental, second, and third power frequency harmonics on the direct current (DC) flowing through the transformer windings were obtained. It is shown that the obtained dependences are qualitatively similar in nature with the results of numerically simulating the nonlinear inductor DC-biased magnetization. The non-monotonic nature of the harmonic level dependences on the direct current values is caused by the nonlinear weber–ampere characteristic of the transformer magnetic core. It has been found that the main sources of direct current in backbone electric grids are geomagnetic disturbances that induce currents in power transmission lines, as well as DC railway traction networks. It has been shown that these sources have a similar effect on the harmonic composition of currents in the grid. The experimental results demonstrate a significant increase in the harmonic levels in the neutrals of autotransformers at high values of geomagnetically induced currents. The nature of the current harmonic dependences on DC bias must be taken into account when setting up relay protection and automation devices.
References
1. Пилипенко В.А. Воздействие космической погоды на наземные технологические системы. – Солнечно-земная физика, 2021, т. 7, № 3, с. 72–110.
2. Аксенович Т.В. Исследование спектральных характеристик геоиндуцированных токов во время сильных магнитных бурь. – Вестник МЭИ, 2025, № 1, с. 28–35.
3. Barlow W.H. On the Spontaneous Electrical Currents Observed in the Wires of the Electric Telegraph. – Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1849, No. 139, pp. 61–72.
4. Davidson W.F. The Magnetic Storm of March 24, 1940 – Effects in the Power System. – Edison Electric Institute Bulletin, 1940, vol. 8, No. 7, pp. 365–366, 374.
5. Slothower J.C., Albertson V.D. The Effects of Solar Magnetic Activity on Electric Power Systems. – Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science, 1967, vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 94–100.
6. Albertson V.D., Thorson J.M. Power System Disturbances During a K-8 Geomagnetic Storm: August 4, 1972. – IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, 1974, pp. 1025–1030, DOI: 10.1109/TPAS.1974.294046.
7. Boteler D.H. et al. Effects of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in the BC Hydro 500 kV System. – IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 1989, vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 818–823, DOI: 10.1109/61.19275.
8. Mac Manus D.H. et al. Geomagnetically Induced Current Mitigation in New Zealand: Operational Mitigation Method Development with Industry Input. – Space Weather, 2023, vol. 21, No. 11, DOI: 10.1029/2023SW003533.
9. Clilverd M.A. et al. Geomagnetically Induced Currents, Transformer Harmonics, and Reactive Power Impacts of the Gannon Storm in May 2024. – Space Weather, 2025, vol. 23, No. 4, DOI: 10.1029/2024SW004235.
10. Баранник М.Б. и др. Система регистрации геоиндуктированных токов в нейтралях силовых автотрансформаторов. – Приборы и техника эксперимента, 2012, № 1, с. 118–123.
11. Селиванов В.Н., Сахаров Я.А. Влияние геоиндуктированных токов на содержание гармоник в силовых трансформаторах. – Известия РАН. Серия физическая, 2021, т. 85, № 3, с. 416–421.
12. Dommel H.W. Digital Computer Solution of Electromagnetic Transients in Single-and Multiphase Networks. – IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, 1969, vol. PAS-88, No. 4, pp. 388–399, DOI: 10.1109/TPAS.1969.292459.
13. Walling R.A. Potential Impacts of Harmonics on Bulk System Integrity During Geomagnetic Disturbances. – IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, 2013, DOI: 10.1109/PESMG.2013.6672901.
14. Bernabeu E. Single-Phase Transformer Harmonics Produced During Geomagnetic Disturbances: Theory, Modeling, and Monito-ring. – IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 2015, vol.30, No. 3, pp. 1323–1330, DOI: 10.1109/TPWRD.2014.2371927.
15. Rossi J.C., de Oliveira L.C.O. Experimental Analysis of Harmonic Distortions in the Excitation Currents of Double-Excited Three-Phase Transformers. – Ninth Int. Conf. on Harmonics and Quality of Power, 2000, vol.3, pp. 858–863, DOI: 10.1109/ICHQP.2000.896841.
16. Пузаков А.А., Селиванов В.Н., Колобов В.В. Исследование влияния несимметрии нагрузки на ток в нейтрали автотрансформатора. – Труды Кольского научного центра РАН, 2015, № 8 (34), с. 21–29.
17. ГОСТ Р 72176-2025. Нормы гармонических составляющих и составляющих обратной последовательности тока в сетях общего назначения среднего и высокого напряжения. М.: Российский институт стандартизации, 2025, 23 с.
---
Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке РНФ в рамках научного проекта №25-29-01240, https://rscf.ru/project/25-29-01240.
#
1. Pilipenko V.A. Solnechno-zemnaya fizika – in Russ. (Solar-Terrestrial Physics), 2021, vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 72–110.
2. Aksenovich T.V. Vestnik MEI – in Russ. (Bulletin of Moscow Power Engineering Institute), 2025, No. 1, pp. 28–35.
3. Barlow W.H. On the Spontaneous Electrical Currents Observed in the Wires of the Electric Telegraph. – Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, 1849, No. 139, pp. 61–72.
4. Davidson W.F. The Magnetic Storm of March 24, 1940 – Effects in the Power System. – Edison Electric Institute Bulletin, 1940, vol. 8, No. 7, pp. 365–366, 374.
5. Slothower J.C., Albertson V.D. The Effects of Solar Magnetic Activity on Electric Power Systems. – Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science, 1967, vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 94–100.
6. Albertson V.D., Thorson J.M. Power System Disturbances During a K-8 Geomagnetic Storm: August 4, 1972. – IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, 1974, pp. 1025–1030, DOI: 10.1109/TPAS.1974.294046.
7. Boteler D.H. et al. Effects of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in the BC Hydro 500 kV System. – IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 1989, vol. 4. No. 1, pp. 818–823, DOI: 10.1109/61.19275.
8. Mac Manus D.H. et al. Geomagnetically Induced Current Mitigation in New Zealand: Operational Mitigation Method Development with Industry Input. – Space Weather, 2023, vol. 21, No. 11, DOI: 10.1029/2023SW003533.
9. Clilverd M.A. et al. Geomagnetically Induced Currents, Transformer Harmonics, and Reactive Power Impacts of the Gannon Storm in May 2024. – Space Weather, 2025, vol. 23, No. 4, DOI: 10.1029/2024SW004235.
10. Barannik M.B. et al. Pribory i tekhnika eksperimenta – in Russ. (Instruments and Experimental Techniques), 2012, No. 1, pp. 118–123.
11. Selivanov V.N., Saharov Ya.A. Izvestiya RAN. Seriya fizicheskaya – in Russ. (Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics), 2021, vol. 85, No. 3, pp. 416–421.
12. Dommel H.W. Digital Computer Solution of Electromagnetic Transients in Single-and Multiphase Networks. – IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus and Systems, 1969, vol. PAS-88, No. 4, pp. 388–399, DOI: 10.1109/TPAS.1969.292459.
13. Walling R.A. Potential Impacts of Harmonics on Bulk System Integrity During Geomagnetic Disturbances. – IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting, 2013, DOI: 10.1109/PESMG.2013.6672901.
14. Bernabeu E. Single-Phase Transformer Harmonics Produced During Geomagnetic Disturbances: Theory, Modeling, and Monito-ring. – IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 2015, vol.30, No. 3, pp. 1323–1330, DOI: 10.1109/TPWRD.2014.2371927.
15. Rossi J.C., de Oliveira L.C.O. Experimental Analysis of Harmonic Distortions in the Excitation Currents of Double-Excited Three-Phase Transformers. – Ninth Int. Conf. on Harmonics and Quality of Power, 2000, vol.3, pp. 858–863, DOI: 10.1109/ICHQP.2000.896841.
16. Puzakov A.A., Selivanov V.N., Kolobov V.V. Trudy Kol’skogo nauchnogo tsentra RAN – in Russ. (Proceedings of the Kola Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences), 2015, No. 8 (34), pp. 21–29.
17. GOST R 72176-2025. Normy garmonicheskih sostavlyayu-shchih i sostavlyayushchih obratnoy posledovatel’nosti toka v setyah obshchego naznacheniya srednego i vysokogo napryazheniya (Limits for Harmonic Current and Negative Sequence Current Emissions in the Public Electrical Networks of Medium and High Voltage). M.: Rossiyskiy institut standartizatsii, 2025, 23 p
---
The research was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation within the framework of scientific project No. 25-29-01240, https://rscf.ru/project/25-29-01240
