c

Station layout

Converter transformer

The HVDC Converter Transformer

The converter transformer is an important part of an HVDC system. These converter transformers are the heaviest equipment in a HVDC converter station. Single units can often have a total weight of 200-550 tons.

High AC and DC voltages put specific requirement on the dielectric insulation.

converter transformer
converter transformers connect the AC network to the thyristor valve bridge, and adjust the voltage on the valve side to a suitable level based on the DC voltage used for transmission.

Largest HVDC transformer Single phase 3 winding Power: 621/310,5/310,5 MVA Voltage: 230/212/212 kV Connection: Yn/Y/D DC voltage: 500 kV

one end of Monopolar HVDC system

Dc line

6 pulse bridge 1 12 pulse bridge AC System 6 pulse bridge 2

One pole of HVDC terminal

Three phase 3-winding Transformer: one unit feeding 12-pulse bridge,

converter transformer
The converter transformers can be of different design styles depending on the power to be transmitted, and the transport limitations.
What influences transformer properties? Size, how is it affected by different properties? Power is the main driver for size, but Voltage, both AC-side and DC-side voltage, heavily influences size, and Frequency also affects size (smaller core at 60 Hz)

Most common core types Single phase

2 wound limbs

1 wound limb and 2 side limbs

2 wound limbs and 2 side limbs For Lower Transport Height

Most common core type 3-phase

3 wound limbs

3 wound limbs and 2 side limbs For lower transport height

converter transformer
The most common type is a single-phase-threewinding design. If single phase transformers are used then three identical transformers are then needed per converter.

Converter Transformer Functions

1. A converter transformer can act as a galvanic barrier between the AC and DC systems preventing the DC potential to enter the AC system. 2. Reactive impedance in the AC supply to reduce short circuit currents and also control the rate of rise in valve current during commutation.

3. Converter Transformers provide voltage transformation between the AC supply and the HVDC system.
4 Converter Transformers often can supply AC voltages in two separate circuits with a relative phase shift of 30 electrical degrees for reduction of low order harmonics, especially the 5th and 7th harmonics. 5 Converter Transformer models often have a fairly large tap range with small steps to give necessary adjustments in supply voltage.

12-pulse converter bridge

Star -star connection

Star- Delta connection

 More about converter transformers