Sequence Network
Sequence Network
Sequence Network
2020
February By Dr. Mahmood T. Alkhayyat
Sequence Networks of Rotating Machines
A Y-connected synchronous generator grounded through a neutral impedance Zn is shown in
Figure 1. The internal generator voltages are designated Ea, Eb, and Ec, and the generator line
currents are designated Ia, Ib, and Ic. The sequence networks of the generator are shown in Figure
2. Since a three-phase synchronous generator is designed to produce balanced internal phase
voltages Ea, Eb, and Ec with only a positive-sequence component, a source voltage Eg1 is included
only in the positive-sequence network. The sequence components of the line-to-ground voltages
at the generator terminals are denoted V0, V1, and V2 in Figure 2. The voltage drop in the generator
neutral impedance is ZnIn, which can be written as (3Zn)I0 the neutral current is three times the
zero-sequence current. Since this voltage drop is due only to zero-sequence current, an impedance
(3Zn) is placed in the zero-sequence network of Figure 2 in series with the generator zero-
sequence impedance Zg0.
The sequence impedances of rotating machines are generally not equal. A detailed analysis of
machine-sequence impedances is given in machine theory texts. Here is a brief explanation. When
a synchronous generator stator has balanced three-phase positive sequence currents under steady-
state conditions, the net mmf produced by these positive-sequence currents rotates at the
synchronous rotor speed in the same direction as that of the rotor. Under this condition, a high
value of magnetic flux penetrates the rotor, and the positive-sequence impedance Zg1 has a high
value. Under steady-state conditions, the positive-sequence generator impedance is called the
synchronous impedance.
When a synchronous generator stator has balanced three-phase negative sequence currents, the
net mmf produced by these currents rotates at synchronous speed in the direction opposite to that
of the rotor. With respect to the rotor, the net mmf is not stationary but rotates at twice
synchronous speed. Under this condition, currents are induced in the rotor windings that prevent
the magnetic flux from penetrating the rotor. As such, the negative-sequence impedance Zg2 is
less than the positive-sequence synchronous impedance.
When a synchronous generator has only zero-sequence currents, which are line (or phase) currents
with equal magnitude and phase, then the net mmf produced by these currents is theoretically
zero. The generator zero-sequence impedance Zg0 is the smallest sequence impedance and is due
to leakage flux, end turns, and harmonic flux from windings that do not produce a perfectly
sinusoidal mmf.
Figure 2 Sequence networks of a Y-connected synchronous generator
1 85°
Ean
Ecn
j10 ꭥ
Ebn
c b 1 85° J30
1 85°
SOLUTION
The sequence networks are shown in Figure 5. They are obtained by interconnecting the sequence
networks for a balanced-Δ load, for series-line impedances, and for a synchronous generator. It
is clear from Figure 5 that I0 = I2 = 0 since there are no sources in the zero- and negative-sequence
networks. Also, the positive-sequence generator terminal voltage V1 equals the generator line-to-
400
neutral terminal voltage. 𝐸𝑎𝑛 = ∠ − 30°
√3
The source neutral is solidly grounded. Using the method of symmetrical components, calculate
the source currents Ia, Ib, and Ic.
SOLUTION
The sequence components of the source voltages are
These sequence voltages are applied to the sequence networks of the line and load, as shown in
Figure 6. The sequence networks of this figure are
FIGURE 6 Sequence networks for Example 2
uncoupled, and the sequence components of the source currents are easily calculated as follows:
Calculate the line currents for this example without using symmetrical components in order to verify this result and to compare the two solution methods.
Per-Unit Sequence Models of Three-Phase Two-Winding Transformers
Figure 7 (a) is a schematic representation of an ideal Y–Y transformer grounded through neutral
impedances ZN and Zn. Figures 7 (b through d) show the per-unit sequence networks of this ideal
transformer.
When balanced positive-sequence currents or balanced negative-sequence currents are applied to
the transformer, the neutral currents are zero, and there are no voltage drops across the neutral
impedances. Therefore, the per-unit positive- and negative-sequence networks of the ideal Y–Y
transformer, Figures 7 (b) and (c), are the same as the per-unit single-phase ideal transformer.
Zero-sequence currents have equal magnitudes and equal phase angles. When per-unit sequence
currents IA0 = IB0 = IC0 = I0 are applied to the high-voltage windings of an ideal Y–Y transformer,
the neutral current I0 flows through the neutral impedance ZN, with a voltage drop (3ZN)I0. Also,
per-unit zero-sequence current I0 flows in each low-voltage winding, and therefore 3I0 flows
through neutral impedance Zn, with a voltage drop (3I0)Zn. The per-unit zero-sequence network,
which includes the impedances (3ZN) and (3Zn), is shown in Figure 7 (b).
Note that if either one of the neutrals of an ideal transformer is ungrounded, then no zero sequence
can flow in either the high- or low-voltage windings. For example, if the high-voltage winding
has an open neutral, then IN = 3I0 = 0, which in turn forces I0 = 0 on the low-voltage side. This
can be shown in the zero-sequence network of Figure 7 (b) by making ZN = ∞, which corresponds
to an open circuit.
The per-unit sequence networks of a practical Y–Y transformer are shown in Figure 8 (a). These
networks are obtained by adding external impedances to the sequence networks of the ideal
transformer, as follows. The leakage impedances of the high-voltage windings are series
impedances, with no coupling between phases (Zab = 0). If the phase a, b, and c windings have
equal leakage impedances ZH = RH+jXH, then the series impedances are symmetrical with
sequence networks, where ZH0 = ZH1 = ZH2 = ZH. Similarly, the leakage impedances of the low-
voltage windings are symmetrical series impedances with ZX0 = ZX1 = ZX2 = ZX. These series
leakage impedances are shown in per unit in the sequence networks of Figure 8 (a).
The shunt branches of the practical Y–Y transformer. Each phase represents a core loss resistor
in parallel with a magnetizing inductance. Assuming these are the same for each phase, then the
Y load is symmetrical. These shunt branches are also shown in Figure 8 (a). Note that (3ZN) and
3Zn) have already been included in the zero-sequence network.
The per-unit positive- and negative-sequence transformer impedances of the practical Y–Y
transformer in Figure 8 (a) are identical, which is always true for nonrotating equipment. The per-
unit zero-sequence network, however, depends on the neutral impedances ZN and Zn. The per-unit
sequence networks of the Y–Δ transformer, shown in Figure 8(b), have the following features:
1. The per-unit impedances do not depend on the winding connections. That is, the per-unit
impedances of a transformer that is connected Y–Y, Y– Δ, Δ –Y, or Δ – Δ are the same. However,
the base voltages do depend on the winding connections.
2. A phase shift is included in the per-unit positive- and negative-sequence networks. For the
American standard, the positive-sequence voltages and currents on the high-voltage side of the
Y– Δ transformer lead the corresponding quantities on the low-voltage side by 30°. For negative
sequence, the high-voltage quantities lag by 30°.
3. Zero-sequence currents can flow in the Y winding if there is a neutral connection, and
corresponding zero-sequence currents flow within the Δ winding. However, no zero-sequence
current enters or leaves the Δ winding.
The phase shifts in the positive- and negative-sequence networks of Figure 8 (b) are represented
by the phase-shifting transformer. Also, the zero-sequence network of Figure 8 (b) provides a
path on the Y side for zero-sequence current to flow, but no zero-sequence current can enter or
leave the Δ side. The per-unit sequence networks of the Δ – Δ transformer, shown in Figure 8 (c),
have the following features:
1. The positive- and negative-sequence networks, which are identical, are the same as those for
the Y–Y transformer. It is assumed that the windings are labeled so there is no phase shift. Also,
the per-unit impedances do not depend on the winding connections, but the base voltages do.
2. Zero-sequence currents cannot enter or leave either Δ winding, although they can circulate
within the Δ windings.
FIGURE 8 Per-unit sequence networks of practical Y–Y, Y–Δ, and Δ–Δ transformers
The per unit line and load impedances, which are located on the low voltage side of the
transformer, are
The per-unit sequence networks are shown in Figure 8. Note that the per-unit line and load
impedances, when referred to the high-voltage side of the phase shifting transformer, do not
change. Therefore, from Figure 8, the sequence components of the source currents are
Figure 9 Sequence networks of example 3