Ferroresonance Phenomena in Electrical Power Systems
Summary
Ferroresonance is a complex and often unpredictable resonance that arises when nonlinear inductances, typically in transformers, interact with system capacitances. Unlike conventional resonance, ferroresonance can lead to sustained oscillations, steep overvoltages and overcurrents, and chaotic behaviour that endangers equipment integrity. It is most frequently encountered in networks with isolated neutrals or open‐delta transformer connections, where system capacitance from cables or lines couples with the saturable core of inductive voltage transformers. The phenomenon is highly sensitive to initial conditions, transformer core saturation characteristics and switching operations, making it difficult to predict using linear models alone. Advanced numerical methods and laboratory studies have become essential to capture bifurcation processes and stability domains. Practical implications include damage to measurement and protection transformers, erroneous tripping of protective relays and reduced reliability of renewable energy interfaces. As power systems evolve to incorporate distributed generation and more complex switching schemes, understanding ferroresonance under varied fault and operating conditions remains a critical research priority, with an emphasis on robust detection, accurate modelling and effective mitigation strategies.
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Ferroresonance Phenomena in Electrical Power Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in ferroresonance phenomena in electrical power systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Ferroresonance: Nonlinear resonance arising from interaction between transformer core saturation and system capacitance, leading to sustained overvoltages.
Inductive voltage transformer: A transformer with a magnetic core used to step down high system voltages for protection and measurement.
Solid‐state suppressing circuit: A semiconductor-based arrangement designed to interrupt or dampen ferroresonant oscillations rapidly.
Magnetostriction: Change in dimensions of a magnetic core material under alternating magnetisation, producing characteristic acoustic emissions.
Open-delta connection: A three-phase transformer winding configuration using two transformers, often present in auxiliary supplies and isolated-neutral networks.
References
- Analysis of Ferroresonance Mitigation Effectiveness in Auxiliary Power Systems of High-Voltage Substations. Energies (2024).
- Innovative Solid-State Ferroresonance-Suppressing Circuit for Voltage Transformer Protection in Wind Generation Systems. Energies (2023).
- Acoustic Noise-Based Detection of Ferroresonance Events in Isolated Neutral Power Systems with Inductive Voltage Transformers. Sensors (2022).
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