Chapter 5

Phase-Shifting Transformers

5.1 INTRODUCTION

The phase-shifting transformer is an indispensable device in multipulse diode/SCR

rectifiers. It provides three main functions: (a) a required phase displacement between
the primary and secondary line-to-line voltages for harmonic cancellation, (b) a proper
secondary voltage, and (c) an electric isolation between the rectifier and the utility
supply. According to the winding arrangements, the transformers can be classified
into Y/Z and Δ/Z configurations, where the primary winding can be connected in wye
(Y) or delta (Δ) while the secondary windings are normally in zigzag (Z) connection.
Both configurations can be equally used in the multipulse rectifiers.
In this chapter, a number of issues concerning the phase-shifting transformer are
addressed, including the configuration of the transformer, the design of turns ratios,
and the principle of harmonic current cancellation.

5.2 Y/Z PHASE-SHIFTING TRANSFORMERS

Depending on winding connections, the line-to-line voltage of the transformer sec-

ondary winding may lead or lag its primary voltage by a phase angle 𝛿. The Y/Z-1
transformers to be presented below provide a leading phase angle while the Y/Z-2
transformers generate a lagging angle.

5.2.1 Y/Z-1 Transformers

Figure 5.2-1 shows a Y/Z-1 phase-shifting transformer and its phasor diagram. The
primary winding is connected in wye with N1 turns per phase. The secondary winding
is composed of two sets of coils having N2 and N3 turns per phase. The N2 coils are
connected in delta and then in series with the N3 coils. Such an arrangement is

High-Power Converters and AC Drives, Second Edition. Bin Wu and Mehdi Narimani.
© 2017 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. Published 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

83
84 Chapter 5 Phase-Shifting Transformers

N1 N2 N3
X x
A a
– vP + – vQ +
Y y
B b
Z z
C c

(a) Connection diagram

VCZ Vcz
Vax
VP VQ
VAX 120° Vab
30° + 𝛿
120° VAB VAB
30° – 𝛿 𝛿
VBY Vby
30° 30°

(b) Phasor diagram

Figure 5.2-1 Y/Z-1 phase-shifting transformer.

known as zigzag or extended-delta connection. As shown in its phasor diagram, the

transformer can produce a phase-shifting angle 𝛿, defined by

𝛿 = ∠V ab − ∠V AB (5.2-1)

where V AB and V ab are the phasors for the primary and secondary line-to-line voltages
vAB and vab , respectively. To determine the turns ratio for the transformer, let us
consider a triangle composed of V Q , V by , and V ab in the phasor diagram, from
which
VQ Vby
= 0◦ ≤ 𝛿 ≤ 30◦ (5.2-2)
sin(30◦ − 𝛿) sin(30◦ + 𝛿)

where VQ is the rms voltage across the N3 coil and Vby is the rms phase voltage
between notes b and y. Since Vby is equal to Vax in a balanced three-phase system,
(5.2-2) can be rewritten as

VQ sin(30◦ − 𝛿)
= (5.2-3)
Vax sin(30◦ + 𝛿)

from which the turns ratio of the secondary coils is

N3 VQ sin(30◦ − 𝛿)
= = (5.2-4)
N2 + N3 Vax sin(30◦ + 𝛿)
 5.2 Y/Z Phase-Shifting Transformers 85

For a given value of 𝛿, the ratio of N3 to (N2 + N3 ) can be determined.

Similarly, the following relationship can be derived

Vab Vby
◦
= (5.2-5)
sin 120 sin(30◦ + 𝛿)

from which
2
Vax = Vby = √ sin(30◦ + 𝛿)Vab (5.2-6)
3

The turns ratio of the transformer is defined by

N1 V
= AX (5.2-7)
N2 + N3 Vax

Substituting (5.2-6) into (5.2-7) yields

N1 1 VAB
= (5.2-8)
N2 + N3 2 sin(30◦ + 𝛿) Vab
√
where VAB = 3 VAX .
Let us now examine two extreme cases. Assuming that N2 is reduced to zero, the
secondary winding in Fig. 5.2-1 becomes wye connected, and thus Vab is in phase
with VAB , leading to 𝛿 = 0◦ . Alternatively, if N3 = 0, the secondary winding becomes
delta connected, resulting in 𝛿 = 30◦ . Therefore, the phase-shifting angle 𝛿 for the
Y/Z-1 transformer is in the range of 0–30◦ .

5.2.2 Y/Z-2 Transformers

The configuration of a Y/Z-2 phase-shifting transformer is shown in Fig. 5.2-2,

where the primary winding remains the same as that in the Y/Z-1 transformer while
the secondary delta-connected coils are connected in a reverse order. Following the
same procedure presented earlier, the transformer turns ratio can be found from

⎧ N3 sin(30◦ − |𝛿|)
=
⎪ N2 + N3 sin(30◦ + |𝛿|)
⎨ N VAB
(5.2-9)
⎪ 1 1
⎩ N2 + N3 = 2 sin(30◦ + |𝛿|) Vab

The phase angle 𝛿 has a negative value for the Y/Z-2 transformer, indicating that
Vab lags VAB by |𝛿| as shown in Fig. 5.2-2b.
Table 5.2-1 gives the typical value of 𝛿 and turns ratio of the Y/Z transformers for
use in multipulse rectifiers. The voltage ratio VAB /Vab is normally equal to 2, 3, and
4 for the 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers, respectively.
86 Chapter 5 Phase-Shifting Transformers

N1 N2 N3
X x
A a
Y y
B b
– vP + – vQ +
Z z
C c

(a) Connection diagram

Vcz
VCZ

VAX VAB

120° VAB VP
Vax
120°
VBY 30° VQ 𝛿 Vab
30° 30° – ∣𝛿∣
Vby 30° + ∣𝛿∣
(b) Phasor diagram
Figure 5.2-2 Y/Z-2 phase-shifting transformer.

Table 5.2-1 Turns Ratio for Y/Z Transformers

𝛿(∠V ab − ∠V AB ) N3 N1
Applications
Y/Z-1 Y/Z-2 N2 + N 3 N2 + N 3
VAB
0◦ 0◦ 1.0 1.0 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
15◦ −15◦ 0.366 0.707 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
20◦ −20◦ 0.227 0.653 18-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
30◦ −30◦ 0 0.577 12- and 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
= 2, 3, and 4 for 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers, respectively
Vab

5.3 𝚫/Z TRANSFORMERS

Figure 5.3-1 shows two typical configurations for Δ/Z phase-shifting transformers,
where the primary winding is connected in delta and the secondary winding is zigzag
connected. The phasor diagram for the Δ/Z − 1 transformer is given in Fig. 5.3-1c, in
 5.3 Δ/Z Transformers 87

N1 N2 N3
X x
A a
– vP + – vQ +
Y y
B b

Z z
C c

(a) Δ / Z – 1 transformer
N1 N2 N3
A a

B b

C c

(b) Δ / Z – 2 transformer
Vcz VAB
Vax
VAX
VP VQ
VCZ VAB Vab
60° – ∣𝛿∣

𝛿
VBY
60° Vby 60°

(c) Phasor diagram for Δ /Z – 1 transformer

Figure 5.3-1 Δ/Z phase-shifting transformers.

which the secondary voltage Vab lags the primary voltage VAB by |𝛿|. The turns ratio
of the Δ/Z − 1 transformer is given by

⎧ N VQ sin(|𝛿|)
⎪ 3
= =
⎪ N2 + N3 Vax sin(60◦ − |𝛿|)
⎨ √ − 30◦ ≤ 𝛿 ≤ 0◦ (5.3-1)
⎪ N1 VAX 3 VAB
⎪ N + N = V = 2 sin(60◦ − |𝛿|) V
⎩ 2 3 ax ab

Table 5.3-1 illustrates the relationship between the phase-shifting angle 𝛿 and the
turns ratio of the Δ/Z transformers for multipulse rectifiers. The phase angle 𝛿 varies
from 0◦ to − 30◦ for the Δ/Z − 1 transformer and from − 30◦ to − 60◦ for the Δ/Z −
2 transformer.
Figure 5.3-2 shows a few examples of the phase-shifting transformers for use
in multipulse diode/SCR rectifiers. The transformer for the 12-pulse rectifiers has
two secondary windings with a 30◦ phase shift between them. The 18-pulse rectifiers
require a transformer with three secondary windings having a 20◦ phase displacement
88 Chapter 5 Phase-Shifting Transformers

Table 5.3-1 Turns Ratio for Δ/Z Transformers

Zigzag N3 N1
Transformer 𝛿(∠V ab − ∠V AB ) Applications
N2 + N 3 N2 + N 3
VAB
0◦ 0 1.0 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
Δ/Z-1 −15◦ 0.366 1.225 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
−20◦ 0.532 1.347 18-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
−30◦ 1.0 1.732 12- and 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
−40◦ 0.532 1.347 18-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
Δ/Z-2 −45◦ 0.366 1.225 24-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
−60◦ 0 1.0 18-pulse rectifiers
Vab
VAB
= 2, 3, and 4 for 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse rectifiers, respectively
Vab

0° 0°

30° 30°
(a) For 12-pulse rectifiers

20° (Y/Z – 2) 0°

0° 20° ( /Z – 1)

20° (Y/Z – 1) 40° ( /Z – 2)

(b) For 18-pulse rectifiers

15° (Y/Z – 2) 0°

0° 15° ( /Z – 1)
15° (Y/Z – 1) 30°
30° 45° ( /Z – 2)

(c) For 24-pulse rectifiers

Figure 5.3-2 Examples of phase-shifting transformers for multipulse rectifiers.
 5.4 Harmonic Current Cancellation 89

among each other. The transformer used in the 24-pulse rectifiers has four secondary
windings with a 15◦ phase shift between any two adjacent windings.

5.4 HARMONIC CURRENT CANCELLATION

5.4.1 Phase Displacement of Harmonic Currents

The main purpose of this section is to investigate the phase displacement of har-
monic currents when they are referred from the secondary to the primary side
of a phase-shifting transformer. It is the phase displacement that makes it pos-
sible to cancel certain harmonic currents generated by a three-phase nonlinear
load.
Figure 5.4-1 shows a Δ/Y transformer feeding a nonlinear load. Assume that√the
voltage ratio VAB /Vab of the transformer is unity with a turns ratio of N1 ∕N2 = 3.
The transformer has a phase angle of 𝛿 = ∠V ab − ∠V AB = −30◦ . For a three-phase
balanced system, the line currents of the nonlinear load can be expressed as

⎧ ∑∞
⎪ a
i = În sin (n𝜔t)
⎪ n=1,5,7,11,…
⎪
⎪ ∑∞
i
⎨ b = În sin(n(𝜔t − 120◦ )) (5.4-1)
⎪ n=1,5,7,11,…
⎪
⎪ ∑∞
i
⎪ c = În sin(n(𝜔t − 240◦ ))
⎩ n=1,5,7,11,…

where În is the peak value of the nth order harmonic current. When ia and ib are
referred to the primary side, the referred currents i′ap and i′bp in the primary winding

vA + N1
– A ia iap N2 ia a

vB
– + B ib ibp ib b Nonlinear
load
vC
– +
C ic icp ic c

Vab V AB 30°
Figure 5.4-1 Investigation of harmonic currents in the primary and secondary windings.
90 Chapter 5 Phase-Shifting Transformers

can be described by

⎧ ′ N2 1
⎪ iap = ia N = √ (Î1 sin(𝜔t) + Î5 sin(5𝜔t) + Î7 sin(7𝜔t) + Î11 sin(11𝜔t) + …)
⎪ 1 3
⎪
⎨ i′ = i N2 = √1 (Î sin(𝜔t − 120◦ ) + Î sin(5𝜔t − 240◦ ) + Î sin(7𝜔t − 120◦ )
⎪ bp b
N1 3
1 5 7
⎪
⎪ + Î11 sin(11𝜔t − 240◦ ) + ⋯)
⎩
(5.4-2)

from which the primary line current can be found from

i′a = i′ap − i′bp = Î1 sin(𝜔t + 30◦ ) + Î5 sin(5𝜔t − 30◦ ) + Î7 sin(7𝜔t + 30◦ )
+ Î11 sin(11𝜔t − 30◦ ) + …
∑∞ ∑
∞
= În sin(n𝜔t − 𝛿) + În sin(n𝜔t + 𝛿) (5.4-3)
n=1,7,13,… n=5,11,17,…

∑
The first on the right-hand side of (5.4-3) includes all the harmonic currents of
∑
positive sequence (n = 1, 7, 13, …) while the second represents all the negative
sequence harmonics (n = 5, 11, 17, …).
Comparing the primary line current i′a in (5.4-3) with the secondary line current
ia in (5.4-1), we have

{
∠i′an = ∠ian − 𝛿 for n = 1, 7, 13, 19, … (positive sequence harmonics)
∠i′an = ∠ian + 𝛿 for n = 5, 11, 17, 23, … (negative sequence harmonics)
(5.4-4)

where ∠i′an and ∠i′an are the phase angles of nth order harmonic currents i′an and
i′an , respectively. Equation 5.4-4 describes the relationship between the phase angles
of the harmonic currents when referred from the secondary to the primary of the
phase-shifting transformer. It can be proven that equation 5.4-4 is valid for any 𝛿
values.

5.4.2 Harmonic Cancellation

To illustrate how the harmonic currents are cancelled by a phase-shifting transformer,

let us examine a 12-pulse rectifier shown in Fig. 5.4-2. The phase-shifting angle 𝛿 of
the wye- and delta-connected secondary windings is zero and 30◦ , respectively. The
 5.4 Harmonic Current Cancellation 91

iA ia ia~ N2 a ia
vA iA N1 Six-pulse
A b
SCR/diode
rectifier
c
vB
B 0
vd
N3 a~ ia~
vC ~
b Six-pulse
C
SCR/diode
rectifier
c~

30
Figure 5.4-2 An example of harmonic current cancellation.

voltage ratio is VAB ∕Vab = VAB ∕Vã b̃ = 2. The line currents in the secondary windings
can be expressed as

⎧ ∑∞
⎪ ia = În sin(n𝜔t) ⋯
⎪ n=1,5,7,11,13,…
⎨ ∑∞ (5.4-5)
⎪i = În sin (n(𝜔t + 𝛿))
⎪ ̃
a
⎩ n=1,5,7,11,13,…

When ia is referred to the primary side, the phase angle of all the harmonic currents
remains unchanged due to the Y/Y connection. The referred current i′a is then given
by

1 ̂
i′a = (I sin(𝜔t) + Î5 sin(5𝜔t) + Î7 sin(7𝜔t) + Î11 sin(11𝜔t) + Î13 sin(13𝜔t) + ⋯)
2 1
(5.4-6)

To transfer iã to the primary side, we can make use of (5.4-4), from which

( )
1 ∑
∞ ∑
∞
i′ã = În sin (n(𝜔t + 𝛿) − 𝛿) + În sin (n(𝜔t + 𝛿) + 𝛿)
2 n=1,7,13,… n=5,11,17,…
1 ̂
= (I sin(𝜔t) − Î5 sin(5𝜔t) − Î7 sin(7𝜔t) + Î11 sin(11𝜔t) + Î13 sin(13𝜔t) − …)
2 1
for 𝛿 = 30◦ (5.4-7)
92 Chapter 5 Phase-Shifting Transformers

The primary line current iA can then be found from

iA = i′a + i′ã = Î1 sin 𝜔t + Î11 sin 11𝜔t + Î13 sin 13𝜔 + Î23 sin 23𝜔 + ⋯ . (5.4-8)

where the 5th, 7th, 17th, and 19th harmonic currents in ia and i′a are 180◦ out of
phase, and therefore cancelled.

5.5 SUMMARY

To reduce the line current THD in high-power rectifiers, multipulse diode/SCR recti-
fiers powered by phase-shifting transformers are often employed. In this chapter, the
typical configurations of the phase-shifting transformers for 12-, 18-, and 24-pulse
rectifiers are presented. The structure and phasor diagrams of the transformers are
discussed. To assist the transformer design, the relationship between the required
phase-shifting angle and transformer turns ratio is tabulated. The principle of har-
monic current cancellation by the phase-shifting transformers is also demonstrated.