SERIAL FERRORESONANCE

IN VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS

TRAINING BOOKLET: 6
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CONTENTS
1. Description of the Serial Ferroresonance Phenomenon |4

2. Fundamental and Subharmonic Ferroresonance |6

2.1. Fundamental Ferroresonance | 6
2.2. Subharmonic Ferroresonance | 6

3. Calculations and Equations |8

4. Results of Tests on Circuits in Fundamental Ferroresonance | 11

5. References | 11

Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers

SUMMARY
This article describes the serial ferroresonance In the case of fundamental ferroresonance, the
phenomenon in the cases of fundamental and results of various laboratory experiments are
subharmonic ferroresonance. Starting from the compared with the carried out calculations.
complete R-L-C circuit in ferroresonance, the These points are immediately applicable to
minimum network voltage which sustains the the case of inductive and capacitive voltage
phenomenon is determined. transformers.

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE
SERIAL FERRORESONANCE
PHENOMENON
In a serial R-L-C circuit, for an applied voltage, initial approximation, doesn’t lead to real
a constant current always flows through the understanding of the phenomenon and
circuit, since its components are characterized its mathematical quantification because
by being constant and therefore non-variable it doesn’t take into account that the self-
with current, voltage or time. induction is a complex transference curve
and not the direct quotient between values of
However, if we introduce as a parameter of voltage and current in a continuous rating.
the same circuit a self inductance (1) variable
with the current or the voltage in its terminals, In fig. 1 we have the serial R-L-C circuit and the
we find ourselves with the possibility that a magnetic characteristic of self-inductance.
sustained range of currents and voltages may
be produced within the circuit totally different The appearance of the condition of
from that expected for a determined supply ferroresonance in the circuit, starting from
voltage. a permanent sine-wave condition, is always
due to a variation in the supply voltage to
The classic method of explaining the the circuit, which may return to the original
phenomenon [1], although it gives sufficient conditions but maintaining the ferroresonance.

R L1 Lm
L1

C Lm

a' i

› Fig. 1

4 Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers

1. DESCRIPCIÓN DEL FENÓMENO DE LA FERRORRESONANCIA SERIE

Fig. 2 shows the voltage and current wave

VC
forms in the different elements of an R-L-C
serial circuit. From this figure we can work
out the following: a circuit in sustained
ferroresonance there are 2 transient conditions
every half-cycle of the network, and they are
synchronized by the sine-wave current which
circulates through the circuit.

The inductance goes sharply from the L1 to the network

Lm value and vice versa, with two conditions of
charge and discharge in opposite directions
of C through it.

When the discharge and charge current in

VI
opposite directions of C through Lm reachs i. trans.
the value a', then L = Lm becomes L = L1. At this
point the capacitance C discharges through L1
with a transient current in semi-sine wave and
frequency equal to:

1
ƒ0 = _____________
2π L1 C π/ωo iwm i. fundamental
a'

When the transient current of this discharge i. total = iwm + i. fundamental

L = Li
approaches to zero (t= π/ω0)) then for current
L = Lm
values lower than a', the self-inductance
becomes L = Lm. The capacitor C charged in
the opposite direction meets a very large Lm
and an oscillation of frequency:

1 › Fig. 2
ƒm = _____________
2π Lm C

much lower than the one before is produced.

The current of this transient condition increases

very slowly and hardly any voltage variation
can be appreciated in the capacitance.

When the current of this slow transient added

to the sinewave current of the network reaches
the value a' then L = L1 and the phenomenon
repeats indefinitely.

The following must be taken into account:

When L = Lm at the network frequency we find

out that

1
Lm ω >> _______

Cω

and therefore the circuit is very inductive.

This implies that a weak sine-wave current
of an inductive nature will circulate through
the circuit in the intervals in which the
selfinductance is not saturated, and will make
nearly all the line voltage appear as rippled
over the self-inductance voltage.

Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers 5

2. FUNDAMENTAL AND
SUBHARMONIC
FERRORESONANCE
2.1. FUNDAMENTAL 2.2. SUBHARMONIC
From what has been described in the section In fig. 3 we can see the wave shapes of
above, we can work out the conditions which voltages and currents in the circuit in the case
a R-C-L circuit must fulfill in order to maintain of subharmonic ferroresonance.
a fundamental ferroresonance:
The subharmonic ferroresonance is produced
a. The characteristic oscillation frequency of when the nonsaturated self-inductance Lm
the L1-C circuit must be higher than that together with the capacitance C of the circuit
of the network (usually much higher), that have their own oscillation frequency of fm,
is to say: lower than that of the subharmonic which
may be produced.
1
____________ ≅ ω0 > ω
In this way, the oscillating current of frequency
L1 · C fm and the fundamental component added
together may be able to saturate the self-
This is the same as saying that at the inductance synchonicity every 1.5 network
network frequency, the L1-C circuit should cycles, 2.5 cycles, 3.5 cycles, etc., that’s to say,
be capacitive, that’s to say: with an oscillation period of 3 cycles, 5 cycles,
7 cycles, etc. (3rd subharmonic,
1 5th subharmonic, 7th subharmonic, etc.).
____________ > L1 ω
ω· C
The case above on fundamental ferroresonance
is in fact the same, but synchronized every 1/2
b. The characteristic oscillation frequency cycle.
of the Lm-C circuit must be lower than
that of the network, since in this way the
phenomenon is synchronized every half-
cycle. If ωm>ω then it is impossible to
synchronize it. That is: V1

1
____________ = ωm < ω V2

Lm C

This is equivalent to saying that at the

network frequency, the Lm-C circuit must VR50Hz. VL50Hz.
be inductive and therefore: VL1 network

1
____________ < Lm ω VC VLm. sub.
Cω
VL = VLm. sub. + VL50Hz.

c. The discharge of C through L1 must be in

an oscillating way, for which the circuit
must be under-damped, that is:
i. trans.
a'

R < Rc = 2 L1
____
i. fundamental 50 Hz
C b
In this way we guarantee that the current
passes through zero, with a ωo>ω, and L1 is 0 a
converted to the value of Lm and vice versa.
π
a'

The network voltage must be enough to

provide the energy lost in the resistor R while
in communication In addition we assume
that the losses in R because of the sine-wave i. total = i. trans. + i. fundamental
current of the network or the pulse current
ωm are neglected due to their low values. › Fig. 3

6 Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers

2. FUNDAMENTAL AND SUBHARMONIC FERRORESONANCE

Figure 3 shows that if the free oscillation c. The discharge of C through L1 must be
frequency oscillating, for which the circuit must be
underdamped, that is to say:
____________1
R < Rc = 2 L
____
1
Lm C
C
is, for example, lower than the 9th
subharmonic, ferroresonances of the 1st In this way, we guarantee that the current
subharmonic (fundamental) may appear, then passes through zero, with a ω0>ωsubharmonic,
3rd subharmonic and 5th subharmonic ones, and L1 is converted to the value Lm and vice
followed by the 7th and even the 9th ones, but versa.
never the 11th, that is, at frequencies lower than
that of free oscillation: d. The network voltage must be enough to
provide the energy lost in the resistance R
____________1 while commutation. In addition we assume
that the losses in R because of the sinewave
Lm C current of the network or the pulse current
ω
____
Subharmonics increase their periods (orders) are neglected due to their low values.
n
while network voltage decreases.

From figure 3 we can deduce the circuit

conditions required for the existence of
subharmonic ferroresonance:

a. The characteristic oscillation frequency of

the circuit L1-C must be higher than that of
the considered subharmonic, i.e.:

ω0 = 1
____________ > ωsubharmonic
L1 C

or just at the frequency of the considered

subharmonic the circuit L1-C must be
capacitive:

1 ω
_______ > L1 ____

____
ω n
C
n

where n = order of the considered

subharmonic.

b. The characteristic oscillation frequency of

the circuit Lm-C must be lower than that
of the considered subharmonic so that the
phenomenon can be synchronized, i.e.:

1
____________ < ωconsidered subharmonic
Lm C

This is equivalent to saying that at the

frequency of the considered subharmonic
the circuit Lm-C must be inductive:

1 ω
_______> Lm ____
ω n
C ____
n

where n = order of the considered

subharmonic.

Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers 7

3. CALCULATIONS AND
EQUATIONS
The equilibrium equations for the maintenance we have:
of the fundamental and the subharmonic
ferroresonance are shown below. Esat · 2√2 = ω · V0 (b - a)

Primarily, we assume that the core has no π

____ _ ____
π
losses and we check the influence of the serial Esat · 2√2 = ω · V0 ( )
ω ω0
resistance r1. (fig.4).
____
ω
The initial hypothesis are as follows: Esat · 2√2 = V0 π ( 1 - )
ω0
a. The excitation sine-wave current is Esat · 2√2 = V0 π ( 1 - m )
insignificant compared to the impulses
while the transients. Eq. (3)
b. Self-inductance has 2 values: Lm when it is From equation (2) we deduce:
not saturated, and L1 when it is saturated.
Also when the self-inductance value is Lm, Energy supplied by the network:
it is so large that it prevents the capacitors
from discharging. a

The equations to be applied are: ualim · i · dt

b'
Ualimentation = VL + Vc Eq. (1) Ec. (4)

Energy supplied by the network = Energy Energy lost while commutation:

consummed inthe circuit Eq. (2)
a
Developing both equations for the case of
fundamental ferroresonance and integrating r1 · i2 · dt
equation (1) between a and b we have: b'
Eq. (5)
b b b

Ualim · d(ω · t) = VL · d(ω · t) + VC · d(ω · t) While commutation we can assume:

a a a ^ = √2 · U
ualim = V eff

and where: since ω0 >> ω

b
Similarly,
Esat · 2 · √2
VL · d(ω · t) = ________________
ω i = Î · sen ω0 t
a

with b' = 0 and a = π

b

VC · d(ω · t) = V0 (b - a)
VC
a Î

π π
____ _ ____
b-a= área+
ω ω0

1 2
r
ω ______ _ ______
1
b
given m = y ω0 = ____
LC 4L
2
ω0 1 1
b' a
r1 L1 Lm
network

C área-

-VC
-VL
› Fig. 4

8 Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers

3. CALCULATIONS AND EQUATIONS

Charging and discharging current of C implies From another way:

a charge which value is:
π
____
π
____
ω0
ω0
i · dt = Q = 2 · C · V0
idt = 2 · C · V0 0
0
^ remains constant along that
Supposing that V
semiperiod we have:
Supposing that i = Î · sen ω0t
π
____
ω0
π
____
ω0
^
V ^ ·Q=V
i · dt = V ^ ·2·C·V
0
2
Î · sen ω0 tdt = Î · ____ 0
ω0
0
Equalling both terms:
2
That’s to say: Î · ____ = 2 · C · V0 r1 Î2π
ω0 ^
V · 2 · C · V0 =________

2 ω0
As: ω = m · ω0
As
ω
Î = ____ · C · V0
m η2
2 · C · V0 = ________

ω0
Therefore:

V0 V0 we have
Î = _______________ = __________
1 η 2 r1 · Î2 · π
m · _______ m · Xc ^ · ______
V = ___________
ω ·C ω0 2 · ω0

The relation between the minimum voltage that’s to say:

which (V^ ), maintains the phenomenon, the
voltage in the capacitor (V0) and the current r · η π
^ =
V
1
___________
while conmutation periods (Î) is obtained: 4
π
____ π
____ ω E · 2√2
sat
ω0 ω0 As Î = ____ · C · V0 y V0 = ___________
m π· (1-m)
^
V i·dt = r1 i2·dt
we have:
0 0
1
r ·ω·C·E sat
· 2√2 · π
_______________________________
as i = Î · sen ω0t, we obtain ^ =
V
m · 4 · π · (1-m)
π
____ π
____
ω0 ω0 that’s to say:

r1 · Î2 sen2 ω tdt = r1 Î2 1 - cos2ω t0 dt r ·ω·C·E

1 sat
· √2 r ·E
1 sat
· √2
_________________________ _____________________
0 __________________
^ =
V =
0 0 2 2m · (1-m) 2 · Xc · m · (1-m)

π
____
^ = U . √2 , then:
As V eff
ω0
t 1 U
eff r
= r1 Î2 - ____ sen 2ωt
____ ________
= 1
________________________

2 4ω Esat 2 · Xc · m · (1-m)
0
Ec. (7)

π rÎ π
1
2
ω 1
r1 Î2 _____
- 0 = ________
where m = , Xc =
____ _______
2ω0 2ω0 ω0 ω· C

Esat = saturation voltage of the self-inductance

at 50 Hz.

Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers 9

3. CALCULATIONS AND EQUATIONS

The influence of the losses in the self- Therefore the feeding voltage increase Û
inductance core can be represented by needed to maintain the ferroresonance will
means of a resistor R in parallel with the non- be:
saturated self-inductance Lm (fig.5).
η2 1
Û · _______ = Û·C·(V1 + V2) = ·C·(V21 - V22 )
____
The equation which has to be fulfilled with at ω0 2
any ferroresonance condition is as follows:
That’s to say:
Energy supplied by the network = Energy
lost in r1 + Energy lost in R 1
Û= · ( V1 - V2)
____
2
Eq.(8)
Or
Equation 8 is developed in the same way as
the previous cases, with the only difference V -V
that the term "Energy lost in R" is obtained Ûeff = __________
1 2

as the discharge from C through R when the 2 √2

self-inductance value is L = Lm.
being
Since the voltage in the capacitor falls from V1
2 √2 · E
to V2 we have a lost energy of value equal to: V1 - V2 = ______________
sat

ω·C·R
1
____
· C · ( V21 - V22 ) so
2
Û 1 X
Besides in the charge-discharge process of C ________
eff
= ______________
= ____
c

from V2 to V1 we have: Esat ω·C·R R

π
____ Ec. (9)
ω0
Therefore, if we want to take into account the
i·dt = Q = ( V1 + V2 ) · C
losses in the self-inductance, we have to add
0 to the second term of equation (7) the second
term of equation (9).
and this is equal to:

η2
= C · ( V1 + V2 )
_______
ω0

r1 L1 Lm

C
R

› Fig. 5

10 Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers

4. RESULTS OF TESTS ON CIRCUITS
IN FUNDAMENTAL
FERRORESONANCE
The following experiments have been carried
out on the circuit shown in figure 5, making it
go into ferroresonance by raising the supply
voltage. Afterwards the voltage supply is
slowly reduced and the effective voltage
at which the phenomenon disappears is
measured. The obtained results appear in
table 1.

Table 1
Circuit Parameters Feeding Voltage

r1 0hm L1x10-3H R 0hm Cx10-6F CALCULATED MEASURED

2.85 6.54 230 80 12.68 10.6

2.85 6.54 230 180 14.56 14.05
2.85 6.54 230 240 19.96 16.5
2.85 6.54 230 300 19.81 19.8
2.85 6.54 230 360 23.08 23.7
2.85 6.54 66 80 33.06 32
2.85 6.54 66 180 23.62 24.2
2.85 6.54 66 240 23.75 24.5
2.85 6.54 66 300 25.24 25.6
2.85 6.54 66 360 27.6 27.4

5. REFERENCES
[1] Cahen, F.: Electrotechnique, Gauthier-
Villars, 1963.
[2] Mahy, P.: Contribution theorique et
experimentale à l’etude des phènomènes
de ferrorresonance monophasée, SRBE,
1972.

Serial ferroresonance in voltage transformers 11

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