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Home / Technical Articles / Six network operating conditions under which ferroresonance can occur

Ferroresonance and its causes

Due to the multitude of various sources of capacitances and non-linear inductances in a real power network and the wide range of operating conditions, configurations under which ferroresonance can occur are endless. Experience has, however, made it possible to list the main typical configurations that may lead to ferroresonance.

Six network operating conditions under which ferroresonance can occur
Six network operating conditions under which ferroresonance can occur (photo credit: geisrl.it)

A six most common examples are explained below:

  1. Voltage transformer energized through grading capacitance of one (or more) open CB(s)
  2. Voltage transformers (VT) connected to an isolated neutral system
  3. Transformer accidentally energized in only one or two phases
  4. Voltage transformers and HV/MV transformers with isolated neutral
  5. Power system earthed through a reactor
  6. Transformer supplied by a highly capacitive power system with low short-circuit power

1. Voltage transformer energized through grading capacitance of one (or more) open circuit-breaker(s)

In EHV, certain switching operations (padlocking a bus coupler or switched busbar circuit-breaker, removal of a fault on a busbar section…) can drive voltage transformers (VT) connected between phases and earth into ferroresonance.

These configurations can be illustrated by the circuit in figure 1. Opening of circuit breaker D initiates the phenomenon by causing capacitance C to discharge through the VT which is then driven into saturation. The source delivers enough energy through the circuit breaker grading capacitance Cd to maintain the oscillation.

Ferroresonance of a voltage transformer connected in series with an open circuit breaker
Figure 1 – Ferroresonance of a voltage transformer connected in series with an open circuit breaker

Capacitance C corresponds to all the capacitances to earth of the VT and the connection supplied by means of the grading capacitances of the open circuit-breaker(s).

Ferroresonance is of the subharmonic type.

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2. Voltage transformers (VT) connected to an isolated neutral system

This earthing system can be chosen, can result from the coupling of an isolated neutral emergency source or from a loss of system earthing. Transient overvoltages or overcurrents due to switching operations on the power system (load rejection, fault-clearing etc.) or to an earth fault, can initiate the phenomenon by driving into saturation the iron core of one or two of the VTs of the parallel ferroresonant circuit in figure 6.

Ferroresonance is then observed both on the phase-to-earth voltages and on the neutral point voltage (VN).

Ferroresonance of a VT between phase and earth in an isolated neutral system
Figure 2 – Ferroresonance of a VT between phase and earth in an isolated neutral system

The neutral point is displaced and the potential of one or two phases rises with respect to earth, which may give the impression of a single phase-to-earth fault in the system.

Overvoltage values may exceed normal phase- to-phase voltage under steady state condition, and cause dielectric destruction of the electrical equipment.

Depending on the relative values of the magnetizing inductance of the VT and the capacitance C0, ferroresonance is fundamental, subharmonic or quasi-periodic.

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3. Transformer accidentally energized in only one or two phases

A few examples of configurations at risk are given in figure 3 below. These configurations can occur when one or two of the source phases are lost while the transformer is unloaded or lightly loaded, as a result of a fuse blowing on an MV power system, of conductor rupture or of live works.

For example when commissioning a remote controlled breaking cubicle.

Examples of unbalanced systems at risk from ferroresonance
Figure 3 – Examples of unbalanced systems at risk from ferroresonance

The capacitances can be in the form of capacitance of underground cable or an overhead line supplying a transformer whose primary windings are wye connected with isolated or earthed neutral, or delta connected.

For example the series ferroresonant circuit is made up of the connection in series of the phase to earth capacitance (between circuit breaker and transformer) of the open phase and the magnetizing impedance of the transformer. The modes are fundamental, subharmonic or chaotic.

The phase-to-phase and phase-to-earth capacitances, the primary and secondary windings connections, the core configuration (three single-phase, free flux or forced flux), the voltage source system neutral earthing (solidly earthed, earthed, isolated) and the supply mode (one or two phases energized) are all factors involved in the establishment of a given state. Isolated primary neutral is more susceptible to ferroresonance.

To avoid such risks, use of multi-pole breaking switchgear is recommended.

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4. Voltage transformers and HV/MV transformers with isolated neutral

Ferroresonance may occur when the HV and MV neutrals are isolated, and unloaded VTs are connected on the MV side between phase and earth (see fig. 4a).

When an earth fault occurs on the HV side upstream from the substation transformer, the HV neutral rises to a high potential. By capacitive effect between the primary and secondary, overvoltages appear on the MV side, and may trigger ferroresonance of the circuit made up of the voltage source E0, the capacitances Ce and C0 and the magnetizing inductance of a VT (see fig. 4b ).

Ferroresonance of a VT between phase and earth with an isolated neutrals source transformer
Figure 4 – Ferroresonance of a VT between phase and earth with an isolated neutrals source transformer

Where:

  • E0 – zero-sequence voltage on the HV side
  • Ce – capacitance between HV and MV winding
  • C0 – zero-sequence capacitance of the MV power system

Once the HV fault has been removed, the voltage of the HV neutral due to a natural unbalance of the system, may be enough to sustain the phenomenon. Ferroresonance is fundamental.

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5. Power system earthed through a reactor

The two configurations in figure 5 are susceptible to ferroresonance between an inductance connected between neutral and earth, and the capacitances to earth of the network.

As regards LV power systems with isolated neutral, standards recommend (IEC 364) or stipulate (NF C 15-100) implementation of a Permanent Insulation Monitor (PIM).

Permanent Insulation Monitor
Permanent Insulation Monitor Vigilohm, by Schneider Electric

Some PIMs measure insulation impedance of a power system by injecting direct current between the system and the earth. Their impedance is mainly inductive (low impedance for the direct current, and high impedance at power frequency).

They can be a factor contributing to ferroresonance.

Ferroresonance in the case of a system earthed through a reactor
Figure 5 – Ferroresonance in the case of a system earthed through a reactor

Overvoltages may cause sufficient potential rise of the neutral point to initiate ferroresonance between the inductance of the PIM and the capacitances to earth of the network
(see fig. 5a ).

In MV, in order to limit earth-fault currents and help the fault to self-extinghish, a coil of inductance L (such that 3×L×C0×ω02 = 1 where C0 is the zero-sequence capacitance of the MV power system and ω0 the power pulsation) is connected between the MV neutral of an HV/MV transformer and earth (Petersen coil).

Excitation and start of resonance of the circuit consisting of series connection of inductance L and capacitance 3×C0 may occur in the following cases:

  1. HV neutral of the HV/MV transformer earthed, and HV fault flowing through the earth conductor of the substation,
  2. Iron core saturation of the HV/MV transformer,
  3. Transformer design dissymmetry,
  4. Natural dissymmetry of the capacitances (C1, C2, C3 in figure 5b ) to earth.

This may result in saturation of the iron coil, thus initiating or sustaining ferroresonance.

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6. Transformer supplied by a highly capacitive power system with low short-circuit power

Ferroresonance may occur when an unloaded power transformer is suddenly connected to a low short-circuit power source compared with transformer rated power through an underground cable or a long overhead line.

This is the case, for example, on return to service in an MV (underground cable) urban or industrial power networks, but also in very extended rural public MV power networks (see figure 6 ) or where underground cables are increasingly used (reliability and aesthetics).

Equivalent diagram of unloaded power transformer supplied by a capacitive system
Figure 6 – Equivalent diagram of unloaded power transformer supplied by a capacitive system

This parallel ferroresonance (capacitance parallel-connected on the transformer’s magnetizing inductance) is normally three- phase, of the fundamental or of the quasi- periodic type.

In short:

  1. Configurations under which ferroresonance can occur are endless.
  2. There are many different types of ferroresonance: single-phase, three-phase, common mode, differential mode.
  3. Experience, however, makes it possible to identify some configurations at risk which command some attention. These are:
    1. Voltage transformer connected between phase and earth on an isolated neutral system,
    2. Transformer fed through long and/or capacitive lines,
    3. Fuse protection, blowing of which results in non-multi pole breaking,
    4. Unloaded or lightly loaded power or voltage instrument transformer.
  4. The phenomena most likely to trigger ferroresonance are:
    1. Switching operation of capacitor banks and unloaded lines,
    2. Insulation faults,
    3. Lightning,
    4. Switching operation of unloaded transformers.

Preventing or damping ferroresonance

A number of practical measures can be taken to prevent ferroresonance, whose overvoltages, overcurrents and distortions wave forms result in thermal and dielectric stresses which may be dangerous for electrical equipment (failure, reduction in performance and lifetime of insulators…).

The various methods used are based on the following principles:

  1. Avoid, by proper design and/or switching operations, configurations susceptible to ferroresonance. This may involve prohibiting certain system configurations, and/or certain power system switching operations and/or certain switchgear.
  2. Ensure that system parameter values are not included (even temporarily) in an area at risk and if possible provide a safety margin with respect to danger areas.
  3. Ensure that the energy supplied by the source is not sufficient to sustain the phenomenon. This technique normally consists of introducing losses which damp out ferroresonance when it occurs.

Publication 71 of the IEC states that temporary ferroresonance (and resonance) overvoltages “shall be prevented or limited” (by one of the above means). “They shall not normally be considered as the basis for the surge arrester rated voltage, or for the insulation design unless these remedial measures are not sufficient”.

This means that the insulation co-ordination procedure does not normally take into account the overvoltage levels, and that, consequently, surge arresters (whose residual voltage is usually higher than the overvoltages due to ferroresonance) do not theoretically provide protection against it.

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Reference // Ferroresonance by Ph. Ferracci; Schneider Electric

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

4 Comments


  1. Mahmoud Hasani
    Sep 15, 2023

    Please send me PDF file, thanks


  2. EKKAPAN RATTANAZOOT
    Nov 27, 2020

    Please send pdf Six network operating conditions under which ferroresonance can occur to me .
    E-mail : [email protected]


  3. Eric Boamah
    Sep 24, 2019

    Please i will need some pdf of your post.
    Thank you


  4. Eric Boamah
    Sep 24, 2019

    [email protected]

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