Internal winding failure due to resonance overvoltage in distribution transformer caused by winter lightning

In this paper, we describe the internal winding failures of the no. 3 distribution transformer at Katayamazu substation caused by winter lightning. Almost the same internal winding part of the transformer was damaged in January 1997 and November 2001. Therefore, detailed investigations of the cause of failures were carried out. From the investigations on the measurement of the frequency characteristics of transformer windings and detailed lightning surge analysis used by Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP), it was found that resonance overvoltages were generated by resonance phenomena between the surge waveform passing through the transformer and the natural frequency characteristics of the transformer winding. This finding was used to improve the winding form of tap windings and install a surge protection device between tap windings. After the improvement of winding structures, it was clearly shown that the internal stress of tap windings was reduced and the breakdown probability of the damaged part was significantly reduced.