Help of Microcontroller on Voltage Control to Reduce Transformer Inrush Current

At the moment of transformer energization by the supply voltage, a high current called transient inrush current, which may rise to ten times the transformer full load current, could be drawn by the primary winding. This paper discusses a microcontroller circuit with the intention of controlling and limiting the inrush current for a transformer, by the method of ramping up the supply voltage feeding to the transformer primary. Simulations and the experimental results show a significant reduction of inrush current, when the ramping up voltage is applied to the three-phase transformer load. The inrush current could be almost eliminated if the correct switching step rate is chosen.