Investigation on the common mode currents in a smart transformer-fed low-voltage grid

The Smart Transformer (ST) represents an enabling technology for providing new services to Low Voltage (LV) and Medium Voltage (MV) grid, overcoming the problems that are limiting the widespread diffusion of distributed renewable sources in conventional distribution systems. The ST 3-stage configuration includes a DC/AC 4-wires converter at the LV side, that must be able to cope with the equipment already installed in the LV grid in which ST wants to substitute conventional distribution transformer. Grid converters with capacitance towards ground, when connected to ST-fed LV grid can cause common mode current problems not yet discussed in the literature. This paper aims to fill this gap through an in-depth analysis of the problem and indicating possible solutions.