System and method for magnetizing a transformer in an electrical system prior to energizing the electrical system

A method of energizing an electrical system, the electrical system including a transformer structured to be selectively coupled to an AC source that provides a main AC voltage, the transformer having a number of sets of primary windings and a number of sets of secondary windings, the method comprising:

• generating a magnetizing AC voltage when the number of sets of primary windings is not coupled to the AC source;
• providing the magnetizing AC voltage to one of the number of sets primary windings or one of the number of sets secondary windings when the number of sets of primary windings is not coupled to the AC source to magnetize one or more of the number of sets of primary windings in a manner wherein a flux of the one or more of the number of primary windings is in phase with the main AC voltage;
• and
• coupling the number of sets of primary windings to the AC source such that the main AC voltage is applied to the number of sets of primary windings.

A variable frequency drive system, comprising:

• a variable frequency drive including:
• a transformer structured to be selectively coupled to an AC source that provides a main AC voltage, the transformer having a number of sets of primary windings and a number of sets of secondary windings;
• a converter coupled to the number of sets of secondary windings;
• a DC link coupled to an output of the converter;
• and
• an inverter coupled to the DC link;
• and
• a charging module structured to generate a magnetizing AC voltage, wherein the charging module is structured to selectively provide the magnetizing AC voltage to:
• (i) one of the number of sets primary windings, or (ii) one of the number of sets secondary windings, wherein the magnetizing AC voltage is such that responsive to the magnetizing AC voltage being provided to one of the number of sets of primary windings or one of the number of sets of secondary windings, one or more of the number of sets of primary windings will be magnetized in a manner wherein a flux of the one or more of the number of primary windings is in phase with the main AC voltage provided from the AC source.