During undisturbed system operation with balanced (symmetrical) voltages the current through the earthing transformer is small & of the same size as the magnetizing current. Unbalanced voltages will cause some higher currents flowing through the earthing transformer, which it must be capable to carry.

An alternative connection to the zigzag is star/delta connection where the delta connected winding will compensate the zero sequence magnetic fields so it will be confined to a leakage field between the star and the delta winding and make the zero sequence impedance of the transformer relatively small. However, if it is desired to increase the zero sequence impedance, this can be achieved by opening the delta connection and insert a reactor or resistor

It is possible to provide the earthing transformer with a secondary winding for continuous auxiliary station supply.

Earthing transformers are usually oil immersed and may be installed outdoor. In cases where a separate reactor is connected between the transformer neutral and earth, the reactor and the transformer can be incorporated in the same tank.

When the earthing transformer is going to be used together with an arc-suppression reactor, the rated current (and its duration) of the earthing transformer will be determined by the data for the arc-suppression reactor.

If the earthing transformer is used for directly earthing or through a current limiting reactor, the neutral current through the transformer will be high but the duration is limited to a few seconds. Earthing transformer must be designed to withstand the thermal and mechanical effects of the rated neutral current. The characteristic of earthing transformer should be selected to match the property of the system.

Most of the time in service the loading of earthing transformers is very low. It is the randomly occurring short – duration currents that cause any heating of significance. Ageing of the cellulose materials is then not a matter of concern. Regarding acceptable temperatures there are two aspects to consider. The temperature during currents of say 10 seconds duration must not cause softening of the winding conductor material, say 250o C for copper and 200 o C for aluminium.

For currents with duration in the order of hours or more, temperatures that cause excessive gas development in the oil should be avoided. Temperatures for items in direct contact with the oil should then not exceed 140 o C

The system earth fault protection relay may not be effective at low currents. To prevent damage to earthing transformer by such current, oil thermometer with alarm/trip contacts is recommended. Alternatively, the value of maximum continuous earth fault current may be declared and sensitive protection provided.

For earthing transformers that carry continuous load because of a secondary winding that supplies local consumers, the temperature limits in IEC 60076-2 (1993-04) Power transformers Part 2; Temperature rise apply.