Re: Class-X CT for Differential

12/29/2011 6:53 AM

Normally protection CTs like 5P, 10P or 15P are used in almost all protection schemes. But,
for Unit Protection Schemes like Differential, REF, etc., these CTs are not preferred. Why?
In unit protection schemes, it is very very important that the scheme operates only and
only for the internal faults and must remain stable for all external faults. That is, when the
unit protection scheme operates, one can be pretty sure that something is wrong within the
protected equipment.
Also, unit protection schemes are employed for very critical equipment in the network. As
such, whenever any unit protection scheme operates, all hell breaks loose. And one cannot
put back the equipment into service, without conducting an array of tests and ensuring that
the equipment is fit to be put back to service. But, this will take time and effort. And until
such time, the plant will be shut down.
So, it is all the more imperative that the unit protection scheme operates only for genuine
internal faults and NOT for any external faults.
Now, if we employ conventional protection class CTs like 5P or 10P for this application, let
us see what happens. Lets us assume that one has selected 5P10 Class CTs for a Unit
Protection Scheme. Let us say, the relay setting is 10%; this means that any differential
current of 10% will operate the relay. Now, a 5P10 CT means that the CT will maintain its
accuracy at least up to 10 times the rated current. This means that the CT will not saturate
at least up to 10 times the rated current.
This also means that the CT may saturate anywhere after 10 times its rated current. This
level will differ for different CTs. Among the same two 5P10 Class CTs, one may saturate at
12 times and the other may saturate at 13.5 times. In such a condition, during a through
fault condition, there will be differential current and the relay will operate for external faults
too. Even when both CTs are identically manufactured, the deterioration of its core
properties over time may differ and yet they may behave differently over time.
Also, even when the CTs may be supplying to unit protection scheme of the same
equipment, it is highly impossible that all the CTs of the scheme will be located at the same
place. The incoming side CTs or the outgoing side CTs may have to be located far away
from the relay location, thereby incurring extended lead lengths, thus imposing additional
burden on the CTs. This increased burden will also shift the saturation level, as we have
already seen.
Thus again, during a through fault condition, there will be differential current and the relay

will operate for external faults too.

There are many other similar factors contributing to the maloperation of unit protection
schemes, when conventional protection class CTs are employed. Thus, it has called for a
special class of CTs for such applications. That Special Class is called Class PS. (PS is the
abbreviation of the French Word "Protection Speciale").
Here, instead of generalising on the minimum saturation level of the CT, the users have to
exactly specify the saturation level of the CT. This is called the Knee Point Voltage (VKP), as
it appears as a human-knee in the CT Magnetisation Characteristics. This specification will
take into account the maximum through fault current, the actual lead burden, the relay
burden & the resistance of the CT secondary winding, as also a factor of safety.
The minimum Knee Point Voltage for a given PS Class CT is calculated by:
VKP = K * I(f)s (RCT + RB),
where,
If(s) = Maximum thro fault current as reflected at the CT secondary terminals
= If(P) / CT Ratio)
RCT = CT Secondary Winding Resistance
RB = Connected Burden, includes the relay burden & the burden
of the connecting leads
K = Factor of Safety, normally taken as 2
VKP = Knee Point Voltage of the CT
As can be seen from the above formula, here the customer is specifying the level of
saturation, duly taking into account the maximum possible fault current in his network, the
actual burden connected to the CT, etc. If the factor of safety is taken as two, this means
that at least up to two times the maximum possible fault current the CTs will not saturate.
Which also means that at the maximum possible fault current, both the incoming and
outgoing side CT characteristics would exactly coincide. That is, their secondary currents
would match exactly and the scheme would not operate for any external fault.

Re: Class-X CT for Differential

12/16/2011 7:11 AM

There is not any class x

it may be read as Class 5PX, where X=10, 15 or 20.

It is for Protection class CTs, & also for differential relay CT.
X = no. of times the Fault current of rated current.
__________________

http://cr4.globalspec.com/thread/74437/Class-X-CT-for-Differential

http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/transformer-differential-protection-ansicode-87-t

Transformer differential protection (ANSI 87T)

SIPROTEC 4 7UT6 Differential Protection Relay for Transformers

Connection of transformer differential protection with high impedance REF
(I7) and neutral current measurement at I8

Introduction to ANSI code 87 T

Transformer differential protection protects against shortcircuits between turns of a winding and between windings that
correspond to phase-to-phase or three-phase type short-circuits.
If there is no earthing connection at the transformer location point, this
protection can also be used to protect against earth faults . If the earth
fault current is limited by an impedance, it is generally not possible to set
the current threshold to a value less than the limiting current.
The protection must be then carried out by a high impedance
differential protection.
Transformer differential protection operates very quickly, roughly 30 ms,
which allows any transformer deterioration in the event of a short-circuit
between windings to be avoided.
Transformers cannot be differentially protected using high impedance
differential protection for phase-to-phase short-circuit due to the natural
differential currents that occur:
1. The transformer inrush currents. The operating speed required
means that a time delay longer than the duration of this current
cannot be used (several tenths of a second);
2. The action of the on-load tap changer causes a differential current.
The characteristics of transformer differential protection are related
to the transformer specifications:
1. Transformation ratio between the current entering Iin and the current
leaving Iout ;
2. Primary and secondary coupling method;
3. Inrush current;
4. Permanent magnetizing current.
The block diagram is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 Transformer differential protection block diagram

In order to prevent tripping upon occurrence of high fault currents of
external origin, biased differential protection devices are used.
This is because of:

The differential current due to the on-load tap changer;

The current transformer measurement errors, as for pilot wire

differential protection for cables or lines.

Protection is activated when:

Iin Iout > K Iin + Io

(see Figure 2).

Figure
2 Transformer differential protection tripping curve

Problem relating to the transformation ratio and the coupling method

The primary and secondary currents have different amplitudes owing to
the transformation ratio and different phases depending on the coupling
method (delta-star transformer makes a phase displacement of 30).
Therefore, the current values measured must be readjusted so that the
signals compared are equal during normal operation.
This is done using matching auxiliary transformers whose role is
to balance the amplitudes and phases.
When one side of the transformer is star-connected with an earthed
neutral, the matching transformers located on this side are deltaconnected, so that the residual currents that would be detected upon
occurrence of an earth fault outside the transformer are cleared.

Problem relating to the transformer inrush current

Transformer switching causes a very high transient current (from 8 to 15

In), which only flows through the primary winding and lasts several tenths
of a second.
It is thus detected by the protection as a differential current and it lasts far
longer than the protection operating time (30 ms). Detection based only
on the difference between the transformer primary and secondary currents
would cause the protection to be activated. Therefore, the protection must
be able to distinguish between a differential current due to a fault and a
differential inrush current.
Experience has shown that the inrush current wave contains at least 20%
of second harmonic components (current at a frequency of 100 Hz), while
this percentage is never higher than 5% upon occurrence of an
overcurrent due to a fault inside the transformer.
The protection must therefore simply be locked when the percentage of
second harmonic component in relation to the fundamental harmonic
component (current at 50 Hz) is higher than 15%, i.e. I2/I1 > 15%.

Problem relating to the magnetizing current upon occurrence of an

overvoltage of external origin
The magnetizing current constitutes a difference between the
transformer primary and secondary currents (see section 6.1.1). It is
therefore detected as a fault current by the differential protection even
though it is not due to a fault.
In normal operating conditions, this magnetizing current is very low and
does not reach the protection operating threshold.
However, when an overvoltage occurs outside the transformer, the
magnetic material saturates (in general the transformers are dimensioned
to be able to operate at saturation limit for the nominal supply voltage),
and the magnetizing current value greatly increases. The protection
operating threshold can therefore be reached.

Experience has shown that the magnetizing current due to the

magnetic saturation has a high rate of fifth harmonic components (current
at a frequency of 250 Hz).
To prevent spurious tripping upon occurrence of an overvoltage of
external origin, there are two solutions:
1. Detect a rise in voltage that locks the protection;
2. Detect saturation using the presence of fifth harmonic current that
locks the protection.
Transformer differential protection therefore requires fairly complex
functions as it must be able to measure second and fifth harmonic
currents or, in order to avoid measuring fifth harmonic currents, it must be
able to detect overvoltages of external origin.
Resource: Protection of electrical networks Christophe Prv
1.

i am Electrical engineer,at IRAN TABLO Co and I would like to now

more about protection in distribution and transporting system
(reply)

2.
Swapnil
A UG 3 1 , 2 0 1 4

Why the matching transformers are connected opposite connection than

that of main transformer ? I read about residual current but If you can
elaborate thatll be really helpful.
and thank you youre awesome
(reply)

3.
YASH ARORA
J UL 3 0 , 2 0 1 4

Dear Sir,
I just want to know if we fix the settings of over current relay for
transformer protection as well as from inrush current. but if we dont
protect the inrush current then what happen. Please reply.
(reply)

4.
Komichi
J UL 1 6 , 2 0 1 4

Many thanks.
(reply)

5.
Vilas Deshpande
J UL 1 1 , 2 0 1 4

Need to about apps available .

(reply)

6.
Protection Against Overexcitation Of A Transformer | EEP
J UL 0 2 , 2 0 1 4

[] The differential protection must therefore be stabilized under these

conditions as tripping of transformers and thus load will only mean that the
overvoltage condition in the network is becoming worse. []
(reply)

7.
Dyaa Elsayed
JA N 0 9 , 2 0 1 4

great article very simple and very useful

(reply)

8.
Ather
S EP 1 1 , 2 0 1 3

what do we mean by BIASED INPUTS in differential relay?

(reply)

9.
TELECTRIC
F EB 0 9 , 2 0 1 3

THANKS FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT ARTICLES.

(reply)

10.
Purpose Of High Voltage Circuit Switchers | EEP
N OV 1 6 , 2 0 1 2

[] circuit breakers.Additionally they can provide protection from power

transformer faults based on differential, sudden pressure, and overcurrent
relay schemes as well as critical operating constraints such as []