Transformer Differential Protection

Principles
Posted N OV 1 20 12 by E DVAR D in P RO TE CT ION , TRAN SF OR ME RS with 12 C O MM EN TS

Transformer Differential Protection Principles (on photo Penelec Collinsville

transformer substation 4 by PA Powerliner @ Flickr)

Introduction
Similar to bus protections, transformers are protected by differential relays.
Inter-winding faults (short circuits) and ground faults within power
transformers can be detected by this protection scheme.

Failure to detect these faults and quickly isolate the transformer may
cause serious damage to the device .
Remember that a differential relay is basically an instantaneous overcurrent
relay that operates on the difference of current flowing into and out of the
protected zone.
For transformers the differential protection ( Figure 1) is basically the same
as that for a bus but there are certain differences that we will look more
closely at.
These differences are a direct result of three characteristics or a
transformer:
1. A transformer has a turns ratio so the current in is not really equal to the
current out. The current transformers are not likely exactly matched to the
transformer turns ratio so there will always be an unbalance currentin the
operating coil of a transformer differential relay.
2. Transformers require magnetising current. There will be a small current
flow in the transformer primary even if the secondary is open circuited.
3. A transformer has an inrush current. There is a time period after a
transformer is energized until the magnetic field in the core in alternating
symmetrically. The size and the length of this inrush depends on the residual
field in the core and the point in the ac cycle the transformer is re-energized.
In large transformers in might be ten or twenty times the full-load current
initially and it might take several minutes to reduce to negligible values.

Figure 1 Transformer Differential Protection

Transformer differential relays haverestraint coils as indicated in Figure 1.
The value of the operate current has to be a certain set percentage higher
than the current flowing in the restraint coils. For this reason transformer
differential relays are said to percentage-differential relays.
Referring again to Figure 1, you will notice that when the transformer is first
energized, there will not be any current flowing in CT2. The CT1 secondary
current I1s flows through both the restraint and operate coils and prevents
operation unless the current is very high.
The restraint coils also prevent relay operation due to tap-changes, where
the ratio of transformer input to output current can continuously vary.
One other item included in transformer differential relays, but not shown in
the diagram, is second harmonic restraint.
When transformers are first energized there is over-fluxing ( saturation) of the
core and the large inrush energizing current has a distorted waveform. This
waveform is described as having high second harmonic content.
The transformer differential relays make use of this known fact and add in
extra restraint when it detects this second harmonic. This extra feature

prevents the transformer from tripping due to magnetizing current when

being energized, but does not add any time delay.
Because the differential relay will not operate with load current or faults
outside the protected zones ( through faults), it can be set to operate at a low
value of current thereby giving rapid operation when a fault occurs. There is
no need to time delay the operation of the relay and therefore a fast acting
type of relay can be used.