Differential Protection Basic Concepts

Two Winding Transformer

Differential Relay

Differential Protection Basic Concepts

Three Winding Transformer

Differential Relay requires

Stable during normal Load

Stable during External fault

Indicates trip during Internal fault

Differential Protection Principle of Operation with Normal Load

87

Differential Protection Transformer Internal Fault in a Radial System

Fault
I1

I2
87

I 1 I 2 = I Diff
I Diff > Basic Sensitivity + K % (I restraint ) + (depending on Algorithm)
5

Differential Protection Transformer Internal Fault in a Ring System

Fault

87

I 1 I 2 = I Diff
I Diff > Basic Sensitivity + K % (I restraint ) + (depending on Algorithm)
6

Differential Protection With External faults

Fault

87

To cover all kind of faults we need differential relay inputs to be

Vector Corrected

Ratio Corrected

Zero sequence compensated

Tools to achieve the above goals are

Main CT

Differential Relay

Tool 1
Conventional CT Connections
Dy11(+30)

Yd1(-30)

Differential Relay

Interposing CT provides

Vector correction
Ratio correction
Zero sequence compensation

10

Conventional Differential Protection

Dy11(+30)

Yd1(-30)
Differential Relay

11

Dy11(+30)

Yd1(-30)

12

Tool 2 - Numerical relay is another alternative

Transformer Information

CT Ratio Information

CT Connection Information

Important is the CORRECT INFORMATION

13

Percentage Bias Characteristic

Purpose
Protect from undesired
tripping due to

CT ratio Mismatch
CT saturation

Operate
2

I diff

%
2
K

1
Basic Sensitivity

e
p
o
l
S

Restrain
lope
K1% S

I through

14

Rate of change of Flux Voltage

flux mmf magnetizing current

e = voltage
= magnetic flux

i = current
Because inrush is dependant on where on the waveform the transformer is switched, it will be
different every time. As previously stated, highest if you switch in at voltage peak.

15

Instant
Instantinintime
timewhen
whentransformer
transformer
isisconnected
to
AC
voltage
connected to AC voltage
source
= emax
sourcee(t)
at e(t)
= e(0) = 0

t
In a continuously
operating
transformer
In a continuously
operating
transformer
when when
e(t)=e
(t)=0
i(t)=0
max
e(t)=0
(t)=
i(t)=imin
min

16

When a transformer is initially connected with the AC source

As the flux
builds, the
exciting current
grows with the
flux.

Inrush current

Saturated current during energization of a transformer for first half cycle

17

Effect of Inrush Current during energization of a transformer

i

Inrush
Undesired
current
e
Tripping
No Load

I1

I2
87

Inrush Current frequency is not equal to the fundamental

18

Solution
To avoid the system from undesired tripping due to inrush current
We have two solutions

1. Blocking
2. Restraining

19

Blocking Scheme
i

Inrush
current

No Load

I1

I2
Fundamental
87

Harmonic
Filter

No Trip

Inrush
(harmonic)

Inrush Current frequency is not equal to the fundamental

20

Blocking Scheme -

Disadvantages

The relay will not issue trip signal when the fault occurs
during transformer energization

The relay will not issue trip signal when the fault occurs
during continuous operation and there are harmonics more than
its threshold level

Result will be the transformer damaging

21

Restraining Scheme
i

Inrush
current

No Load

I1

I2
Fundamental
87

Harmonic
Filter

I trip > I diff + I k% Inrush

Inrush
(harmonic)

when I trip > I diff + I k% Inrush

22

Main Current Transformer:

100 % ideal CT

Ip

Is

Load

In ideal condition
Magnetizing current = 0
So
Ip is a true replica of Is
No Saturation

Practically Impossible

23

Practical CT

Ip

Is

Is
Im
Load

Is = Is + Im
Where
Im = magnetizing current
Is = load Current
24

When a CT saturates

Ip

Magnetizing Resistance Increases due to which Im increases

and Is decreases
Waveform of current when a CT
saturate
I s
Is
In normal condition
Im

Load

Is Is

Im >
<<<
Is I s
IIm >>
I
m >>> sIs

So,
Is = Im + Is
The dip is due to the current drawn
by magnetizing impedance

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Differential Protection Basic Concepts

CT polarity issue:

Differential relay will not give desirable results if input

CT polarities are not correct.
CT polarity tells instantaneous value of current entering into the
relay.
A testing and commissioning engineer ensures that he has
commissioned the differential relay with correct CT polarities.
In a differential relay, Correct CT polarities ensure that at any
instant currents from both the primary & secondary CTs must
subtract each other i.e. 180 deg out of phase.

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Differential Protection Basic Concepts

CT polarity issue:

P2

P1

S2
P1, P2 CT Primary terminals
S1, S2 CT Secondary terminals

S1
Similarly
Current entering in P1 leaves
from
its corresponding
secondary
Current
entering in P2 leaves
terminal
S1.
from its corresponding
secondary
terminal S2.

CT operation theory suggests that at any instant of time

Current entering in a Primary terminal must leave from its
corresponding secondary terminal.

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Differential Protection Basic Concepts

CT polarity issue:

P2

P1

S2

S1

Some times mal operation of relay is caused by false

marking of CT terminals by the CT manufacturer.
So CT polarity test should be included in the differential
relay commissioning.
Lets check CT polarity.

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Differential Protection Basic Concepts

CT polarity Check:

P2

P1

S2

S1

Push button
DC ammeter
-

+
DC battery

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