The differential protection used for transformers is based on the principle of current circulation.

This type of protection is mostly used for transformers as this responds not only to inter turn
fault but also provides protection against phase-to-phase faults. Following are the complicated
features in transformers and there remedial measures:

1. In a power transformer, the currents in primary and secondary are to be compared.

As these two currents are usually different, therefore the use of identical tr4ansformers will give
differential current and operate the relay even under no load conditions. The difference in
magnitude of currents in primary and secondary of power transformers is compensated by
different turns ratios of C.T.s. If T is the turn’s ratio of power transformer, then the turns ration
of C.T.s on lv side is made T times the turn’s ration of the C.T.s on hv side. When this condition
is fulfilled the secondaries of the two C.T.s will carry same current under normal conditions. And
thus no current will flow through the relay and it remains inoperative.

2. There is usually a phase difference between the primary and secondary currents of a 3-phase
power transformer. Even if C.T.s of proper transformation ratios are used, a differential
current will flow through the relay under normal condition and cause relay operation. The
correction for phase difference is effected by appropriate connections of C.T.s. the C.T.s on
one side of the power transformer are connected in such a way that the resultant current fed
into the pilot wires are displaced in phase from the individual phase currents in the same
direction as, and by an angle equal to, the phase shift between the power transformers
primary and secondary currents. The table below shows the type of connections to be
employed for C.T.s in order to compensate for the phase difference in the primary and
secondary currents of power transformer

SL.N POWER TRANSFORMER CURRENT TRANSFORMER

O
CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS
PRIMARY SECONDARY PRIMARY SECONDARY
1 Star with Delta Delta Star
neutral
2 earthed Delta Star Star

3 Delta Star with Delta Delta

neutral
4 Star earthed Star Delta

Delta Star with

neutral
earthed

1. Another factor, which has to be considered, is the inrush of magnetizing current.

When the transformer is switched to supply the magnetizing current may assume very high
values momentarily and may cause operation of the relay even though they are transient. This
can be avoided by using relays with time delay characteristics.

Fig 8 shows the differential protection for transformer. In this the power transformer is delta-
star connected. On delta side the C.T.s are connected in star and on the star side the C.T.s are
connected in delta as in fig. Under normal working conditions the circulating currents caused
by the primary and secondary load current in the relay circuit will balance; but under fault
conditions the balance will no longer be there and the relay will be energized to trip the circuit
breakers on the primary and secondary side

In order to understand the phase difference in the two sides consider fig 8. The primary is
connected in delta and the set of current transformers CT1 is connected in star, while the
secondary is connected in star and the set of current transformers CT2 is connected in delta.
Fig 9 illustrates the vector diagram in reference to primary and secondary sides of current
transformer. In fig 9.a IRP, IYP and IBP are the phase currents in the primary side, while IR is
the line current on the same side in line R as shown in fig 9.a, the corresponding secondary
current of current transformers CT1 on the primary side is in

phase with IR and is represented as IRS in fig 9.b. the current in the secondary side of the
power transformer is represented as IR, IY and IB in fig 9.c, the phase current in the secondary
winding of the current transformers CT2 is represented as I’R, I’Y and I’B in fig 9.d. the
current in pilot wire of CT2 is represented as IRS. Now when we consider fig 9.b and 9.d its
clear that the currents in the pilot wires are in phase.

In order to understand the phase difference in the two sides consider fig 8. The primary is
connected in delta and the set of current transformers CT1 is connected in star, while the
secondary is connected in star and the set of current transformers CT2 is connected in delta.
 Fig 9 illustrates the vector diagram in reference to primary and secondary sides of current
transformer. In fig 9.a IRP, IYPand IBP are the phase currents in the primary side, while IR is
the line current on the same side in line R as shown in fig 9.a, the corresponding secondary
current of current transformers CT1 on the primary side is in

phase with IR and is represented as IRS in fig 9.b. the current in the secondary side of the
power transformer is represented as IR, IY and IB in fig 9.c, the phase current in the secondary
winding of the current transformers CT2 is represented as I’R, I’Y and I’B in fig 9.d. the
current in pilot wire of CT2 is represented as IRS. Now when we consider fig 9.b and 9.d its
clear that the currents in the pilot wires are in phase.

Buchholz relay is a gas- actuated relay installed in oil-immersed transformers for protection
against all kind of faults. It is used to gives an alarm in case of slow developing faults or
incipient faults in the transformer and to disconnect the transformer from the supply in the event
of severe internal faults. It is installed in the pipe between the conservator and main tank as
shown in fig11 below. This relay is used in oil-immersed transformers of rating above 750 kVA.

CONSTRUCTION
Fig 12 shows the constructional details of buchholz relay. It consists of a domed vessel placed in
the pipe between the conservator and main tank of the transformer. The device has two elements.
The upper element consists of a mercury type switch attached to a float. The lower element
contains a mercury switch mounted on a hinged type flap located on the direct path of flow of oil
from the transformer to the conservator. The upper element closes an alarm circuit during slow
developing faults whereas the lower element is arranged to trip the circuit breaker in case of
severe internal faults.

OPERATION

The operation of buchholz relay is as follows:

i. In case of slow developing faults within the transformer, the heat due to the fault

causes decomposition of some transformer oil in the main tank. The products of decomposition
mainly contain 70 % of hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas being light tries to go into the
conservator and in the process gets trapped in the upper part of the relay chamber. When a
predetermined amount of gas gets accumulated, it exerts sufficient pressure on the float to cause
it to tilt and close the contacts of mercury switch attached to it. This completes the alarm circuit
to sound an alarm.

ii. If serious fault occur in the transformer, an enormous amount of gas is generated in

the main tank. The oil in the main tank rushes towards the conservator via the buchholz relay and
in doing so it tilts the flap to close the contacts of mercury switch. This completes the trip circuit
to open the circuit breaker controlling the transformer.

ADVANTAGES:

1. It is the simplest form of transformer protection

2. It detects the slow developing faults at a stage much earlier than other forms of
 protection.

DISADVANTAGES:

1. It can only be used with oil immersed transformers equipped with conservators

2. The device can detect only faults below oil leveling the transformer. Therefore

separate protection is needed for connecting cables.

The self balance system discussed in the category ‘ protection of generators’ can also be used
without any modification for transformers; but the same type of equipments should be used for
both primary and secondary windings.

OVER CURRENT AND EARTH FAULT PROTECTION

The over current protection is needed to protect the transformer from sustained overloads and
short circuits. Induction type over current relays are used which in addition to providing overload
protection acts as back up relays for protection of transformer winding fault. Fig 10 shows the
combined over current and earth fault protection. The earth fault protection is used to provide
nprotection against any earth fault in the windings of the transformer. It works on the principle
that when the transformer winding is sound the currents in all the three phases will balance and
no current will spill into the earth fault relay. The arrangement is such that the relay does not
respond to any out of balance current between windings caused by tap changing arrangement

Fig 10 illustrates the use of earth fault and over current relays for both star and delta connections
of the transformer. Instantaneous type of earth relay is used. When the winding is delta
connected the earth relay is operated by the residual current from three C.T.s connected as shown
in left hand side of the fig. If the transformer winding has an earthed neutral then the residual
current from the three line current transformers is balanced against the current of the current
transformers provided in the neutral as on the right hand side.
When the system works normal, the sum of three currents in the C.T.s is zero and no current
flows through the operating winding of the instantaneous earth fault relay and through the neutral
of the transformer. However if fault is outside the protection area current flows in the neutral and
lines as well, but the sum of currents in the lines is balanced by the current in neutral and hence
earth relay is not operated. Now if earth fault occur within the protected zone say in the winding
itself current will flow only in the neutral of the main transformer and thus there will be no
balancing current in the relay circuit so, the relay is energized and the circuit breaker is opened.
The trip contacts of the over current relay and earth fault relay are in parallel so, with the
energisation of either over current relay or earth fault relay the circuit breaker of the concerned
side will be tripped.

Auto reclosure:

It has been found that most of the line faults on overhead transmission system are transient in
nature. About 90% of faults are caused by lightning, birds, vines, tree branches etc. these
conditions result in such arcing faults that if the fault energy is interrupted for a short period, the
arc extinguishes and the line can be re-energised. This fact is employed as a basis for auto
reclosure schemes. In such schemes, after the relays at both ends of the line have picked up, the
circuit breakers are tripped as far as possible at the same time and reclosed after time has been
allowed for deionization. The fault disappears if it is transient, and line is fully restored to service
after the reclosure. If the fault is not cleared after the first reclosure, a double or triple attempt of
isolation and reclosure can be made. If the fault persists, the breaker may permanently open till it
is reset manually.

An auto reclosure consists essentially of an oil switch or breaker actuated by relays which
make it open when predetermined current values flow through it. Reclosures are usually
connected to protect portions of primary circuits and may take the place of line fuses. Auto
reclosing may be single phase or three phase type. Mostly single phase auto reclosing breakers
are preferred as most of the transmission faults are single phase to ground faults. Auto reclosing
of three phase improves stability as the power remains transmitted through the two healthy
phases when one phase is interrupted.

Vacuum:

In this breaker, vacuum is being used as the arc quenching medium. Vacuum offers highest
insulating strength, it has far superior arc quenching properties than any other medium. When
contacts of a breaker are opened in vacuum, the interruption occurs at first current zero with
dielectric strength between the contacts building up at a rate thousands of times that obtained
with other circuit breakers.

Principle: When the contacts of the breaker are opened in vacuum (10 -7 to 10 -5 torr), an arc is
produced between the contacts by the ionization of metal vapours of contacts. The arc is quickly
extinguished because the metallic vapours, electrons, and ions produced during arc condense
quickly on the surfaces of the circuit breaker contacts, resulting in quick recovery of dielectric
strength. As soon as the arc is produced in vacuum, it is quickly extinguished due to the fast rate
of recovery of dielectric strength in vacuum.

Construction: Fig 16 shows the parts of a typical vacuum circuit breaker. It consists of fixed
contact, moving contact and arc shield mounted inside a vacuum chamber. The movable member
is connected to the control mechanism by stainless steel bellows .This enables the permanent
sealing of the vacuum chamber so as to eliminate the possibility of leak .A glass vessel or
ceramic vessel is used as the outer insulating body. The arc shield prevents the deterioration of
the internal dielectric strength by preventing metallic vapours falling on the inside surface of the
outer insulating cover.
Working: When the breaker operates the moving contacts separates from the fixed contacts and
an arc is struck between the contacts. The production of arc is due to the ionization of metal ions
and depends very much upon the material of contacts. The arc is quickly extinguished because
the metallic vapours, electrons and ions produced during arc are diffused in short time and seized
by the surfaces of moving and fixed members and shields. Since vacuum has very fast rate of
recovery of dielectric strength, the arc extinction in a vacuum breaker occurs with a short contact
separation.

Advantages:

a. They are compact, reliable and have longer life.

b. There are no fire hazards

c. There is no generation of gas during and after operation

d. They can interrupt any fault current. The outstanding feature of a VCB is that it can break any
heavy fault current perfectly just before the contacts reach the definite open position.

e. They require little maintenance and are quiet in operation

f. Can withstand lightning surges

g. Low arc energy

h. Low inertia and hence require smaller power for control mechanism.

Applications: For outdoor applications ranging from 22 kV to 66 kV. Suitable for majority of

applications in rural area.

Sf6:

In this circuit breaker, sulphur hexaflouride ( SF6 ) gas is used as the arc quenching medium.
The SF6 gas is an electro negative gas and has a strong tendency to absorb free electrons. The
contacts of the breaker are opened in a high pressure flow of SF6gas and an arc is struck between
them. The conducting free electrons in the arc are rapidly captured by the gas to form relatively
immobile negative ions. This loss of conducting electrons in the arc quickly builds up enough
insulation strength to extinguish the arc. The SF6 circuit breakers are very effective for high
power and high voltage service.

Construction: Fig 15 shows the parts of a typical SF6 circuit breaker. It consists of fixed and

moving contacts enclosed in a chamber called arc interruption chamber containing SF6 gas. This
chamber is connected to SF6 gas reservoir. When the contacts of breaker are opened the valve
mechanism permits a high pressure SF6 gas from the reservoir to flow towards the arc
interruption chamber. The fixed contact is a hollow cylindrical current carrying contact fitted
with an arc horn. The moving contact is also a hollow cylinder with rectangular holes in the sides
to permit the SF6 gas to let out through these holes after flowing along and across the arc. The
tips of fixed contact, moving contact and arcing horn are coated with copper-tungsten arc
resistant material. Since SF6 gas is costly, its reconditioned and reclaimed by a suitable auxiliary
system after each operation of the breaker.
 Working: In the closed position of the breaker the contacts remained surrounded by SF6 gas at a
pressure of about 2.8 kg/cm2. When the breaker operates the moving contact is pulled apart and
an arc is struck between the contacts. The movement of the moving contact is synchronized with
the opening of a valve which permits SF6 gas at 14 kg/cm2 pressure from the reservoir to the arc
interruption chamber. The high pressure flow of SF6 rapidly absorbs the free electrons in the arc
path to form immobile negative ions which are ineffective as charge a carriers. The result is that
the medium between the contacts quickly builds up high dielectric strength and causes the
extinction of the arc. After the breaker operation the valve is closed by the action of a set of
springs.

Advantages over oil and air circuit breakers:

a. Due to superior arc quenching property of SF6 , such breakers have very short arcing time

b. Dielectric strength of SF6 gas is 2 to 3 times that of air, such breakers can interrupt much larger
currents.

c. Gives noiseless operation due to its closed gas circuit

d. Closed gas enclosure keeps the interior dry so that there is no moisture problem

e. There is no risk of fire as SF6 is non inflammable

f. There are no carbon deposits

g. Low maintenance cost, light foundation requirements and minimum auxiliary equipment

h. SF6 breakers are totally enclosed and sealed from atmosphere, they are particularly suitable where
explosion hazard exists
Disadvantages:

A. SF6 breakers are costly due to high cost of SF6

B. SF6 gas has to be reconditioned after every operation of the breaker, additional equipment is
required for this purpose

Applications: SF6 breakers have been used for voltages 115kV to 230 kV, power ratings 10
MVA to 20 MVA and interrupting time less than 3 cycles.

Abcb:

These type of breakers employ ‘air blast’ as the quenching medium.The contacts are opened by
air blast produced by the opening of blast valve.The air blast cools the arc and sweeps away the
arcing products to the atmosphere.This rapidly increases the dielectric strength of the medium
between contacts and prevents from re-establishing the arc.Consequently the arc is extinguished
and the flow of current is interrupted.

Advantages

An air blast circuit breaker has the following advantages over an oil circuit breaker:

1. The risk of fire is eliminated

2. The arcing products are completely removed by the blast whereas the oil deteriorates
with successive operations;the expense of regular oil is replacement is avoided
3. The growth of dielectric strength is so rapid that final contact gap needed for arc
extinction is very small.this reduces the size of device
4. The arcing time is very small due to the rapid build up of dielectric strength between
contacts.Therefore,the arc energy is only a fraction that in oil circuit breakers,thus
resulting in less burning of contacts
5. Due to lesser arc energy,air blast circuit breakers are very suitable for conditions where
frequent operation is required
6. The energy supplied for arc extinction is obtained from high pressure air and is
independent of the current to be interrupted.

Disadvantages:

1. Air has relatively inferior arc extinguishing properties

2. Air blast circuit breakers are very sensitive to the variations in the rate of restriking
voltage.
3. Considerable maintenance is required for the compressor plant which supplies the air
blast

Air blast circuit breakers are finding wide applications in high voltage installations. Majority of
circuit breakers for voltages beyond 110 kV are of this type.
Locb:

Construction

There are two chambers in a low oil circuit breaker,the oil in each chamber is separated from
each other.The main advantage of this is that low oil is required and oil in second chamber wont
get polluted.Upper chamber is called the circuit breaker chamber and lower one is called the
supporting chamber.Circuit breaking chamber consists of moving contact and fixed
contact.Moving contact is connected with a piston its just for the movement of the contact and no
pressure build due to its motion.There are two vents on fixed contact they are axial vent for small
current produced in oil due to heating of arc and radial vents for large currents.The whole device
is covered using Bakelite paper and porcelain for protection.Vents are placed in a turbulator.
Operation

Under normal operating conditions,the moving contacts remain engaged with the upper fixed
contact.When a fault occurs,the moving contact is pulled down by the tripping springs and an arc
is struck.The arc vapourises oil and produces gases under high pressure.This action constrains
the oil to pass through a central hole in the moving contact and results in forcing series of oil
through the respective passages of the turbulator.The process of turbulation is orderly one,in
which the sections of arc are successively quenched by the effectof separate streams of oil
,moving across each section in turn and bearing away its gases.

Advantages

A low oil circuit breaker has following advantages compared to bulk oil circuit breaker

1. It requires lesser quantity of oil

2. It requires smaller space
3. There is reduced risk of fire
4. Maintenance problems are reduced

Disadvantages

A low oil circuit breaker has following disadvantages compared to bulk oil circuit breaker

1. Due to smaller quantity of oil,the degree of carbonisation is increased

2. There is a difficulty of removing the gases from the contact space in time
3. The dielectric strength of oil deteriorates rapidly due to high degree of carbonisation.

Ocb:

In oil circuit breakers insulating oil is used as an arc quenching medium. The contacts are opened
under oil and an arc is struck between them, heat of the arc evaporates the surrounding oil and
produce hydrogen at high pressure. The oil is pushed away from the arc region and the gas
bubble occupies adjacent portions of the contact. The arc extinction is facilitated mainly by two
processes. Firstly the hydrogen gas has high heat conductivity and cools the arc, thus aiding the
deionisation of the medium between the contacts. Secondly the gas sets up turbulence in the oil
and forces it into the space between contacts thus eliminating the arcing products from the arc
path resulting in arc extinction and interruption of current.
 Theadvantages of using oil as an arc quenching
medium are:

1. It absorbs the arc energy to decompose the oil into gases, which have excellent cooling
properties.

2. It acts as an insulator and permits smaller clearance between live conductors and earthed

components.

The disadvantages of oil as an arc quenching medium are:

1. Its inflammable and there is risk of fire

2. It may form an explosive mixture with air.

3. The arcing products remain in the oil and it reduces the quality of oil after several operations.
This necessitates periodic checking and replacement of oil.