PROTECTION OF POWER

TRANSFORMER

TRANSFORMER
Introduction
A transformer is a static electrical device used in
electric power systems to transfer power between circuits
through the use of electromagnetic induction.
Transformers are devices that transfer energy from one
circuit to another by means of a common magnetic eld.
When an alternating current ows in a conductor, a
magnetic eld exists around the conductor. If another
conductor is placed in the eld created by the rst
conductor such that the ux lines link the second
conductor, then a voltage is induced into the second
conductor. The use of a magnetic eld from one coil to
induce a voltage into a second coil is the principle on
which transformer theory and application is based.
Transformers range in size from thumbnail-sized used in
microphones to units weighing hundreds of tons
interconnecting the power grid. A wide range of
transformer designs are used in electronic and electric
power applications. Transformers are essential for the
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transmission, distribution and utilization of electrical

energy.

Induction Law
The transformer is based on two principles:
1. An electric current can produce a magnetic field.
2. A changing magnetic field within a coil of wire induces
a voltage across the ends of the coil (electromagnetic
induction).

Referring to the figure here, current passing through the

primary coil creates a magnetic field. The primary and
secondary coils are wrapped around a core of very
high magnetic permeability, so that most of the magnetic
flux passes through both the primary and secondary coils.
Any secondary winding connected load causes current
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and voltage induction from primary to secondary circuits

in indicated directions.

POWER TRANSFORMERS
The term power transformer is used to refer to those
transformers used in the generator and the distribution
circuits, and these are usually rated at 500 KVA and
above. Power systems typically consist of a large number
of generation locations, distribution points, and
interconnections within the system or with nearby
systems, such as a neighboring utility. The complexity of
the system leads to a variety of transmission and
distribution voltages. Power transformers must be used at
each of these points where there is a transition between
voltage levels.

Fig. An example of a power transformer used in electric

power system

CAUSE OF FAULTS IN POWER TRANSFORMER

Transformers are prone to variety of faults :
1. The most common type of fault being the winding to
core faults because of weakening of insulation. Phase
faults inside the transformers are rare. However, such
faults may occur on terminals, which fall within the
transformer protection zone.
2. Power transformers are generally provided with on-line
tap changing (OLTC) gear. This is another major area of
occurrence of fault.
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3. All large transformers are oil immersed type. There is a

possibility of oil leakage.
4. Transformers experience large inrush currents that are
rich in harmonic content at the time of switching if they
happen to be unloaded.
5. A transformer may develop inter turn faults giving rise
to local hot spots within the winding.
6. Transformers may suffer from over fluxing due to
under frequency operation at rated voltage. Over fluxing
may also be caused when the transformer is subjected to
over voltage at the rated frequency.
7. In case of sustained overload conditions, the
transformer should not be allowed to operate for long
duration.

PROTECTION
TRANSFORMERS

OF

POWER

(A) PERCENTAGE DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

This scheme is employed for the protection of

transformers against internal short circuits. It provides the
best overall protection for internal faults. However in case
of ungrounded or high impedance grounding it cannot
provide ground fault protection.
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The following factors affect the differential current in

transformers and should be considered while applying
differential protection. These factors can result in a
differential current even under balanced power in & out
conditions:
1. Magnetizing inrush current The normal
magnetizing current drawn is 25% of the rated current.
However during Magnetizing inrush the current can be as
high as 830 times the rated current for typically 10
cycles, depending upon the transformer and system
resistance.
2. Overexcitation This is normally of concern in
generatortransformer units. Transformers are typically
designed to operate just below the flux saturation level.
Any further increase from the max permissible voltage
level (or Voltage/Frequency ratio), could lead to saturation
of the core, in turn leading to substantial increase in the
excitation current drawn by the transformer.
3. CT Saturation External fault currents can lead to CT
saturation. This can cause relay operating current to flow
due to distortion of the saturated CT current.

4. Different primary and secondary voltage levels, that is

the primary & secondary CTs are of different types and
ratios
5. Phase displacement in Delta-Wye transformers.
Transformer Differential Relay
To account for the above variables less sensitive
Percentage Differential Relays with percentage
characteristics in the range of 15 to 60% are applied to
transformers. Additionally, in modern microprocessor and
numeric relays harmonic restraints can be applied.
Transformer Differential Relay Connections:

Fig. Percentage Differential Relay Connections

Harmonic Restraint:
The percentage differential scheme tends to mal operate
due to magnetizing inrush. The inrush current waveform
is rich in harmonics whereas the internal fault current
consists of only the fundamental component. So to solve
the problem of inrush current, which is neither an
abnormal condition nor a fault, additional restraint is
developed which comes to picture only during inrush
condition and is ineffective during internal faults.
(B) RESTRICTED EARTH FAULT PROTECTION :
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A percentage differential relay has a certain minimum

value of pick up for internal faults. Faults with current
below this value are not detected by the relay.
Winding-to-core faults, which are single phase to
ground type, involving high resistance, fall in this
category.
Therefore for such type of faults RESTRICTED EARTH
FAULT PROTECTION is used. The reach of such a
protection must be restricted to the winding of the
transformer; otherwise it may operate for any ground
fault, anywhere in the system, beyond the transformer,
hence the name of this scheme.

EARTH FAULT PROTECTION FOR THE DELTA SIDE

OF DELTA STAR TRANSFORMER :

(C) OVER CURRENT PROTECTION :

Over current protection is used for the purpose of
providing back up protection for large transformers.
(above 5MVA).Two phase fault and one ground fault
relay is sufficient to provide OC protection to star delta
transformer.

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(D) PROTECTION AGAINST OVERFLUXING :

The magnetic flux increases when voltage increases. This
results in increased iron loss and magnetizing current. The
core and core bolts gets heated and the lamination
insulation is affected. Protection against overfluxing is
required where overfluxing due to sustained overvoltage
can occur. The reduction in frequency also increases the
flux density and thus has the same effect of overfluxing.
The expression for flux in a transformer is given by
= K E/f
Where = flux, f = frequency, E = applied voltage and K
is a constant.
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To control flux, the ratio E/ f is controlled. When the ratio

exceeds a threshold value, it has to be detected. Electronic
circuits with suitable relays are available to measure this
ratio. Overfluxing does not require high speed tripping
and hence instantaneous operation is undesirable when
momentary disturbances occur. But the transformer
should be isolated in one or two minutes at the most if
overfluxing persists.
(E) PROTECTION AGAINST OVERHEATING :
The rating of a transformer depends on the temperature
rise above an assumed maximum ambient temperature.
Sustained overload is not allowed if the ambient
temperature is equal to the assumed ambient temperature.
The maximum safe overloading is that which does not
overheat the winding. The maximum allowed temperature
is about 95C. Thus the protection against overload
depends on the winding temperature which is usually
measured by thermal image technique.
In thermal image technique, a temperature sensing device
like silicon resistor is placed in the transformer oil near
the top of the transformer tank. A CT is employed on the
L.V. side to supply current to a small heater. Both the
temperature sensing device and the heater are placed in a
small pocket. The silistor is used as an arm of a resistance
bridge supplied from the stabilized dc source. An
indicating instrument is energized from the out of balance
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voltage of the bridge. Also the voltage across the silistor

is applied to a static control circuit which controls cooling
pumps and fans, gives warning of overheating and
ultimately trips the transformer circuit breakers.
(F) PROTECTION AGAINST INCIPIENT FAULTS:
INCIPIENT FAULTS: Faults which are not serious at the
beginning but which slowly develops into serious faults
are known as incipient faults.

BUCHHOLZ RELAY :
It is a gas actuated relay. When a fault develops slowly, it
produces heat, thereby decomposing solid or liquid
insulating material in the transformer. The decomposition
of the insulating material produces inflammable gases.
The Buchholz relay gives an alarm when a specified
amount of gas is formed. The analysis of the gas collected
in the relay chamber indicates the type of the incipient
fault.
There is a chamber to accommodate Buchholz relay, in
between the transformer tank and the conservator. The
Buchholz relay is a slow acting device, the minimum
operating time is 0.1 s and the average time is 0.2 s. Too
sensitive settings of the mercury contacts is undesirable
because they are subjected to false operation on shock and
vibration caused by conditions like mechanical shock to
the pipe, tap changer operation and heavy external faults.
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Working : When an incipient fault such as a winding-tocore fault or an inter-turn fault occurs on the transformer
winding, there is severe heating of the oil. This causes
gases to be liberated from the oil around 350C. There is
a build-up of oil pressure causing oil to rush into the
conservator. A vane is placed in the path of surge of oil
between the transformer and the conservator. A set of
contacts, operated by this vane, is used as trip contacts of
the Buchholz relay This output of Buchholz relay may be
used to trip the transformer.

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The Buchholz relay also has another set of contacts

operated by a float. These contacts stay open when the
transformer tank is filled with oil. However, in case of
leakage of oil or decomposition of oil, the float sinks
causing the contacts to close. Loss of oil will no doubt
cause the transformer temperature to rise but does not
warrant immediate tripping. Hence, normally these
contacts are wired to an alarm which alerts the operator.
GAS ANALYSIS :
The trapped gases in the conservator can give valuable
clue to the type of damage that takes place inside the
transformer. This is because the insulation between the
winding turns, the insulation between the stampings of the
core and the oil, all liberate specific gases when they get
heated up due to a fault. The presence of these gases can
be used as a signature of a particular type of damage that
may have taken place inside the transformer.

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PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE : An oil pressure relief

valve is fitted at the top of the transformer tank. It is a
spring controlled valve located at the end of an oil relief
pipe protruding from the top of the tank. Whenever a
surge in the oil is developed, it bursts , thereby allowing
the oil to discharge rapidly. It operates when the pressure
exceeds 10 psi but closes automatically when the pressure
falls below the critical level. This avoids the explosive
rupture of the tank and the risk of fire.
(G) PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE :
Power transformers are subject to fires from many
sources. They often occur because of deterioration of
insulation in the transformer. This produces arcing which
in turn overheats the insulating oil and causes the tanks to
rupture; further arcing then will start a fire. Fires are also
initiated by lightning and occasionally by dirty insulators
on the outside of the tanks.
Proper maintenance can reduce these risks. Careful
protection against faults by shielding, grounding,
lightning arresters, interrupting devices and relays can
also decrease the opportunity for a destructive fire.
In spite of protection by these measures and expert
maintenance, the risk of fire remains quite high, and a fire
protection system is always recommended and often
required. In addition, suppression systems are frequently
installed.
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Protection of a power transformer against fire

(H) PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING :
Lightning overvoltage surges originate from atmospheric
discharges and they can reach their peak within a few
microseconds and subsequently decay very rapidly. The
surge voltage can reach up to 10 times the rated
transformer voltage and they pose the greatest threat to
transformers on the distribution networks. The charge
from the surge produces both short duration high current

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impulse and long duration continuing current impulse

which affects the transformer insulation system.
Protection against such overvoltage surges can be
achieved by using Lightning Arresters. The distance
between the lightning (surge) arrester and the equipment
to be protected should be as short and straight as
possible. Therefore, integration of the surge arrester in
the equipment to be protected gives almost an ideal
protection.

Fig. Lightning Arrester used to protect the power

transformer against lightning surges.
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