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A Current Transformer Saturation Identification

Method of Transmission Line Based on Current
Sample Data
Xingguo Wang, Huanzhang Liu, Zexin Zhou, Yarong Guo, Dingxiang Du

This paper proposes a new current transformer saturation

Abstract—A current transformer saturation identification
method of transmission line based on current sample data is
proposed in this paper. Mechanism and characteristics of
current transformer saturation are analyzed firstly. Current
transformer saturation identification plane is proposed. It is
divided into three parts: internal fault zone, external fault zone
and current transformer saturation zone caused by external faults.
For current transformer saturation caused by external faults,
current differential protection is blocked. The RTDS simulation
results show that the method can identify CT Saturation quickly
and sensitively. It is not impacted by data window length.
Index Terms—current transformer saturation, current
differential protection, transmission line, current sample data
I. INTRODUCTION
identification method of transmission line relay protection
based on current sample data. In Section II, saturation
mechanism of current transformer is proposed. In Section III,
current sample data characteristics of current transformer
saturation are discussed. In Section IV, new current transformer
saturation identification criterion is proposed. In Section V, the
performance of current transformer saturation identification
criterion is tested extensively using RTDS-generated data. The
simulation verified that method proposed can identify current
transformer saturation sensitively and accurately. The results
also show that it is not impacted by data window length.
II. SATURATION MECHANISM OF CURRENT TRANSFORMER
The Equivalent circuit of current transformer is shown in Fig.

C urrent differential protection is main protection of electric

equipment and current transformer characteristics will
impact its performance. Current transformer saturation will
1, in which Z1 and Z 2′ are primary impedance and reflected
secondary impedance of current transformer respectively,
Zload.CT and Zm are load impedance and excitation impedance of
cause current wave distortion and mal-operation of current
differential protection. Now, countermeasures of current
current transformer respectively. I1 ˈ I′ and I
2 m are primary
current, reflected secondary current and excitation current of
differential protection include raising the setting value, blocking
current differential protection and saturation current current transformer. U 2 is voltage when Im flow through Zm.
compensation, on condition that identifying current saturation
I1 Im + I 2′
quickly and accurately. Z1 Z2′
Many current transformer saturation identifications are
Zm U 2 Z load .CT
proposed [1]-[10], such as using current wave characteristics,
current harmonic component, wavelet analysis, mathematical
-
morphology, Hilbert transformer, LMD (local mean
Fig. 1. Equivalent circuit of current transformer.
decomposition) and parameter identification. These methods
It can be seen from Figure1,
can’t identify current transformer saturation caused by internal
U 2 = Im Z m (1)
or external faults. The sensitivity of these identification methods
is impacted by sample frequency and data window. Moreover, U = I′ ( Z ′ + Z
2 2 2 load .CT ) (2)
some protection algorithms are proposed to reduce current I1 = Im + I2′ (3)
transformer saturation impaction [11]-[12]. I Z
I 2′ = 1 m (4)
Z m + Z 2′ + Z load .CT
Xingguo Wang is with Protection Relay Department, China Electric Power
Research Institute, Beijing, China (e-mail: wangxingguo@epri.sgcc.com.cn). I ( Z ′ + Z )
Huanzhang Liu is with State Grid of China (E-mail: Im = 1 2 load .CT (5)
liuhuangzhang1@sina.com.cn) Z m + Z 2′ + Z load .CT
Zexin Zhou is with Protection Relay Department, China Electric Power Current transformer iron core is made of ferromagnetic
Research Institute, Beijing, China (e-mail: zhouzx@epri.sgcc.com.cn).
Yarong Guo is with Protection Relay Department, China Electric Power
material, the relationship of magnetic flux in the core and
Research Institute, Beijing, China (e-mail: guoyarong@epri.sgcc.com.cn). magnetic induction intensity is nonlinear. Zm changes with I1 .
Dingxiang Du are with Protection Relay Department, China Electric Power
Research Institute, Beijing, China (e-mail: dudingxiang@epri.sgcc.com.cn).

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When I1 is small, iron core of current transformer is

im.2 (t ) in.2 (t )
unsaturation. Z m is big and Im is small.
im.1 (t ) in.1 (t )
When I1 increases, current transformer iron core start to
(a)
saturate. Z decreases and I increases. According to
m m
Δim.2 (t ) Δin.2 (t )
equation (3), I 2′ decreases.
Δim.1 (t ) Δin.1 (t )
When Zm decreases to zero, I1 = Im and I 2′ =0.
ZM ZN
When faults occur in transmission lines, fault current U F (t )
increases quickly and current transformer will saturate. DC
component of fault current exacerbates current transformer (b)
saturation. Because the flux of iron core can’t change suddenly, Fig. 3. (a) The internal fault network and (b) its fault part.
the relation between current transformer primary current and
secondary current is linear at fault start time. The length of Δin.1 (t )
linear zone is related to current transformer saturation speed.
The wave distortion of secondary current is related to CT
saturation degree.

III. CURRENT SAMPLE DATA CHARACTERISTICS OF CURRENT Δim.1 (t )

TRANSFORMER SATURATION

A. Normal Condition
The normal condition of transmission line is shown in Fig. 2, (a)
im.2(t) and in.2(t) are secondary currents sample data of current Δin.2 (t )
transformer. im.1(t) and in.1(t) are primary currents sample data of
current transformer.
im.2 (t ) in.2 (t )
Δim.2 (t )
im.1 (t ) in.1 (t )

Fig. 2. Normal power system network

In normal condition, CT is unsaturated. The relations

between primary currents and secondary currents are linear. (b)
Fig. 4. (a) ᇞim.1(t)-ᇞin.1(t) plane; (b) ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t) plane.
B. Internal Faults
For internal faults of transmission lines (Fig. 3(a)), the fault
part is shown in Fig. 3(b). In the fault part, ᇞim.2(t) and ᇞin.2(t) im.2 (t ) in.2 (t )

are secondary fault currents sample data of current transformer

im.1 (t ) in.1 (t )
1 and 2.
ᇞim.1(t)= im.1(t)- im.1(t-N) (6) (a)
ᇞin.1(t)= in.1(t)- in.1(t-N) (7) Δim.2 (t ) Δin.2 (t )
ᇞim.2(t)= im.2(t)- im.2(t-N) (8)
ᇞin.2(t)= in.2(t)- in.2(t-N) (9) Δim.1 (t ) Δin.1 (t )
where N is sample data number in a power frequency cycle. ZN
ZM U F (t )
For internal faults of lines, ᇞim.1(t)×ᇞin.1(t)>0 and
ᇞim.2(t)×ᇞin.2(t)>0.
ᇞim.1(t) and ᇞin.1(t) can be placed in the plane shown in Fig. (b)
4(a). ᇞim.2(t) and ᇞin.2(t) can be placed in the plane shown in Fig. 5. (a) The external fault network and (b) its fault part.
Fig. 4(b).
For an internal fault in F1, ᇞim(t) and ᇞin(t) are in zone I or III part is shown in Fig. 5(b).
of plane ᇞim.1(t)-ᇞin.1(t) and plane ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t). For external faults of lines, ᇞim.1(t)=ᇞin.1(t) and
ᇞim.2(t)=ᇞin.2(t).
C. External Faults When external faults cause current transformer saturation,
For internal faults of transmission lines (Fig. 5(a)), the fault ᇞim.1(t)×ᇞin.1(t)<0 and ᇞim.2(t)×ᇞin.2(t)<0.
For an external fault, ᇞim.1(t) and ᇞin.1(t) are in zone II or IV

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of plane ᇞim.1(t)-ᇞin.1(t).ᇞim.2(t) and ᇞin.2(t) are in zone II or IV Boundaries of three zones are
of plane ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t). Y = −1.2X + 7 (10)
D. Faults of single source system − X = 0.05Y + 1 (11)
For single source system faults (Fig. 6(a)), the fault part is

Single source system faults

shown in Fig. 6(b). CT

lts
by satu

au
For internal faults of single source system, ᇞin.1(t)=0 and ex r at

f
al
t er i o n

rn
na ca
l f us

te
ᇞin.2(t)=0. ᇞim.1(t) and ᇞim.2(t) are in horizontal axis of plane au ed

In
lts

ᇞim.1(t)-ᇞin.1(t) and plane ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t).

im.2 (t ) in.2 (t )
CT

lts
by satu

au
im.1 (t ) in.1 (t ) ex r at i

f
t er o n

al
na ca

rn
l f us

te
au ed

In
lts
(a)
Δim.2 (t ) (a)

Δim.1 (t )

Single source system faults

CT
ZM
by satu
U F (t ) ex rati

lts
ter on

au
na ca

f
l f us

al
au ed

rn
lts

te
(b)

In
Fig. 6. (a) The internal faults network of single source system and (b) its fault
part.

IV. A CURRENT TRANSFORMER SATURATION IDENTIFICATION (b)

METHOD BASED ON SAMPLE DATA Fig. 7. (a) Plane changed by step I and (b) Plane changed by step II.

A. Data Processing and Plane Transposition

The sample data characteristics of ᇞim.2(t) and ᇞin.2(t)
different faults are in different zones of plane ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t).
Because faults characteristics are symmetrical, the plane can be
decreased.
The data processing includes three steps: Fig. 8 Data window of ™x2(t)and ™y2(t).
Step I: When the relay protection starts, for (ᇞim.2(t),ᇞin.2(t)),
comparing |ᇞim.2(t)| and |ᇞin.2(t)|, the bigger one is set on Y1 Y / kA
axis and the smaller one is set on X1 axis. The plane shown in
Fig. 4(b) is changed to the plane shown in Fig. 7(a).
Step II: If ᇞim.2(t) or ᇞin.2(t) on Y1 axis is smaller than zero,
ᇞim.2(t) or ᇞin.2(t) is replaced by | im.2(t) ×ratio of CT1| and
|ᇞin.2(t) × ratio of CT2|. The plane shown in Fig. 7(a) is changed
Y=
-1
.2

to the plane shown in Fig. 7(b).

X+
7

For example, if ᇞim.2(t)<0, ᇞin.2(t)<0 and |ᇞim.2(t)|<|ᇞin.2(t)|

on plane ᇞim.2(t)-ᇞin.2(t), on plane X2-Y2, x2(t)=|ᇞim.2(t)| and
y2(t)=| ᇞin.2(t)|.
B. A Current Transformer Saturation Identification Method
For (x2(t), y2(t)), computing™x2(t) and ™y2(t), the
accumulation sample data of ™x2(t) and ™y2(t) is [-2~N] and 1
is relay protection start time (shown in Fig.8). It includes 27
sample data and three sample data [-2,-1, 0] are before start time
and N sample data in a cycle after start time. Let
24 24
X = ¦ x2(t ) and Y = ¦ y2(t ) .
t =−2 t =−2
For plane X-Y shown in Fig.9, it can be divided into three
parts. Part I is internal faults zone, Part II is external faults zone
and Part III is CT saturation zone caused by external faults.
X / kA
Fig. 9 Plane X-Y
For an internal fault of line, if ᇞim.2(t)=ᇞin.2(t), (X, Y) is
increase along the X=Y. If ᇞim.2(t) ᇞin.2(t), (X, Y) is increase
from zone II to zone I.
For an external fault of line, ᇞim.2(t)=-ᇞin.2(t), (X, Y) is
increase along the X=-Y.
For current transformer saturation caused by external faults,
ᇞim(t) -ᇞin(t), (X, Y) increase from zone II to zone III.
According to this characteristic, current transformer saturation
can be identified.

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V. SIMULATION tA=10.8ms, tB=17.5ms, tC=10.8ms. Current differential

protections of transmission line are blocked.
A. Simulation Modal 2500
A┦椙 ࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
The structure of simulation system is shown in Fig. 10. The B┦椙 ࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
C┦椙 ࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
parameters of sources and transmission line are given in 2000
Appendix. Relays are located at 1 and 2 respectively. F1 and F2
are fault points with fault distances of 100km from bus M.
1500
Sample rate is 1200Hz and there are 24 sample data in one
power frequency cycle. The current signals from each ends of

kA
transmission lines are determined using RTDS simulation 1000

environment.
500

-1600 -1400 -1200 -1000 -800 -600 -400 -200 0 200

Fig. 10. A fault transmission line. kA
Fig. 12. Simulation results of current transformer saturation caused by external
B. Simulation Results fault at F2.
1) External faults
Fig. 11 shows three phases currents (secondary values) of two 2) Internal faults
sides when three-phase-short fault at F2. It can be seen from it Fig. 13 shows three phases currents (secondary values) of two
that current wave is distortion because of current transformer sides when three-phase-short fault at F1. It can be seen from it
saturation. that current wave is distortion because of current transformer
saturation.
M὏A┦䓝ὶ
100
Phase-A
50
M὏A┦䓝ὶ
100
0 50
Phase-A
A

-50 0
A

-100 -50
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
-100
ms -20 0 20 40 60 80
M὏B┦䓝ὶ
100
Phase-B ms
M὏B┦䓝ὶ
50 100
50
Phase-B
0
A

0
A

-50
-50
-100
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 -100
ms -20 0 20 40 60 80
M὏C┦䓝ὶ
100 ms
Phase-C
M὏C┦䓝ὶ
50 100
50
Phase-C
0
A

0
A

-50
-50
-100
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 -100
ms -20 0 20 40 60 80
ms

(a) M side
(a) M side
100
὏ ┦䓝ὶ
N A
50
100
50
N὏A┦䓝ὶ
0
A

0
A

-50
-50
-100
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 -100
-20 0 20 40 60 80
ms ms
100
50
὏ ┦䓝ὶ
N B
100
50
N ὏B┦䓝ὶ
0 0
A
A

-50 -50
-100
-100 -20 0 20 40 60 80
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 ms
100
ms
὏ ┦䓝ὶ
N C
100
50
N ὏C┦䓝ὶ
50
0
A

0
A

-50
-50
-100
-100 -20 0 20 40 60 80
-20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 ms
ms
(b) N side
(b) N side
Fig. 13. Currents of (a) M side and (b) N side when three-phase-short fault in
Fig. 11. Currents of (a) M side and (b) N side when three-phase-short fault in
F1.
F2.
The current transformer saturation identification results are
The current transformer saturation identification results are
shown in Fig.14. It can be seen from it that (X, Y) of three
shown in Fig.12. It can be seen from it that (X, Y) of three
phases current transformers increase from zone II to zone I. It
phases current transformers increase from zone II to zone III. It
shows the fault is an internal fault. Current differential
shows current transformer is saturation caused by external faults.
The identification time of three phases current transformers are protections of transmission line are opened.

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ˈ
to detect current transformer saturation,” IET Generation Transmission
2500
┦椙࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
A
and Distribution, vol.9, no.12, pp.1430-1438, 2015.
┦椙࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
B
┦椙࿴ᖹ㠃⚦
C [5] Esmail Ehab M, Elkalashy Nagy, Kawady Tamer A, et al, “ Detection of
2000 partial saturation and waveform compensation of current transformers,”
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.30, no.3, pp. 1620-1622, Jul.
2015.
1500
[6] Hooshyar Ali, Sanaye-Pasand Majid, El-Saadany Ehab F, “CT saturation
detection based on wave shape properties of current difference
kA

1000 functions,” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.28, no.4,

pp.2254-2263, Oct. 2013.
[7] Chothani Nilesh G, Bhalja Bhavesh R, “New algorithm for current
500
transformer saturation detection and compensation based on derivatives
of secondary currents and Newton's backward difference formulae,” IET
0
Generation, Transmission and Distribution, vol.8, no.5, pp. 841-850,
2014.
-200 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400
kA
[8] Ma Jing, Wang Zeng-ping, “Application of grille fractal in identification
of current transformer saturation,” Power System Technology, vol.31,
Fig. 14. Simulation results of internal fault at F1.
no.14, pp.84-88, Jul. 2007.
[9] Zhang Xin-gang, Wang Ze-zhong, “A method detecting current
VI. CONCLUSION
transformer saturation by utilizing features of secondary voltage
A current transformer saturation Identification method of waveform,” Power System Technology, vol.29, no.14, pp.59-63, Jul.
transmission line is proposed in this paper. The current sample 2005.
data of two sides of line is compared and current transformer [10] Bi Daqiang, Feng Cunliang, GE Baoming, “Research on Identification of
saturation identification plane was proposed. The partial transient saturation in currant transformers,” Proceedings of the
characteristics of external faults, internal faults and current CSEE, vol.32, no.31, pp.184-190, Nov. 2012.
transformer saturation caused by external faults on plane are in [11] Li Xiaobo, Tan Ling, Jie Ping, “An algorithm based on virtual current for
different zones. It can identify current transformer saturation bus-bar protection,” Automation of Electric Power System, vol.39, no.6,
sensitively and quickly and is not impacted by data window pp.115-119, Mar. 2015.
length. [12] Gong Maofa, Xia Wenhua, Zhang Xiao-ming, “New method to identify
transformer fault with anti-CT saturation based on HHT,” Power System
Protection and Control, vol. 41, no. 22, pp. 64-70, Nov. 2013.
VII. APPENDIX
The system is a 1000kV transmission lines, power frequency
Xingguo Wang was born in Shanxi Province, China in 1981. He received the
is 50Hz. Ph.D. degree, B.Sc. degree and M. Sc. degrees from North China Electric
The source parameters: Power University, Beijing, China, in 2003, 2006 and 2010 respectively, he is
ğ ğ
ZM1=50 85°ȍ, ZM0=50 85°ȍ, ZN1=50 85°ȍ, ZN0=50 ğ ğ with protection relay department, China Electric Power Research Institute,
Beijing, China.
85°ȍ. His research relay protection algorithm in power system.
Transmission line parameters:
MN=10km, R1=0.076ȍ/km, X1=0.263ȍ/km, Huanzhang Liu was born in Hubei, China, in 1954.Currently, he is a senior
engineer in State Grid of China.
XC1=0.2279Mȍ*km, R0=0.154ȍ/km, X0=0.831ȍ/km, His research interest is in the area of protective relay, fault analysis.
XC0=0.3423Mȍ*km
Zexin Zhou was born in Fujian, China, in 1969. Currently, she is with
protection relay department, China Electric Power Research Institute, Beijing,
REFERENCES China.
[1] Hooshyar Ali, Sanaye-Pasand Majid, “CT saturation detection based on Her research interest is in the area of power system protection.
waveform analysis using a variable-length window,” IEEE Transactions
Yarong Guo was born in Shanxi Province, China in 1989. Currently, she is
on Power Delivery, vol.26, no.3, pp. 2040-2050, Jul. 2011. with protection relay department, China Electric Power Research Institute,
[2] Dos Santos E M, Cardoso Jr G, Farias P E, De Morais A P, “CT saturation Beijing, China.
detection based on the distance between consecutive points in the plans Her research interest is in the area of power system protection.
formed by the secondary current samples and their difference-functions,”
Dingxiang DU was born in Shanxi Province, China in 1976. Currently, she is
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol.28, no.1, pp.29-37, Jan. with protection relay department, China Electric Power Research Institute,
2013. Beijing, China.
[3] Schettino Bruno M, Duque Carlos A, Silveira P M, et al, “A new method Her research interest is in the area of power system protection.
of current-transformer saturation detection in the presence of noise,”
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[4] Hooshyar Ali, Sanaye-Pasand Majid, “Waveshape recognition technique

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Modify explanation (17PESGM0680)

Thanks reviewers’ comments for this paper. I will explain every question raised by reviewers.

Recommended Revisions:
Reviewer 1:
Comments: The paper suggests a method to determine a CT saturation during an external fault as comparing
two ends CT sampling data, which is a good subject. However, the following questions are needed to clarify:
1. How to derive the equations (10) & (11)?
In this paper,
Eq 10: Y = −1.2X + 7
Eq 11: − X = 0.05Y + 1
They are boundaries of three zones (external fault, internal fault and CT saturation zone )
In Eq 10, when X=0, Y = 7kA . The setting value is to identify faults of single source system. For faults of
single source system shown in figure 6, suppose ᇞim.1=Imsin(Ȧt).
T/ 2 2I m § ωT · 4 I m 4 I m N
Σ Δim.1 = 2 ³ I m sin(ωt ) = [cos ( 0 ) − cos ¨ ¸] = =
0 ω © 2 ¹ ω 2π

When I m = 2 × 0.33kA , Σ Δim.1 = 7kA

In Eq 11, when Y=0, X = −1kA and it is maximum value of zero drift current.

2. Does this method including the influence of DC component?

This method is not impacted by DC component.

For external fault at F2, DC component of •‹†‡‹•„‹‰‰‡”–Šƒ•‹†‡ƒ†‹–…ƒ—•‡•saturation of M

side. Currents of two sides of line MN are different and the method proposed is based on the difference of two
sides current.
For internal faults at F1, DC components of –™‘•‹†‡…—””‡–• are different, but the power frequency current
component is bigger than DC components, the method proposed is based on power frequency current sample
data, so it is not impacted by DC component.

3. Can this method handle the transformer inrush (typically 100 ms) or remote faults with large X/R
ratios that cleared slowly?
This method is used for transmission line. It is not impacted by transformer inrush. It also can be used for
transformer, because the time of identifying CT saturation is no more than 20ms, it is not impacted by
transformer inrush (typically 100 ms).
For remote faults with large X/R ratios, the current is on Y axis of figure 9. The setting value of equations
(10) can ensure clearing them.

4. Too many typos such as the current ø2' in equation (2), many places of "Date" vs "Data", "from" vs
"form", It needs to clean up.
In revised paper, typos are cleaned up.
Thanks reviewer and the suggestion of this paper.

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