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Transformer Protection 1693768891
Transformer Protection 1693768891
1_114Q07- 1 -
Transformers
Protection
Protections
AGENDA
PRINCIPLES
LINES PROTECTION
TRANSFORMERS PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION
SELECTING A PROTECTIVE SYSTEM
Differential protection
Sudden pressure relay
Overcurrent protection
Transformer tank protection
Typical protective scheme for power transformers
© ABB Power Technology
EXTERNAL INTERNAL
External Short Short circuits
Circuits between turns
Overloads between windings
Overvoltages Ground faults
Overtemperature
Overpressure
Miss of oil
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 4 -
Introduction. Transformers protections
INTERNAL ELECTRICAL
BUCHHOLZ (SPR) SURGE ARRESTERS
THERMOMETER OVERCURRENT RELAYS
THERMOSTAT PHASE
NEUTRAL
THERMAL IMAGE
OIL LEVEL DIFFERENTIAL RELAY
CHANGER
1_114Q07- 5 -
Magnetizing inrush
When a transformer is first energized, a transient magnetizing or
exciting inrush current may flow. This inrush current, which appears as
an internal fault to the differentially connected relays, may reach
instantaneous peaks of 8 to 30 times those for full load.
The factors controlling the duration and magnitude of the magnetizing
inrush are:
Size and location of the transformer bank
Size of the power system
Resistance in the power system from the source to the transformer bank
Type of iron used in the transformer core and its saturation density
Prior history, or residual flux level, of the bank
How the bank is energized
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 6 -
Initial inrush
When the excitation of a transformer bank is removed, the magnetizing
current goes to O.
The flux, following the hysteresis loop, then falls to some residual value
R. If the transformer were reenergized at the instant the voltage
waveform corresponds to the residual magnetic density within the core,
there would be a smooth continuation of the previous operation with no
magnetic transient.
In practice, however, the instant when switching takes place cannot be
controlled and a magnetizing transient is practically unavoidable.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 7 -
Initial inrush
If the circuit is re-energized at the instant the flux would normally be at
its negative maximum value (- max) as the residual flux would have a
positive value and since magnetic flux can neither be created nor
destroyed instantly, the flux wave, instead of starting at its normal value
(- max) and rising along the dotted line, will start with the residual value
( R) and trance the curve ( L).
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 8 -
Initial inrush
Curve t is a displaced
sinusoid, regardless of the
magnetic circuit's saturation
characteristics.
Theoretically, the value of
max is + (| R| + 2| max|).
In transformers designed for
some normal, economical
saturation density s, the
crest of t will produce super
saturation in the magnetic
circuit.
The result will be a very
large crest value in the
© ABB Power Technology
magnetizing current.
1_114Q07- 9 -
Initial inrush
For the first few cycles, the inrush current decays rapidly. Then,
however, the current subsides very slowly, sometimes taking many
seconds if the resistance is low.
The time constant of the circuit (L/R) is not, in fact, a constant: L varies
as a result of transformer saturation. During the first few cycles,
saturation is high and L is low. As the losses damp the circuit, the
saturation drops and L increases. According to a 1951 AIEE report, time
© ABB Power Technology
constants for inrush vary from 10 cycles for small units to as much as 1
1_114Q07- 10 -
87
© ABB Power Technology
Id
To prevent miss-operation
percentage characteristics
are used, with line current Operating zone
restraint.
© ABB Power Technology
(I1 + I2)/2
1_114Q07- 22 -
Differential relaying for transformer protection
Since the differential relays see the inrush current as an internal fault,
some method of distinguishing between fault and inrush current is
necessary.
Such methods include:
A differential relay with reduced sensitivity to the inrush wave (such
units have a higher pickup for the offset wave, plus time delay to
override the high initial peaks).
A harmonic restraint or a supervisory unit used in con-junction with
the differential relay
Desensitization of the differential relay during bank energization.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 23 -
Differential relay for transformer protection
Induction relays are relatively insensitive
to the high percentage of harmonics
contained in magnetizing inrush current.
The relay shown consists of a percentage
differential unit and an indication
contactor switch.
The percentage differential unit, an
induction disc type, has an electromagnet
with poles above and below the disc.
There are two restraint coils on the lower
left-hand pole; the operating coil is wound
on the lower right-hand pole.
Both the left- and right-hand poles have
© ABB Power Technology
windings.
Differential relay for transformer protection
The upper-pole current generates a flux in quadrature with the lower-
pole resultant flux, and the two fluxes react to produce a torque on the
disc.
Under normal load or in external fault, the currents in the two restraint
windings flow in the same direction.
These restraining currents are equal (or effectively equal) if auto-
balance taps are used to compensate from mismatch in current
transformer ratios - and if no significant current flows in the operating
coil winding.
As a result, only contact-opening torque is produced.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 25 -
Differential relay for transformer protection
If the taps are mismatched or the main current transformers saturate
unequally on severe external faults, the effective difference between the
currents in the two restraining windings must flow in the operating coil.
The operating coil current required to overcome the restraining torque
and close the relay contacts is a function of the restraining current. For
an internal fault, the restraining currents are opposite, and restraining
torque tends to cancel out.
The more sensitive operating coil, however, is energized by the sum of
the two currents. As a result, a large amount of contact-closing torque is
produced.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 26 -
Differential relay for transformer protection
In applying the relay, the current transformer ratio error should not
exceed 10% during maximum symmetrical external fault current. The
relay's 50% characteristic satisfactorily handles up to 35% of current
mismatch, including the transformer tap changing on load and current
transformer mismatch.
The relay's restraining windings have a continuous rating of 10 A; the
operating winding has a continuous rating of 5 A. To prevent
overloading the operating winding, however, no more than 5 A should
be allowed in the untapped restraining winding.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 27 -
Variable-Percentage Transformer Differential Relay
This type of relays have a variable-percentage characteristic:
Percentage is low on light faults, where the current transformer
performance is good, and high on heavy faults, where current
transformer saturation may occur.
The variable-percentage characteristic is obtained via a saturation
transformer in the operating circuit.
This transformer also tends to shunt the dc component away from
the operating coil.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 28 -
Variable-Percentage Transformer Differential Relay
The relay consists of an induction-type differential unit, a dc-indicating
contactor switch, and an optional ac-indicating instantaneous trip unit.
The induction-type differential unit contains four electromagnets,
operating on two discs fastened to a common shaft.
Of the electromagnets, one is the operating element and the other three
are restraint elements. On the center leg of each restraint
electromagnet are two primary coils and a secondary coil ; primary coils
are energized from the secondaries of the current transformers
connected to the bank to be protected.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 29 -
Variable-Percentage Transformer Differential Relay
A 5-A current in the restraint coil will produce restraining torque. The
same 5-A current flowing in two restraint coils of the same restraint
electromagnet will have either additive or subtractive restraining effect,
depending on the polarity of the connection (Figure c).
This relay is well suited to protect transformer banks not subject to
severe magnetizing inrush, particularly if more than two restraining
circuits are needed. The relay has no built-in taps and generally
requires auxiliary current transformers for current matching. The
operating time of the differential unit is two to six cycles; no setting is
required.
The faster IIT unit is connected to the differential circuit. It is
recommended for transformer protection in applications where internal
fault current can exceed twice the maximum total current flowing
through the differential zone for a symmetrical external fault. The IIT
© ABB Power Technology
unit should be set at 50% external fault current or a value higher than
transformer inrush current, whichever is greater.
1_114Q07- 30 -
Harmonic restraint Transformer Differential Relay
Since magnetizing inrush current has a high harmonic content,
particularly the second harmonic, this second harmonic can be used to
restrain and thus desensitize a relay during energization.
The method of harmonic restraint is not without its problems.
There must be enough restraint to avoid relay operation on inrush,
without making the relay insensitive to internal faults that may also have
some harmonic content.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 31 -
Harmonic restraint Transformer Differential Relay
In the differential unit, (DU) air-gap transformers feed the restraint
circuits, and a non-air-gap transformer energizes the operating coil
circuit.
Since the rectified restraint outputs are connected in parallel, the relay
restraint is proportional to the maximum restraining current in any
restraint circuit.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 32 -
Harmonic restraint Transformer Differential Relay
The percentage characteristic varies from around 20% on light faults,
where current transformer performance is good, to approximately 60%
on heavy fault, where current transformer saturation may occur.
This variable-percentage characteristic is obtained via the saturating
transformer in the operating coil circuit.
The minimum pickup is the current that will just close the differential unit
contacts, with the operating coil and one restraint coil energized.
The continuous rating of the relay is 10 to 22 A, depending on the relay
tap used.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 33 -
Harmonic restraint Transformer Differential Relay
The harmonic restraint unit (HRU) has a second-harmonic blocking filter
in the operating coil circuit and a second-harmonic pass filter in the
restraint coil circuit.
Thus, the predominant second-harmonic characteristic of an inrush
current produces ample restraint with minimum operating energy.
The circuit is designed to hold open its contacts when the second-
harmonic component is higher than 15% of the fundamental.
This degree of restraint in the HRU is adequate to prevent relay
operation on practically all inrushes, even if the differential unit should
operate.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 34 -
Harmonic restraint Transformer Differential Relay
For internal faults, ample operating energy is produced by the
fundamental frequency and harmonic other than the second.
The second harmonic is at a minimum during a fault. Since the HRU
will operate at the same pickup as the DU, the differential unit will
operate sensitively on internal faults.
For external faults, the differential unit (DU) will restrain.
The relay operating time is one cycle at 20 times tap value.
The instantaneous trip unit (IIT) is included to ensure high-speed
operation on heavy internal faults, where current transformer saturation
may delay HRU contact closing.
The IIT pickup is 10 times the relay tap value.
This setting will override the inrush peaks and maximum false
© ABB Power Technology
some-times used.
i
Fast operation is not possible, since In n*In
overreach.
1_114Q07- 45 -
Overcurrent and Backup Protection
Overcurrent relays cannot be used for primary protection without the
risk of internal faults causing extensive damage to the transformer.
Fast operation on heavy internal faults is obtained by using
instantaneous trip units in the overcurrent relays.
These units may be set at 125% of the maximum through fault, which is
usually a low-side three-phase fault.
The setting should be above the inrush current. Often, instantaneous
trip units cannot be used because the fault currents are too small.
An overcurrent relay set to protect the main windings of an
autotransformer or three-winding transformer offers almost no
protection to the tertiary windings, which have a much smaller kVA.
Also, these tertiary windings may carry very heavy currents during
ground faults. In such cases, tertiary overcurrent protection must be
© ABB Power Technology
provided.
1_114Q07- 46 -
Overcurrent and Backup Protection
A through fault external to a transformer results in an overload that can
cause transformer failure if the fault is not cleared promptly.
It is widely recognized that damage to transformers from through faults
is the results of thermal and mechanical effects.
The thermal effect has been well understood for years.
The mechanical effect has recently gained increased recognition as a major
concern of transformer failure.
This results from the cumulative nature of some of the mechanical effects,
particularly insulation compression, insulation wear, and friction-induced
displacement.
The damage that occurs as a result of these cumulative effects is a function
of not only the magnitude and duration of through faults, but also the total
number of such faults.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 47 -
Overcurrent and Backup Protection
The transformer can be isolated from the fault before damage occurs by
using fuses or overcurrent relays.
50/51N
50/51G
2-3 50/51
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 48 -
Distance Relaying for Backup Protection
Directional distance relaying can be used for transformer backup
protection when the setting or coordination of the overcurrent relays is a
problem.
The directional distance relays are connected to operate when the fault
current flows toward the protected transformer.
They are set to reach into, but not beyond, the transformer.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 49 -
AGENDA
PRINCIPLES
LINES PROTECTION
TRANSFORMERS PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION
SELECTING A PROTECTIVE SYSTEM
Differential protection
Sudden pressure relay
Overcurrent protection
Transformer tank protection
Typical protective scheme for power transformers
© ABB Power Technology
64
1_114Q07- 51 -
Transformer Tank protection
To prevent incorrect tripping (because of possible faults in the
connection cables to fans, etc) it is necessary to take some measure
as the indicated in fig, and to coordinate with the neutral protection.
© ABB Power Technology
1_114Q07- 52 -
AGENDA
PRINCIPLES
LINES PROTECTION
TRANSFORMERS PROTECTION
INTRODUCTION
SELECTING A PROTECTIVE SYSTEM
Differential protection
Sudden pressure relay
Overcurrent protection
Transformer tank protection
Typical protective scheme for power transformers
© ABB Power Technology