Professional Documents
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(Technical Guide)
CONTENTS
1 Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 4
2 Setting procedure ........................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Calculation of stabilising voltage (VST)...................................................................... 6
2.2 Calculation of CT knee point voltage (VkRMS) ............................................................ 7
2.3 Selection of stabilising resistor (RST) ........................................................................ 7
2.4 Calculation of relay setting current (ISET) .................................................................. 9
2.5 Requirement for CT knee point voltage .................................................................... 9
2.6 The stabilising resistor power rating (PST) .............................................................. 10
2.7 Decision of using MOV .......................................................................................... 11
2.8 Requirements for the MOV values (C, β) ............................................................... 12
3 Example calculation...................................................................................................... 13
4 Appendix ...................................................................................................................... 16
4.1 Appendix A – Excel software for the setting procedure........................................... 16
4.2 Appendix B – Special calculation method............................................................... 19
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High Impedance Differential Protection
1 Abstract
High Impedance Differential Protections can detect faults on busbars or transformer windings.
The basic principle can be explained by an object with two ends (Figure 1). On the secondary
side the current transformers (CTs) are all connected in parallel to the stabilising resistor (RST).
A sensitive current relay (87B) is connected in series to the stabilising resistor. It is common to
use a non-linear resistor („MOV”) across the differential branch. All CTs must have the same
ratio and construction.
During an external fault, with ideal current transformers (which means that CT saturation does
not occur) there is no current flowing through the differential branch, so the current relay does
not operate. The worst scenario is when only one CT is completely saturated during the whole
period, while the other CT is not saturated. Of course, there can be more other ends with non-
saturated CTs. In the example these other ends are concentrated in one end which is the end
with CT called „CT1”. In the first case the stabilising resistor is negligibly small (it is actually the
low impedance differential protection, see on Figure 1). In this event the magnetising
inductance of the saturated CT becomes almost zero, and the higher excitating current is
missed in the differential branch. It means that significant differential current (If) flows, so the
relay must be set carefully to avoid false operations.
In the second case the stabilising resistor is high compared to the sum of CT winding resistance
(RCT) and connection lead resistances (2*RL), so almost the complete fault current flows through
the connection leads instead of the differential branch (Figure 2). The voltage (VST) across the
differential branch can be used for setting the current relay.
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High Impedance Differential Protection
During an internal fault, all of the CT’s currents flow in the same direction (Figure 3). As the
sum of these currents will flow into the differential branch, it may result in high potential rise of
the stabilising resistor so that can cause a fast saturation in the CTs. The MOV can also operate
which is used to limit the peak voltage to a value below the insulation level of the current
transformers and stabilising resistor. It means that the differential current is highly distorted.
Because of the non-linear behaviour of the CTs and MOV, a special differential current
measurement is required. Protecta uses a special hardware for the measurement: the CT5153+
can detect the peaks of the differential current.
This document presents principles of high impedance differential protection and introduces an
example how to set the relay and also how to choose the appropriate stabilising resistor (and
MOV if it is required).
As the setting procedure includes many calculations and requirements, there is a Microsoft
Excel software available to help all the users to go through the whole process (see Appendix A
– Excel software for the setting procedure).
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High Impedance Differential Protection
2 Setting procedure
The calculations must be considered in this order:
The maximum voltage depends on the maximum through fault current ( , ) and the whole
secondary circuit resistance which includes the CT secondary winding resistance (RCT) and the
connection leads resistance (RL) between the CT and the relay (it must be considered twice
because of the forth and back direction).
In this case the complete fault current flows through the secondary circuit resistance, so the
stabilising resistor voltage is equal to fault current multiplied by secondary current resistance.
Because the secondary circuit resistances are different in all of the CT circuits, the peak voltage
calculations must be performed for all these circuits:
, = 2 ∙ √2 ∙ , ∙ +2∙ (1)
where:
, = maximum through fault secondary current
i = CT circuit number (1, 2, … , n)
n = number of current transformers parallel with the relay
RCT = CT secondary winding resistance
RL = connection lead resistance between the CT and the relay
The stabilising voltage is higher than the maximum of all peak voltage calculations:
= (1 + ) ∙ , (2)
where:
ε = safety margin (ε = 0.15)
, = peak voltage calculation for each CT circuit (i = 1, 2, … , n)
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High Impedance Differential Protection
It is common to know the nominal current (InRMS) and the accuracy limit factor (nALF) of the
current transformer, where the CT’s error is also exactly given. For example a CT with 5P10
means that the CT has 5% error at 10*InRMS current (10 is the accuracy limit factor). There is
also some other information which is known: rated burden resistance (Rb) and secondary
resistance (RCT) of the CT. According to IEC-61869-2 actual standard the CT knee point voltage
can be estimated as follows:
= ∙ ∙( + ) (3)
where:
nALF = CT accuracy limit factor
InRMS = CT nominal secondary current
RCT = CT secondary winding resistance
Rb = rated burden resistance (Rb = Pn /In2)
Pn = CT rated burden.
= (1 − ) ∙ √2 ∙ , − ∙ (4)
where:
, = minimum internal fault secondary current
ε = safety margin (ε = 0.15)
n = number of current transformers parallel with the relay
Ie = current transformer excitating peak current at VST (see on Figure 4). If VST > VkRMS,
,
then the excitating peak current is: = ∙ , where , is the excitating current
at VkRMS
If the CT excitation characteristic is not given, it is necessary to estimate the missing current at
stabilising voltage. The CT accuracy class (5P or 10P) is always known, so the current error
(εc) at nominal current can be determined. According to IEC-61869-2 actual standard the
current error is:
maximum 1% at nominal current in case of 5P class
maximum 3% at nominal current in case of 10P class
It is assumed that the excitation curve is linear between zero and CT knee point voltage (Figure
4). So the current error is also linear below the knee point voltage. The missing excitation
current can be estimated by:
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High Impedance Differential Protection
= ∙ ∙ ∙ (5)
100
where:
nALF = CT accuracy limit factor
InRMS = CT nominal secondary current
εc = CT current error at nominal current
VST = stabilising voltage
VkRMS = CT knee point voltage
When the relay operates, the voltage drop across the stabilising resistor is always higher than
the maximum voltage (VST) of the stabilising resistor during external fault.
It can be possible that the calculated stabilising current (formulae (4)) is negative, as the sum
of excitating currents is higher than the minimal internal fault current. It means that the
magnetising branch impedance of the current transformer is too small, so the voltage across
the stabilising resistor is lower than the stabilising voltage during minimal internal fault. In this
case the relay cannot operate. The two acceptable solutions:
try to reduce the connection lead resistance (RL), so the stabilising voltage (VST) will be
lower (formulae (1))
select another current transformers which have better accuracy class (for example 5P
instead of 10P) or higher rated burden (for example 15 VA instead of 5 VA).
The possible resistance value can be determined by division of the stabilising voltage and the
stabilising current. The stabilising resistor must be selected as follows:
≥ (6)
where:
VST = stabilising voltage
IST = stabilising current
The selected stabilising resistor value must be higher than the calculated quotient, and it is
recommended to select a resistor which is the closest to VST/IST.
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High Impedance Differential Protection
= (7)
where:
VST = stabilising voltage
RST = stabilising resistance
If the calculated setting current cannot be exactly set in the relay, then a higher current value
must be set which is the closest to VST/RST.
The CT saturation can cause significant distortion in the differential current even during the
minimal internal fault. So it is important to have a suitable CT knee point voltage where the CT
saturates after the relay can sense the minimum internal fault (Figure 5). If CT saturation occurs
after the primary internal fault current reaches its maximum, then the selected relay setting
current (chapter 2.4) is sufficient to sense the minimum internal fault. The CT knee point voltage
requirement is:
≥ 0.5 ∙ , ∙ (8)
where:
, = minimum internal fault secondary current (RMS value)
RST = stabilising resistor
If CT knee point voltage doesn’t meet the voltage requirement, then four possible solutions can
be taken into consideration:
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High Impedance Differential Protection
1. A lower stabilising resistance (RST) must be selected which is above VST/IST. In this case
the relay setting current (ISET) must be recalculated.
2. Another type of connection lead must be selected which has lower resistivity (ρ) or
larger cross-sectional area (A), so the resistance will be lower (RL = ρ · l/A)
3. A special calculation method needs to be performed in order to check the current
sensitivity for minimum internal fault (see Appendix B – Special calculation method).
4. Another CTs with higher knee point voltage must be used.
If the CTs are not saturated, then the whole fault current flows through the stabilising resistor.
If the CTs are saturated, then just a part of the current flows through the stabilising resistor
(Figure 6). So it is necessary to calculate the effective value of the maximum internal fault
current. The continuous power rating must be also determined. Both the network angular
frequency (ω = 2*π*f) and the periodic time (T = 1/f) are known. It is assumed in all power rating
calculations that MOV is not connected to the stabilising resistor.
= , ∙ (9)
where:
, = maximum internal fault secondary current
RST = stabilising resistor
If < , ∙ the calculation of short time (~1 sec) power rating is:
(2 ∙ ∙ )
= , ∙ 2∙ − ∙ (10)
2
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High Impedance Differential Protection
where:
, = maximum internal fault secondary current
RST = stabilising resistor
T = periodic time (usually 0.02 sec)
ω = angular frequency (usually 314.159 rad/sec)
tsat = time interval between the zero cross of the current and the beginning of CT
saturation calculated as follows (the result of cos-1 must be in radian):
1 2∙
= ∙ 1− (11)
, ∙
= ∙ (12)
√2
where:
ISET = relay setting current
RST = stabilising resistor
= √2 ∙ , ∙ (13)
where:
, = maximum internal fault secondary current
RST = stabilising resistor
= √2 ∙ , ∙ ∙ ( ∙ ) (14)
where:
, = maximum internal fault secondary current
RST = stabilising resistor
ω = angular frequency (usually 314.159 rad/sec)
tsat = time interval calculated with formulae (11)
There is a safety limit voltage (VL) for the CTs and stabilising resistor which cannot be exceeded
during internal faults (usually VL = 2 kV).
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High Impedance Differential Protection
= (15)
where:
I = calculated current across the MOV
V = MOV voltage (= voltage across the stabilising resistor)
C, β = constant values
The β value is usually adjustable between β = 0.20 to β = 0.25. The setting of β value has no
remarkable effort on the voltage, so there is no any specific requirement for setting β.
The C value is a very similar parameter to the knee point voltage: when V = C then the
calculated current is 1A, and if the voltage increases from V = C then the current strongly goes
up (and the resistance of MOV drops dramatically). Below V = C the resistance starts to rise
significantly.
As it is important to sense all internal faults, the MOV must not operate at the voltage where
the relay must operate. The requirement for C value is the following:
≥ 2∙ ∙ (16)
where:
ISET = relay setting current
RST = stabilising resistor
Note: there is another opportunity to limit the peak voltage: Protecta recommends to use
thyristor for protecting the CTs and the stabilising resistor.
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High Impedance Differential Protection
3 Example calculation
System details:
CT details
Connection detail:
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High Impedance Differential Protection
With formulaes (1) and (2) the stabilising voltage can be calculated:
5100
, = 2 ∙ √2 ∙ , ∙( +2∙ ) = 2 ∙ √2 ∙ ∙ (2 + 2 ∙ 1.5) = 120.2
600
30
= ∙ ∙( + ) = 20 ∙ 1 ∙ 2 + = 640
12
1 1
= ∙ ∙ ∙ = 20 ∙ ∙ ∙ 138.2 = 0.043
100 100 640
110
= (1 − ) ∙ √2 ∙ , − ∙ = 0.85 ∙ √2 ∙ − 4 ∙ 0.043 = 0.048
600
The possible stabilising resistor values (formulae (6)):
138.2
≥ = = 2879
0.048
With the stabilising resistor the relay setting current can be chosen (formulae (7)):
138.2
= = = 0.046
3000
This current value cannot be exactly set in the relay. A higher setting current must be set
which is the closest to VST/RST. So the chosen setting current is: ISET = 0.05A.
110
≥ 0.5 ∙ , ∙ = 0.5 ∙ ∙ 3000 = 275
600
The CT knee point voltage meets the voltage requirement.
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High Impedance Differential Protection
The CT knee point voltage is lower than the calculated voltage ( < , ∙ ).
The selected resistor short time (~1 sec) power rating must be at least (formulae (10)):
2
(2 ∙ ∙ )
= , ∙ 2∙ − ∙ =
2
2
11200 6.8 ∙ 10 (2 ∙ 314.159 ∙ 6.8 ∙ 10 )
= ∙ 2∙ − ∙ 3000 = 2143
600 2 ∙ 10 2 ∙ 3.14159
1 −1
2∙ 1 −1
2 ∙ 640
= ∙ 1− = ∙ 1− = 0.68
, ∙ 314.159 18.67 ∙ 3000
The selected resistor continuous power rating must be at least (formulae (12)):
2
0.05
= ∙ = ∙ 3000 = 3.75
√2 √2
7. Decision of using MOV
First it is necessary to know the peak voltage (Vmax) which is given by (formulae (14)):
= √2 ∙ , ∙ ∙ ( ∙ )=
= √2 ∙ 18.67 ∙ 3000 ∙ (314.159 ∙ 6.8 ∙ 10 ) = 16.793
If VL = 2kV, then Vmax is much greater than the limit voltage, so it is required to use MOV.
As the β value is not important for the settings, it can be chosen (for example):
β = 0.22
For choosing C value it must be greater than twice the operating voltage (formulae (16)):
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High Impedance Differential Protection
4 Appendix
4.1 Appendix A – Excel software for the setting procedure
The excel software which is available at the Protecta website is a helpful tool for setting any
type of High Impedance Differential Protection. This software can perform all the calculations
and check all the requirements which are related to the setting procedure.
The main steps for using this software are the following:
http://www.protecta.hu
https://www.libreoffice.org.
2. Open the excel file, where the first appeared worksheet is called „Input Data” (Figure
8). This is the sheet where all the information must be given by the user:
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High Impedance Differential Protection
4. Check the minimum value of stabilising resistance on sheet „Results” (Figure 9). Then
select the suitable values in this order:
b) Select the relay setting current which is calculated in „Minimum relay setting
current”. If the calculated setting current cannot be exactly set in the relay, then
a higher current value must be set which is the closest to VST/RST.
c) Check the answer for „Is MOV required?” on the sheet „Results”. If the answer
is „YES”, then select a ’C’ value which is above the „Minimum ’C’ value”. If the
answer is „NO”, then the selection process is finished.
5. Write the selected values to the appropriate cells on the sheet „Input Data”:
Stabilising resistance in Ohm
Relay setting current in Ampere
C (if MOV is required)
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High Impedance Differential Protection
6. Finally, check all the answers for the requirements on sheet „Results”.
If all the requirements are satisfied, the answer for „Is setting procedure ready”
is „YES”. It means that the setting procedure is completely finished.
If one of the requirements is not satisfied, then follow the instuction which is
given on the answer cell.
If the CT knee point voltage requirement is still not satisfied, then check the
current sensitivity criterion (see details on Appendix B – Special calculation
method. The calculations and requirements are listed on the sheet „Special
calculation method”. If the current sensitivity criterion is satisfied, the answer
for „Is setting procedure ready” is „YES”. It means that the setting procedure is
completely finished.
It is also necessary to check the selected resistor power rating (both the short-time and
continuous) whether it is sufficient or not. These minimal power ratings are calculated on
the sheet „Results” (in cells „F10” and „F11”).
If there is any question relating to the setting procedure or the excel software, please
contact us by sending an e-mail to support@protecta.hu.
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High Impedance Differential Protection
The current sensitivity criterion must be checked as the maximum differential current can be
lower than the relay setting current, and the relay will not operate for minimum internal fault.
The formulae for calculating the peak current (before CT saturation occurs) is:
, = √2 ∙ , ∙ ( ∙ ) (17)
where:
, = minimum internal fault secondary current
ω = angular frequency (usually 314.159 rad/sec)
tMINsat = time interval between the zero cross of the current and the beginning of CT
saturation calculated as follows (the result of cos-1 must be in radian):
1 2∙
= ∙ 1− (18)
, ∙
All of the CT excitating currents (n * Ie) are missed from the differential branch, so that must be
substracted from the peak current.
≤ (1 − ) ∙ , − ∙ (19)
where:
ε = safety margin (ε = 0.15)
n = number of current transformers parallel with the relay
Ie = current transformer excitating peak current at VST. If VST > VkRMS, then the excitating
,
peak current is: = ∙ , where , is the excitating current at VkRMS.
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