Application Notes P54x/EN AP/I53

MiCOM P541, P542,

P543, P544, P545, P546 Page 23/138

L = Local end line current

r = Remote end line current
VL = Local end voltage
VR = Remote end voltage
ZL = Line impedance
chL = Local end charging current
chR = Remote end charging current
By considering Figure 5 it is evident that the line charging current at a particular location is
equal to the voltage at that location multiplied by the line positive sequence susceptance. It
is therefore possible for the relays at each line end to calculate the respective line charging
currents and compensate accordingly.

The differential current ( d) can be calculated as follows:

d = L + R - ( jVLBS /2) - ( jVRBS /2)

d = { L - ( jVLBS /2)} + { R - ( jVRBS /2)}

d = Local relay current + remote relay current

Where BS is the line positive sequence susceptance.
This feature can be selectively enabled or disabled. If selected, the normal phase current
data in the protection message is replaced by { - (jVBS/2)}.
When applying a three end scheme with ends local (L), remote 1 (R1) and remote 2 (R2), the
differential current is calculated as follows:

d = L + R1 + R2 - (jVL Bs/3) - (jVR1 Bs/3) - (jV R2 Bs/3)

d = { L - (jVL Bs/3) } + { R1 - (jV R1 Bs/3) }+ { R2 - (jV R2 Bs/3) }

d = Local relay current + remote 1 relay current + remote 2 relay current

Where Bs is the total teed line positive sequence susceptance
i.e. Bs = Bs from L-Tee + Bs from R1 – Tee + Bs from R2 - Tee
The display of currents in the 'Measurements 3' column will be affected by this feature when
selected.
Where the P541 and P542 relays are used, or where this feature is disabled, it must be
ensured that the base current setting on the relay ( s1) is set to at least 2.5x the line steady
state charging current to avoid possible maloperation.
2.2.5 Protection of transformer feeders
In applying the well established principles of differential protection to transformers, a variety
of considerations have to be taken into account. These include compensation for any phase
shift across the transformer, possible unbalance of signals from current transformers either
side of windings, and the effects of the variety of earthing and winding arrangements. In
addition to these factors, which can be compensated for by correct application of the relay,
the effects of normal system conditions on relay operation must also be considered. The
differential element must restrain for system conditions which could result in maloperation of
the relay, such as high levels of magnetising current during inrush conditions.
In traditional transformer feeder differential schemes, the requirements for phase and ratio
correction were met by correct selection of line current transformers. Within the P541 and
P542, software interposing CTs (ICTs) are provided which can give the required
compensation. The advantage of having replica interposing CTs is that it gives the P540
relays the flexibility to cater for line CTs connected in either star or delta, as well as being
able to compensate for a variety of system earthing arrangements. The P541 and P542
relays also include a magnetising inrush restraint facility.
P54x/EN AP/I53 Application Notes
MiCOM P541, P542,
Page 24/138 P543, P544, P545, P546

Note that the P543, P544, P545 and P546 relays do not include any of the above features,
except CT ratio mismatch compensation, and as such would not be suitable for the
protection of in-zone transformer feeders.
2.2.5.1 Transformer magnetising inrush and High set differential setting
The magnetising inrush current to a transformer appears as a large operating signal to the
differential protection. Special measures are taken with the relay design to ensure that no
maloperation occurs during inrush.
Figure 6 shows a transformer magnetising characteristic. To minimise material costs, weight
and size, transformers are generally operated near to the ‘knee point’ of the magnetising
characteristic. Consequently, only a small increase in core flux above normal operating
levels will result in a high magnetising current.

Flux, j
2j

jm

Magnetising current, Ie
P1006ENa

Figure 6: Transformer magnetising characteristic

Under normal steady state conditions, the magnetising current associated with the operating
flux level is relatively small (usually less than 1% of rated current). However, if a transformer
winding is energised at a voltage zero, with no remnant flux, the flux level during the first
voltage cycle (2 x normal max. flux) will result in core saturation and in a high, non-sinusoidal
magnetising current waveform. This current is commonly referred to as magnetising inrush
current and may persist for several cycles. The magnitude and duration of magnetising
inrush current waveforms are dependent upon a number of factors, such as transformer
design, size, system fault level, point on wave of switching, number of banked transformers,
etc. Figure 7 shows typical transformer magnetising currents for steady state and inrush
conditions.
The magnetising inrush current contains a high percentage of second harmonic. The P541
and P542 relays filter out this component of the waveform and use it as an additional bias
quantity. The total bias used by the relay will therefore be a combination of the average load
current on the line plus a multiple of the second harmonic component of the current. The
multiplying factor is used to ensure stability and is a factory pre-set value.
Where P541 and P542 relays are used and inrush restrain function is enable, it must be
ensure that this function is enabled at each end to avoid possible maloperation.
Application Notes P54x/EN AP/I53
MiCOM P541, P542,
P543, P544, P545, P546 Page 25/138

High set differential setting:

When inrush restrain is enabled, a high set differential protection becomes active. This
unrestrained instantaneous ' Id High Set ' is provided to ensure rapid clearance for heavy
internal faults with saturated CTs. The high set is not restrained by magnetising inrush,
hence the setting must be set such that it will not operate for the largest inrush currents
expected. It is difficult to accurately predict the maximum anticipated level of inrush current.
Typical waveforms peak values are of the order of 8-10x rated current. A worst case
estimation of inrush could me made by dividing the transformer full load current by the per
unit leakage reactance quoted by the transformer manufacturer. A setting range 4In -32In
(RMS values) is provided on P541 and P542 relays
2.2.5.2 Ratio correction (all models)
To ensure correct operation of the differential element, it is important that under load and
through fault conditions, the currents into the differential element of the relay balance. In
many cases, the HV and LV current transformer primary ratings will not exactly match the
transformer winding rated currents. Ratio correction factors are therefore provided. The CT
ratio correction factors are applied to ensure that the signals to the differential algorithm are
correct. A ratio correction factor is provided which is adjustable from 1 to 8 in steps of 0.01.
To minimise unbalance due to tap changer operation, current inputs to the differential
element should be matched for the mid-tap position.

V
j
+ jm
Ie
Steady
state
- jm

Ie

j
+2jm
V

Switch on at
voltage zero
P1007ENa

P1007ENa

Figure 7: Magnetising inrush waveforms

Ideally, the compensated current values should be arranged to be as close as possible to
relay rated current to provide optimum relay sensitivity. The corrected currents should not,
however, be arranged to exceed relay rated current under through load conditions.
2.2.5.3 Phase correction and zero sequence current filtering
To compensate for any phase shift between two windings of a transformer, it is necessary to
provide phase correction. This was traditionally provided by the appropriate delta connection
of main line CTs.
Phase correction is provided in the P540 relays via software interposing CTs. The phase
correction settings available with P540 relays are given in Table 2.
P54x/EN AP/I53 Application Notes
MiCOM P541, P542,
Page 26/138 P543, P544, P545, P546

In addition to compensating for the phase shift of the protected transformer, it is also
necessary to mimic the distribution of primary zero sequence current in the protection
scheme.
Figure 8 shows the need for zero sequence current filtering for differential protection across
a transformer. The power transformer delta winding acts as a ‘trap’ to zero sequence
current. This current is therefore only seen on the star connection side of the transformer
and hence as differential current.
The filtering of zero sequence current has traditionally been provided by appropriate delta
connection of main line CT secondary windings. In the P540 relays, zero sequence current
filtering is automatically implemented in software when a delta connection is set for a
software interposing CT. Where a transformer winding can pass zero sequence current to
an external earth fault, it is essential that some form of zero sequence current filtering is
employed. This would also be applicable where in zone earthing transformers are used.

I0

IR1 I0 IR2

Digital communication channel

Relay 1 Relay 2
IR1 = 0 IR2 = I0
Received IR2 = I0 Received IR1 = I0
P1008ENa Idiff = I0 Idiff = I0 P1008ENa

Figure 8: Need for zero-sequence current filtering

Some examples of selection of phase compensation factors are shown in the table 5

Transformer Connection Transformer Phase Shift Vectorial Compensation (Relay setting)

HV LV
o
Dy1 - 30 Yy0 (0 deg) Yd11 (+30 deg)
o
Yd1 - 30 Yd1 (-30 deg) Yy0 (0 deg)
o
Dy5 - 150 Yy0 (0 deg) Yd7 (+150 deg)
o
Yd5 - 150 Yd5 (-150 deg) Yy0 (0 deg)
o
Dy7 + 150 Yy0 (0 deg) Yd5 (-150 deg)
o
Yd7 + 150 Yd7 (+150 deg) Yy0 (0 deg)
o
Dy11 + 30 Yy0 (0 deg) Yd1 (-30 deg)
o
Yd11 + 30 Yd11 (+30 deg) Yy0 (0 deg)

Table 5. Examples of selection of phase compensation factors

2.2.6 3 to 2 terminal reconfiguration
The P540 relays can be configured for the protection of two or three terminal lines. This
allows any of the relays to be applied to a two-ended line which may be converted to a three
terminal line at a later date. Since only the ‘configuration’ setting needs to be changed to
configure the relay for two or three terminal operation, no hardware changes are required
when the third terminal is added, provided that 2 channels of fibre optics are already fitted.
Application Notes P54x/EN AP/I53
MiCOM P541, P542,
P543, P544, P545, P546 Page 27/138

For operational reasons, it may be necessary, under certain circumstances, to switch out
one line end and its associated relay on a three terminal circuit. By altering the
‘Reconfiguration’ setting at any end of the line, an operator can command any pair of relays
to work as a two terminal system. The ‘configured out’ relay can then be switched off,
leaving the line to be protected by the other two relays. A restore command can be issued to
reconfigure the system back to three terminal operation.
Four reconfiguration settings are available:
- Three ended
- Two ended local and remote 1 (L & R1)
- Two ended local and remote 2 (L & R2)
- Two ended remote 1 and remote 2 (R1 & R2)
Before a configuration command can be successfully initiated, it is necessary to energise the
‘reconfiguration interlock’ and ‘Inhibit Current Differential’ opto isolated inputs. The latter
input will disable tripping via the current differential elements from all three relays to ensure
that the scheme will remain stable during reconfiguration.
It must be ensured that the line end to be ‘configured out‘ is open before issuing a
reconfiguration command. If this is not done, any current flowing in or out of the ‘configured
out’ end will be seen as fault current and may cause the other relays to operate.
If the new configuration setting issued to the local relay is L & R1 or L & R2, the trip outputs
of the two ‘2-ended’ relays will remain inhibited by the ‘Inhibit Current Differential’ input at the
local relay. The ‘inhibit trip/alarm outputs’ opto should be de-energised to enable the trip
outputs reconfigured scheme. If the new configuration setting is R1 & R2, the output
contacts of the two remote relays will not be inhibited as they will ignore all commands from
the local relay.
The scheme may be restored to a three terminal configuration by selecting ‘three ended‘ at
any terminal. This will occur irrespective of the status of the opto inputs but is subject to a
healthy communications channel being detected.
2.2.7 Mesh corner and 1½ breaker switched substations
Where a line is fed from a mesh corner or 1½ breaker switched substation, as shown in
Figure 9, then two options are available for CT connections to the relay. The first is by
parallelling the two sets of line CTs into a common input, ‘A’. The second is by using two
separate inputs for each set of line CTs, ‘B’. The P544 and P546 relays are designed with
an additional set of input CTs specifically for this purpose.
In the case of a through fault as shown, the relay connected to circuit ‘A’ should see no
current and as such, will remain stable. Under this condition, it should be noted that no bias
is produced in the relay. To ensure relay stability, the two sets of line CTs should be as near
as identical in all characteristics, and equally loaded, such that the relaying connection is at
the equipotential point of the secondary leads.
In the case of circuit ‘B’ no differential current should result. A large bias current will
however exist, providing a high degree of stability in the event of a through fault. This bias
will also ensure stability where CTs are not closely matched. Thus, circuit ‘B’ is the preferred
connection for such applications and so the P544 and P546 relay models would normally be
specified.