4/19/2022

Transformer Protection

BY
PROF. DR MOUSA ABD-ALLAH

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Tower-mounted Pad-mounted transformer Network transformer

transformer

 Transformers ranging from few kVA to several hundred MVA

 Transformer protection package vary with application and importance
 Small distribution transformers can protected by the use of fuses or overcurrent relays

Transformer Faults

Sustained
Winding On-load tap Abnormal and
Tank and
and changer operating uncleared
Core faults accessory
terminal faults conditions external
faults
faults faults

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External Conditions

Through Reduced
Overload system Overvoltage system
faults frequency

Differential protection

Overcurrent protection

Restricted earth fault protection

Types of Transformer
Protection Buchholz relay

Overfluxing protection

Thermal protection

Tank-earth protection

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Differential Protection of Power Transformers

Four important points must be taken care into considerations:
1) The currents on the primary and secondary sides are different by the
transformer turns ratio.
2) The phase difference between the voltage induced in high voltage winding and
low voltage winding.
3) The neutrals of C.T. star and power transformer stars are grounded.
4) Ratio change due to tap changer

Standard vector group

Following terminal markings are recommended by IEC, BS, etc.
A, B, C for H.V. terminals
a, b, c for L.V. terminals
3A, 3B, 3C for third windings, if any
HV vector

 In addition it is required to show the voltage vector diagram to

know the angular displacement between H.V. and L.V. sides.
LV vector

The H.V. vector being at 12O’clock (zero)

The L.V. vector being at hour hand number
In the Fig L.V. vector Lead HV vector by 30o

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On-load tap changers

 Very necessary to maintain a constant voltage on transformer LV terminals

for varying load conditions.

 This is achieved by providing taps, generally on HV winding because of

lower current levels.

 It changes turns ratio, thereby maintaining a nominal LV voltage within a

specific tolerance.

 Typical range of taps would be +15 to –5% giving an overall range of 20%.

 It is usually mounted in a separate compartment to the main tank with a

barrier board in between.

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Transformer magnetizing inrush

𝑑𝜑
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃 = 𝑁1
𝑑𝑡
θ = angle at which voltage is switched on Vmsin(wt+q)
AC

N1= primary winding turns

 = instantaneous value of flux at any time
𝜑 1 𝑡
‫׬‬±𝜑 𝑑𝜑 = 𝑁 ‫׬‬0 𝑉𝑚 sin(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃)
𝑟
𝑚 𝑉
𝜑 ± 𝜑𝑟 = 𝜔𝑁 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃)
1
𝑉𝑚
𝜑 = ±𝜑𝑟 + 𝜑𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝜑𝑚 cos(𝜔𝑡 + 𝜃) where, 𝜑𝑚 = 𝜔𝑁
1

At q = 0 𝜑 = ±𝜑𝑟 + 𝜑𝑚 − 𝜑𝑚 cos(𝜔𝑡)

The limits value of φ are

Typical inrush magnetizing current
±φr and ±φr+2φm

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Harmonic contents in magnetizing current inrush

Order of harmonic content Amplitude as a % of
in inrush magnetizing fundamental
current
2nd 63.0
3rd 26.8
4th 5.1
5th 4.1
6th 3.7
7th 2.4

Merz-Price protection of Δ-Y connected transf.

 Most %age differential relay have a bias slope setting of 20%, 30% and 40%

 Desired setting is dictated by operating range of OLTC, which is responsible for biggest
voltage unbalance under healthy conditions;

e.g. if OLTC range is +15 to –5% = 20% then 20% bias setting is selected.

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Some relays use a bias characteristic with three sections,

 1st section is set higher than the transformer magnetizing current.
 2nd section is set to allow for tap changer settings,
 3rd section has a larger bias slope beginning well above rated current to cater for heavy
through-fault conditions.

Merz-Price protection of Y-Y connected transf.

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Problems encountered in
Differential protection

Unmatched Ratio change Difference in Inrush

characteristics due to tap pilot wires magnetizing
of CTs change lengths current

Type of
Residual flux
Transformer Power system magnetic
before
size size material
energizing
(core)

EX: A 3-phase power transformer having a line voltage ratio of 400V/33kV is connected in Y-Δ.
The CTs on 400V side have current ratio as 1000/5. What must be the CT ratio on 33kV side.

Solution 33kV
1000/5 12.12A
Assume Ip=1000A 1000A 400V
400
𝐼𝑠 = 1000𝑥 = 12.12𝐴
33𝑥103
𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 =
𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
12.12
= = 1.4: 1
5 3

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Consider 3- transformer bank rated 500MVA at 34.5(∆)/500(Y) kV.

500 MVA
Solution
34.5 kV 9000/5
500𝑥103 1000/5
𝐼𝑎𝑌 = = 577.35∠0𝑜 𝐴 577.35A500 kV 8367.39A
3𝑥500
500𝑥103 𝑜
𝐼𝑎𝑑 = 𝑒 𝑗30 = 8367.39∠30𝑜 𝐴
3𝑥34.5 5A 4.65A

on ∆-side: Select CT ratio such that ICT < 5A

Select CT ratio of 9000:5 CT secondary currents = (8367.39x5/9000)=4.65 A
On Y-side CT secondary currents = (4.65/√3) = 2.68 A
Thus, CT ratios = 577.35/2.68 = 1077:5
Selecting the nearest standard CT ratio is 1000:5
 CT secondary currents=577.35x5/1000=2.886 A
 CT delta line current = 2.886x√3 = 5 A.
Relay taps can be used to reduce this magnitude mismatch further MR multi-ratio VT

Transformers With Multiple Windings

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EX: Consider 3-, 3-winding transformer. The three windings are rated at: 34.5 kV, ∆, 500MVA;
500 kV, Y, 300MVA; and 138 kV, Y, 200MVA.
500 kV,
500𝑥103 34.5 kV,
Solution 𝐼34.5𝑘𝑉 = = 8367.39 𝐴 500MVA
300MVA
3𝑥34.5
Take CT ratio on primary side = 9000:5 9000/5

1. To determine CT ratios on 500 kV side, assume that 138 kV

side is carrying no load.
500𝑥103
In this case 𝐼500𝑘𝑉 = = 577.35 𝐴 138 kV,
3𝑥500 200MVA

Isecondary=5/√3=2.886A, CT ratio=577.35:2.886
Tne nearest standard CTs ratio is 1000:5

2. For 138 kV side, with 500 kV side open, and transformer loaded to 500MVA
500𝑥106
𝐼138𝑘𝑉 = = 2091.85 𝐴 & secondary CT current=5/√3=2.886 A
3𝑥138𝑥103
CT ratio = 2091.85 : 2.886 The nearest standard CT ratio = 3600:5

500𝑥103
3. When transformer is normally loaded, 𝐼34.5𝑘𝑉 = = 8367.39 𝐴
3𝑥34.5
300𝑥103 200𝑥103
𝐼500𝑘𝑉 = = 346.41 𝐴 𝐼138𝑘𝑉 = = 836.74 𝐴
3𝑥500 3𝑥138

Secondary CT currents will be;

8367.39𝑥5
on 34.5kV side; 𝐼 = = 4.65𝐴
9000
346.41𝑥5
on 500kV side; 𝐼2 = 𝑥 3 = 3.0𝐴
1000
836.74𝑥5
on 138kV side; 𝐼3 = 𝑥 3 = 2.01 𝐴
3600

The current in operating coil is; Io = (3.0 + 2.01 − 4.65) = 0.31 A

With the ample restraint current provided by the three currents in a three-winding differential
relay, this relay will not misoperate for this condition.

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Transformer Overcurrent Protection

 HRC Fuses For small distribution transformers
Transformer rating Fuse
KVA Full load current Rated current (A) Operating time at
(A) 3xrating (s)
100 5.25 16 3.0
200 10.5 25 3.0
315 15.8 36 10.0
500 26.2 50 20.0
1000 52.5 90 30.0

 Overcurrent relays

The effect of the neutral resistance earthing

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Restricted Earth Fault Protection (REF)

 Give 100% earth fault protection to transformer windings

 stable for all faults outside the zone
The relay used is an instantaneous high-impedance type

Now, it is normal to ask that Differential Protection is also a zone

protection and it shall operate for any internal fault, then why do we
need extra Restricted Earth Fault Protection?

 Differential protection setting is normally kept at 20%. i.e it

shall pick if differential current exceeds 0.2 A.

 If an earth fault occurs just near neutral point, voltage driving fault current will be very
low, result in a low current in primary side of transformer.
 Thus differential protection may not operate.
 Therefore restricted earth fault protection need more sensitive protection scheme.
 Normally the setting of REF protection is kept as low as 5%.

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Auto-Transformer Protection

High impedance relay

Earth fault scheme Phase and earth fault scheme

Overfluxing Protection
Transformer overfluxing can be a result of:
1. High system voltage
2. Low system frequency
 Magnetic flux in the core increases with either increasing voltage or decreasing frequency
 During start up or shutdown of generator-connected transformers, or following a load
rejection, the transformer may subjected to excessive ratio v/f, that is become over excited.
 The transformer may operate in a non-linear magnetic region, and creates harmonics in
exciting current.

 The normal protection is an IDMT or definite time

characteristic, initiated if a defined V/f threshold is
exceeded

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Oil and Gas Devices (Buchholz Relay)

Alarm for the following conditions

 Hot spots on the core due to shortend laminations
 Core bolt insulation failure
 Faulty joints
 Inter-turn faults and other incipient faults involving low power
 Loss of oil due to leakage

Transformer Overheating
Transformer operating temperature versus oil life

Shortens in Transformer life;

Rule of thumb: 2 x aging for every 6% above nominal temp.
Typical setting normally adopted are as follows:
(unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturers)
Winding temperature alarm = 100 oC Winding temperature trip = 120 oC
Oil temperature alarm = 95 oC Oil temperature trip = 105 oC
Note: Switch on fans = 60 oC

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Oil Pressure Relief

Devices

sudden pressure
frangible disc type
relief valve

Oil Pressure Relief Devices

 The simplest and widely used is “frangible disc type”
 Normally located at the end of an oil relief pipe protruding from the top of transformer tank.
 frangible disc type: The surge of oil caused by a serious fault bursts the disc, so
allowing the oil to discharge rapidly. Relieving and limiting the pressure rise avoids explosive
rupture of the tank and consequent fire risk.

 sudden pressure relief valve: opens to allow discharge

of oil if the pressure exceeds a set level, but closes automatically
as soon as the internal pressure falls below this level.

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Direct measurement of winding temp. using Fiber Optics.

Fiber Optics
 Allows placement of temperature measurement in the winding.
 Only way to truly measure the winding temperature.

Resistance temperature Detector (RTD)

RTD bulb
Stainless steel minimizes corrosions

 RTDs are used for measuring oil temp. and ambient temp.,
but cannot used for measuring Winding temperature
Adjustable compression fitting
 RTDs are preferred over thermocouple for measuring temp.
 Platinum RTD most common
 Older transformers may have copper RTDs
 4-wire connections are preferred
 3-wire connections are most common and are acceptable if
the resistance of all three wires is identical

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Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) / Monitoring

Moisture (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are indications of possible :
 Contaminated oil  A failed oil preservation system  A leak in the sealed tank.
Hydrogen (H2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Ethylene (C2H4), Ethane (C2H6), Acetylene (C2H2) are
indications of transformer problems:
 Overheating  Arcing or partial discharge

Traditional utility practice:

 Oil sample taken periodically and sent to the
lab for a DGA.
 May perform a DGA after a transformer trip.

Three-winding transformer

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