Power Transformer Protection

Md. Quamrul Ahsan

Chief Engineer
Transmission-2, PGCB

1
 Power Transformer Faults
 Types of Transformer Faults:
A: Internal Faults:
Transformer internal faults can be classified into two groups.
 Group-A:
Electrical faults which cause immediate serious damage.
 Phase to phase or phase to earth fault in HV or LV winding
 Phase to phase or phase to earth fault external terminals (bushing)
 Inter-turn fault in HV or LV winding
 Core fault`

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 Power Transformer Faults
 Group-B:
Faults which cause slow developing damage.
 A Poor Electrical connection of conductors or a Core fault
which causes limited arching under the oil
 Tank fault- ex. Loss of oil or low oil
 Clogged oil or slug formation.
 Coolant failure that causes rise of temperature even below full
load operation.
 Regulator fault or bad load sharing between transformer
running in parallel, which can cause overheating due to
circulating current. 3
 Power Transformer Faults

B. External Faults:
1.Over Loading – Causes I2R losses
2.System Faults- Causes mechanical stress to
transformer
3.Over Voltage-
Over voltage and transient over voltage causes over
fluxing which increases iron loss and damages
insulation.
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 Protection of Power Transformer
 Protections provided by external protective relays:
Transformer Differential Protection (87T)
Restricted Earth Fault (REF) Protection (87N)
Time Delayed Over Current & Earth Fault Protection (51/51N)
Instantaneous Over Current & Earth Fault Protection (50/50N)
Directional Over Current & Earth Fault Protection (67/67N)
Thermal Overload Protection (49)
Over Fluxing Protection (24)

 Mechanical/Self Protection (Provided within the transformer ):

Main Tank Buchholz Protection
OLTC Buchholz Protection
Pressure Relief Device (PRD) Protection
Winding Temperature Protection
Oil Temperature Protection
Oil Level Alarm
Main Tank Buchholz Alarm

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Protection Philosophy of Power Transformer

6
Conventional Protection Scheme of a Two Winding
Power Transformer

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Conventional Protection Scheme of a Two Winding Power
Transformer Including REF

87N

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Conventional Protection Scheme of a Three Winding Power Transformer

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 Grouping of protection:
Power Transformer protection functions are divided in two
groups to obtain redundancy.
1. Group A Protection
2. Group B protection
The group A and group B protection are connected
through separate DC source.
All the Group-A and Group-B protection functions
energize separate lockout relays (86-1 & 86-2)
respectively to trip the circuit breaker during fault.
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 Grouping of protection:
Generally Group-A protection consists of-
Differential Protection (87T)
Time Delayed Over Current & Earth Fault Protection
(51/51N)_HV
Instantaneous Over Current & Earth Fault Protection
(50/50N)_HV
Thermal Over Load Protection (49)
Main Tank Buchholz Relay Protection

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 Grouping of protection:
Generally Group-B protection consists of-
Restricted Earth Fault Protection (87N)
Time Delayed Over Current & Earth Fault Protection
(51/51N/67/67N)_LV
Instantaneous Over Current & Earth Fault Protection
(50/50N)_LV
OLTC Buchholz Relay Protection
Pressure Relief Device (PRD) Protection
Winding Temperature Protection
Oil Temperature Protection
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 Power Transformer Magnetizing Inrush Current
Transformer steel core retains a static magnetic field if power is
removed (i.e. if the transformer is taken out from service).
This residual field causes a high inrush current when power is
reapplied (i.e. if the transformer is put back into service).
This high inrush current exists only at the source side of power
transformer.
This inrush current remains until effect of the remnant magnetism is
reduced, usually after a few cycles of the applied alternating current. 
 Transformer protection devices must be selected to allow this
harmless inrush to pass through it. 

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Power Transformer Magnetizing Inrush Current
 Factors that affect the Inrush Current-
The remanence magnetism of the core
The magnetic properties of the core
The point of voltage wave when the CB contact closes
The size of the transformer
The source impedance
Average Values of Magnetizing Inrush Current of Power
Transformer:
MVA Magnetizing Inrush Current (Crest Inrush Current as p.u.
Rating of Crest Full Load Current)
Cold Rolled Steel Hot-Rolled Steel
HV LV HV LV

1.0 8.4 14.0 4.8 7.0

5.0 6.0 10.0 3.9 5.7
10.0 5.0 10.0 3.2 3.2
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50.0 4.5 9.0 2.5 2.5
Power Transformer Magnetizing Inrush Current
Methods of Minimizing Magnetic Inrush Current:
Resistance Energization:
A series resistance is inserted in the switching circuit of the
transformer.
Capacitance for Reducing Residual Magnetism:
A capacitor is connected in parallel with the transformer so
that, when it is suspended from the supply the damped
oscillation in the tuned circuit so formed eventually
eliminates any residual magnetism (still not proven very
effective)

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Power Transformer Magnetizing Inrush Current
Relay Solutions to the Inrush Current Problem
Since the inrush current exists only at the source side of power transformer, so it
appears at the differential protection circuit and will operate the relay if it is not
blocked or bypassed. There are several solutions-
Even harmonic cancellation
Harmonic restraint
Resonance blocking
DC Bias
Amplitude of Harmonics in a Typical Magnetizing Inrush Current Wave Shape:

Component DC 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th

Typical 55% 63% 26.8% 5.1% 4.1% 3.7% 2.4%
Value
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Transformer Differential Protection (87T)
Basics:
Transformer differential protection is a
unit protection scheme that compares
currents of each side of the power
transformer. 
Any difference in currents
between/among the sides that is beyond
87T2 87T1
the set value indicates transformer
Y
internal fault and the relay
instantaneously trips the relevant circuit
breakers. 
Transformer differential protection
detects faults within the differential
protected zone, including inter-turn short Differential Protection Zone
circuits.
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 Transformer Differential Protection (87T)
Principle of Operation:
The operating principle of transformer differential protection is
basically the Merz-Price circulating current measuring principle as
shown below.
Under normal condition I1and I2 are equal and opposite so that the
resultant current through the relay is zero.
An internal fault produces an unbalance or 'spill' current that is
detected by the relay, leading to operation of the CB to isolate the
fault.

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Transformer Differential Protection (87T)
Transformer Biased Differential Protection

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Transformer Biased Differential Protection Operating
Characteristics
Differential current |I1+I2 |
10

Trips

1 Blocks Irestrain
I d min (|I1 |+ |I2 |)/2
1 5 10

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Factors to be considered to select 87T relay:

Transformer Differential Relay (87T) should be-

 Extremely stable under through fault conditions and
magnetic inrush.
 Should operate instantaneously during an in-zone fault or
an internal fault
 Able to restrain second harmonics and block fifth
harmonics.

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Transformer Differential Protection With Matching CT

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 Restricted Earth Fault Protection (87N)

Basics:
Restricted earth fault, or zero-sequence differential
protection is implemented in transformer star winding.
It is a unit protection scheme and its operation is
instantaneous.
It offers a significant improvement in sensitivity over
traditional differential protection
It should not response at load current.

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Restricted Earth Fault Protection (87N)

Basics:
 Ground current through the transformer neutral is used
as the reference and is compared to zero-sequence
current at the terminals to determine fault location, i.e.
internal or external.
 Relay operates for the faults within the region between
current transformers, that is, for faults inside the star
winding.
 Relay remains stable for external faults.

 May be high impedance or low impedance type.

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Low Impedance Restricted Earth Fault Protection (87N) Scheme

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High Impedance Restricted Earth Fault Protection (64R) Scheme
 Thermal Overload Protection (49)
During over load condition excessive load current through
the transformer causes over heating of transformer winding
and insulating oil.
To prevent damage of the winding insulation, thermal
overload protection is applied.
It is basically an over current protection implemented in
both windings of the transformer.
Tripping is time delayed. Firstly alarm is generated then
tripping is executed.
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Effect of Overload on Transformer Insulation Life

100
Relative Rate of Using Transformer Life

10

1.0

0.1 98
80 90 100 110 120 130 140

Hot Spot Temperature ◦C

Thermal Overload Protection (49)
Rise of temperature

Trip

Alarm

 Time

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 Over Fluxing Protection (24)
Transformer over-fluxing may be a result of -
• Overvoltage.
• Low system frequency.
Transformers are designed to operate at or below a
maximum magnetic flux density in their core.
Above that design limit the eddy current in the core and
nearby conductive components causes overheating which
within a very short time may cause severe damage.
The magnetic flux in the core is proportional to the
voltage applied to the winding divided by the impedance of
the winding.
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 Over Fluxing Protection (24)

The flux in the core increases with either increasing

voltage or decreasing frequency-
EMF = E = 4.44fΦmN =>E/f = 4.44 ΦmN
During startup or shutdown of a generator-connected
transformer, or following a load rejection, the transformer
may experience an excessive ratio of volts to hertz, and
becomes overexcited.
Overexcited transformer becomes overheated and
damaged
Over fluxing protection is specially required for generator
transformers
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Over Current and Earth Fault Protection

 Mainly provides back up for transformer internal

faults
 Also provides back up for system faults
 67/67N protection is implemented in LV sides
parallel running transformers.
 51/51N/67/67N can be definite time or inverse
time to achieve proper relay co-ordination from
upstream to downstream.
 50/50N are instantaneous tripping functions
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Mechanical/Self Protections of Power Transformers-

1.Buchholz Relay (Main Tank & OLTC)

2.Pressure Relief Device
3.Oil Temperature
4.Winding Temperature
5.Oil Level Indicator (Only Alarm)

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Buchholz Relay (63):
Buchholz relay is a mechanical protection device for monitoring
the gas and oil movements in oil immersed transformers.
It is used in practically all power transformer with the exception
of small distribution transformers.
In addition with the main tank Buchholz relay another Buchholz
relay is mounted on OLTC (On Load Tap Changer).
Location of main tank Buchholz relay is given as follows:

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Fig. Buchholz Relay 35
Basics of Buchholz Relay:

The internal mechanism of a Buchholz relay mainly comprises two

floats.
During normal operation, the relay is completely filled with oil
keeping the floats in their top limit or reset position.
The contact mechanism in the relays responses to:
 Slight faults causing a slow evolution of gas in the transformer (e.g.
overheating).
Serious faults creating an immediate surge of oil (e.g. short-
circuits etc.).
Unattended Oil leakage may lead to operation of the Buchholz
relay.
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Buchholz Relay Operation:

When a slight fault occurs in the transformer, the small bubbles of

gas which pass towards the oil conservator tank are trapped in
the relay housing, causing oil level in side the casing to fall.
 As a result, the upper float drops and activates the external alarm
switch.
 If gas continues to be generated then the second float operates
the second switch that is normally used to isolate (trip) the
transformer.
If an arc forms, gas accumulation is rapid, and oil flows rapidly
into the conservator which is called oil surge.
This flow of oil operates a switch attached to a vane located in the
path of the moving oil.
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Schematic Diagram of a conventional Buchholz Relay Arrangement

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Buchholz Relay with Oil Surge Arrangement:

An oil-surge detection feature of the Buchholz relay

trips the upstream circuit-breaker “instantaneously” if
there is a surge of oil occurred in the pipe connecting the
main tank with the conservator tank.
Such a surge can only occur due to the displacement of
oil caused by a rapidly formed bubble of gas, generated
by an arc of short-circuit current in the oil.
Buchholz Relay with Oil Surge Arrangement:

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Schematic Diagram of a Buchholz Relay
Mounting Arrangement

Θ = 3-5°

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 Following table shows the location of fault in side the
transformer by analyzing gas accumulated in Buchholz relay-

Presence of gases Location & type of fault

H2 (Hydrogen) & C2H2 (Acetylene) Arching in oil between constructional parts

H2 (Hydrogen), C2H2 (Acetylene) & CH4 Arching with some deterioration of phenolic
(Methane) insulation, e.g. fault in tap changer.

H2 (Hydrogen), CH4 (Methane) & C2H4 Hot spot in core joint

(Ethylene)

H2 (Hydrogen), C2H4 (Ethylene), CO2 Hot spot in winding

(Carbon Dioxide) & C3H6 (Propane)

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 Pressure Relief Device (PRD)
 Basics:

During an internal faults of a power transformer, there will be an

increment in temperature associated with formation of gases, impurities in oil
etc.

This pressure may be sufficient enough to damage the transformer.

Pressure relief device (PRD) is applied to prevent the transformer from this
danger.

Pressure Relief Device is a safety element of the transformer that employs to

prevent heavy damages of the tank in the case of sudden rise of the internal
pressure.

These device has been designed in order to remove the excess pressure in a very
short time as soon as the pressure in the tank rises above predetermined safety
limit

PRD operates and allows the pressure to dip instantaneously and avoids damage
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Fig. Pressure Relief Device

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 Pressure Relief Device (PRD) Operation:
The pressure relief device consists of a spring which normally is uncompressed
and when transformer tank pressure increases the spring gets compressed and gives a
path of gases to go out of the transformer.
Compressing the spring closes an electrical contact, and this contact gives trip command
to circuit breakers associated with alarm.
Following Figure (shows the pressure relief device in the normal condition (before the
fault inception):

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 Pressure Relief Device (PRD) Operation:

Following figure shows the fault condition at which the

compressed gases get passage to let the gases out from the
transformer.

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 Winding & Oil Temperature Protection

Winding Temperature Indicator

By making a "Thermal Image" of the
winding the winding temperature indicator,
simulates the winding temperature.
The temperature of the winding depends on
the transformer load (i.e. the current through
the winding) and the temperature of oil.
Temperature is measured with a bulb in a
pocket.
It has a specially designed heating element,
to measure the transformer load.
This heating element is a thermal model of
the winding.
The heating element is connected to the
current transformer (CT) via a Matching
Resistance or a Matching Unit, to allow setting
the correct winding temperature gradient.

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 Winding Temperature Indicator Basic Scheme

Bushing
Bulb Pocket

Tank
Winding
Temperature
Indicator
 Operation of Winding Temperature Protection

Generally winding temperature indicator consists of four N/O

contacts which normally close as per the pre set value of
temperature.
These contacts can be assigned as follows:-
1.The first contact is used for automatic operation of first fan
group.
2.The second contact is used for automatic operation of second fan
group, this value is higher than the first contact setting.
3.If the cooling fans are not sufficient to retain the transformer
temperature to its normal value, the third contact is applied to feed
alarm circuit.
4.As a last step, the fourth contact is applied for tripping to prevent
the transformer from high temperature condition. Normally it trips the
load side breaker, (i.e. the secondary side CB)
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 Oil Temperature Protection

Oil Temperature Indicator:

Oil temperature indicator is
similar to winding temperature
indicator except that it depends only
on the temperature transferred by the
bulb (no current transformer is used).
It consists only of two contacts.
These contacts are similar to the
third and the fourth contacts of the
winding temperature indicator but
with preset values less than
winding temperature indicator by
approximately 5-10 degrees.

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 Transformer Dehydrating Breather

A transformer breather is an
accessory of oil filled transformers.
It is attached to the oil conservator
tank.
When the insulating oil of the
transformer gets heated up, it
expands and goes back to the
conservator tank and subsequently
pushes the dry air out of the
conservator tank through this
breather

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 Transformer Dehydrating Breather

It is filled with some desiccating

agent, e.g. silica gel.
When the oil cools down, it
retracts and sucks fresh air from
the atmosphere through the
breather
The silica gel dries up the
moisture content of the air that
goes back in to the conservator
tank.
If the silica gel looses its
moisture absorbing capability then
the oil in the conservator gets
contaminated and eventually
losses the insulating property.  52
 Oil Level Indicator
Oil level indicator with magnetic joint is usually used on
transformer conservator. 
It is mounted on the body of the conservator.
Its function is to give a visual alarm of the oil level contained in
the conservator.

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Thank You for Patience Hearing

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