ZIG – ZAG

Transformer
 Network Configuration
Delta Star

XSRC

Delta CTs
51

Fault
ET XTFR

G
Neutral CT
51N

Journal of Energy Vol 66 No. 1

Bernadić & Anane
 Purpose and Arrangement
• Can be used to supply Single phase
• Inject DC into AC systems (Research)
• Most Commonly:

• Provide earth reference for Delta systems

• Cross Connected Windings
• Low impedance to Zero Sequence
• High Impedance to other sequence currents.

Journal of Energy Vol 66 No. 1

Bernadić & Anane
 Protection Arrangement

• CTs connected in Delta

• Simple 51 or 50 O/C relay

• No O/C expected for External faults

FROM NPAG
 Quick Revision
• Unbalanced system represented with set of balanced systems
• If sequence currents in one phase – then present in all other phases.
• Always in “Threes” for 3 phase system.
• Not present outside of the phase
– 3I0 is not sequence component - that’s just ground current
– Sequence currents be “extracted” or inferred from three phases
• Summed output of 3 CTs
• Or a Negative sequence filter for I2

Source – Powergrid International

 Quick Revision
• Cannot be measured on an one individual phase
– Is this dubious statement ?
• Consider a measurement on a phase - say 99 A or 0A
– Can you tell if this positive sequence or zero sequence
» It could be positive sequence if the system is balanced
» It could be zero sequence
» It may have negative sequence
• You can’t tell unless you have information from the
other phases
Source – Powergrid International
 Quick Revision
– Can 0 A
phase current
have positive
sequence
current ?
 Quick Revision
• ‘‘Are the sequence quantities real or only useful as
mathematical concepts?’’
• This has been debated for years, and in a sense they
are both accepted. – J. L. Blackburn
 External Ph-G Fault

• Phase-G Fault

• Is this how the fault current flows ?

• Only zero sequence flows in ET

Journal of Energy Vol 66 No. 1

Bernadić & Anane
 Typical External Ph-G Fault

• Phase-G Fault
• 3 Units Zero Sequence from Zig – Zag
• 2 units from ▲ Winding into fault
• What is the composition of the 2 units ?
• 1 Unit Zero Sequence into the fault.
• Currents flowing towards delta are NOT zero
sequence currents! . They are Phase Currents.

Journal of Energy Vol 66 No. 1

Bernadić & Anane
Sequence Currents

On faulted Phase Zero

Sequence current flows
to the RHS.

But the current in B & C

phase current flows to
the left.

Anything is wrong ?
Zero Sequence Filter
Zero Sequence filter Matrix – Emulate Transformer Delta Winding

! Filter Works
No Zero Sequence
Current as 3I0=0
∴ Io = 0
Protection of Zig - Zag
• Typical Arrangement
– Delta Connected CTs
– 50 or 51 relay
Protection for Faults
inside the Transformer

What is the output of the

DELTA CTs.
Protection of Zig - Zag
• Typical Arrangement
– Delta Connected CTs
– 50 or 51 relay

Protection for Faults inside the

Transformer
For External faults - No Current
Zig – Zag Zero Sequence Current
Only Zero Sequence Currents through Zig-Zag Transformer

Zero Sequence filter Matrix – Emulate the Delta Winding of CT

No Phase Currents expected

What Was Measured by the Relay
Could it be inadequate CTs ?

• Current from Neutral CT

• No Saturation
• Same Class CT in DELTA
• They only transform ⅓ this magnitude
• CT performance is adequate
What Was Measured by the Relay
What Can Cause These Outputs
• Mismatch impedances
• Factory acceptance test show very small variances
• Not enough to cause trip current

• Stray Magnetic Flux

• When primary conductor not centred.
• Primary conductor changes direction close to CT
• External phase conductors close to CT
• All of above is common in earthing transformers.
What Could be done ?
1. Shroud the core and secondary winding in a
heavy gauge U section copper shield.
2. Provide additional flux equalising or
balancing winding comprising a number of
equal winding segments distributed around
the core and connected in parallel.
3. Wind the secondary winding, all or in part,
as a flux equalising winding of at least four
sections comprising a pair about the
horizontal and a pair about the vertical plane
to the main CT axis and connected in parallel
and series.
(D.K. Moriarty Ltd -
Instrument Transformer Manufacturers
What Could be done cheaply?
All the previous solutions are expensive and
have to be done at the design stage.

The best we can do in most circumstances with

legacy equipment is to reduce sensitivity while
retaining reliability.

This was the approach taken in this particular

instance.
Conclusion
• Ciphers can present themselves as digits.

• Theoretical zeros can surprise us with values that can lead

to unexpected outputs and trips.

• Protection settings should not be set unnecessarily

sensitive.

• Obviously use the most cost effective mitigating strategy.