CHAPTER-4

Power System apparatus

Protection

2. Transformer protection
Introduction
 The transformers are static devices without having
any rotating parts and are totally enclosed . Hence
the chance of faults occurring on transformer are
much rare as compared to faults occurring on
generator.

 The use of series fuses is very common in small

distribution transformers instead of circuit breaker
But the power transformers having large ratings always
need automatic protective relaying .
Transformer faults

1. Over heating
The possible cause of overheating

a) Due to overloading effect overheating of transformer

causes insulation failure of transformer winding.
b) Due to failure of cooling system.

 Thermal overload relay and temperature relays,

sounding the alarm are used to protect protection
against overheating.

 Similarly temperature indicators are also provided on

the transformer ,when temperature exceeds the
permissible limits the alarm sounds and the fans are
started.
Transformer faults

2 Winding faults
- Phase to phase faults
- Phase to ground faults
- Inter-turn faults

The over heating or mechanical shocks cause to deteriorate the

winding insulation if the winding insulation is weak, there is a
possibility of short circuit b/n the phase or b/n phase to
ground and also possibility of short ckt b/n the adjacent turns.

 The differential protection is very commonly used to provide

protection against such faults.
Transformer faults

3.Open circuits
It causes the undesirable heating of transformer in case of
such faults the transformer can be manually disconnect from
the system.

4.Through faults
Through faults are the external faults which occur outside
The protected zone through faults are not detected by the
differential protection if the through faults stay for long
period of time the transformer may subjected to thermal and
mechanical stress

 The overcurrent relay used to protect such case.

5. Over fluxing

 The flux density in the transformer core is proportional to

the ratio of voltage to frequency i.e V/f .

 The power transformer are designed to work with certain

value of flux density in the core.

 In the generator transformer if full excitation is applied

before generator reaches its synchronous speed then due
to high V/f the over fluxing of core may result.

 Higher core flux means more core loss and overheating

of the core.
Protective schemes employed for generator protection

1. Percentage differential Protection of Transformer

Percentage differential Protection of Transformer
Percentage differential Protection of Transformer
2. Buchholz Relay

 Is the gas operated relay used for the protection of oil

immersed transformer against all types of faults.

 The relay installed in between main tank & the

conservator tank.

 Under normal condition the Buchholz Relay is full of oil

 If there is incipient (minor) faults in the transformer the

buchholz relay gives an alarm.

 If the faults are severe it disconnects the transformer

from the supply.
Buchholz relay
Operation

There are many types of internal faults (minor) such as

 Insulation fault
 Core heating
 Bad switch contact
 Faulty joints.

 When minor internal fault occurs in the transformer the

decomposition of oil in the main tank starts due to which
gases are generated most of the gases is hydrogen.

 The decomposed hydrogen gas will accumulate in the upper

part of the buchhloz container which causes fall of oil level
(lowering the position of float) tilting the mercury switch,
alarm ckt energize

 When more sever fault occur with high pressure strike the
lower mercury switch energize the trip ckt of the circuit
breaker break the transformer from the system
 another hinged flap valve is locked in the lower part which
is directly in the path of oil b/n tank and the conservator.

 Another mercury switch is attached to a flap valve. The

float closes the alarm Ckt while the lower flap valve closes
the circuit breaker
 This completes the alarm ckt to sound an alarm. Due to this
operator knows that there is some incipient faults in the
transformer .the transformer is disconnected and the gas
sample is tested.

 By collecting the accumulated gas from top of the container

Can predict the type of fault in the transformer

 The testing results gives the indication what type of faults

developing in the transformer . Hence the transformer
disconnected before fault grows into a serious one.

 The alarm ckt does not immediately disconnect the transformer

but gives only indication to the operator

 This is because some times bubbles in the oil circulating

system may operate the alarm Ckt through actually there is no
faults.
3. Over Current Protection:

 Over current relays are provided in addition to differential relays

to take care of through faults & as a backup to differential
protection.
 While setting the over current relay the following aspects need
consideration.

1. Magnetizing Inrush current:

 Instantaneous o/c units should be high set to avoid mal-operation.

 The setting of an instantaneous o/c relay on primary side of transformer

should be a little above asymmetrical value of the fault current for a 3-
phase fault on the secondary of the transformer.

 The setting is usually high enough to over-ride magnetizing inrush current.

2. Primary full load current should be considered while setting the over
current relay.
4. Restricted Earth Fault Protection:

 Power transformer are provided with restricted e/f

protection

 Transformer is normally connected in delta-star

 For external earth faults the time graded earth fault

relays are used.

 For the internal earth fault the restricted e/f relay

operates instantaneously .
 Continued…
 For an internal e/f (fig 3b) the fault current if flows in the neutral CT
only & not in the line CTs.
 Hence CT (neutral) secondary current if flows through the relay &
the relay would operate instantaneously if current is more than the
pick-up setting of the relay.
Continued….
 For figure 3(a) below, the external fault current circulates in

the pilot wires & no current passes through the relay. Hence
the relay does not operate.
5. Differential Protection:

Problems in using the Differential Protection:

1. The transformer voltage rating if different for primary &

secondary, therefore voltage rating of CTs used in primary
& secondary are different.

 If CTs have different saturation characteristics, there

will be undesirable tripping of the relay
i.e. using a biased percentage differential relay.

2.The full load current of primary & secondary windings

are different .
 Hence the ratio of the CTs used on both sides should

select such that pilot wire currents are same on the both
the sides.
 Continued…

3.The CTs ratios are selected by considering the nominal

transformation ratio & hence some spill current will always flow
through the relay because of no load current component of primary
current.

4. Natural phase-shift of currents in the transformers. The primary &

secondary currents are not in phase in 3-phase transformers
connected delta-star. referring to the following figure.
END ????