Set 10 - Remember the problem lists

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 Operating and restraint

Many of these operating circumstances cause the 87T

to see different values of current on each side of the
relay, telling the relay that it should operate.

On closer examination, it became obvious that there

was no internal fault but that there were good reasons
why these different current values resulted.

In plain language, “the transformer differential relay

would be told that it had good and valid reasons to
operate, but because there were good reasons why
this happened then it should restrain itself from
operating”.

With electromechanical relays, this was

accomplished by an “operating coil” and a
“restraining coil”. This old fashioned terminology
has stayed on with the advent of digital relays.

Perhaps it could best be called a “bias” but it is still

referred to as a “restraint”.

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 Start with the ideal circumstance

If all the transformer turns ratios were perfect,

if all the CT ratios were perfect, if no
magnetizing current was required for the
magnetic cores, and if there was no saturation
of either the power transformer or the urrent
transformers:

Then the 87 T should operate when:

iOP > 0

(acting as an infinitely sensitive over current

relay)

3
 Someone observed this experimental result

When a transformer is energized,

there is only a primary current
(which the primary side CTs will
see).

But it was also observed that this

magnetizing inrush current had a
large second harmonic
component (60%), AND that it
stayed relatively constant as a
percentage of the fundamental
over the first few cycles.

Therefore it was reasoned that

the 87T should be “restrained
from operating by a “Second
Harmonic Block Threshold”
(which is set quite low at 20%).
Block/restrain operation if the second harmonic is
20% or more. Here the second harmonic is about
60%, so it will certainly block operation of the 87T
due to inrush current
4
 Other relay specialists proposed another form of restraint

This is called Percentage

Differential Protection

We need to set this up. Note

the “defined” direction of IS
and IR.

Look at some cases

For a fault external to the

transformer:
IR = - IS
IOP = 0
IRT (restraint) = [sum of
magnitudes]/2 = IS magnitude.

The “comparison” is between

IOP and a percentage k of IRT The relay will not operate for an external fault (as
desired)
5
 Percentage differential another case

Look at the inrush current

case:

IR = 0 (secondary open)
IOP = IS
IRT = IS/2
k is some percentage value.

IOP is compared with kIRT

IOP
Operate

Don’t Operate

IRT 6
 Percentage differential another case

Look at the internal fault case:

IR and IS (as defined in the diagram)

now have the same sign.

Therefore the magnitude of the sum =

the sum of the magnitudes
IOP = 2 IRT

IOP is compared with kIRT

(where k is some percentage, say 20%
or 0.20)
IOP = 2 IRT, which is far into
IOP the “operate region”
●

Operate

Don’t Operate
IRT 7
 Minimum OP current

With electromechanical relays, there was a minimum current required to just operate
the relay. It was called the “pick-up” current.

While it does not have to exist in digital relays, it or an equivalent defined value is
normally put in the relay

8
 Dual slope differential relay
This adds more intelligence, or more smarts, to the differential relay

[Tap – means pick-up current]

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 Dual slope differential relay

As discussed earlier,
OLTC can also be
handled in the
For the numerical equations if
lower “tap position” can be
communicated to the
slope,
digital relay
Slope 1

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Dual slope differential relay

Because CT errors due

to saturation will be
greater at higher levels
of current, Slope 2 is
tipped-up or made
greater to provide
increased restraint at
higher current levels.

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SEL dual slope differential relay – with typical numbers

IRT in brackets
means a “function
of”.

IOP = 2 IRT, which is far

● into the “operate
region”
The red dot shows
the values for an
internal fault within
the zone of
protection of the
differential relay

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13
 Restricted earth fault (REF)

A general definition of a
restricted earth fault (REF)
is a fault between the four
CTs.

More precisely, a
restricted earth fault (REF)
is a fault whose location is
close to the neutral, and
which causes a current
flow from winding to
ground.

This is detected by placing

a fourth CT in the neutral
of the Y-winding, and
arranging a “differential
connection” of the CTs.

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