POWER TRANSFORMER PROTECTION

By

Bhallamudi Sridhar
Date:18-07-2008 Dy.Manager, Bangalore SS

Introduction
The power transformer is the most important links in power system A transformer fault will cause a large interruption in power supply and also cause damage to power system stability.

Need of protection
To limit the damage in case of fault To limit the damage in case of fault To isolate the faulty element to protect the power system.

Types of faults in Transformer

INTERNAL FAULTS
Earth faults Phase to Phase faults Inter turn faults Core faults
EXTERNAL FAULTS
Over-load System faults(phase to phase/ phase to earth) Over voltage Reduced system frequency.

Classification of transformer protection

Protection against electrical faults Protection against abnormal conditions. Transformer protective devices

Protection against electrical faults

Unit protection against internal faults 1.Differential relay 2.Restricted earth fault relay Non unit (back up) protection-against external faults 1.Directional over current and earth fault

Differential protection
I1 I2

I1 I1

I2

I1-I2
I2

Principle of operation

During normal condition and external fault condition the protective system is balanced This balance is disturbed for internal faults. The differential current flows through the relay coil and it operate.

Peculiarity of the Transformer Differential Protection

1. Vector group (e. g. Yd5)
I1 DI DI 150 I2 trip region

2. Different CTs, tap changer, magnetising current

current transformer tap changer, CT adaptation (will be eliminated) magnetising current

vector group adaptation

3. Dynamic currents

restraint function (stabilising) is necessary

DI = f (Irestr.) Irestr. = |I1| + |I2|
blocking via harmonics saturation detector

ITr, IRestr.

inrush current overflux (overexcitation) CT saturation during external faults

Example of an Inrush Current

A unit transformer (IN = 396 A) was switched on from the high voltage side

Rush Stabilisation
Cross-block = No (phase separate blocking)
iRUSH = iDiff filter window 1 cycle

L1-block

Inrush current in one phase

&

Idiff, L1 > trip blocking Idiff, L2 > trip blocking Idiff, L3 > trip blocking

L2-block L3-block

&
&

t
1P 2P

3P

I2HAR Idiff

Cross-block = Yes (blocking of all phases)

L1-block

block
setting value
no block t

15 %

L2-block L3-block

OR 1

IDiff > trip blocking for a limited time

Recognise inrush condition by evaluating the ratio 2nd harmonic I2HAR to basic wave IDiff. Time limit for cross-block. Reliable reaction to the inrush condition with cross-block. Trip of a short circuit after the set time delay. Recognise over-excitation by evaluating the ratio 3rd or 5th harmonic to basic wave

Tripping Characteristic

flexible adaptation to various transformers, e.g. with tap changer or different main high stability against external faults with CT saturation fast tripping for solid short-circuits within one period

 REF is used for protect the earth fault inside the transformer Protection is provided using bushing core CTs at 400KV, 220KV and neutral. All the CTs has been connected in parallel as the net current always zero for normal and through faults. Whenever any earth fault occur in the REF zone of transformer the vector sum of currents come into unbalance and resultant current will flow through REF relay and it will operate

Restricted earth fault protection

I1
CT CT ICT

I2

Directional over current & EF fault

It is provided as a back up protection to prevent the transformer subjected to prevent high mechanical stresses during through faults. Inverse definite minimum time relays with directional elements as well as over current instantaneous elements are used. The relay are always made look towards the transformer.

Protection against abnormal condition-Over fluxing protection

This protection is to prevent the transformer from high system voltage and low frequency condition. The flux density of the transformer is directly proportional to the V/f Power transformers are designed to with stand Vn/fn =1.1 where Vn is the normal highest r.m.s and fn is the standard frequency.

Over fluxing protection

V/f/Vn/fn Duration of withstand limit(min) 1.1 1.2 1.25 1.3 1 0.5 1.4 0

conti 2 nues

Transformer protective devicesnon electrical

Besides the electrical relay , a power transformer has protected with following safety and monitoring devices. 1. Buchholz relay 2. Pressure relief device 3. Winding / oil temperature indicators

Buchholz protection

1. 2. 3. 4.

This is gas generated relay connected in between the main tank and conservator This relay is generally used to detect the following faults: Core faults Inter turn faults Tank faults Hot spot

Pressure relief device protection

To prevent the pressure rise of inside the transformer above 10 PSI during 1. High over load peaks 2. Prolonged overloads 3. Arcing faults within oil. Operation of the PRD will cause either alarm or instantaneous trip of the transformer.

Winding / oil temperature indicators

The function of temperature indicator is to indicate and control the temperature of the oil in the transformer. Transformer temperature increasing due to over loading or internal faults. Typical settings of temperature indicators are as follows. OTI ` 85C WTI 95C