A

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B

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Transformer
Protection
Protection Application
Handbook

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Transformer protection
Power transformers in a power system
400 kV AC Transmission
Generation
130 kV Subtransmission
Distribution
M
MV
LV

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Transformer protection
General
A Power Transformer is a very valuable and vital
link in a Power Transmission system
Many sizes and types of power transformer
Transformer faults may cause substantial losses
.The repair time may be long

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Transformer protection
General
A fast protection system for transformer is
essential to minimize the damage in case of an
internal fault with suitable back-up protection
scheme to take care of uncleared system faults
Faults in a Transformer occur due to insulation
breakdown, ageing of insulation, overheating due
to over excitation, oil contamination and leakage
or reduced cooling

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Transformer protection
Different vector group connections and ways of neutral connection
Y d + z
YN d11 + zn
Y y
YN yn0 (d1)
Y d
YN d1
D y
D yn11

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Transformer protection
Different winding arrangements
Autotransformer
+ tertiary
e.g.. YN Auto d1
2-winding transf.
+ Auxiliary
transformer

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Transformer protection
Particular power transformer applications
HVDC
Static VAR
Compensator
M
Motor drive
U
V
On- load
tap-changer
Generator-
transformer
unit
x x
Double breaker

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Transformer protection
Overload Capability
It is possible to overload power transformers
Older transformers may withstand 140% continuously
Overloading and loss of cooling causes overheating

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Transformer protection
Withstand capabilty for External Faults
System Shunt Faults
Transformer
reactances
Fault current Permitted fault
duration
% multiple of rated
current
seconds
4 25 2
5 20 3
6 16.6 4
7 14.2 5

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Transformer protection
Types of Internal Faults
Earth faults
Short-circuits
Inter turn Faults
Core Faults
Tank Faults
Reduced cooling

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Transformer protection
Abnormal Conditions
Overload
Over voltage
Reduced system voltage
Overexcitation

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Transformer protection
Differential Protection
Classical application of differential protection
Interposing current transformers for phase shift and
transformation ratio correction
Protection zone, bushing CTs
Influence from OLTC
Harmonic restrained differential protections

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Transformer protection
Transformer differential protection. Current bias characteristics
I
1
I
2
I
d min
1 5 10
1
5
10
I
High
Trips
Blocks
Differential current |I
1
+I
2
|
Unrestrained
< 25
I
restrain
(|I
1
|+|I
2
|)/2

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Transformer protection

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B

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Transformer protection
Inrush Current
Inrush currents flow in connection with energisation
Inrush currents may also flow at voltage recovery
Sympathy inrush current

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B

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Transformer protection
Inrush Current

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Transformer protection
Factors that Affect the Inrush Current
The source impedance
The size of the transformer
The location energized winding
The point of wave when the switch closes
The magnetic properties of the core
The remanence of the core
The use of pre-insertion resistors

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Transformer protection
Consequences of Inrush Current
The inrush current has a large DC component that may
saturate the CTs
DC saturation of phase and neutral CTs may cause a
false residual current and a false differential current
There is a risk that sensitive differential protections,
residual overcurrent protections and neutral point
overcurrent protections may operate incorrectly

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B

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Transformer protection
Magnetizing current at overexcitation

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Transformer protection
Differential protection for
Autotransformer

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B

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Transformer protection
Ground Fault Currents

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Transformer protection
Earth Fault Protection
Restricted earth fault protection
High-impedance restricted earth fault protections
Low-impedance restricted earth fault protections

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B

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Transformer protection
Restricted Earth fault protection

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B

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Transformer protection
Thermal overload protection
Time
0,63
Rise of temperature

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Transformer protection
Over excitation protection
Overexcited transformers become overheated
and damaged
Especially required for Generator Transformers

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Transformer protection
Overexcitation Protection
i
E
=4.44fNA
B
max
f = the system frequency [Hz],
N = the number of turns on the core leg [1],
A = the area of the core leg [m2] and
B
max
= the peak value of the flux density [T]

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Transformer protection
Over excitation Protection
(
B
/
B
) =
V / f
V
/ f
n
n
n
max
B
n
= the rated peak value of the flux density [T],
V = the RMS value of the terminal voltage [V],
V
n
= the rated RMS value of the terminal voltage [V], and
f
n
= the rated system frequency [Hz]

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Transformer protection
Over excitation protection
Definite
V/Hz inverse
t
V/Hz

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Transformer protection
Time overcurrent relays
Used on all feeding circuits of transformer
Provide back up for internal faults
Also provide back up for system faults
Instantaneous high element

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Transformer protection
Residual Overcurrent relays
Used on all feeding circuits of transformer
Provide back up for internal faults
Also provide back up for system faults
Instantaneous high element used

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Transformer protection
Impedance Protection
Back-up protection of the local busbars
Back-up protection of the outgoing feeders
Back-up protection of the busbar at the remote end
Plain underimpedance protection/Distance protection

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Transformer protection
Monitors
Monitors are very important devices which detect faults and
abnormal service conditions which may develop into fault.

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Transformer protection
Oil and Gas Monitoring
Sudden gas pressure protection
Buchholz protection
Oil level monitoring

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Transformer protection
Temperature Monitoring
The oil thermometer
The winding thermometer

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Transformer protection
Protective Relays Used ( Transformers > 5
MVA)
Gas detector relay ( Buchholz)
Over load protection
Thermal relays
Temperature monitoring relays
Over current protection
Ground fault protection
Differential protection
Interturn faults
Pressure relay for tap changer
Oil level monitor

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B

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Transformer protection
Protective Relays Used ( Transformers <
5 MVA)
Gas detector relay
Overload protection
Overcurrent protection
Ground fault protection

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Transformer
Protection
CBIP manual on Protection
of Generators, generator
transformers and 220kV
and 400 kV networks

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Transformer protection
1.0 GENERAL
1.0 GENERAL
A Power Transformer is a very valuable and vital link in a Power
Transmission system
Fast protection system for transformer is essential to minimize the
damage in case of an internal fault with suitable back-up protection
scheme to take care of uncleared system faults.
Faults in a Transformer occur due to insulation breakdown, ageing of
of insulation, overheating due to overexcitation, oil contamination and
leakage or reduced cooling.

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Transformer protection
Recommendations for provision of protective and monitoring
equipment for transformers of 400kV and 220kV class are as follows:
(a) Transformer differential protection
(b) Overfluxing protection
(c) Restricted earth-fault protection
(d) Back-up directional O / C + E / F protection on HV side
(e) Back-up directional O / C + E / F protection on LV side
(f) Protection and monitors built in to Transformer (Buchholz relay,
Winding and Oil Temperature Indicators, Oil Level Indicator and
Pressure Relief Device)
(g) Protection for Tertiary winding

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Transformer protection
2.0 SPECIAL COMMENTS
2.0 SPECIAL COMMENTS
2.1
2.1
Protection and monitors shall be divided in two groups viz. Gr A and
Gr B at 400kV.
Given below is the way of grouping these protections:
Group A Group B
Transformer biased R.E.F Protection
differential relay Buchholz Protection
Back up Protection(HV) Back up Protection(MV)
Overfluxing protection(HV) Overfluxing protection(MV)

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Transformer protection
Group A Group B
Oil temperature high tripping Overload protection (Alarm only)
winding, temperature high tripping
Pressure relief tripping OLTC Buchholz tripping
Delta winding protection Oil level high/low tripping
Group A and B protections shall be connected to separate DC source/
separately fused supplies.
DC sources shall be supervised
Both Gr A and Gr B protections shall give out tripping impulses to HV,
MV AND LV (if applicable), circuit breakers.

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Transformer protection
2.2
2.2
Transformer overfluxing protection recommended on both sides for
interconnecting transformers.
Overfluxing relay shall be provided on the untapped winding of the
Transformer
2.3
2.3
In case of breaker and half switching schemes, the differential protection
schemes, the differential protection C.Ts associated with Main and Tie
breakers should be connected to separate bias windings and these
should not be paralleled in order to avoid false operation due to dissimilar
C.T. transient response.
2.4
2.4
Triple pole high impedance relay may be provided instead of single
pole R.E.F relay

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Transformer protection
3.0 SETTING CRITERIA
3.0 SETTING CRITERIA
3.1
3.1
The current setting of the back up O/C relay shall be set above the
expected maximum load current so as to allow possible overload on
account of loss of one of the parallel transformers
3.2
3.2
Overload relay shall be set at 110% of rated current with dely of 5
seconds.
This shall be connected to give only alarm and not for tripping.

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Power Transformers
CBIP manual on Reliable
fault Clearance and Back-
UP Protection for EHV
and UHV Transmission
Network

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
In the above paragraphs some important application
aspects connected with the transformer protection
and some recommendations have been brought out
and these should be considered. Few of these are
brought out below

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
A true Main-2 protection scheme is usually not
provided in case of transformers. But as operating
requirements change and single contingency limits
are pressed the level of Main-2 protection may need
to be re-evaluated in future.
Numerical relays offer the best characteristic since
digital filters remove harmonics and DC offset
currents from the inrush. Numerical back-up over
current relays can therefore be set much more
sensitive than conventional types and are
recommended to be used

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
Harmonic restraint may be required to obtain
sensitive settings in case of zero sequence over
current relays.
Sometimes security is a problem In case of Buchholz
relays. The addition of an over current blocking relay,
which blocks or slows down the tripping, may be
used to improve security of the devices
In case of of mechanical type of fault detectors like
Buchholz and PRDs, for higher reliability, duplicating
of the initiating contacts may be considered on a
case-to-case basis.

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
For grid transformers, application of over excitation
protection not considered necessary and present
practice of providing it should be reviewed.
The power transformers have a large thermal heat
sink and can withstand overloads for certain limited
time. Selective protection and monitoring and load
management is necessary. The tripping of the
transformer should be the last action
Fast clearance of faults in the transformer is
important for stability of the system and therefore
adequate protections should be provided.
Requirement of through fault withstand is also
important and should be considered.

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
As per the current practice, it is common to group
various main 1, main 2 and back-up transformer
protections at 765 kV, 400kV and 220 kV in two
groups of protections (Group A and Group B)
connected to separate DC sources and separate
master trip relays. This should cover, to some
degree, the need for maintenance of protective
equipment with the transformer energized. No
change is proposed in this practice. Reference may
be made to CBIP Manual No 274 Protection of
Generators, Transformers and 220kV and 400kV
Networks. Which gives details of current practices
being followed.

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
Where Fire protection is provided the contacts
should be wired to trip both Group-A and Group-B
trip relays
For 132 kV level transformer where two separate DC
sources are not provided, it is recommended that the
protections be grouped in two groups connected to
separately fused DC sources. One gets to use two
trip relays in this case, which is advantageous

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Transformer
Protection- settings
Protection Application
Handbook

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
Overloading
Overloading of a transformer will cause high temperatures
of different parts inside the transformer. High temperatures
can lead to degradation of insulation material. This will
cause reduction of the lifetime of the transformer
If transformer is overloaded primarily it should not be
tripped. Manual measures including load shedding should
be done by operator.

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Transformer protection
Load Curve of a Transformer Feeding Normal
Load
Transformer load curve
day night day night day
Load current
Transformer temperature

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Transformer protection
Load Curve of a Generation Unit Transformer
Transformer load curve
(Generating unit transformer)
Load current
Transformer temperature
day night day night day

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Transformer protection
Power Transformers
Differential relays
Diff relay detects a false differential current due to tap
changer not being in the nominal position. This has to be
considered.
Consider max load current ( 1.4 times rated power ),
assume the tap changer to be in positive or negative end
position. For these extreme tap positions the maximum false
diff current can be calculated.
Stabilisation has to be worked out as under
Idiff = K I stab
Where I diff = I high Ilow
Istab= ( Ihigh + I low)/2

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Transformer protection
Stabilisation of a Transformer Differential
Relay
I
diff
I
stab
operation
no operation

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Transformer protection
Percentage setting
Differential current flows due to excitation current of
transformer, due to ratio errors in CT and
predominantly due to position of tap changer if
provided
Differential setting 15% higher than mismatch is
usual.

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Transformer protection
High set unrestrained stage
Unrestrained operation to speed up the operation for a
high fault current as per table below . Setting of 20*In
required when large through fault currents can
saturate the CTs and cause a large differential current as
for example in case of 1 & CB arrangement.
Power
Transformer
Connecti on (1)
Rated Power Recommended sett i ng
*In when energi zi ng from
HV Si de LV Si de
<10 MVA 20 10
Yy 10-100 MVA 13 13
Yy >100 MVA 8 8
Yd - 13 13
Dy <100 MVA 13 20
Dy >100 MVA 8 13

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Transformer protection
Restricted earth fault protection
A B
R
CT
R
L
V
R
SETTING
V
R
> I
F
( R
CT
+ 2 R
L
)
V
K
> 2 V
R

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Transformer protection
Phase overcurrent relays
The pick up current seting must be set above highest possible load
current
It shall also serve as overload protection
In many cases it can be considered that overload capacity is 1.4 times
rated power
The lowest setting value can be written as
I pickup = 1.2 . I max/K
It should also be able to detect all faults within the zone
I pickup < 0.7. I scmin
The high set relay should be set so as to be selective wrt other relays
I high > 1.2. K t .I scmax
K t is transient overreach and I scmax is largest fault current on low
voltage side
Time setting should be set as to get shortest fault time with maintained
selectivity

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Transformer protection
Failure to Reset of an Overcurrent Protection
The relay does not reset
t
I
I
st
I
reset

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Transformer protection
Inverse Time Characteristics Selectivity
Fault current
Time
t

A
B
B

G
r
o
u
p

-
6
3
-
1
3
-
J
u
n
-
0
7
Transformer protection
Residual over current relays
Earth fault current is fed from the transformer in case of
phase to earth fault in the system. Therefore there is aneed
to trip the transformer in case of such fault. In most cases it
should be considered as back up to line protection. Current
setting is usually low. Time setting should be long to be
selective wrt line protection.

A
B
B

G
r
o
u
p

-
6
4
-
1
3
-
J
u
n
-
0
7
Transformer protection
System Transformer with Impedance Protection
Z<
Backward Forward reach
Low V High V
Zone 1

A
B
B

G
r
o
u
p

-
6
5
-
1
3
-
J
u
n
-
0
7
Transformer protection