04/07/1439

Transformer
Protection

Prof. Dr. Mousa Abd-Allah

Tower-mounted Network transformer

transformer

Pad-mounted transformer

- Transformers ranging from few kVA to several hundred MVA

Transformer protection package vary with application and importance
Small distribution transformers can protected by
the use of fuses or overcurrent relays

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Transformer Faults

Winding and terminal faults

Core faults

Tank and accessory faults

On-load tap changer faults

Abnormal operating conditions

Sustained and uncleared

external faults

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Transformer winding faults

Short circuit current of the transformer
is controlled by the following factors:
• The source impedance
• The neutral earthing impedance
• The transformer leakage reactance
• The fault voltage
• The type of winding connection

The effect of the neutral resistance

earthing on the primary current
 Two factors affect the winding earth fault current:
1- The earthing impedance value
2- The distance of the fault from the neutral point

 For a fault on a secondary winding, the primary

current will depend on:
1- The transformation ratio between primary winding
and short-circuited secondary turns
2- The position of fault
3- The type of transformer neutral earthing.

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External Conditions
The external conditions which can cause
overstresses on the transformer are:

Overload
Through system faults
Overvoltage
Reduced system frequency

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Through Fault withstand level

Transformer Fault Current Permitted fault
reactance (multiple of Duration
(%) rating) (second)
4 25 2
5 20 2
6 16.6 2
7 14.2 2

Transformer magnetizing inrush

d
v(t )  Vm sin(t   )  N1
dt
θ = angle at which voltage is switched on AC
Vmsin(t+)

N1= primary winding turns

 = instantaneous value of flux at any time
 t
1 Vm
 d 
 r
N1 0
Vm sin(t   )]   r 
N1
[cos   cos(t   )]

  r  m cos   m cos(t   )

Vm
Where m 
N1
At θ=0   r  m  m cos t
The limits value of φ are
±φr and ±φr+2φm

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Typical inrush magnetizing current

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Harmonic contents in magnetizing current inrush

Order of harmonic content Amplitude as a % of

in inrush magnetizing fundamental
current
2nd 63.0
3rd 26.8
4th 5.1
5th 4.1
6th 3.7
7th 2.4

Transformer Overheating
Transformer operating temperature versus oil life

Shortens in Transformer life;

Rule of thumb: 2 x aging for every 6% above nominal temp.
Typical setting normally adopted are as follows:
(unless otherwise recommended by the manufacturers)
Winding temperature alarm = 100 oC
Winding temperature trip = 120 oC
Oil temperature alarm = 95 oC
Oil temperature trip = 105 oC
Note: Switch on fans = 60 oC

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Types of Transformer Protection

Fault Type Protection Used
Primary winding phase-phase fault Differential; Overcurrent
Primary winding phase-earth fault Differential; Overcurrent
Secondary winding phase-phase fault Differential
Secondary winding phase-earth fault Differential; Restricted earth fault
Interturn fault Differential; Buchholz
Core fault Differential; Buchholz
Tank fault Differential; Buchholz; Tank-earth
Overfluxing Overfluxing
Overheating Thermal

Transformer Overcurrent Protection

• HRC Fuses For small distribution transformers
Transformer rating Fuse
KVA Full load current Rated current Operating time
(A) (A) at 3xrating (s)
100 5.25 16 3.0
200 10.5 25 3.0
315 15.8 36 10.0
500 26.2 50 20.0
1000 52.5 90 30.0

• Overcurrent relays

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Differential Protection of Power

Transformers
Four important points must be taken care into
considerations:
1. The currents on the primary and secondary sides
are different by the transformer turns ratio.
2. The phase difference between the voltage
induced in high voltage winding and low voltage
winding.
3. The neutrals of C.T. star and power transformer
stars are grounded.
4. Ratio change due to tap changer

Standard vector group

 Following terminal markings are recommended by IEC, BS, etc.
A, B, C for H.V. terminals
a, b, c for L.V. terminals
3A, 3B, 3C for third windings, if any
 In addition it is required to show the voltage vector diagram to
know the angular displacement between H.V. and L.V. sides.
The H.V. vector being at 12O’clock (zero) HV vector
HV vector

The L.V. vector being at hour hand number

LV vector
LV vector

In the Fig L.V. vector Lead HV vector by 30o

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On-load tap changers

 Very necessary to maintain a constant voltage on
transformer LV terminals for varying load conditions.
 This is achieved by providing taps, generally on HV
winding because of lower current levels.
 It changes turns ratio, thereby maintaining a nominal
LV voltage within a specific tolerance.
 Typical range of taps would be +15 to –5% giving an
overall range of 20%.
 It is usually mounted in a separate compartment to the
main tank with a barrier board in between.

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Merz-Price protection of Y-Δ connected transf.

 Most %age differential relay have a bias slope setting of 20%, 30% and
40%
 Desired setting is dictated by operating range of OLTC, which is
responsible for biggest voltage unbalance under healthy conditions;
e.g. if OLTC range is +15 to –5% = 20% then 20% bias setting is selected.

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Merz-Price protection of
Y-Y connected transf.

EX: A 3-phase power transformer having a line voltage

ratio of 400V/33kV is connected in Y-Δ. The CTs on 400V
side have current ratio as 1000/5. What must be the CT
ratio on 33kV side.
33kV
Solution 12.12A
1000A 400V

Assume Ip=1000A

400
I S  1000  12.12 A
33 x10 3

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Problems encountered in Differential protection

Unmatched characteristics of CTs

Ratio change due to tap change

Difference in pilot wires lengths

Inrush magnetizing current

Transformer size

Power system size

Type of magnetic material (core)

Residual flux before energizing

Transformers With Multiple Windings

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Restricted Earth Fault Protection (REF)

 Give 100% earth fault protection to transformer windings

 stable for all faults outside the zone

The relay used is an instantaneous high-impedance type

Now, it is normal to ask that Differential Protection is also a zone

protection and it shall operate for any internal fault, then why do we
need extra Restricted Earth Fault Protection?

 Differential protection setting is normally

kept at 20%. i.e it shall pick if differential
current exceeds 0.2 A.
 If an earth fault occurs just near neutral
point, voltage driving fault current will be
very low, result in a low current in
primary side of transformer.

 Thus differential protection may not operate.

 Therefore restricted earth fault protection need more sensitive
protection scheme.
 Normally the setting of REF protection is kept as low as 5%.

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Combined Differential and

restricted Earth Fault Schemes

Combined differential and earth fault protection using summation CT

Combined differential and restricted earth fault protection using auxiliary CTs

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Differential protection with an earthing transformer on delta side

Auto-Transformer Protection

High impedance
relay

Earth fault scheme

Phase and earth fault scheme

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Overfluxing Protection
Transformer overfluxing can be a result of:
1. High system voltage
2. Low system frequency
 Magnetic flux in the core increases with either increasing voltage or
decreasing frequency
 During start up or shutdown of generator-connected transformers, or
following a load rejection, the transformer may subjected to excessive
ratio v/f, that is become over excited.
 The transformer may operate in a non-linear magnetic region, and
creates harmonics in exciting current.
 The normal protection is an IDMT
or definite time characteristic,
initiated if a defined V/f threshold is
exceeded

Oil and Gas Devices (Buchholz Relay)

Alarm for the following conditions

 Hot spots on the core due to shortend laminations
 Core bolt insulation failure
 Faulty joints
 Inter-turn faults and other incipient faults involving low power
 Loss of oil due to leakage

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Oil Pressure Relief

Devices

sudden pressure
frangible disc type
relief valve

Oil Pressure Relief Devices

 The simplest and widely used is “frangible disc type”
 It is normally located at the end of an oil relief pipe
protruding from the top of the transformer tank.
 The surge of oil caused by a serious fault bursts the disc, so
allowing the oil to discharge rapidly. Relieving and
limiting the pressure rise avoids explosive rupture of the
tank and consequent fire risk.
 The sudden pressure relief valve, which opens to allow
discharge of oil if the pressure exceeds a set level, but
closes automatically as soon as the internal pressure falls
below this level.

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Direct measurement of winding temp. using Fiber Optics.

Fiber Optics
 Allows placement of temperature measurement in the winding.
 Only way to truly measure the winding temperature.

Resistance temperature Detector (RTD)

 RTDs are used for measuring oil temp. and ambient temp., but
cannot used for measuring Winding temperature
 RTDs are preferred over thermocouple for measuring temp.
 Platinum RTD most common
 Older transformers may have copper RTDs
 4-wire connections are preferred
 3-wire connections are most common and are acceptable if the
resistance of all three wires is identical
RTD bulb
Stainless steel minimizes corrosions

Adjustable compression fitting

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Oil Level Gauges

Usually two stages: Low = Alarm
Low-Low = Trip
Trip before oil becomes low enough that the top of
the core is exposed. Trip before there is a fault.
Seismic events can be a challenge. Use a time delay, or two gauges on
opposite corners with trip wired in series.
Winding & Oil Temperature Indicators

Winding temp. indicator oil temp. indicator

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Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) / Monitoring

Moisture (H2O) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) are an indications of possible :
 Contaminated oil  A failed oil preservation system
 A leak in the sealed tank.
Hydrogen (H2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH4), Ethylene (C2H4),
Ethane (C2H6), Acetylene (C2H2) are indications of transformer problems:
 Overheating  Arcing or partial discharge

Traditional utility practice:

 Oil sample taken
periodically and sent to the
lab for a DGA.
 May perform a DGA after
a transformer trip.

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Typical Applications
General Electric GE

Three-winding transformer

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Network transformer

Auto-transformer

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