Identifying Inrush Currents from Internal Faults using

Symmetrical Components in Power Transformers

H. Abniki, A. Majzoobi, H. Monsef, H. Dashti, H. Ahmadi, and P. Khajavi
Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Tehran
Tehran, Iran
[email protected]

where differential protection is not used; it is used to backup

Abstract— This paper presents a novel technique for three phase protection if differential protection has been used. Over
transformer protection, which the method effectively identify current protection zone is usually more than the transformer.
magnetizing inrush currents from internal fault currents. This Therefore, they are part of the system protection and need to
technique employs symmetrical components. When transformer be coordinated with the other system protection devices. In
is switched, inrush current happens. This current have some this paper, it is paid to the differential protection of the
features, which it is enough for identify itself. In this paper, by
transformer. So far, many studied have performed for
extract these features, a new criterion is proposed to discriminate
inrush currents from internal faults in power transformers. In transformer differential protection. One of those is a method
faulty time such as switching or short circuit, the value of based on desensitizing or delaying the relay to overcome the
negative sequence for differential current is different from transients [1]. Ref [2] proposed an equivalent instantaneous
positive sequence value. Helping this feature, new criterion is inductance-based technique for discrimination between inrush
introduced. Simulations show this criterion works properly in current and internal faults in power transformers. Also,
over-flux and CT saturation condition too. The simulated results harmonic restraint differential protection is a common method
presented clearly, the proposed algorithm can accurately to detect inrush current from magnetizing inrush current. Ref
discriminate between an internal fault and a magnetizing inrush [3] proposed an algorithm for harmonic restraint differential
current in power transformer protection in all cases.
relaying based on the discrete Hartley transform. Ref [4]
proposed a method based on the use of one of the primary
Keywords- Symmetrical component, inrush current, internal phase voltage as the control signal. Various artificial
fault, transformer protection intelligent (AI) techniques are introduced to power system
protection [5, 6]. Saleh et al. [7] and Eissa [8] proposed a
I. INTRODUCTION wavelet packet based algorithm for transformer protection.
Sheng et al. [9] proposed the use of decision trees and wavelet
analysis for the protection of large transformers.
Power system protection is one of the electrical engineering In this paper using the symmetrical component, a new
fields that relates to the electrical power systems protection scheme is introduced for transformer protection. This studied
and its duty is isolation of faulty parts from the rest of the simulated by PSCAD/EMTDC in all items such normal
electrical network. It is necessary to protection schemes to situation, inrush condition, internal fault, CT saturation and
apply a very pragmatic approach to clear system faults. For over-flux condition. Results proved the proposed algorithm
this reason, the technology utilized in protection schemes can works properly in all conditions.
often be old and well-established because they should be very
reliable. One of the important issue for protection scheme is to II. DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION BASIC
keep the power system stable by isolating only the
components that are under fault, whilst leaving as much of the A. Differential protection Problems
network as possible still in operation. Therefore, there are The philosophy of transformer differential protection is
different types of protection for transforms. The transformer protecting transformer through internal fault from magnetizing
protection provided by multiple function protective relays is inrush current, also, it has different advantages [11]. Internal
appropriate for critical transformers of all applications. In fault is based on the possibility of mechanical of the windings
below, some common protection schemes are expressing: due to the fault current, rather than on thermal characteristics
• differential current protection of the transformer. Generally speaking, differential protection
• over current protection provides the best overall protection for transformer. Also, in
• over excitation protection some cases, for example ungrounded or high impedance
• over voltage protection grounding, it cannot provide ground fault protection.
Over current protection is commonly used for protection for Differential protection is normally applied to transformers 10
phase and ground faults [12]. It is used to primary protection MVA and above it. Also it depends on its critical protection

1
item. There are factors affect the differential current in fault conditions. The way to method to achieve this is a two
transformers and can be considered due to differential step process as below [11]:
protection. They are as follows [12]: 1. Phasing- Using suitable ∆/Y CT units to ensure that the
1. Magnetizing inrush current-In magnetizing inrush condition primary and secondary currents are in phase.
the peak amplitude of current can be as high as 8-30 times the 2. Ratio Adjustment- Having decided on the CT connections,
rated current, which is depending upon the transformer and the CT ratio and the relay tap is selected so as to have
system resistance. Normal magnetizing current is 2-5 times of minimum relay operating current.
the rated current.
2. Over excitation- It relates to generator-transformer units III. METHODOLOGY
(voltage/frequency unit). Also it came back to transmission Symmetrical components are commonly used for three-
transformers where line capacitance is more than inductance phase electrical power systems analysis [11]. If the phase
and some light load conditions can lead to high voltage on the quantities are expressed in phasor notation using complex
transformer. Transformers are normally designed to operate numbers, a vector can be formed for the three phase quantities.
just below the flux saturation level. Any increase from the For example, a vector for three phase voltages can be written

V a 
max voltage (voltage/frequency ratio), can leads to core as follows:

 V b 
saturation.
3. CT Saturation- External faults near to transformer often
V abc (1)
V c 
lead to CT saturation. Distortion of the saturated CT current
leads to mal-operation of differential relays. Also, values of
harmonic current in the saturated CT can cause a delay in the
operation of the differential relay during internal faults. A Therefore, the three symmetrical components phasors
proper CT selection ratio is essential to minimize problems arranged into a vector are as follows:
due to the saturation.
V 0 
Different primary and secondary voltage levels, phase

 V 1 
displacement in ∆/Y transformers, control taps of voltage
transformer and phase shift in regulating transformers are V 012 (2)
V 2 
another factors affect the differential current.
B. Percentage Differential Relay
Differential relays with percentage characteristics in the Where the subscripts 0, 1, and 2 in (2) respectively refer to
range of 15 to 60% are applied to transformers to account for the zero, positive, and negative sequence components. A phase
the variables less sensitive percentage. Moreover, in numeric rotation operator 'a' is defined in (3) to rotate a phasor vector
relays, harmonic restraints can be used. The second harmonic forward by 120 degrees. Matrix A can be defined using this
is the dominant harmonic in the magnetic inrush current. operator to transform the phase vector into symmetrical
Therefore, a second harmonic restraint is utilized to prevent components:

1 1 1 
relay from operating during the inrush condition. Over

A  1 a 2 a 
excitation includes high magnitudes of the odd harmonic,
normally 25% of the third component and 11% of the fifth
(3)
1 a a 2 
component. In over excitation condition, relay has been used
the fifth harmonic signal to block the differential trip signal.
Otherwise, it is used to restraint the relay operation. Moreover,
to the fixed the percentage differential relays, variable
percentage relays are also used [12]. The phase voltages are generated by the sequence equation.

C. Differential Relay Connections V abc  AV

. 012 (4)
Transformer differential relay have some consideration in
connection; one of the basic rules of it is all the currents Conversely, the sequence components are generated from
should be accounted for per unit per phase: the analysis equations.
1. The number of restraint windings used should be at least
equal to the number of transformer windings. V 012  A 1V
. abc (5)
2. A restraint winding should be used for each fault source.
3. If CTs of the feeder side are paralleled, they should be
considered.
The current should be in phase as well as the current
difference should be small (ideally zero) for load and through

2
 Fault

Fault

Fault
Fault
FAULTS

FAULTS

FAULTS
FAULTS
FT1 FT2 FT4
FT3

C
A

B
C
A

B
BUS1
ardestan
T
A i1 I1a A A I1aa i11 A
50[MVA] Line 1
va
B i2 I2b B B I2bb i22 B
#1 #2 T RRL
BRK vb
Ea Line 2
C i3 I3c C 33.0 [kV] C I3cc i33 C
11.0 [kV]
vc

A
Dial Position:
RRL

Main ... Fault Location and Type Start Duration i1 i1ct 1=> A-g

FT5
jaryan hojomi Fault location Fault Type Flt start Flt duration Rf 2=> B-g
8 10 1 2 50 i2 i2ct
3=> C-g A
OFF ON 7 9
6 8 4=> AB-g
7

ohm
5 6 5=> AC-g

s
4 5 B
3 4 i3 i3ct 6=> BC-g Fault
2 3
2 7=> ABC-g
1 1 0 0 0.001 FAULTS
1 3 0 0.2 1.96 0.001 i11 i11ct 8=> AB C
9=> AC

A
10=> no fault (0)
i22 i22ct
jenobe esf
i33

FT6
Fault
30 [MW]20.0 [MVAR]

Fig. 1.Simulated power system schematic.

where:
30
1 1 1
ida

1 
idb

Amplitude(KA)
A  1 a

(A)
1
a2 
20
idc
3 
(6)

Amplitude
1 a a 
2
10

0
When transformer is switched, inrush current will happen.
This current have some features, which it is enough for -10
0 0.1 0.2
identify itself. In this paper, with extract these features, a new Time(s)
criterion is proposed to discriminate inrush currents from
internal faults in power transformers. The point is the value of Fig. 2. Typical inrush current.

Z 0  3Z f
I 2  (I 1 ) 
negative sequence is different from positive sequence in faulty

Z 0  Z 2 3Z f
conditions. Helping this rule, the criterion is introduced. Every (11)
voltage and current can be written as follows:
I 0  1 1 1
  1  2
Replacement (10) to (9), threshold of phase to ground fault,

 I 1   3  1   
the criterion will be almost zero, and for the threshold of phase
 
(7)
 I 2 
1  
to phase to ground have:

2Z 2 (Z 2  3Z f )
2

  120  I a  10, I b  1  120, I c  1  120 Criterionthreshold 

(Z 0  Z 2  3Z f )2  (Z 0  3Z f )2
(8) (12)
In faulty condition, it is obvious that the value of I2 (negative
current) is larger than I1 (positive current) in normal condition IV. SIMULATION RESULTS
[10]. Using this feature, define new below criterion:
I 2 I 2
Criterion  12 22
A. Simulated Network
I1  I 2
(9) Using PSCAD/EMTDC, a real network in Iran is simulated.
Transformer capacity is 30 MVA in rate 33kV/11kV. The
This criterion has some advantages from other criterion, see transformer is a real power transformer. Fig. 1 shows the
[10]. For example defined criterion in (9) works properly in simulated power system schematic. Also, a typical inrush
over-flux condition or in CT saturation due to inrush or current is shown in Fig. 2.
internal fault condition but introduced criterion in [10] cannot.
In phase to ground fault, have: B. Results

I 2  I1 
vf
Z 0  Z 1  Z 2 3Z f
1) Normal Condition
(10)
In normal condition, differential current is near to zero. So,
Where Zf is impedance between phase and ground, Z0 is zero the values of the positive, negative and zero sequence do not
sequence impedance, Z1 is positive sequence impedance and strongly change. Fig 3 shows the sequence current in nominal
Z2 is negative sequence impedance. In phase to phase to condition.
ground fault have:

3
 Current Amplitude(kA)
Amplitude(kA)
Positive Sequence Positive Sequence
0.5 0.5
0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) Time(s)
Amplitude(kA)

Amplitude(kA)
Negative Sequence Negative Sequence
Current

0.02 0.2
0.01 0.1
0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) Time(s)
Amplitude(kA)

Amplitude(kA)
-5
x 10 Zero Sequence -5 Zero Sequence
2 x 10
4
1 2
0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) Time(s)

Fig. 3. Sequence currents for Idiff in normal condition. Fig. 5. Sequence currents for Idiff for inrush condition.

Criterion
Criterion 1.2
1.2
1
1
0.8
0.8

Criterion
Criterion

0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
0 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
Time(s)
Fig. 6. Criterion value for Idiff for inrush condition.
Fig. 4. Criterion value for Idiff in normal condition.
Amplitude(kA)

Positive Sequence
Fig. 4 shows the calculated criterion for Idiff in normal
50
condition for phase A. 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
Amplitude(kA)

2) Inrush Condition Negative Sequence

Current

100
50
0
During switching, inrush current happens, and current are 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
Amplitude(kA)

produced like Fig. 5. This Fig shows the typical inrush current. Zero Sequence
20
But the values of the positive, negative and zero sequence for 10
0
inrush current are different from normal operation (Figs. 5). It 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
is because of this truth that a disturbance is imposed to
network. Anyway, the criterion will be like Fig. 6. But Fig. 7. Sequence currents for Idiff for internal fault (AB).
threshold value of it is like equation (12). It calculated in this Criterion
network and is 0.256. Then, if the criterion is more than 0.256, 1.2
disturbance will be inrush current. In general condition, the
criterion can be varied due to 0.15 to 0.25. 1

3) Internal Fault Condition 0.8

Criterion

Modeling of the internal fault is a complex simulation, so, 0.6

we put faults between the CTs and transformer for internal 0.4
fault modeling. Fig. 7 shows the sequence currents for AB
internal fault. Fig. 8 shows the criterion, which it is lower than 0.2
0.15, therefore, it is an internal fault. It is obvious the criterion
is lower than 0.15, so it is an internal fault. 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
Fig. 8. Criterion value for Idiff for internal fault (AB).

4
 Criterion Criterion
1.2 1.2

1 1

0.8 0.8

Criterion
Criterion

0.6 0.6

0.4 0.4

0.2 0.2

0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) Time(s)
Fig. 9. Criterion value for Idiff for external fault with CT saturation Fig. 11. Criterion value for Idiff for over-flux condition.
condition.
Output CTs
4) External Fault Condition
Some extreme external faults near to transformer cause to Calculate
CT saturation. During the CT saturation, currents are not in Ida, Idb, Idc
common formation, so the rms value of them changes. n=n=+1
Moreover, introduced harmonics cause mal-operation of Ida, Idb , Idc >
Next Sample

relays. Fig. 9 shows the result for external fault with CT Thereshold

saturation. It can be found from Fig. 9 that the criterion value YES NO
in CT saturation condition is different in compare to internal
fault. Using the introduced criterion in saturation condition, Positive ,and Negative
relays can work more reliable with more accuracy. Calculation

5) Over-Flux Condition
In over-flux condition, values of the positive, negative and Criterion
>Threshold
zero sequence for differential have sudden changes. So, it can
help us to detect this situation. In this case, criterion value is NO YES
over 0.15 and cannot lead to signal trip. Figs. 10 show
sequence currents and Fig. 11 shows the calculated criterion
for over-flux condition. Internal Fault Inrush Current
As discussed, in all cases, this criterion can discriminate
inrush currents from internal faults. Therefore, flowchart in Trip NO Trip
Fig. 12 proposed to this algorithm. This algorithm reduces the
time of blocking transformer in inrush current due to
switching time in power system. If the calculated criterion is Fig. 12. Proposed algorithm flowchart.
less than 0.256, disturbance will be internal fault and relay
will trip. V. CONCLUSION
Transformer switching can cause some problems because
Amplitude(kA)

Positive Sequence mal-operation of power system relays. In this paper, a novel

1
0.5
methodology is presented to identify inrush currents from
0 internal fault currents. First, symmetrical component of inrush
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) current or internal fault current extracted. Then, a new
Amplitude(kA)

Negative Sequence
criterion introduced to discriminate inrush currents from
Current

0.1
0.05 internal faults. Power system simulated is a real network.
0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s)
Moreover, it was shown that, this criterion have the ability to
Amplitude(kA)

-5
x 10 Zero Sequence work properly in CT saturation or over-flux condition.
5 Simulation results obtained with the developed models were
0 presented and it is found almost in all cases, new criterion
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
Time(s) works well.
Fig. 10. Sequence currents for Idiff in over-flux condition.

5
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