ABB Group - 1 -

23-Mar-09

Protection
Transformer
 Transformer protection
Power transformers in a power system

400 kV AC Transmission

130 kV Subtransmission

Generation

MV Distribution

LV
ABB Group - 2 -

M
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 3 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 4 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Different vector group connections and ways of neutral connection

Yy Yd Dy Yd+z
YN yn0 (d1) YN d1 D yn11 YN d11 + zn
ABB Group - 5 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Different winding arrangements

Autotransformer 2-winding transf.

+ tertiary + Auxiliary
e.g.. YN Auto d1 transformer
ABB Group - 6 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Particular power transformer applications

x x

U
V

Generator- On- load Static VAR Double breaker

transformer tap-changer Compensator Motor drive
unit
HVDC
ABB Group - 7 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Overload Capability

It is possible to overload power transformers

Older transformers may withstand 140% continuously

Overloading and loss of cooling causes overheating

ABB Group - 8 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Withstand capabilty for External Faults
System Shunt Faults

Transformer Fault current Permitted fault

reactances duration
% multiple of rated seconds
current
4 25 2
5 20 3
6 16.6 4
7 14.2 5
ABB Group - 9 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Types of Internal Faults

Earth faults
Short-circuits
Inter turn Faults
Core Faults
Tank Faults
Reduced cooling
ABB Group - 10 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Abnormal Conditions
Overload

Over voltage

Reduced system voltage

Overexcitation
ABB Group - 11 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 12 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Transformer differential protection. Current bias characteristics

Differential current |I1+I2 |

10

I1

< 25
I
High Unrestrained
5

Trips

I2
1 Blocks
I d min
ABB Group - 13 -

Irestrain
1 5 10 (|I1 |+ |I2 |)/2
23-Mar-09
 ABB Group - 14 -
23-Mar-09
Transformer protection
 Transformer protection
Inrush Current

Inrush currents flow in connection with energisation

Inrush currents may also flow at voltage recovery
Sympathy inrush current
ABB Group - 15 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Inrush Current
ABB Group - 16 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 17 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 18 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Magnetizing current at overexcitation
ABB Group - 19 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Differential protection for
Autotransformer
ABB Group - 20 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Ground Fault Currents
ABB Group - 21 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Earth Fault Protection
Restricted earth fault protection
High-impedance restricted earth fault protections
Low-impedance restricted earth fault protections
ABB Group - 22 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Restricted Earth fault protection
ABB Group - 23 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Thermal overload protection

Rise of temperature

0,63

ABB Group - 24 -

Time
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Over excitation protection

Overexcited transformers become overheated

and damaged

Especially required for Generator Transformers

ABB Group - 25 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Overexcitation Protection

Ei = 4.44fNA Bmax

f= the system frequency [Hz],

N= the number of turns on the core leg [1],
A= the area of the core leg [m2] and
Bmax = the peak value of the flux density [T]
ABB Group - 26 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Over excitation Protection

V/ f
( Bmax / Bn) =
Vn / f n

Bn = the rated peak value of the flux density [T],

V= the RMS value of the terminal voltage [V],
Vn = the rated RMS value of the terminal voltage [V], and
fn = the rated system frequency [Hz]
ABB Group - 27 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Over excitation protection
t

Definite

V/Hz inverse
ABB Group - 28 -

V/Hz
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 29 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 30 -
23-Mar-09
 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

ABB Group - 31 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Monitors

Monitors are very important devices which detect faults and

abnormal service conditions which may develop into fault.
ABB Group - 32 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Oil and Gas Monitoring
Sudden gas pressure protection
Buchholz protection
Oil level monitoring
ABB Group - 33 -
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Temperature Monitoring
The oil thermometer
The winding thermometer
ABB Group - 34 -
23-Mar-09
 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
ABB Group - 35 -

Pressure relay for tap changer

Oil level monitor
23-Mar-09
 Transformer protection
Protective Relays Used ( Transformers <
5 MVA)

Gas detector relay

Overload protection
Overcurrent protection
Ground fault protection
ABB Group - 36 -
23-Mar-09
 ABB Group - 37 -
23-Mar-09
Transformer protection