Differential Protection

Differential
Protection
KaMAL NASIR
DY. DIRECTOR
National power training institute
What is a Differential Relay?
Basic Differential Relay Circuit
Biased Differential Relay Circuit
Generator and Transformer Differential Protection
Various Earth Fault Protections in Generator
2
Kamal Nasir, DD, NPTI(ER) Durgapur
Differential relays are very sensitive to the faults occurred within the zone
of protection but they are least sensitive to the faults that occur outside the
protected zone. Most of the relays operate when any quantity exceeds
beyond a predetermined value for example over current relay operates when
current through it exceeds predetermined value. But the principle of
differential relay is somewhat different. It operates depending upon the
difference between two or more similar electrical quantities.
Differential Relay is one tat operates when the vector difference of two or
more similar electrical quantities exceed a pre-determined value.
Differential Relay should have:

Two or more similar electrical quantities and
These quantities should have phase displacement for the operation of the relay
3
The relay must not operate under normal condition and for external fault
conditions
The relay must operate for severe enough internal fault condition
There are mainly two types of differential relay depending upon the
principle of operation.
Current Balance Differential Relay
Voltage Balance Differential Relay
4
The differential relay is one that operates when there is a difference between two or
more similar electrical quantities exceeds a predetermined value.
In the differential relay scheme circuit, there are two currents come from two parts
of an electrical power circuit. These two currents meet at a junction point where a
relay coil is connected.
According to Kirchhoff Current Law, the resultant current flowing through the relay
coil is nothing but the summation of two currents, coming from two different parts of
the electrical power circuit.
5
If the polarity and amplitude of both the currents are so adjusted that the
phasor sum of these two currents, is zero at normal operating condition.
Thereby there will be no current flowing through the relay coil at normal
operating conditions. But due to any abnormality in the power circuit, if this
balance is broken, that means the phasor sum of these two currents no
longer remains zero and there will be non-zero current flowing through the
relay coil thereby relay being operated.
6
Biased or Percentage Differential Coil
This is the most used form of differential relay. Their arrangement is same as
that of the current differential relay; the only difference is that this system
consists an additional restraining coil connected in the pilot wires as shown in
the figure below.
7
The differential current in the operating coil is proportional to I1 – I2,
The equivalent current in the restraining coil is proportional to (I1 + I2)/2
let N0 be the number of turns on the restraining coil
let Nr be the number of turns on the restraining coil
Here we are assuming that the CTs turns ratio is unity .

8
The Torque developed by Operating Coil is proportional to the ampere turns
i.e To ∞ (I1 - I2) N0
If CT turn Ratio is K:1 then To ∞ (I1 - I2) N0/K
The Torque developed by Restraining Coil is proportional to the ampere turns

i.e Tr ∞ (I1 + I2) * Nr /2 .
If CT turn Ratio is K:1 then Tr ∞ (I1 + I2) * Nr /2 K
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At Balance
(I1 - I2) N0 = (I1 + I2) * Nr /2
Nr / N0 = (I1 - I2)/{ (I1 + I2) /2 }
In case of CT ratio of K:1 relay will operate

(I1 - I2) /K≥ (Nr / N0 )*(1/K)*(I1 + I2) /2
10
The figure shows the differential relay used for the protection of a generator
winding. Minimum Pick up current, is 0.1A and percentage slope of the relay is
10%. Generator Winding neutral is grounded. A high resistance ground fault
occurs near the grounded neutral end with the current distribution as shown in the
figure. Assume the current transformation ratio is 300:4. What would you conclude
by this.
I1 = 340 +j0.1
I2 = 340
Transformation Ration = 300/4
│ (I1- I2) / K │ = │ j0.1/(300/4) │ = 0.4/300
│ (I1+I2) / 2K│ = │ 680+j0.10/2*(300/4) │ = 4.53
Bias = 0.1
Pick up current is : 0.1A
Nr/No x │ (I1+I2))/2K│ + Ipickup = 4.53*0.1+0.1 = 0.553A
This current is required in the operating coil to operate.
│ ((I1- I2)/K │= 0.4/300
This is less than 0.553.
11 So relay does not operate. Kamal Nasir, DD, NPTI(ER) Durgapur
Generator Differential Protection
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Generator Differential Protection
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Transformer Differential Protection
The CTs on the star side of a transformer are connected in delta, and
on the delta side are connected in Star as the line currents of star –
delta power transformer will be displaced in phase by 30 degree. It is
required that this phase displacement must be nullified by connecting
the CTs in that fashion.
14
We have a power Transformer of 33KV/11KV connected in Y-Δ. The CT ratio of
HV side is 1000:1. What is the CT Ratio of LV side?
Primary ( HV –Y) Secondary (LV-Δ)

Voltage 33 KV 11KV
√3 x 33 x I1 = √3 x 11 x I2
Current I1
I2 = 3I1
CT connection (secondary
Δ Y
side)
Secondary Current Assume ration to be x: 1
(Phase as CT is single phase (1/1000)x I1 (1/x)x 3I1 = (3 I1/x)
transformer)
As Connection is in Δ As connection is in Y. Line current = Phase
Secondary Line Current
I= √3 x (1/1000)x I1 current = 3 I1/x
For Relay not to operate both currents must be same. So,
3 I1/x = √3 x (1/1000)x I1 or
x = 3000/√3
15
Star-Star transformer
When the star points of the transformer are ungrounded, a line to
ground fault has no meaning because no fault current can flow. Consider
a L-L fault as shown. Let the transformers be of unity ratio. In that case
it can be seen that for an external fault there will be no current through
the operating coil and therefore the relay will not operate which is the
desired result. In this case it is seen that when the transformer is Star-
Star the CT can be connected in star-star in case the transformer star
point is not grounded.
16
Let us take star/star transformer with one of the star point earthed (fig.
below). Assuming only unity transformation ratio, if the fault current on the
secondary side is 3I only 2I current will be supplied by the primary (isolated
star point). This type of connection of secondary is known as zero sequence
current generator. From the distribution of current it is clear that even for an
external fault the current circulate through the operating coil of the relay and
the relay will operate which is not desirable. This means that this scheme of
protection is not proper.
17
It is seen that when the CTS (fig. below) are delta connected, for an external
fault, the relays do not operate.
18
Now for an internal fault the scheme is shown below:
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Earth Fault
Protection
Restricted Earth Fault Protection
Under normal operating conditions, the currents flowing in the alternator
leads and hence the currents flowing in secondaries of the line current
transformers add to zero and no current flows through the relay. Also under
these conditions, the current in the neutral wire is zero and the secondary of
neutral current transformer supplies no current to the relay.
21
If an earth-fault develops at F2 external to the protected zone, the sum of
the currents at the terminals of the alternator is exactly equal to the current
in the neutral connection and hence no current flows through the relay.
22
When an earth-fault occurs at F1 or within the protected zone, these currents
are no longer equal and the differential current flows through the operating
coil of the relay. The relay then closes its contacts to disconnect the
alternator from the system
23
Stator Earth Fault Protection of Alternator
This is to be noted that, the star point or neutral point of stator winding of an
alternator is grounded through an impedance to limit the ground fault current.
Reduced ground fault current causes less damage to the stator core and
winding during ground fault.
If the ground impedance is made quite high, the ground fault current may
become even less than normal rated current of the generator.
If so, the sensitivity of phase relays becomes low, even they may fail to trip
during fault. For example, a current lower than rated current makes it difficult
to operate differential relays for ground fault.
In that case, a sensitive ground fault relay is used in addition to the
differential protection of alternator. What type of relaying arrangement will be
engaged in stator earth fault protection of alternator depends upon the
methods of stator neutral earthing. In the case of resistance neutral earthing
the neutral point of stator winding is connected to the ground through a
resistor.
24
Here, one current transformer is connected across the neutral and earth connection of
the alternator. Now one protective relay is connected across the current transformer
secondary.
It is should be noted that, 100 % of the stator winding cannot

be protected in resistance neutral earthing system. How much
percentage of stator winding would be protected against earth
fault, depends upon the value of earthing resistance and the
setting of relay. The resistance grounding of stator winding can
also be made by using a distribution transformer instead of
connecting a resistor directly to the neutral path of the winding.
Here, primary of a distribution transformer is connected across
earth and neutral point of the stator winding.
25
Secondary of the transformer is loaded by a suitable resistor and one over voltage relay
is also connected across the secondary of the transformer. The maximum allowable
earth fault current is determined by the size of the transformer and the value of loading
register R. This resistance is connected with the secondary, reflects to the primary of
the transformer by the square of the turns ratio, thereby adding resistance to the
neutral to ground path of the stator winding.
26
Stator is a stationary winding of generator. It is a heart of the generator. To protect the
stator, we have many protections such as differential relay, percentage differential
relay, restricted earth fault relay, standby earth fault relay, etc. But they are primary
protection for the generator, if they failures to operate, we need a backup protection.
Therefore 100% stator earth fault protection work as back up protection of the
alternator.
Special protection systems based on the third harmonic analysis and on the sub-
harmonic voltage injection can detect stator ground faults close to the neutral. These
protection methods are strongly recommended for large generators since the entire
stator winding must be protected.
Normally, the Generator produces about 1 % or more third harmonic voltage under all
service conditions.
Under normal condition, typically 40 – 60 % of the generated third harmonic phase
voltage will appear across the neutral point resistor and will activate the third harmonic
voltage relay. If an earth-fault occurs close to the neutral point, the third harmonic
voltage drops to a low value and the under voltage relay operates. Hence the remaining
position of the generator windings are being covered.
27
Under normal condition, typically 40 – 60 % of the generated third harmonic phase
voltage will appear across the neutral point resistor and will activate the third harmonic
voltage relay. If an earth-fault occurs close to the neutral point, the third harmonic
voltage drops to a low value and the under voltage relay operates. Hence the remaining
position of the generator windings are being covered.
28
100 % stator Earth fault protection using low frequency injection
Low frequency Voltage (20 Hz) is injected at the NGR through a Band Pass Filter (BPF).
The Low frequency is passed to the NGT secondary and the to Primary of NGT.
When low frequency is injected the Xc [1/( 2πFC )] is very high.
29
But when earth fault occurs the Capacitance drops due to insertion of resistance. A
resistive current will Flow. This current will be sensed by CT in the NGT secondary.
This current is fed to the relay. The relay also get the voltage input from the injector.
The relay will calculate Resistance by R= V/I
If this is less than a prescribed value the trip command will be issued.
30
Rotor Earth Fault Protection of Alternator
The rotor of an alternator is wound by field winding. Any single earth fault
occurring on the field winding or in the exciter circuit is not a big problem for
the machine. But if more than one earth fault occur, there may be a chance of
short circuiting between the faulty points on the winding. This short circuited
portion of the winding may cause unbalance magnetic field and subsequently
mechanical damage may occur in the bearing of the machine due to
unbalanced rotation.
There are mainly three types of rotor earth fault protection scheme used for
this purpose.
Potentiometer method
AC injection method
DC injection method
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Potentiometer method
In this scheme, a centre tapped resistor is connected in parallel with the main field
winding as shown in Figure The centre point of the resistor is connected to earth
through a voltage relay. An earth fault on the field winding will produce a voltage
across the relay. The maximum voltage occurring for faults at the ends of the
winding.
A ‘blind spot’ exists at the centre of the field winding, this point being at a potential
equal to that of the tapping point on the potentiometer. To avoid a fault at this
location remaining undetected, the tapping point on the potentiometer is varied by a
push button or switch. It is essential that station instructions be issued to make
certain that the blind spot is checked at least once per shift.
32
AC Injection Method
This scheme is shown in Fig. , it comprises of an auxiliary supply transformer, the
secondary of which is connected between earth and one side of the field circuit through
an interposed capacitor and a relay coil.
The field circuit is subjected to an alternating potential at the same level throughout, so
that an earth fault anywhere in the field system will give rise to a current which is
detected by the relay. The capacitor limits the magnitude of the current and blocks the
normal field voltage, preventing the discharge of a large direct current through the
transformer.
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AC Injection Method
This scheme has an advantage over the potentiometer method in that there is no blind
spot in the supervision of the field system. It has the disadvantage that some current will
flow to earth continuously through the capacitance of the field winding. This current may
flow through the machine bearings, causing erosion of the bearing surface. It is a
common practise to insulate the bearings and to provide an earthing brush for the shaft,
and if this is done the capacitance current would be harmless
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DC Injection Method
The drawback of leakage current of AC injection method can be eliminated in DC
Injection Method. Here, one terminal of DC voltage sensitive relay is connected with
positive terminal of the exciter and another terminal of the relay is connected with the
negative terminal of an external DC source. The external DC source is obtained by an
auxiliary transformer with bridge rectifier. Here the positive terminal of bridge rectifier is
grounded.
It is also seen from the figure below that at the event of any field earth fault or exciter
earth fault, the positive potential of the external DC source will appear to the terminal of
the relay which was connected to the positive terminal of the exciter. In this way the
rectifier output voltage appears across the voltage relay and hence it is operated.
35
THANK YOU
Kamalnasir.npti@gmail.com
Kamalnasir.npti@gov.in
36

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Differential

Basic Differential Relay Circuit

Biased Differential Relay Circuit

Generator and Transformer Differential Protection

Various Earth Fault Protections in Generator

Differential Relay should have:

Here we are assuming that the CTs turns ratio is unity .

The Torque developed by Restraining Coil is proportional to the ampere turns

Nr / N0 = (I1 - I2)/{ (I1 + I2) /2 }

In case of CT ratio of K:1 relay will operate

Primary ( HV –Y) Secondary (LV-Δ)

It is should be noted that, 100 % of the stator winding cannot

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