Differential Protection Enhancement for Power Transformer

Abstract

A power transformer is protected against internal faults using a differential protection which is sensitive and a fast. However, during transformer magnetization (inrush current or over-excitation), the differential relay may operate unnecessarily. This phenomenon appears only when a transformer is first energized or after clearing external fault. During periodic magnetization condition due to over-excitation, the third and fifth harmonic components are largely noticed; however, during the normal apperiodic inrush conditions, the second harmonic is relatively high. In the conventional techniques, these harmonic components have been used to block differential protection to operate. However, in smart power transformer, these harmonic components are small even during the transformer magnetization; they cannot be used as block protection functions. The differential protection security has to be improved so that it can distinguish between differential current produced by magnetization and that produced by internal fault using the most advanced computer with most improved DSP algorithms.