Basics of Transformer

Protection

Introduction
Transformer Protection Objective:
To provide the ability to detect internal transformer
faults with high sensitivity, along with a high degree of
immunity to operation on system faults for which
tripping of the transformer is not required.
Differential protection provides the best overall
protection for both phase and ground faults (except in
ungrounded systems or in conditions where the fault
current is limited by high-impedance grounding.
This is covered in IEEE C37.91-2000 IEEE Guide for
Protective Relay Applications to Power Transformers
and in Chapter 11 of IEEE 242-2001.
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Typical Protection Scheme

Devices Provided on Transformers

Gas detector relay (63P): Known as Buchholz relay is
used on conservator type transformers. 1st stage
detects the slow accumulation of gas and 2nd stage
operates on sudden rise in oil pressure caused by
faults of a major nature.
Sudden gas-pressure (63SP): Used on sealed-tank
transformers. It operates on the rise of pressure due to
internal faults.
Winding over-temperature (49): A temperaturemeasuring device submerged to the secondary of a
current transformer in the winding. Has two to four set
points. The set points are wired to start the pumps or
fans, give an alarm, and trip the circuit breaker.
Oil temperature (23Q): Measures oil temperature and is
used same as 49.
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Primary Overcurrent Protection

Device 50P: Protects the feeder and transformer
against short circuits, including at the bushing
terminals. Set at above maximum asymmetrical
secondary through-fault current so that it will not
operate for faults on the LV connections.
Device 51P: Protects feeder and transformer against
overcurrent, mostly set at 2.0 PU and a VI or EI curve
with a time dial such that the operating characteristic is
below the transformer damage curve and above the
downstream device.
Device 51G: Set at 5-10% of the maximum ground-fault
current in resistance-grounded systems.
Device 50G: Same 51G only set at higher levels.
Device 51N: Uses residually connected to CTs. Set to
coordinate with ground OCs feeding the HV bus.
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Secondary Overcurrent Protection

Device 50P: Not normally used unless part of an
interlocked LV bus protection.
Device 51P: Protects feeder and transformer against
overcurrent against LV faults and short overloads.
Device 51G: Set at 20-50% of the resistor rating in a
resistance grounded systems.

Minimum Fuse Rating

It is extremely difficult to find a fuse time-current
characteristics curve that will coordinate with the
transformer damage curve. Mostly suppliers provide
some recommendations:
Power Fuse: 140% of self-cooled rating
Current-limiting Fuse: 150% of the transformer selfcooled rating
Fuse time-current: below the transformer damage
curve and above the magnetizing inrush
Magnetizing inrush current: points for coordination are
10 to 12 PU @ 0.1s and 25PU @ 0.01s
Sometimes fuse will not trip during high impedance
ground faults and sometimes a phase-phase fault @ LV
will cause one fuse on one phase @ HV causing single
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phasing.

Overexcitation Protection
When a transformer is subjected to a voltage above its
design rating or a frequency below its design level, the
core can saturate and produce local heating and the risk
of damage.
Overexcitation or overfluxing occurs when V/Hz exceeds
1.05PU at full load 0.8 pf and 1.1 PU at no load.
This condition occurs in generating stations due to
malfunction of the voltage regulator or when the unit is
running in isolated mode and frequency falls.
This is protected by enabling Device 24.
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LV Transformers

Example Protection of 25/33MVA

69/23kV

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