J.M.

PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 1

A Case Study of the Chapter

Commissioning Test of a
Differential Protection Scheme for
a Three Winding Transformer
10
T
he transformer is one of the most important hardware in the electrical power system. An
important consideration in transformer protection is the high cost of the transformer and the
relative long outage time that occurs when a transformer fails. The most common form of
transformer protection is differential protection, whose zone of protection is bounded by the location of the
protection current transformers (CTs) between the transformer’s high voltage and low voltage terminals.
The differential protection should operate for a fault within the zone of the CT and should not operate for a
fault outside the zone of the CT. The major advantage of the differential protection is the fast speed of
operation to detect a fault as compared to transformer
PowerGrid protection based on overcurrent relays. The use of
overcurrent relays for transformer protection will result in
230kV
a comparatively longer operation time for a fault because
of the need to co-ordinate with upstream overcurrent
relays. A differential protection does not require co-
300MVA
Yd 11, 230/19kV ordination with other protection scheme, and whose

19kV
speed of operation is essentially instantaneous for all in-
CT1
zone faults. The CT ratio, polarity and connection must
58/23/35MVA all be correct in order for the correct operation of the
19/6.6/22kV
differential protection. Hence it is imperative that the
G
CT2 CT3 differential protection be commissioned before first time
19kV
250MW energization of the transformer. The article will share my
6.6kV 22kV
19kV primary CT1 - located at transformer
experience in the commissioning of a differential
6.6kV secondary CT2 - located at 6.6kV switchgear
22kV tertiary CT3 - located at 22kV switchgear protection for a three winding transformer at a power
FIGURE 10.1 : Single Line Diagram station as shown in Figure 10.1.

Three Winding Transformers

The equivalent circuit for a three winding transformer can be represented by a star of impedance as shown
in Figure 10.2. The impedance of any of these branches can be determined by considering the short circuit
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 2

impedance between any pairs of windings with the third winding in open circuit. Therefore we will have:

‰ Zps - impedance at primary with secondary short-circuit and Tertiary open circuit.

‰ Zpt - impedance at primary with Tertiary short-circuit and secondary open circuit.

‰ Zst - impedance at secondary with Tertiary short-circuit and primary open circuit.

The impedance values of Zps,

Primary Primary
19kV 19kV Zpt and Zst have physical meaning and
can be measured. However the
Ip
equivalent circuit values of Zp, Zs and Zt
are fictitious and cannot be measured.
Zp = -6%
It is possible to have negative values for
Ip
one of the impedance. The values of
Zps, Zpt, Zst may be based on different
Is It
Zs= 37% Zt= 25%
base values and hence these impedance
Is = 40% x Ip It = 60% x Ip values must be converted to the same
Secondary Tertiary
6.6kV 22kV Secondary Tertiary base values before the start of any
6.6kV 22kV
calculations. The capacity of the
FIGURE 10.2 : Equivalent Circuit of 3 Winding Transformer
primary winding is often chosen as the
common base values. Table 10.1 shows the nameplate data and the normalized values of impedance for
Zps, Zpt and Zst.

Nameplate Impedance at Phase angle

Capacity Voltage
Impedance 58MVA Base Difference
Primary 58MVA Primary = 19kV Zps = 12.5%, 23MVA Zps = 31%, Primary to
Secondary = 30o
Secondary 23MVA Secondary = 6.6kV Zpt = 12%, 35MVA Zpt = 19%, Primary to
o
Tertiary = 30
Tertiary 35MVA Tertiary = 22kV Zst = 62%, 58MVA Zst = 62%, Secondary to
Tertiary = 0o

TABLE 10.1 : Impedance and Vector Group Data

The normalized values of the impedance to 58MVA base are ;

‰ Zps = Z p + Zs = 31%

‰ Zpt = Z p + Zt = 19%

‰ Zst = Z s + Zt = 62%

Solving the three equations,

Zp = - 6% ; Zs = 37% ; Zt = 25%
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 3

Commissioning
An external 3 phase, 400 volts diesel generator was connected at the 19kV side with three different
combinations of open/short circuit at the 6.6kV and 22kV.

The three combinations were ;

Connection 19kV 6.6kV 22kV

Figure 10.3A Generator connection Short circuit Open circuit

Figure 10.3B Generator connection Open circuit Short circuit

Figure 10.3C Generator connection Short circuit Short circuit

The KVA rating of the external generator was calculated using the impedance data of the three
winding transformer of Table 10.1. The required KVA rating of the external generator for the three
different connections were ;

Percentage of
Connection KVA rating of Generator
Full Load Current

Figure 10.3A — 3 x 400 x 119 = 82 KVA 7%

Figure 10.3B — 3 x 400 x 195 = 135 KVA 11%

Figure 10.3C — 3 x 400 x 416 = 288 KVA 23%

A 3 phase, 400 volts, 300KVA generator was selected for the commissioning test. The calculated
value of 416A at the 19kV winding is about 23% of the full load current and so considered high enough to
commission the differential protection relay. Table 10.2 is the summary of the measured values for Figure
10.3A, Figure 10.3B and Figure 10.3C under external fault conditions. Incorrect CT polarity at the 22kV CT
was suspected because ;

‰ High value of differential current for the case of Figures 10.3B and 10.3C

‰ 2 IBias = differential current for the case of Figure 10.3B

The star point of the 22kV CT was reversed to rectify the incorrect CT polarity. Table 10.3 is the
summary of the measured values with the correct CT polarity. The differential protection was considered
stable for the out of zone fault because the differential current was zero. The short circuit at the 22kV side
was relocated to create an in-zone fault and the differential current was non-zero and of high value. The
differential relay was considered commissioned.
 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 4

Conclusion
In this case study, the polarity of the 22kV CT was incorrect and fortunately discovered during the
commissioning test. If such a commissioning test was not done, the differential relay will operate under
normal loading of the transformer, or during an external fault condition.

Out of Zone Fault Out of Zone Fault Out of Zone Fault

External Generator 22kV Short 6.6kV Short
Connected to 22kV and 6.6kV
Circuit and 6.6kV Circuit and 22kV
19 kV Side Short Circuit
Open Circuit Open Circuit
(Fig. 10.3C)
(Fig. 10.3B) (Fig. 10.3A)
I red 162 A 105 A 344 A

19kV I yellow 162 A 105 A 344 A

I blue 162 A 105 A 344 A

I red 0A 289 A 421 A

6.6kV I yellow 0A 289 A 421 A

I blue 0A 289 A 421 A

I red 137 A 0A 169 A

22kV I yellow 137 A 0A 169 A

I blue 137 A 0A 169 A

I red 91 mA 59 mA 197 mA

Bias I yellow 91 mA 59 mA 197 mA

I blue 91 mA 59 mA 197 mA

I red 183 mA 0A 226 mA

Diff. I yellow 183 mA 0A 226 mA

I blue 183 mA 0A 226 mA

TABLE 10.2 : Measured Value with Incorrect CT Polarity

In-Zone Fault In-Zone Fault In-Zone Fault Out Zone Fault Out Zone Fault Out Zone Fault
External Generator Short Circuit at Short Circuit at
Connected to 19kV Short Circuit Short Circuit Short Circuit at Short Circuit at
22kV and 6.6kV 6.6kV and 22kV
Side at 22kV at 6.6kV 22kV and 6.6kV 22kV and 6.6kV
Open Circuit Open Circuit
(Fig. 10.3C)
(Fig. 10.3B) (Fig. 10.3A)
I red 344A 344 A 344A 162A 105A 344A

19kV I yellow 344A 344 A 344A 162A 105A 344A

I blue 344A 344 A 344A 162A 105A 344A

I red 421A 0A 0A 0A 289A 421A

6.6kV I yellow 421A 0A 0A 0A 289A 421A

I blue 421A 0A 0A 0A 289A 421A

I red 0A 169A 0A 137A 0A 169A

22kV I yellow 0A 169A 0A 137A 0A 169A

I blue 0A 169A 0A 137A 0A 169A

I red 140mA 154mA 97mA 91mA 59mA 197mA

Bias I yellow 140mA 154mA 97mA 91mA 59mA 197mA

I blue 140mA 154mA 97mA 91mA 59mA 197mA

I red 113mA 81mA 194mA 0A 0A 0A

Diff. I yellow 113mA 81mA 194mA 0A 0A 0A

I blue 113mA 81mA 194mA 0A 0A 0A

TABLE 10.3 : Measured Value with Correct CT Polarity

 J.M. PANG & SEAH PTE LTD 5

400V 400V
3Ø Generator 3Ø Generator

~ ~
Ip i

Zp = -6% Z = 31%

i= 0.4 x Full load

Is
0.31 x 19 Current
Zs= 37% Zt= 25%
= 6.79% x 1762
= 119A

FIGURE 10.3A : Single Line Diagram

400V 400V
3Ø Generator 3Ø Generator

~ ~
Ip i

Zp = -6% Z = 19%

i= 0.4 x Full load

It
0.19 x 19 Current
Zs= 37% Zt= 25%
= 11.08% x 1762
= 195A

FIGURE 10.3B : Single Line Diagram

400V 400V
3Ø Generator 3Ø Generator

~ ~
Ip i

Zp = -6% Z = 8.9%
i= 0.4 x Full load
Is It 0.089 x 19 Current

Zs= 37% Zt= 25% = 23.65% x 1762

= 416A

FIGURE 10.3C : Single Line Diagram

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