The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

Practical solution to prevent failure of grounding transformers in

substations due to improper performance of protection system
1* 2
M.M.Khademi bafrouei , F.Fattahi Ardakani
Hormozga electric pwer distribution company (HEPDC),bandarabbas-iran
[email protected]

Abstract-The grounding transformers (GT) are intended for establishing a neutral point in three-
phase ungrounded power systems. Failure of these devices results in power transformer outage
and requires subsequent direct and indirect costs. Recently, failure of GTs in many regional
electric companies has led to numerous problems. Results show that proper performance of
protection system play an important role in preventing failure of these devices. In this paper, MV-
side E/F protection system of substations has been described and then simulation of a 63/20 kV
substation is presented. Protection system of mentioned substation has been studied practically to
evaluate its efficiency against earth faults in different locations. The simulations are carried out by
EMTP-RV and results are investigated. This task has been done via characteristic curves of E/F
relays. Finally, required tasks to prevent failure of GTs are presented. Moreover, role of resistance
tanks to detect high impedance faults and effect of earth fault events occurred in output feeders
on failure of GTs have been discussed.

Keywords- Ground Transformer, Protection system, Substation, Earth fault, Failure

1. Introduction damaged, studies to determine the factor or factors of

accident were conducted. One of the possible factors in
The role of grounding transformer in power systems is GT failure can be inappropriate setting of protective
so critical that issues relating to its quality and reliability system.
are treated with the utmost seriousness [1]. Although This paper presents results of the evaluation,
these devices are not encountered on a daily basis by simulation and analysis of protection system for one of
most electric power engineers, but application of GTs on the 63/20 kV substations and also the overall results
delta-connected ungrounded three-phase transmission obtained from other substations. The simulations are
and distribution systems is well known. The most carried out by EMTP-RV and results are investigated. In
commonly used grounding transformers are the zigzag these analyses, E/F relays function against earth fault in
and wye-delta type [2]. GTs are used to create a path for various locations of20 kV side has been studied. Finally,
ground fault current to flow, limiting earth fault currents, with comprehensive investigations, effective and practical
over voltage limiting in occurrence of restriction ground solutions have been proposed to prevent failure of GTs.
faults, neutral stabilization and if needed, single-phase
loads feeding. Moreover, zigzag transformer has been 2. Protection system and GT failure
used to attenuate the neutral current and zero-sequence Analysis of faults in transmission system of studied
harmonic currents on the utility sites [3][4]. Earth fault network during2001 to 2006 indicates that Contribution of
protection schemes that provide selective and reasonably human factors in inappropriate setting of relays is 9.3%
fast tripping are often incorporated with these grounding while, relay failure is 35.5%. The study also shows that
transformers [5]. protective relays at the time of the incident have operated
Some literatures [1][2], [5]-[12]have discussed various properly at about 467 cases. At 182 ones, especially
aspects of the purpose, application, protection during the incident, they have not operated correctly and
philosophy, and specifications of different types of GTs. in 83 cases due to lack of accurate reporting of incidents,
But practical and detailed analysis of GT failure due to relays operation is not specified. By investigating of
improper performance of protection systems hasn’t protection system in several substations, it has been
studied yet. specified that inappropriate setting of substation
In recent years, number of GT failure incident has protective system can play a major role in GT failure.
been reported in substations of regional electric GTs are designed with a continuous current rating
companies [1], [11], and [12]. Due to this fact that in equal to approximately 10%of its short-time rating [1]. For
recent incidents, some of these facilities have been example, a grounding transformer rated 1000A for 10
 The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

seconds may carry 100Acontinuously. Each GT has its 63 kV lines

unique I-t characteristics. If short-time or continuous
currents exceeds the rating, useful life of this device are 63 kV Bus
decreased and failure may be encountered. 63kV
In following section, 20 kV side protection system of Bus section
T1 T2
studied substation is described and then role of GT is
explained. 63/20 kV 63/20 kV
Directio Ynd11 Ynd11 Directio
2.1.MV-side protection system of 63/20 kV substation
63/20kV substations, mainly include of power n1 n2
transformers with Ynd11 connection. Therefore, due to
connection type in the secondary (delta), during earth
fault in medium voltage networks, the earth fault current GT1 GT2
would not be detectable for the relays in 20 kV side. In
this regard generally, GTs with zigzag connection in E/F E/F
O/C
E/F
O/C
E/F

secondary side are used to detect this type of failures.

incoming1 incoming2
Generally, different protection systems are used in the
20 kV side of the substation. Protection against short BUS 1 BUS 2
circuit consists of restricted earth fault (REF) protection, Bus
section
F1 F2
overcurrent protection (O/C), earth fault (E/F) protection in E/F
E/F
E/F
O/C
neutral point of GTs, 20 kV incomings of power O/C O/C

transformers, 20 kV bus sections and also in the

beginning of 20 kV output feeders. F3

REF protection of power transformers is a differential

unit protection type and is used to protect the 20 kV Figure1: schematic view of protection system in 20 kV sideof
outputs of power transformers. Other protections listed 63/20 kV substation
above are responsible for the task of detecting and For modeling the GT, steady-state model (figure 2) is
clearing earth fault. Installing an O/C relay in GTs neutral selected. It is noted that loads are considered as constant
(which acts as E/F relay) can detect earth fault in 20 kV impedance at the end of 20 kV feeders. In general, earth
side. faultsinclude single-phase to earth fault, two-phase and
Figure (1) shows schematic view of protection system three-phase to earth fault. Fault current in last type has no
in 20 kV side of 63/20kV substation. REF relay of power effect on GTsdue to symmetry in the three-phase
transformer’s output has not been shown due to local currents. Phase and sequence currents in two other fault
performance. According to the figure, occurrence of earth types are shown in Table. It can be seen that in single-
fault in several locations is possible which includes fault phase earth fault, the current dependson positive,
occurrence in 20 kV bus (F1 and F2) and also fault negative and zero-sequence impedances.Between two
occurrence in output feeders (for example F3). types of fault mentioned above, single-phase fault has
2.2. Simulation and analysis of 20 kV earth faults larger zero sequence current. In other words, this means:
To study protection system against earth fault in 20 kV
side, it is necessary to investigate it through the  Z2E E
 (1)
theoretical analysis and simulations. Here is simulation of Z1Z 2  Z 2 Z 0  Z 0 Z1 Z1  Z 2  Z 0
63/20 kV substation.
This substation has two 30 MVA power transformers (PT), x x
To prove this, according to x . y  x . y ‫و‬  in
simple sectioned bus arrangement (with circuit breaker y y
(CB)) and is fed by two 63 kV lines. GTs are 20 kV,
complex values, it can be shown that:
zigzag connection, nominal current of 1000 A and 15 sec.
The 63 kV bus section CB and 20 kV bus section CB are
 Z2 1
respectively opened and closed in normal operation. As 
well, neutral points of PTs are isolated. In this substation, Z 1Z 2 Z 0 ( Z 1  Z 2  Z 0 ) Z1  Z 2  Z 0 (2)
two 20/ 0.4 kV auxiliary transformers with star-zigzag Z2
 1  Z1 Z 0  1
connection are responsible for feeding of LV loads in Z 1Z 2 Z 0
substation.
 The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

symmetric peak (zero sequence)current of 1000 A (KCL

law).
It can be proved that for every fault at 20 kV bus in
system shown by (1) and parallel PTs (20 and 63 kV bus
section CBs are closed and transformers are same), zero
sequence current flowing GTs neutral, incoming 1&2 and
bus sections equals to Isc/2 in which Isc is earth fault
current. Here, although 63 kV bus section CB is open,
due to the impedance equality in directions 1 and 2, the
above result is also true. In addition, in substations with
three parallel PTs and three 20 kV bus sections, in the
earth fault occurring in outer 20 kV buses, the zero
sequence current flowing from the nearest bus section to
faulted point is 2Isc/3 and zero sequence current flowing
through GTs neutral, incomings and 20 kV bus section far
Figure 2: steady state model of GT from faulted point is Isc/3. Also in occurrence of earth fault
in middle 20 kV bus, zero sequence current in all
mentioned relays is Isc/3.
Protection system is responsible for separation of
Table: three-phase currents (a,b,c) and sequence faulted facilities (to keep healthy facilities energized and
currents for SLG and LLG faults increase system reliability) and also clearing fault as
Fault type faster as possible. To meet the first object, 20 kV bus
Current SLG (a-e) LLG (b-c-e) section CB operate and the GT2 current flow is stopped
(this means output feeders feeding from bus 2 remain
3E energized). After a period of time, incoming 1 CB
Ia Z1  Z 2  Z 0
0
operates and fault is cleared.
Phase  j 3 E ( Z 0  aZ 2 ) Here is another state of incorrect operation of relays. It is
Ib 0 assumed that firstly CB of incoming 2 operates (at t=250
currents Z1Z 2  Z 2 Z 0  Z 0 Z1
(ms)), and then at t=300 (ms) CB of incoming 1 is
j 3 E (Z 0  a Z 2 )
2

Ic 0 opened. Figure (3)-b shows the results of this situation. It

Z1Z 2  Z 2 Z 0  Z 0 Z1
can be seen that after operation of incoming 2 CB, current
E (Z  Z 0 )E
I1
2
flow in bus section and GT 2 is stopped and zero
Z1  Z 2  Z 0 Z1Z  Z 2Z  Z 0Z1
2 0
sequence impedance value increases slightly and then
Sequence E  Z 0E
I2 current flow in GT1 and incoming 1 decreases.
currents Z1  Z 2  Z 0 Z1Z 2
 Z 2Z 0
 Z 0Z1

E  Z 2E GT1 neutral current (A) Incoming2_I0 (A)

I0 Z1  Z 2  Z 0 Z1Z  Z 2Z  Z 0Z1 2000 2000
2 0

1000 1000

Now, earth fault simulation results in this substation are 0 0

investigated.
-1000 -1000
Figure (3)-a shows observed current by 20 kV output
E/F relays (incoming 1 and 2) and bus sections (which is -2000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
-2000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
residual or zero sequence current), fault current (phase a) GT2 neutral current (A) bus section_I0 (A)
and also neutral current of GTsin F1 fault (single-phase 2000 2000

earth fault). Fault has occurred at t=20 (ms), bus section 1000 1000

CB has operated at t=250 (ms) and in t=300 (ms) 0 0

corresponding incoming CB (incoming 1) operates.
It can be seen before CB operation, fault current has a -1000 -1000

symmetric peak of 2000A (i.e. the symmetric r.m.sof -2000 -2000

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
2000 / 2 ) and about 1000 A (symmetrical peak) flows Incoming1_I0 (A) fault Ia (A)
2000 4000
to neutral of GTs (the current are divided equally). Also
1000 2000
incoming1&2 and bus section carry same amount of
0 0

-1000 -2000

-2000 -4000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
t (ms) t (ms)
 The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

GTs. Furthermore, if the bussection CB is opened and

faulted busbeing separated, the current through the neutral
of healthyGT is stopped. Here, up to operation of incoming
1 CB, current flows to GT 1. Because of the short duration of
(a) current, GTsare not damaged.
GT1 neutral current (A) Incoming2_I0 (A)
2000 2000
■ 328 A <Isc/2< 800 A
1000 1000
After required time,bussection E/F relay is excited.
0 0 Then, after about0.4 seconds corresponding CB is
-1000 -1000 opened and the flow of current through GT2neutral is
-2000 -2000
stopped and current of GT1and incoming 1 CB
0 100 200 300 400
GT2 neutral current (A)
500 600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600
decreases.Then, the relay corresponding to incoming 1is
bus section_I0 (A)
2000 2000 excited. Because of the short duration of current flows,
1000 1000 GTsare not damaged.
■ 280 A <Isc/2< 328 A
0 0
After a required time bussection E/F relay is excited, after
-1000 -1000
about0.4 seconds corresponding CB operates resulting
-2000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
-2000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
the flow of current through the neutral of GT2.Then E/F
Incoming1_I0 (A) fault Ia (A) relay of incoming1 is excited and current of GT1 is
2000 4000
stopped. In this situation, although duration of current flow
1000 2000 in GTs is longer but due to small amount of current,
0 0 damage to GTs is unlikely.
-1000 -2000
■ 190 A <Isc/2< 280 A
First the E/F relay of bussectionis excited and
-2000 -4000
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 separates faulted section. Then after 1.6 sec, E/F relay of
t (ms) t (ms)
GT1is excited and incoming 1 CB is opened. In this case,
(b) there is no problem for GTs.
■ 160 A <Isc/2< 190 A
Figure 3: GTs neutral currents, incoming 1&2 zero In this condition, the E/F relays of GTs are directly
sequence currents, bus section’s zero sequence current excited and outage of 20 kV side of substations will
and fault current during F1 SLG fault, (a) proper occurs. There is no problem for GTs.
performance of protection system, (b) improper ■ 120 A <Isc/2< 160 A
performance of protection system E/F relay of GT2is excited and CB of incoming 2 will
2.3. Protection system analysis against 20 kV earth operate. Then E/F relayof incoming 1 excited and
fault in studied substation operation ofcorresponding CB will stop GT 1 current.
Studied 63/20kV substation has two GTswith zigzag There is no problem for GTs.
connection. Nominal continuous current of these GTsis
equal to 34 A. Figure (4) illustrates the characteristic ■ 110 A <Isc/2< 120 A
curves of O/C and E/F relays in 20 kV side of First the relay of bus section is excited and separates
thissubstation. It can be seen that the curves are faulted section. Then, incoming 1 relay makes GT1
overlapped with each other at some points. Analysis can current off. There is no problem for GTs.
be performed in different situations. ■ 100 A <Isc/2< 110 A
In this case, bus section E/F relay is excited, then
(A)Earth fault in bus1 faulted section is separated and GT 2 current flow is
■ Isc/2 >800 A stopped. However, regarding to the relay settings, this
After some time, incoming2 relay excited first. After 0.4 sec current cannot pickup E/F relays and incoming 1 is not
the CB corresponding to this relayoperates and current flow switched off. So in the case of a permanent fault may
ofGT2 is stopped. It is noted that typically about 0.4 sec is cause problems in GT1.
required toCB operation. Due to a slight increase in zero ■ Isc/2< 100 A
sequence impedance, GT1 and incoming 1 currents Considering relays characteristics in the figure (4), it
decrease (refer to figure 3b).Then E/F relay ofincoming 1is can be seen, for earth fault currents of I sc/2 less than 100
excited andthen the corresponding CB is opened. It is noted A, none of E/F relays are excited. Also it should be
that during sending commands to CBsby corresponding considered that earth faultoccurrence with amount of less
relays and operation of CBs, earth fault current passes from
 The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

than 200 A in bus1 is likely and may lead to some Comprehensive investigations in five substations yield
damages in GTs. to following preventive solutions:
1000
1- E/F relays setting in substations should be carried
out carefully in such a way to maintain the system
reliability and also the fault is cleared in the shortest
possible time. Figure (5) shows how to properlyadjust the
E/F relays to meet these goals. In this setting, first the bus
100

O/C
section E/F Relay operates and separates faulted section,
E/F
incoming1 incoming1 then the incoming E/F Relay cuts current off. E/F relays of
E/F
E/F incoming2
bussection O/C GTsact as backup. Also Iset must be set carefully. In this
incoming2

O/C
setting two factors must be considered.One is thatIset
10
bussection should be higher than the unbalanced three-phase
Time (s) current of PTsoutput feeders (incomings) and also bus
section. Second isIset should be less than GTs rated
continuous current. This consideration is due to possibility
E/F output feeders
(Bus2) of occurring high-impedance and long-lasting earth faults.
1
E/F output feeders
(Bus1)
It is noted that in TMS setting of above relays and I set, the
S.E/F
GT1
backup role of these relays should be considered. The
S.E/F GT2
important point is that parallel operation of PTsmust be
considered in setting of these relays. In parallel operation
(being closed both 20 and 63 kV bus sections) E/F Relay
0. setting of GTs must be same. This would be carried out
1 10 100 Current (A) 1000 10000
for incomings and bus sections too. In other wise, due to
current differences, their settingswill be different too. In
Figure 4: Characteristic curves ofO/CandE/Frelays in practice, unbalanced current may be greater than rated
20 kVside of studied substation continuous current. In this case, there are two solutions.
One is loads balancing or increasing GTscapacity.
(B) Earth fault in bus 2 Second is installing sensitive E/F relay (S.E/F) with
Due to the similarity of bus structures (bus 1 and 2) in definite time (DT) characteristics in GTsneutral instead of
the 20 kV substations, the analysis of this part is similar to ordinary E/F Relay.
(A). 2- Supposing earth fault current flow of Isc in output
(C) Fault occurrence in output feeders of bus 2 feeders, Isc/n passes through GTsneutral (n is number of
Setting of all E/F relays in output feeders ofbus 2is GTs). Due to this fact, E/F relays in 20 kV output feeders
80A (primary side), TMS 0.07sec and a standard inverse is set so that GTscurrent be less than continuous nominal
curves (SI). It is noteworthy that other E/F relays in rating in low-current and long-lasting faults. It is noted
substation acts as backup for these faults.However, in the that in case of high difference between feeder unbalance
occurrence of high impedance earth fault in each output and continuous current rating of GT, the feeder load
feeders with the current less than 80 A (Isc/2=40 A), E/F should be balanced.
relay of output feeders or backup E/F relays cannot detect 3- In some substations with capacitor banks, earth
fault.In permanent faults, this leads to long time current resistance is used in GTsneutral. This tank comprises of
flow to GTs. This may lead toGTswarming and water and a small amount of pure sodium carbonate.
hencemoredamages. Specification of this solution is that with increasing
(D) Fault occurrence in output feeders of bus 1 temperature, the electrical resistance of tank decreases.
Setting of all E/F relays in bus 1 output feeders is 40 A When leakage currents flowinginGTs, fluid is heated and
(primary side), TMS 0.05 sec and aninstantaneous the resistance decreases. Therefore leakage current will
characteristic of 400 A. So in normal conditions, there is increase. So Iset value can be considered a little more
no concern for GTs. Because of low settings for relays than normal in this type of substations. In addition, there
and occurrence of earth faults less than 40 A (Isc/2=20 A) is a heater in the resistance tank used to maintain fluid
is unlikely and also with respect to continuous rating of temperature constant in the winter. When the weather
GTs, damage to these devices is unlikely. gets cold in the winter (especially in cold areas), fluid may
freezes anddamages tank wall. In this situation, low
3. Practical solutions to prevent GTs failure in leakage currents through GTs neutral can’t make fluid
substations warm enough to decrease resistance and pickup relay.
Therefore measuring resistance of tank and inspection of
 The 19th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Pilsen, Czech Republic, August, 23 – 28, 2015

heater and thermocouple is necessary in periodic cause damages in GTs. Protection system should be set
maintenance. in such a way to maintain the system reliability and also
4- Using recloser in 20 kV feeders causes that CB is the fault is cleared in the shortest possible time. In this
closed again in a short time after first operation. If fault regard, special attention must be paid to the extent of
remains still, GTs should pass earth fault current again so GTs rating. In this study a substation protection system
this will exacerbate thermal instability of GTs. Therefore, and possibility of GT failure has been investigated. Also,
following recommendation is proposed to reduce effects some practical solutions are proposed. How to
of reclosing on GTs: properlyadjust earth fault relays were discussed with
● allowed number of reclosing on 20 kV overhead regard reclosing schemes, resistance tanks effect on
feeders without recloser, is one time after five minutes. leakage current detection and some other points. The
● reclosing should not be done for medium voltage proposed solutions can be used to reduce the risk of
output feeders that are wholly underground or most of GTsfailure in substations.
their length is underground. In other words, the recloser
relay of thesefeeders should be disabled. 5. References
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