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1 Introduction:

Transformers are a critical and expensive component of the power system. Due to
the long lead time for repair of and replacement of transformers, a major goal of
transformer protection is limiting the damage to a faulted transformer. Some protection
functions, such as over excitation protection and temperature-based protection may aid
this goal by identifying operating conditions that may cause transformer failure. The
comprehensive transformer protection provided by multiple function protective relays is
appropriate for critical transformers of all applications.

1.2 POWER TRANSFORMERS:

A transformer is an electrical device designed to transfer alternating current or

voltage from one electric circuit to a

by means of electromagnetic induction. Power transformers convert power-level

voltages from one level or phase configuration to another.

Fig: 1.1 Power Transformers

A Transformer does not generate electrical power, it transfers electrical power. A

transformer is a voltage changer. Most transformers are designed to either step voltage up
or to step it down, although some are used only to isolate one voltage from another. The

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transformer works on the principle that energy can be efficiently transferred by magnetic
induction from one winding to another winding by a varying magnetic field produced by
alternating current . An electrical voltage is induced when there is a relative motion
between a wire and a magnetic field. Alternating current (AC) provides the motion
required by changing direction which creates a collapsing and expanding magnetic field.
Due to the high cost of transmitting electricity at low voltage and high current
levels, transformers fulfill a most important role in electrical distribution systems.
Utilities distribute electricity over large areas using high voltages, commonly called
transmission voltages. Transmission voltages are normally in the 35,000 volt to 50,000
volt range. We know that volts times amps equal watts, and that wires are sized based
upon their ability to carry amps. High voltage allows the utility to use small sizes of wire
to transmit high levels of power, or watts. You can recognize transmission lines because
they are supported by very large steel towers that you see around utility power plants and
substations. As this electricity gets closer to its point of use it is converted, through the
use of transformers, to a lower voltage normally called distribution voltage.
Distribution voltages range from 2,400 to 25,000 volts depending upon the utility.
Distribution lines are the ones that feed the pole mount and pad mount transformers
located closest to your home or place of business. These transformers convert the
distribution voltages to what we call utilization voltages. They are normally below 600
volts and are either single-phase or three-phase and are utilized for operating equipment,
including light bulbs and vacuum cleaners in our homes, to motors and elevators where
we work.
This is the point at which the Power Transformer comes into play. It is used to
convert the voltage provided by the utility to the voltage we need to operate various
equipment.

1.3 Transformer Protection Overview:

The type of protection for the transformers varies depending on the application
and the importance of the transformer. Transformers are protected primarily against faults
and overloads. The type of protection used should minimize the time of disconnection for
faults within the transformer and to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure to simplify

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eventual repair. Any extended operation of the transformer under abnormal condition
such as faults or overloads compromises the life of the transformer, which means
adequate protection should be provided for quicker isolation of the transformer under
such conditions. The engineer must balance the expense of applying a particular relay
against the consequences of relying on other protection or sacrificing the transformer.
Allowing a protracted fault would increase the damage to the transformer
and the possibility of tank rupture with a consequent oil fire.

Transformers used in required processes are particularly critical, since the

unavailability of the transformer can create large generation-replacement costs. The life
of an average transformer usually depends to some extent on how well it is treated. Since
large power transformers can cost several millions of dollars, performing regular
transformer maintenance is a very cost-effective practice. Utility companies have
enormous amounts of money invested in transformers of all types, including distribution
and power transformers. Utilities also have a long history and have developed methods,
procedures, and philosophies that over time have proven very effective in prolonging
equipment life. These are collectively referred to as good utility practices and it is
instructive to review these practices to power transformers. Utility has an instruction that
covers the testing, inspections, operation, and maintenance of power transformers during
the entire operating lifetime, which are considered good utility practices.

Present days Transformers with modern lighting devices are are reliable devices.
However as long as a possibility of failure exists, protection must be provided. The
purpose of the Transformer fault protection is to:

a) Remove any secondary are overload faults from the Transformer before it gets
damaged.
b) Isolate the transformer before it gets totally out of control.
c) Removing the damaged Transformer from the system to continue the function.

Transformers should be protected from the Following causes and it can protected
from the following techniques used.

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1.3(a) Over current Protection:

a. Over current relay

b. Differential relay

1.3(b) Earth Fault Protection:

a. Earthed network
b. Neutral isolated network, measurement of zero-sequence voltage(delay)

1.3(c) Winding and Interturn Fault Protection:

a. Buchholz gas relay
b. Differential relay

1.3(d) Overload & Overvoltage Protection:

a. measurement of the oil temperature

1.3(e) Winding Hot-spot Temperature Protection:

a. by limiting the impact of the hottest-spot temperature

1.3(f) Transformer differential protection:

Existence of a relatively high negative sequence current is in itself a proof of a

disturbance on the power system. Long delays for heavy internal faults, unwanted
operations for external faults, and insensitivity to low-level turnto-turn faults, which can
be left to develop into high-level faults with more severe damage to the power
transformer before they can be detected.

1.4 CONCLUSION:
Certain tests are carried out before the Transformer is assembled in the tank
named as preliminary tests and final tests are those tests carried out completely with all
external components and fittings which are likely to affect the performance of

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Transformer.The detailed study of the Protections of PowerTransformer for different
voltage class and rating is carried out as a part of project.