Principles of Differential

Protection

Introduction
Best protection technique now and for more than 50
years
Universally applicable to all parts of the power
system: generators, motors, buses, transformers,
lines, capacitors, reactors and sometimes
combinations of these.
First consideration for protection and often it is the
choice for the primary protection.
But sometimes expensive (for lines).

Differential Principle
Based on the premise that under normal conditions
current ENTERING equals current LEAVING.

Differential Principle
Inzone fault current ENTERING does not equal
current LEAVING.

Differential Principle
In reality, provision has to be made for non-zero
differential quantities normal and healthy conditions
Due to line charging, current CT mismatch,
transformer tapchanger, etc.
Provision is made to prevent relay operation which
could results due to differential current during healthy
conditions by deriving a restraint quantity from the
terminal currents (biased differential protection).
Manufacturers have different ways of deriving
restraint characteristics in modern differential relays.

Differential Protection Classification

Differential Protection
In this seminar, we will discuss two applications of
differential relays:
TRANSFORMERS
GENERATORS
But before discussing its differential protection, we need
to review about transformer vector group.

Transformer Connections
Example 1 : Dy11 Transformer
How to connect the windings ?

High Voltage
Windings

Low Voltage
Windings

A Phase
Windings
B Phase
Windings
C Phase
Windings

A2

B2

C2

A1

B1

C1

a1

b1

c1

a2

b2

c2

Exercise:
Draw the following vector groups:
Dyn7
Ynd1

Transformer Differential Protection

Generally recommended for transformers 7.5MVA
and above. IEEE Buff Book recommends 5MVA and
above. IEEE C37.91 said that 10MVA and above.
Should be stable during inrush conditions
Should be able to compensate the two different
currents
Operate on a percentage ratio of input current to
trough current, known as slope of the relay.

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Transformer Differential Protection

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Transformer Differential Protection

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Transformer Differential Protection

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Numerical Differential Relays

Power transformer

Ratio
correction

Vector
correction

Virtual ICT

Differential
element

Virtual ICT

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Generator Differential Protection

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Testing Differential Protection

Pickup Tests
Sensitivity Check
Requires single-phase testing
Characteristics Tests
Checks if the relay response to increasing loads
Three-phase testing with 6 currents
Stability Tests
Used to check whether the relay trips on normal
conditions and through-fault conditions
Three-phase testing with 6 currents

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Testing Differential Protection

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Testing Differential Protection

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Testing Differential Protection Sensitivity

Using Generator to supply primary current

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Stability Checking

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Stability Checking

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