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D. Fulchiron
Foreword
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n 192
Protection of MV/LV substation
transformers
Didier FULCHIRON
Graduating as an engineer from the Ecole Suprieure d'Electricit
in 1980, he joined the technical department in Merlin Gerin in 1981 at
the high power testing station. Now in the Medium Voltage Division,
he uses his knowledge of public distribution applications to work on
expert assessments, specifications and standards.
Lexicon
Chopped wave: part of an overvoltage wave,
generally lightning generated, which continues
propagating beyond arcing in an air gap (spark
gap or insulator breakdown). The high gradient
of the downward slope generated by arcing is
very severe for certain equipment.
GRPT: device useable on hermetically sealed
immersed type transformers with integral filling
combining monitoring features for gas release,
pressure and temperature.
Overlaying: technical and/or time-based
differences in the users of a network that
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Operating stress and failure modes
3. Overvoltage protection
4. Overload protection
5. Protection by MV fuses and
fuse switches combinations
p. 4
p. 5
p. 7
p. 7
2.3 Overloads
2.4 Short-circuits on the LV network
p. 9
p. 10
p. 10
p. 13
3.1 General
3.2 Lightning arrestors and spark gap protection
p. 14
p. 14
p. 16
p. 17
p. 18
p. 19
p. 21
p. 22
p. 24
p. 24
p. 25
p. 27
p. 29
p. 30
Bibliography
Logic diagram of situations, criteria and solutions
p. 32
1 Introduction
c Retention tanks
c Distances or screens to prevent propagation
of fire
c Device to achieve spontaneous extinction
c Automatic de-energizing device on gas
release
c Automatic de-energizing device on
temperature rise
c Automatic de-energizing and extinction
device on fire detection
c Automatic closing of fire doors
Insulation level
according to IEC 71
Highest voltage for
the equipment
Industrial frequency
withstand, 1 min.
Lightning impulse
withstand
Network operating
voltage
17.5
24
36
17.5
24
36
38
50
70
75
or 95
12 to
17.5
95, 125
or 145
17.5 to
24
145
or 170
24 to
36
Rated power
Sn in kVA
Sn < 50
50 < Sn < 630
630 < Sn < 1250
1250 < Sn < 2500
Usc according to
CEI 76 H426.S1 (Europe)
4%
unspecified
4%
4%
5%
6%
6.25 % 6 %
Characteristics
The various rated values are defined by IEC 76
(power transformers). Certain electrical
characteristics are required in order to be able to
know how the transformer withstands stresses in
operation and in fault situations; they are also
decisive factors in the choice and setting of
protection devices:
c Rated primary voltage (Ur )
Applying IEC standard 71 (insulation
co-ordination) enables the insulating voltage
and the lightning impulse withstand to be
selected (see fig. 2 ).
c Short-circuit voltage (Usc )
This enables calculation of the current absorbed
by the primary in case of short-circuit across the
secondary's terminals:
I sc =
100 In
,
Usc %
a) Representative diagram
Capacitance between
windings or layers
V%
40
1
Capacitance to earth
(s)
2.3 Overloads
General
The acceptable temperature rises in the various
parts of the transformer, taking account of the
temperature rise threshold values provided by
the standards, based on a life-expectancy
related to the aging of the insulation material, are
defined for continuous operation. A higher
current value than the rated value corresponds
to operation under overload conditions.
Maintaining an overload situation leads to
exceeding the temperature rise calculated at
certain points on the transformer (according to
how it is built) and, in the instance of a high
ambient temperature, to the exceeding of
acceptable temperatures.
The distinction between temperature rises and
temperatures is important because it enables the
criticality of certain overload conditions to be
assessed differently. E.g. an overload related to
electrical heating during the winter in a cold
climate does not have the same consequences
that an overload of the same level due to air
conditioners in a hot climate during the summer.
Nevertheless, under abnormal or exceptional
operating conditions it is acceptable to exceed
the thresholds, possibly to the detriment of the
life-expectancy. This may be preferable to
interrupting service due to a momentary power
peak.
The acceptable overload criteria, such as
ambient temperature, operating with cyclic loads,
etc. are discussed in the Cahier Technique on
distribution transformers.
Overloads are often transitory and thermal
equilibrium is not affected; the transformers
thermal inertia, essential for oil filled technology
transformers, enables these high values to be
sustained, according to a law that is inversely
proportional to time (see fig. 6 ).
Acceptable overload currents vary according to
whether or not we are interested in steady-state
operation; simply monitoring a current threshold
in each phase can be unnecessarily penalizing.
Public distribution
In public distribution, overloads do not generally
lead to transformer disconnection, continuity of
service having been given short-term priority.
Moreover, low voltage circuits are always overdimensioned and a transformer overload never
corresponds with an LV conductor overload. If
overload situations are repeated too frequently,
the utilities company is led to replace the
transformer by a more powerful model. Certain
utilities use current maxi-meters in order to be
able to monitor the progression of the peak
power demand on each transformer.
In
10 In
5 In
2 In
In
5s
20 s 2 mn 10 mn 1 h
5h
10 s 1 mn 5 mn 20 mn 2 h
Industrial distribution
In an industrial installation, an overload situation
can be of a short duration, e.g. related to a
machine start-up phase, or likely to be prolonged
in the case of poor load overlaying. In these
installations, the general low voltage switchboard
immediately downstream of the transformer is
equipped with circuit-breakers which protect
against a prolonged overload situation.
Management is therefore performed on the
LV side, either by load shedding procedures for
complex installations, or by a general tripping if
no other downstream tripping occurs
beforehand.
Tertiary sector distribution
In large tertiary sector installations, such as
office buildings, shopping malls, etc. the
continuity of service criteria is important. There
are no periodic loads with start-up arrangements
or similar behaviour. Load shedding is essential
in the case of transformer overload and can be
executed at the expense of non-priority
applications, e.g. air conditioning or heating
systems.
The load shedding function is increasingly integrated in Technical Building Management systems.
MV
n1
n1
n1-1
Rfault
LV
n2
MV/LV
insulation
fault
Non zero
impedance
earth
Ifault
Current to earth
between primary and
secondary windings
100 %
100 %
50 %
Mid-point
Phase
Phase
Fig. 9: fault current to earth as a function of MV coupling and the fault position.
Phase
Stress
Overvoltages
Possible cause
Nearby lightning strike
Network switching
Slight overcurrent
Overload
Impedent fault on the
LV network
Nearby LV fault
Violent overcurrent
Ageing
Cumulative effect of
past faults
Initial signs
Gas or smoke release
Slight increase in phase current
Current to earth
Gas or smoke release
Slight increase in phase current
Quick and random progression
towards a fault between windings
N.B.: all failure modes, if not remedied in their initial stages, will develop to become generalized in the various
windings and violent consequences such as rupturing of the tank and/or explosion of the windings possibly
followed by a fire.
3 Overvoltage protection
3.1 General
A single feeder supplied transformer, or one
positioned at the opening point of a ring,
represents a very high impedance at high
frequency compared with the cable or supply
line's wave impedance. Because of this, during
wave propagation phenomena, the transformer
represents a point of almost total reflection and
the stress that it is subjected to can reach
approximately twice the maximum voltage of the
incident wave. It is essential that limiting devices
are positioned in the immediate vicinity of the
Incident wave
Arcing point
Overvoltage
reached
Plot of arcing
points
Arcing level
at sustained
voltage
Lightning arrestors
Lightning arrestors enable this detrimental
behaviour to be eliminated by having reversible
behaviour. They are extremely non-linear
resistors with a large decrease in internal
resistance above a certain terminal voltage value
(see figure 12 ). Operational reproducibility is
much better than with spark gap protections and
delay phenomena are non-existent.
The old silicon carbide (SiC) models are not able
to withstand the operating voltage on a continuous
basis since their residual current is too great and
generates an unacceptable dissipated power. They
are therefore associated with serial spark gap protection devices capable of interrupting the residual
current and of maintaining the operating voltage.
The more recent zinc-oxide (ZnO) models have
more accentuated non-linearity which enables
them to have leakage currents less than 10m A
at the operating voltage. Because of this, it is
possible to permanently keep the active parts
energised. Their extreme non-linearity also
improves the efficiency of their protection against
high currents (see fig. 12 ).
Zinc-oxide lightning arrestors, whose use is
becoming widespread, are available in the
references suited to use on overhead networks,
in cubicles or in extension to the plug-in
conection accessories. All installation
possibilities can therefore be covered.
5 kA
10 mA
15 kV
75 kV
4 Overload protection
Phase 1
Limit case
0
Frequent case
0.8
Without thermal imaging 1.2
Phase 2
0
0.8
1.2
Phase 3
2.15
1.6
1.2
Classification of MV fuses
Selection criteria
1 ms
In
Non-breaking zone
30 s
Protection zone
1h
Overheating zone
Imin.
Imin.
melting
break
MV fault
zone
MV fuse
LV fuse
LV circuitbreaker
In
IMV
Selectivity
Selectivity involves only tripping the protection
device closest to the fault, in order to minimize
the portion of the installation or network taken
out of service. In the specific application of
protecting an MV/LV transformer, selectivity
must be sought relative to the upstream
MV circuit-breaker and, possibly, relative to
downstream low voltage protection devices. In
public distribution, the circuit-breaker
immediately upstream of the transformer
protection device is a feeder or branching circuitbreaker; its protection parameters are generally
governed by much higher values and selectivity
is achieved without any additional constraint.
Selectivity relative to downstream devices is only
useful in cases where several low voltage
protection devices are parallel connected. Even
In
15 kV
Icc LV
20 kA
15.4 A
400 kVA
Icc MV
28 m
400 V
580 A
309 A
11.6 kA
266 A
10 kA
0.2 m
D2
20 m away
MV circuit-breaker
LV
circuit-breaker
I/In
10
20
Fault across the
LV circuit-breaker
P (kVA)
50
100
160
250
400
630
800
1000
1250
1600
2000
Ipeak/In
15
14
12
12
12
11
10
10
9
9
8
t
20 s
10 s
5s
2s
1s
0.5 s
0.2 s
100 ms
50 ms
20 ms
1
2
5
10
Threshold: 1.2 Isetting
20
50
I/Isetting
MV circuit-breaker
LV fuse
1
10
20
I/In
Fig. 21: operation relative to overload protection and internal faults by an MV circuit-breaker.
6.3 Independent protection devices: Time Fuse Links (TFL) and relays
In many situations, particularly in public
distribution and of course in small installations, it
is not always conceivable to use an auxiliary
power sypply to achieve protection. In fact, direct
use of low voltage from the transformer does not
enable a simple response to all fault hypotheses
and the presence of an auxiliary source leads to
a more expensive installation and unacceptable
Fig. 22: wiring principle for a Time Fuse Links type protection device with two phase coils and one
earth coil.
Normal
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7
8
9
10
11
12
10
11
12
10
11
12
Temperature rise
(threshold 1)
1
2
3
4
5
6
Temperature rise
(threshold 2)
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
7
8
9
7
8
9
10
11
12
10
11
12
10
11
12
7
8
9
Internal overpressure
7 Conclusion
MV network
neutral voltage ...
Functional
Network
technology
Bare overhead/braided,
underground
Installation
Regulations, fire,
indoor/outdoor ...
LV
operation
Specification
and choice
of transfo
technology ...
Choice of
LV protection
fuses,
circuit-breakers ...
Operation
Switching
requirements,
hierarchy ...
Selectivity
with MV
Overloads,
hazards/safety
Type of curves
thresholds,
thermal imaging
Sensors
Choice of transformer
protection
Result
Device
Overloads
Far LV fault
Nearby
LV fault
Internal
fault 1
Internal
fault 2
Major
MV fault
Risk
Internal
type 1 or 2 fault
Temperature
rise, reduction
in life span
Thermal
destruction
(several
seconds)
Progresses
towards
explosion
Progresses
towards
explosion
Explosion,
fire
(2)
(3)
(thermal imaging
for immersed type)
LV circuit-breaker
Spark gap
(znO)
MV fuse
Combined
Situation
LV fuse
Lightning
arrestors
IEC 420
Temperature
With combination
or circuit-breaker
Pressure
With combination
or circuit-breaker
(only oil filled)
(1)
Type 1 fault: fault to earth of a value less than the rated current
Type 2 fault: fault generating a current of a value between one and five times the rated current
Major MV fault: fault generating a current greater than 5 In
(1): overpressure detection can be used for faults generating a gas release, whatever the value of the current
(2): by combining with a earth fault relay
(3): as long as there is appropriate co-ordination
: risk of fuse failure in these situations
Fig. 25: table summarizing the various cases and possibilities of transformer protection.
Transfer current
To characterize the operating limits of a
combined device, the search for the most severe
conditions leads to considering the following
operation (see fig. 26 ):
c when subjected to a fault current Id, the first
fuse to melt is on the minimal limit of the timecurrent curve,
c the two other fuses are on the maximal limit
and are subjected, starting from the moment of
Maximum
line
t2
Minimum
line
t I = 0.87 t s / (1.13) -1
t1
0.87 Id
Id
I
Fuse melting
curve
Combination
opening time ts
Tolerance of
the fuse curve
Slope of
curve at ts
Melting time at
the transfer current
Slope
ts
Value of the
transfer current
Take-over current
The rated take-over current of a combination
(designate by I5) is the maximal take-over
current acceptable. The switchgear manufacturer
provides the opening time td of the switch under
the action of the release device. All fuses used in
the combination must guarantee compliance with
the rated take-over current (see fig. 29 ).
In the most severe case for a given fuse, it is
characterized as follows:
c instantaneous operation of the external relay;
the standard proposes using a reaction time of
20 ms for such instantaneous operation. The
resulting opening time is therefore the opening
time of the combination under the action of the
release device (td) increased by 20 ms;
c a fuse in a cold state and at the maximum of
its tolerances (the standard considers that the
tolerance for the melting curves is of 10 % of
the current, enabling the use of a value of two
standard deviations, or 6.5 %).
The take-over current is taken from the
characteristic time-current curve under the above
stated conditions, for the melting time of
td + 20 ms.
Fuse curve
Min.
relay
time
+ 0.02 s
Relay
curve
Take-over
currrent
Bibliography
Others publications
c Trends in distribution transformer protection,
Blower / Klaus / Adams, IEE conference, 90/04.
c Tenue des transformateurs en cas de dfauts
internes, Raux / Leconte / Gibert, CIRED 89.
c Protection contre les dfauts dans les
transformateurs de distribution MT/BT,
Bruggemann / Daalder / Heinemeyer / Blower,
CIRED 91.
Standards
c IEC 71-1: Insulation co-ordination.
c IEC 71-2: Insulation co-ordination, application
guide .
c IEC 76: Power transformers.
c IEC 255: Electrical relays.
c IEC 787: Application guide for the selection of
fuse-links of high-voltage fuses for transformer
circuit application.
c IEC 420: High-voltage alternating current
switch-fuse combinations.
c NF C 52-726: Dry-type power transformers.
Cahiers techniques Schneider
c Overvoltages and insulation co-ordination in
MV and HV,
Cahier Technique n151, D. Fulchiron.
c Calculation of short-circuit currents,
Cahier Technique n158, B. De Metz Noblat.
c Lightning and H.V. electrical installations,
Cahier Technique n168, B. De Metz Noblat.
c Earthing systems in LV,
Cahier Technique n172, B. Lacroix and
R.Calvas.
Overvoltage
protection
Internal fault
protection
Single phase
operation protection
LV fault
protection
Overload
protection
Dangerous
single phase
operation
Mixed or
overhead
network?
NOTHING
Does the
risk exist?
NOTHING
NOTHING
Do we accept
users to be
cut-off?
Should all
risk be
eliminated?
Possibility
of faults
< 4In?
We accept
the risk of
destroying
the transformer
Is there
low voltage
protection?
Do we
accept external
effects?
Suitable LV
protection:
max I >>
Appraisal of
the cost/risk
compromise
Do we want
to save the
transformer?
Do we
want to favour
upstream
continuity?
Is there
low voltage
protection?
NOTHING
Thermostat,
thermal
imaging
Do we want to
disconnect the
transformer as soon
as possible?
Are there
several
feeders?
Cast resin
transformer?
Is the risk
of fuses not
breaking
acceptable?
Residual
current,
temperature
probes
Lightning
arrestors
Associated
fuses
Full range
fuses
Fuse switch
combination
Thermostat,
thermal imaging,
max I > on LV
protection
Are there
any priority
loads?
Residual current,
pressure, gas
release,
thermostat
Circuit-breaker
+ relay
Selectivity
between
feeders and
upstream level
Load shedding
and selectivity
between
feeders and
upstream level
007427
1998 Schneider
Schneider
07-98