Methodology for testing Differential Transformer
Protection with standard connections group
Cesar Galli, Jorge Cardenas
Autotrol (Argentina), GE Grid Automation (Spain)
cgalli@autotrol.net; Jorge.cardenas@ge.com
Abstract
Correct implementation of protection needs proper testing
of all programming and configuration, where the
complexity of transformer phase shift, magnitude
compensation, 2nd harmonic restrain or block, differential
and restrain algorithm, etc., make the testing procedure
very complex. This paper analyzes the fundamentals of
standard connection group in transformer and its
application to improve and facilitate the testing
procedure. A complete guideline is given in order to have
a major comprehension of the differential transformer
fundamentals incorporated in modern IEDs
Keywords: Differential protection, phase shifting, single
phase testing, Intelligent Electronic Device (IED), 2nd
harmonic, Inrush.
I. Review of differential protection for
transformers with standard phase shift [1]
Almost all of the medium and big size conventional
transformers from either the distribution or the
transmission power system are protected by current
differential protection. The minimum data that one
provides to the transformer differential relay requires
entering information on the transformer capacity
(kVA or MVA), winding phase-phase voltages,
current transformer ratings, selection of transformer
winding connections, phase shifts, and whether there
is grounding within the zone of protection. More
settings would be needed if the relay has provisions
for on-load tap changer (OLTC) monitoring, which
could impact the normal operation of the main
differential protection. Further, the entered data is
used by the relay to perform winding currents
compensation, and compute the correct differential
and restraint currents. The final step is associated
with fetching the calculated differential and restraint
currents into a set of differential/restraint criteria
(characteristic) for defining differential protection
operation or no operation.
A. Winding Currents Magnitude Compensation
Every transformer is characterized by its power
capacity, voltage transformation ratio, winding, and
mutual impedances. While the power capacity is
mostly dependent on the size of the iron magnetic
core, the transformer voltage ratio is solely
dependent on the amper-turns of the windings
wound around the same core leg. For example, a
two winding 37.5MVA D/Y1 transformer with
winding voltages of 69kV and 13.8kV has a voltage
ratio of 5:1. Neglecting the power consumed by the
transformer, both windings are rated to transfer the
same 37.5MVA power. This means that the ratio
between the winding currents need be the same, but
in reverse proportion. The current from the 13.8kV
winding will be 5 times higher than the current from
the 69kV winding. The nominal currents for each
winding is computed using the following equations:
I N (w 1) 
MVA (1)
kV (w 1) * 3
MVA
I N (w 2 ) 
kV (w 2) * 3
To apply the protection correctly, the current
transformers from both windings should measure
and input the winding currents to the relay within the
same reversed ratio. This however in most of the
cases is not possible, as the primary ratings of the
CTs used to replicate the winding currents within the
range of secondary amps, are different than the
winding nominal currents. The CTs are built with
standard primary/secondary turns providing standard
primary rated currents. The CTs are selected with
primary current ratings of at least 1.2 – 1.5 times
bigger than the winding nominal current. For
example, if the nominal current for the 69kV side
equals 313.7 Amps, the selected CT primary should
not be less than 400 A. Another factor for CT
selection is the capability of the CT to replicate high
fault currents without significant saturation. Hence
the mismatch between the currents measured by the
relay and the currents needed for providing the
differential protection is evident. To make it simple,
the user selects a magnitude reference winding with
meaning of winding phase-phase voltage and
winding CT primary, and the algorithm computes
the magnitude compensation coefficients, by which
the non-reference winding currents are scaled. If
winding 1 is selected as a reference winding, the
magnitude compensation coefficient for winding 2
would be:
M1(w 1)  1 - magnitude reference winding
kV (w 2) * CTprim (w 2)
M 2 (w 2 )  (2)
kV (w1) * CTprim (w1)
For the above example, with winding 1 CT (500:5),
and winding 2 CT (2000:5), the currents from
winding 2 CTs would be multiplied by magnitude
compensation factor of 0.8.
transformer are connected in Wye, meaning that the
currents introduced to the relay terminals have the
same transformer phase shift plus 180 degrees
incurring from the mirrored polarity of both winding
CTs. These relays measure the shifted winding
currents, and apply a set of equations to do the phase
shifting correction. For example, the set of equations
(3) used to phase compensate the currents measured
from the Wye winding shifted by 30 degrees from
the Delta currents looks like shown on figure 1-
a,b,c,d:

B. Winding Currents Phase Shift Compensation

The windings wound on each of the three single

core legs from a three-phase transformer can be
connected in a number of ways to satisfy the
application of the transformer in the power system. a) Wye currents lag Delta currents by 30 degrees
Some windings are connected in “Star” (Wye
connection), with the start point either grounded or
ungrounded. Others are connected in Delta
arrangement to provide ground isolation. When the
three individual primary windings are connected in
the exact same way as the three individual secondary
windings, no phase shift is accounted. Phase shift is
accounted between the primary and secondary
winding, when the connection arrangement of the
three secondary windings is different than the one of
the three individual primary windings. b) Wye and Delta currents from Wye connected CTs measured
In the past, the phase shift compensation has been by the relay
done externally, by connecting the CTs from the
Wye winding in Delta, and the ones from the Delta IC ib Y
winding in Wye. This way the phase shifting
compensation is performed by the Delta CTs from
the Wye winding. The impact of the Delta and the ia Y IA
Wye connected CTs placed respectively on both the
Wye and the Delta sides of the transformer is as
follow:
 Perform external phase shift compensation IB ic Y
introducing currents with 180 degrees phase
c) Phase shifting of the Wye currents
shift to the relay ready for magnitude matching
and differential summation. IC  ib Y comp
 Eliminate zero sequence currents (Delta
connected CTs) from the grounded Wye
winding and match the zero sequence free
ia Y comp IA 
currents measured from the Wye connected
CTs on the Delta winding.

In the modern time, the external phase shift

compensation is not so common, as the new digital IB  ic Y comp
relays can perform the phase shift compensation d) Phase compensated Wye and Delta currents
Fig. 1 Phase shift compensation stage
automatically. The CTs from both sides of the
In a two-winding transformer, the secondary As:
currents that we connect to relay are as follows:
 I A1   Ie 
j 0º

 I A1     j ( 120º ) 
I w1   I B1    Ie
I w1   I B1   Current in relay from primary winding 
 I C1   I C1   Ie j (120º ) 

Ia 2  Then:
I w2   I b 2   Current in relay from secondary winding
 I c 2   Ie j   k aa k ab k ac   Ie j 0 º 
   
Depending of the transformer connection group it is I w2c   Ie j ( 120 º )    k ba k bb k bc   Ie j ( 120 º )  (4)
needed to compensate in magnitude and angle one of  Ie j ( 120 º )   k ca k cb k cc   Ie j (120 º ) 
the two currents, in order to get a balance before to  
solve the differential algorithm. The regular practice
is to choose one winding as reference and the Being the phasor M ( ) :
compensation is made on the other winding. In this
particular case, we select primary winding as
reference and compensation is made on the  e j0º   e j   e j 
secondary winding currents. Doing this, we have the  j ( 120º)   j ( 120º)   j j ( 120º ) 
M e   M e   M e  e 
general equation  e j (120º )  e j ( 120º )  e j  e j ( 120º ) 
     
I w 2c  M ( )  I w 2 (3a)  k aa k ab k ac   e j 0 º 
 
  kba kbb kbc  e j ( 120 º )  (5)
where:
 k ca k cb k cc   e j (120 º ) 
I w 2 c  compensated currents from secondary winding
k aa k ab kac 
With M ( )   kba kbb kbc ; We developed the equations:
 kca kcb kcc 
 e j  k aa  e j 0 º  k ab  e j ( 120 º )  k bc  e j (120 º ) 
 I a 2 c  k aa k ab k ac   I a 2   j j ( 120 º )    (6)
M e  e    k ba  e  k bb  e
j0º j ( 120 º )
 k bc  e j (120 º ) 
I w 2 c   I b 2c   k ba k bb kbc   I b 2  ( 3b ) e j  e j ( 120 º )   k ca  e j 0 º  k cb  e j ( 120 º )  k cc  e j (120 º ) 
   

 I c 2 c   k ca k cb k cc   I c 2  e j  k aa  e j 0 º  k ab  e j ( 120º )  k bc  e j (120º ) 
    (7)
M e j    k ba  e j (120º )  k bb  e j 0 º  k bc  e j ( 120º ) 
Being I w1 1 and I w 2  2 , the phase shift of e j   k ca  e j ( 120º )  k cb  e j (120º )  k cc  e j 0 º 
   
primary and secondary currents is   1   2 with
winding 1 as reference. Then the non-compensated From (7) we can demonstrate that:
currents of winding 2, must be rotated by the angle
of  to be in phase with currents from winding 1.
k aa  k bb  k cc  k xx 
 
k ab  k bc  k ca  k xy  ( 8)
k  k  k  k 
 ac ba cb yx 

And finally, to obtain the simplified expression:

 e j   k xx k xy k yx   e j 0 º 
    
M e j ( 120 º )   k yx k xx k xy  e j ( 120 º )  (9)
Fig. 2 Phase compensation angle within
e j ( 120 º )   k xy k yx k xx   e j (120 º ) 
-300 and -360 deg sector   
 
From [1] the reference positive and negative currents k xx
1
k xy
2
k yx

form sections of 60º, then each current in the 0º ,  60º cos  sin  0 sin  ( 12 )
3 3
secondary winding will be expressed in function of  60º ,  120º 0  cos 
1
sin   cos 
1
sin 
3 3
the closer reference current.  120º ,  180º cos 
1
sin 
2
sin  0
3 3
1 2
In case of phase A for sequence ABC  180º ,  240º cos  sin  0 sin 
3 3
1 1
 e j0º   240º ,  300º 0  cos  sin   cos  sin 
3 3

M e j  k xx k xy k yx   
 e j ( 120 º )   300º ,  360º cos 
1
3
sin 
2
3
sin  0

 e j (120 º) 
 
In summary, all compensated currents are obtained
1 3 1 3
from equation (3) using the coefficients from (12).
cos   j sin   k xx  k xy .(  j. )  k yx .(  j. )
2 2 2 2
Note that if θ = 0º, then M(θ) is the identity
where,
matrix

1 1 Regarding the value of M , this is the ratio of

cos   k xx  k xy  k yx
2 2 secondary winding currents to primary ones in p.u.
( 10 )
3 3 values.
sin    k xy  k yx The general expression to calculate the currents in
2 2 p.u. values is to calculate first the base current in
each winding as follows:
Solving (6) for k xx , k xy , and k yx , and compensation
angle falling into the (-300  -360) sector, the SB
phase shift coefficients for Phase A current will be:
I Bwi  sin  ( 13 )
3  U wi

1 Where:
k xx  cos   sin 
3
I Bwi  Base current for winding i
2 ( 11a )
k xy   sin  S B  Base apparent power
3
k yx  0 U wi  Nominal phase-to-phase voltage in winding i

Finally, we need to remove zero sequence currents

Correspondingly, the phase shift coefficients for in windings where neutral connection is grounded.
Phase B will be: The general equation for zero sequence removal is as
follows
k yx  0
1  I 0  1 0 0   I a  1 1 1  I a 
k xx  cos  sin  ( 11b ) 1
3 I   I 0   0 1 0   I b   1 1 1   I b 
     
3
2  I 0  0 0 1  I c  1 1 1  I c 
k xy   sin 
3  2  1  1  I a 
1
and the ones for phase C will be:    1 2  1   I b  ( 14 )
3
  1  1 2   I c 
2
k xy   sin 
3
Where:
k yx  0 ( 11c )
1
(I a  I b  I c )
k xx  cos   sin  I0  ( 15 )
3 3
If winding 2 is wye connected Now, we will introduce a current change in phase A
of winding 1
 I a 2c   k xx k xy k yx   2  1  1  I a 2 
1  ( 16 )  I w1 A  I   I w2 a 
M 0 ( ) I b 2 c    k yx k xx k xy   1 2  1   I b 2 
 I c 2 c 
3
 k xy k yx k xx   1  1 2   I c 2 
I d  M 1 (0º )   I w1B   M 2 ( )   I w 2b 

 I w1C   I w 2 c 

Developing (16) and having the following

trigonometric relation:  I w1 A  I w2a  I 
cos( ) cos( )  sin( ) sin(  )  cos(   ) I d  M 1 (0º )   I w1B   M 2 ( )   I w 2b   M 1 (0º )   0 
   
We have the expression for M 0 ( ) :  I w1C   I w 2 c   0 

 cos  cos(  120º ) cos(  120º )  I 

( 17 )
M 0 ( )  cos(  120º ) cos(  120º )
I d  M 1 (0)   0 
cos 
( 20 )
cos(  120º ) cos(  120º ) cos  
 0 
Note that the coefficients of M 0 ( ) are
In the same way, a current change in phase A of
calculated w/o take into consideration the range
winding 2 will produce the following differential
of θ as M ( ) .
current:
After compensated in both, magnitude and angle, we I 
can define the final differential equation: I d  M 2 ( )   0  ( 21 )
 0 
I d  M 1 (0º )  I w1  M 2 ( )  I w 2 ( 18 )
Proceeding analogously to (20) and (21), it would be
possible to obtain the expressions for differential
Note that currents in the reference winding must be currents due to variations in the other two phases.
multiplied by the compensation matrix M 1 (0º ) , to
take into account the need of zero sequence removal. Equations (20) and (21) will be relevant when we
need to define a methodology for testing.
In this case, M 1 (0º ) will be equal to M 0 (0º ) ,
otherwise, M 1 (0º ) will be the identity matrix. II. Differential Protection (87T) Implementation.
Main Configuration Parameters
From (18), we can analyze the impact in differential
current calculation of current injection changes in Figure 3 shows the software facility available in T60
one phase of any of current windings. (GE make transformer IED) [2], where it can be
observed that three different windings with
First, we expand (18): independent voltage rating, star/delta selection,
grounding option and vector group can be
 I w1 A   I w2 a  configured (this IED allows to configure up six
different windings). We note the flexibility of this
I d  M 1 (0º )   I w1 B   M 2 ( )   I w 2 b 
 
( 19 ) IED to be adapted to any kind of configuration
 I w1C   I w 2 c  discussed in previous sections.
But, besides those parameters, basic field
In balance conditions: measurement constants that has incidence in the
equations stated in the previous section, such as CT
ratios, must be considered.
0  I w1 A   I w2a 
0  M (0º )   I   M ( )   I  In this particular IED, we need to take into account
  1  w1 B  2  w 2b  some important considerations:
0  I w1C   I w 2 c  Reference Winding Selection: magnitude reference
winding.
 (keeping in mind that all the equations stated in
section 1 where obtained assuming winding 1 as
phase reference, instead of winding 2), θ is:
 330º 0º  330º  30º I d
It means that Y winding currents will be rotated
+30º to be compared to d11 winding currents.

In that case, differential currents are calculated

according with the equation (23)

I d  M 1 (30º )  I w1  M 2 ( )  I w 2 ( 23 )

Figure 3. Some relay settings. Besides, (6) states that if the Y star-point is not
grounded, (i.e., no I0 removal is required):
When set in “Auto”, the chosen winding will be that
with lowest CT margin. The CT margin is defined  1 1 
as follows:  0 
 3 3 
I CT 1  1
I m arg  ( 22 ) M 2 (30º )   0
 3
I nom  1
3
1 
 0 
Where:  3 3 
ICT = primary nominal CT current.
Inom = primary nominal protected transformer current
On the other hand, if the Y star-point is not
(based on the nominal voltage and nominal power
grounded, according to (9):
parameters set before).
In case of manual reference selection, SB in (13) M0(30º) = M(30º) ( 24 )
will be the nominal power configured in the
winding selected as magnitude reference.
Then, if θ = 30º, the in-zone grounding makes no
Grounding: for each winding, shall be indicated difference. This is valid for compensation angles
whether the winding is grounded within the of 90º, 150º, 210º, 270º and 330º (θ = (2n-1)∙30º,
protection zone or not. Those windings with IZG where n is any integer).
(In Zone Grounding) will require I0 removal by
The kind of flexibility described above is provided
software (i.e., matrix M(θ) will become M0(θ)).
by most of leading manufacturers with inbuilt
Phase shift angle respect to reference winding: algorithms where they follow unique
when configuring this IED, it is possible to assign characteristics. The equipment utilized to test these
arbitrarily the winding order, or indexes. Phase functionalities should be capable of adapting to any
shifts are expressed as negative angles (0º a -359º) algorithm.
measured with respect to winding 1 currents
although, internally, the phase compensation III. Test Conditions
algorithm (if enabled) selects as phase reference the
first delta winding. Once described the differential current calculation
For example, suppose an Yd11 transformer, with Y algorithm and the configuration parameters
winding configured as winding 1. Of course, angle involved, it is convenient to establish general
for winding 1 will be 0º, while for winding 2 (the guidelines to test percent restrain and instantaneous
delta winding) shall be set at -330º (equivalent to differential protection functions.
+30º). Internally, (user won't see it), phase
The test conditions referred in this section are those
reference will be winding 2. Then, currents in
to address where adjusting the injection currents to
winding 1 must be compensated for the -30º phase
emulate all faults types that should be cleared by
shift respect to winding 2. According to (2)
the relay so that, when analyzing the oscillography,
the event log and fault reports generated during
testing, to verify the correct relay performance
during faults.
For that, it is necessary to specify, for every fault
type, the injection conditions applicable in the test,
being the most common type of faults for testing:
single-phase, two-phase and three-phase faults.
In general, the goal of testing is the reproduction of
the characteristic differential curve adjusted. Then,
it will be necessary to inject currents in order to
produce currents Irest for each zone of the Irest - Id
curve, with values of differential current just below
and above the differential curve, checking non-
operation in the first case and trip in the second a) WYE Side
one.
So, the question to answer is: what relations must
be satisfied between currents on either side of the
transformer in each type of fault?: The answer will
depend on the compensation angle (θ), as stated in
(18).
As we demonstrate in previous paragraph, the
answer to this question will be derived using
equations (20) and (21). Of course, to make them
useful, reasonable criteria should be established for
determining the currents to be injected, addressing
testing conditions that provides useful information
to end-user.
To illustrate the process, we have made fault
simulations using EMTP software, using a DY1
200 MVA, 66&66 kV Power transformer as b) Delta side
example.
Figure 5. External single phase-to-ground fault

Figure 4. Model used for simulation in EMTP

`

a) WYE side

b) Delta side
Red (Phase A). Green (Phase B), Blue (Phase C)
Figure 6. External phase-to-phase fault
A. Differential Currents (Id)
Id, made up of IdA, IdB and IdC, will depend on the
fault type to test and the characteristic curve to be
tested.
For single-phase faults, a simple criterion to define
differential currents is enunciated as follows:
For the faulted phase, the differential current
must be slightly over or slightly below the
characteristic curve, while differential currents
are maintained in 0 for other phases.
IdA, IdB and IdC are phasor expressions, then
differential currents with arbitrary directions may
be obtained by varying their real and imaginary
values. The angle, or direction, of these currents
will be relative to the current phase reference
winding.
This approach is extendible to multi-phase faults
(bi-phase and three-phase ones). In these cases,
more than one differential currents must be
different to zero.
B. Line Currents
Less obvious is the selection of Iw1A, Iw1B, e Iw1C
(Iw1) and Iw2a, Iw2b, e Iw2c (Iw2).
The first addressed constraint is obtaining the Irest
for every provided test point.
For this, it is necessary to know the relationship
between phase currents and restrain currents for
each winding. In case of T60 relay, equation (25)
defines that relationship
I restF  MAX I w1cF ,..., I wNcF  ( 25 )
Where:
F subscript = phase (A, B or C).
|Iw1cF|,...,|IwNcF| =F phase compensated current
magnitudes in windings 1...N, respectively.
According to sections I y II,
• Magnitudes are compensated referred to the
winding (manually or automatically) selected
as magnitude reference.
• Angles are compensated referred to the
winding selected (by algorithm) as phase
reference. Note that both references can be
at different windings.
As a starting point, balanced load at both sides is
assumed, with magnitudes that ensures the desired
Irest. Later, it will be determined the most
convenient way to modify the values, in order of
obtaining the desired differential current.
Then, for the magnitude reference winding;
I wXA  I wXB  I wXC  I rest ( 26 )
In (26), X subscript applies to magnitude reference
winding's currents (this nomenclature will remain
below). Currents will be injected shifted 120º,
according the phase sequence considered (ABC or
ACB).
It might seem that (26) is a general definition,
where it is needed to consider I0 removal, if
needed, in the magnitude reference winding. In
that case, compensated phase current's magnitude
will be reduced to two-thirds of injected current. It
means that Irest will be two-thirds of injected
currents.
It is possible to overcome this issue reformulating
(26) as follows:
3
I wXF   I rest ( 27 )
2
I d  M 1 (0º )  I w1  M 2 ( )  I w 2 ( 28 )
F can be replaced by A, B or C, as needed.
Phase and magnitude compensated currents of
other windings must match Irest magnitudes,
according to equation (13). These currents will be
120º shifted from each other plus the angle θ
respect to the currents of phase reference winding.
Under this circumstance, differential current is 0,
and restrain current is the desired Irest.
The next question to answer is: what magnitude or
magnitudes should be used with respect to balanced
condition, with the restrain current previously
supposed, to get the desired Id (values slightly
above the curve to test trip, and slightly below the
curve to test non-trip)?.
To answer this, we must return to equations (20)
and (21).
According to (20), it is possible obtaining a IdA ≠ 0
varying only phase R current in phase reference
winding. Of course, it is possible for the other two
phases also (B and C).
It is important to note in (20), that the differential
current obtained when only one phase current
magnitude in the phase reference winding is
modified, is not dependent on θ, since M1 is not
dependent on θ.
Conversely, when only one non-reference winding
phase current is modified, according to (21), Id will
be dependent on θ, since M2 is dependent on θ.
The second observation about (20) is related to
alternatives for M1. As stated in section I, M1 is the
identity if phase reference winding does not require
I0 removal, and M1 is equal to M0(0º) when I0
removal is required in the phase reference winding.
Then, always according to (20), when no I0
removal is required, the differential current in a
phase will match with the ΔI applied to that phase
(this is valid for A, B and C). In this case,
differential current on phases with no ΔI will be
0. Generalizing (20):
If we apply ΔI to only one phase, it will be
generated differential currents in all three phases
(positive two-thirds of ΔI for the same phase, and
negative one-third for other two phases).
Summarizing: there exist quite simple phasor
expressions: ΔI1A, ΔI1B and ΔI1C , relating single-
phase current variations to resulting differential
currents.
If, by contrast, the current variations are performed
in phases of non-reference winding (winding 2 in
equations of section I), the resulting differential
currents could be obtained by (21). As M2 depends
on θ, this relation won't be as intuitive as those
obtained for variations in phase currents in phase
reference winding (winding 1 in equations of
section I).
In other words; the expressions relating injection
currents variations to resulting differential currents
are simpler and easier to interpret when those
variations are performed in phase reference
winding.
Based on the above observations, we can conclude
that the most convenient way to generate
differential currents is: starting from balanced
load state, apply decrement variations over one
or more phase currents in the phase reference
winding, as Irest must remain unchanged

 I dA  1 0 0  I1 A   I1 A 
I d   I dB   0 1 0   I1B    I1B  ( 29 )
a) Settings for differential algorithm
 I dC  0 0 1 I1C  I1C 

Now, when I0 removal is required in phase

reference winding, generalization of (11) results as
follows:

 I dA   2  1  1  I 1 A 
1
I d   I dB     1 2  1   I 1B 
 
3
 I dC    1  1 2  I 1C 
( 30 )
 2I1 A  I1B  I1T 
1
   I1 A  2I 1B  I 1T 
3 b) Curve characteristic
  I1 A  I1B  2I 1C 
Figure 7. Settings in T60 (GE) relay
IV. Proposed test procedure for T60 relay In this case, differential currents in other phases
will appear, but its magnitudes will be half of
IdF. Since IdF must be very close to the
In III.B, simple criteria for injected currents
characteristic curve, (e.g., 5 or 10% above or
determination was stated and justified. below it) with the Irest previously established, it
The goal for this section is to define a basic general is reasonable to expect that the differential
protocol for differential-characteristic-curve-survey currents in other phases will not cause any trip.
tests, applicable to both types of faults (single- Then, if I0 removal is required in phase
phase and multi-phase). reference winding, each test point for pure
single-phase faults can be tested reducing the
Those steps are as follows: faulted phase current by ΔI1F, where ΔI1F will
1. Define/Determine reference windings. As be obtained from (31). Currents must be
stated in section II: reduced, since Irest must remain unchanged.
• Magnitude reference: manually defined by In contrast, If I1F is augmented, according to
configuration, or automatically determined (25) IrestF will be modified, since IrestF is equal to
(that winding with the largest CT margin). the largest compensated current for phase F,
From now on, this winding will be referred as then, the testing point is no longer the expected
X. before.
• Phase reference: It is delta (D) winding For two-phase faults with I0 removal in phase
with the lowest index, or winding 1 in case of reference winding, the equation (30) is usefu. If
no delta or zig-zag windings are present in two phases have variations of equal magnitude
transformer. (ΔI) but 180º shifted, it will appear differential
2. Irest definition and balanced load currents currents in that phases, with magnitudes equal
calculation (Id=0). to ΔI.
For currents in the X winding: For example, for an A-B fault, we apply a
• If I0 removal is required, use (26) to reduction for IA by ΔI (i.e., ΔIA= ΔI<180º),
calculate injected currents. while the applied ΔIB will be ΔI<0º (180º
• Otherwise, use (14). shifted from ΔIA):
For other windings, injected currents should
be calculated according to (13) (i.e. must be  I dA   2I  180º  I 1B  0º 
magnitude-compensated referred to currents in  I   1  I  180º 2I  0º 
 dB  3  1B 
X winding).  I dC   I 1 A  180º  I 1B  0º 
Current angles: ( 32 )
• For currents in phase reference winding 2I  180º  I 1B  180º 
1
(winding 1 in equations of section I), phase   I  0º 2I 1B  0º 
currents shall be shifted 120º, according the 3
 I 1 A  0º  I 1B  0º 
expected phase sequence. No additional phase
shift is needed.  I dA  I  180º 
• For currents in other windings, besides the  I   1  I  0º  ( 33 )
120º shift between phase currents, an additional  dB  3  
 I dC   0 
angle of -θN must be applied to all phase
currents. θN is the compensation angle for Optionally, the variations IA and IB currents
winding N. could be:
3. Use (29) or (30) to generate the desired Id.  I dA   I  240º 
As noted in section III.B, when I0 removal is  I   1  I  60º  ( 34 )
required in phase reference winding, equation  dB  3  
(30) applies. Then, to simulate single-phase  I dC   0 
faults it still be enough to modify only the phase  I dA  2I  240º  I 1B  240º   I  240º 
current in the faulted phase, but according to  I   1  I  60º 2I  60º    I  60º  ( 35 )
 dB  3  1B   
(31) (i.e. IdF is not equal to ΔI):  I dC   I1 A  60º I 1B  60º   0 

3 Any of the current changes will produce the

I 1 F   I dF (31) desired Id, maintaining the provided Irest.
2
 For three-phase faults, it's even simpler. It A more realistic two-phase fault (again,
doesn't matter if I0 removal is required or not, ungrounded), could be a fault in phase with the
reducing three phase currents magnitudes by ΔI, phase-to-phase voltage, as shown in Figure 9:
the differential current will be ΔI for all phases.
In that case, the load angle (y, i.e., angle from
V. Additional considerations about proposed phase current to phase voltage in delta winding in
procedure previous figure) must be known.
If fault impedance is purely resistive, then fault
Concepts and conclusions for steps of Proposed current is in phase with phase-to-phase voltage
Procedure described in previous sections are between faulted phases. In that case, the angle of
mainly based in algebraical considerations. fault current (ΔI) will be at an angle, calculated as
follows:
In this section, we will try to complement the
algebraical approach with a a more physical one.   30 º  ( 36 )
For single-phase faults, proposed injected values  I dA   I   
might be associated to the situation represented in  I    I    180º  ( 37 )
Fig. 8 (assuming a Yd11 transformer):  dB   
 I dC   0 
 I dA   2I    I 1B   
 I   1 I    180º 2I    180º 
 dB  3  1B 
 I dC   I1 A    I 1B   
( 38 )
 I   
  I    180º 
Figure 8. Fault-to ground  0 

Then, injected values proposed in the procedure of
section IV, are consistent with resistive phase-to-
ground faults inside the protection zone, on the
phase reference winding (expressed by (29) when
no I0 removal is required, or by (30) otherwise). It
is assumed short-circuit power at both buses very
high (ideally infinite), supposition that enables the
assumption of constant voltage and external load
respect of initial balanced state.
Modifying fault impedance, it is possible to obtain
every ΔI (and Id) provided in test points.
Faults in another phase follows similar criteria.
For two-phase faults, injection values might be
consistent with ungrounded phase-to-phase faults,
as we show on figure 9.
Figure 9. Phase-to-phase fault
As an example, if load is capacitive, with Ψ=30º,
then α=0º, and the result is the same as the one
described in the first example of two-phase faults in
section IV.
Finally, three-phase faults can be seen as a three-
phase symmetric load at the fault point. Due to its
symmetry, it doesn't matter if fault is grounded or
not.
VI. Procedure application example
To clarify all definitions and concepts presented
before, we will include in this section, a complete
example of procedure defined in IV.
The information referred to the modeled
transformer was taken from real field tests.
Next table summarizes transformer data and
settings needed or used by 87T function algorithm,
as stated before.
The transformer is a 132/34.5/13.8kV,
30/30/30MW, Yy0d11.
Primary is 132kV winding, and 13.8kV is delta-
connected, being the reference. To clarify the
analysis, it was decided to use 13.8 kV side as reference.
winding 1.
2. CT's margins are calculated and presented
Table I below.
Mw1=0.69
# of Windings 3 ―
Mw2=0.69
Winding 1 13.8 kV
Mw3=0.88
Unom Winding 2 34.5 kV If automatic selection option for phase
Winding 3 132 kV reference were used, magnitude reference
Winding 1 30 MVA would be winding 1 (132kV).
Snom Winding 2 30 MVA 3. As criteria for selection, a good approach is
Winding 3 30 MVA to subdivide every zone in the curve in an
Winding 1 Delta / No ― arbitrary number of segments, which is
Connection / IZG Winding 2 Wye / Yes ―
equivalent to define a number of points
enough to verify that the actually
Winding 3 Wye / Yes ―
characteristic curve fits the desired one.
Winding 1 1500:1 A:A
CT Winding 2 600:1 A:A
Iprim:Isec The table II, summarizes the selected points
Winding 3 200:1 A:A
provided for this test, detailing Irest, Id, Iw1, Iw2 and
Winding 1 0 º Iw3. Magnitudes of Iw1, Iw2 and Iw3 are those
Phase shift Winding 2 -30 º corresponding to balanced state for windings 1, 2, 3
Winding 3 -210 º respectively; Id is the differential current
Threshold 0.2 p.u. established by characteristic curve, depending on
Breaking Pt. 1 1.4 p.u.
Irest. Z column specifies the zone of the
Breaking Pt. 2 6.7 p.u.
characteristic curve where each point lies (1:
87T minimum threshold zone; 2: slope 1 zone; 3: cubic-
Slope 1 25 %
spline transition zone; 4: slope 2 zone; 5:
Slope 2 80 %
instantaneous 87T zone). Phase reference
Instant. Id 9 p.u.
winding does not require I0 removal.

CT's are not compensated phase shift, so “Phase Table II

Compensation” setting has been adjusted as
Irest Id Iw1 Iw2 Iw3
“Internal (software)”. # Z
p.u. p.u. p.u. p.u. p.u.
1 1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.24
Regarding winding 3 (reserved for 132kV) is -210º,
instead of -30º (as 34.5kV configured as winding 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.39

2). This is justified by CT's polarity: 132kV CT's 3 1 0.7 0.2 0.7 0.7 0.55

are pointing toward the transformer, while 34.5kV 4 2 0.9 0.225 0.9 0.9 0.71
and 13.8kV CT's are pointing toward the buses. In 5 2 1.1 0.275 1.1 1.1 0.86
that case, according to (18), it is needed to invert 6 2 1.3 0.325 1.3 1.3 1.02
the currents in winding 3 (shifting them by 180º). 7 3 1.5 0.378 1.5 1.5 1.18
Then, total phase shift for winding 3 is 8 3 2 0.598 2 2 1.57
9 3 4 2.433 4 4 3.14
-30º - 180º = -210º.
10 3 6 4.719 6 6 4.7
The injection equipment used is an Omicron® 11 4 6.7 5.36 6.7 6.7 5.25
CMC-256, with 6 current sources to facilitate test 12 4 7 5.6 7 7 5.49
of differential currents between 2 windings at a
13 4 7.5 6 7.5 7.5 5.88
time.
14 4 8 6.4 8 8 6.27
Once general settings and conditions were 15 4 9 7.2 9 9 7.06
established, we perform the steps proposed in IV: 16 4 10 8 10 10 7.84
17 4 11 8.8 11 11 8.63
1. Phase Reference: winding 1.
18 5 11.5 9 11.5 11.5 9.02
Magnitude Reference: winding 1 (13.8kV)
was manually selected as magnitude 19 5 12 9 12 12 9.41
 Currents Iw1, Iw2 e Iw3 are expressed as secondary encountered problems, during 87T characteristic
per-unit values. Then, these values need an curve tests, when some injection devices which
additional correction, beyond primary magnitude incorporates control software packages, based in
compensation according to (13). Then, assuming standard connection groups, are used.
ki as the CT ratio for winding i, secondary base
Table III
current will be:
SB Irest Id Iw1- Iw1+
k i  i Bwi  I Bwi  i Bwi  ( 39 ) # Z
p.u. p.u. p.u. p.u.
3  k i  U wi 1 1 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3

Nominal apparent power for all windings is 30 2 1 0.5 0.2 0.5 0.5

MVA. Then, SB=30 MVA. Furthermore, under 3 1 0.7 0.2 0.7 0.7

balanced load conditions: 4 2 0.9 0.225 0.9 0.9

5 2 1.1 0.275 1.1 1.1
6 2 1.3 0.325 1.3 1.3
i1 i i k U
 i  ii  iB  i1  i i  i1 ( 40 ) 7 3 1.5 0.378 1.5 1.5
i1B iiB i1B k1  U 1 8 3 2 0.598 1.99 1.99
9 3 4 2.433 3.98 3.97

Previous values states balanced load conditions, 10 3 6 4.719 5.96 5.95

with incoming power flow in winding 1 and 11 4 6.7 5.36 6.65 6.64
outgoing power flow on winding 2 (or 3). Upon 12 4 7 5.6 6.95 6.94
these balanced load conditions, variations in one or 13 4 7.5 6 7.44 7.44
more phase currents of winding 1 will be 14 4 8 6.4 7.94 7.93
performed to get differential currents just below 15 4 9 7.2 8.93 8.92
and above characteristic curve, listed in Id column. 16 4 10 8 9.92 9.92
Since phase reference winding does not requires 17 4 11 8.8 10.92 10.91
I0 removal, according to (29), phase current
18 5 11.5 9 11.41 11.41
variations will be numerically equal to
19 5 12 9 11.91 11.91
differential currents.
Table III shows injection magnitudes to be applied
in winding 1 for each test point proposed in 87T algorithms that are internally modeled by the
previous balanced load state's table (i.e., particular software in the test equipment are out of
magnitudes after applying phase current variations the scope of this paper.
needed to get the desired Id).
The purpose here, is to give some guidelines on
+ problems that might be encountered, when these
Iw1 magnitudes are calculated for differential
software packages do not work as expected,
currents 5% above 87T characteristic, and Iw1- are
calculated for differential currents 5% below. One particular characteristic of the software
Then, to simulate single-phase fault on a phase, Iw1+ provided for testing is not to have a balanced load
should be injected in faulted phase, while balanced state, upon which changes are applied to get the
load condition's currents (Iw1) should be injected in differential currents desired. By contrast, this
“healthy” phases. software injects currents in reference winding that
guarantees the desired Irest.
As in IV, since no I0 removal is required in phase It is important, also, to note that the definition of
reference winding, it will be enough to inject Iw1+ in phase and magnitude reference, may or may not
all faulted phases to simulate multi-phase faults. be coincident with the particular relay configuration.
Phase shift should be carefully selected, as stated in
V for two- and three-phase faults. In general, currents are calculated to
• Eliminate I0 from D windings,
VII. Software in Test Equipment, based in
standard connection group • Generate the desired differential current in
the reference winding (always according to
injection device's configuration, not for
This section will describe most frequently
the relay).
Usually, I0 removal is achieved injecting to
“healthy” phases ½ of faulted current, 180º shifted
(consequently, sum of three phase currents is 0, so
I0=0 without needing additional compensation).
Then, having the defined reference winding
currents, as function of desired Irest and the
winding's connection type, currents in other
winding are calculated, based only in obtaining
the desired Id. In other words, these software
packages overlook the Id / Irest ratio for those
phases supposedly “healthy”.
VIII.
IX.
Figure 10. Typical test results (CMC Omicron test
equipment)
As result of all the above considerations, and
since the injected currents in “healthy” phases
will be lower than current injected in faulted
phase, then small differential currents could
produce (undesired) trip conditions on
“healthy” phases.
X.
Two situations may arise:
• If test point is a Iw1- as stated in VI (i.e., points
slightly below the curve, implying non-trip),
relay might operate by faults in “healthy”
phases.
• If test point is a Iw1+ as stated in VI, (i.e., points
slightly above the curve) for single-phase
(implying trip presence only in one phase),
relay may operate also in the other phases.
This cannot be interpreted as relay's
maloperation, because currents are not realistic
ones.
It must be noted that, according to (12), (17), (18),
(30) and (21), if θ≠0, a current variation of only
one phase on any winding, might produce
differential currents in two phases (this was
discussed in III.B, when (30) was obtained, and in
IV, when step 3 of the procedure was stated).
Then, if restrain current in any phase is low
enough, trip might occur. Generally, this is the
case for currents injected by injection devices when
single-phase faults are simulated by differential test
software provided. As general recommendation;
these software packages should not be used to
survey 87T characteristic curves in relays as T60, if
pure single-phase faults are simulated.
Conclusions
As a conclusion, for those tests it is recommended
to follow the procedure proposed in section IV.
Finally, since this software usually calculates
currents at both sides based in Kirchoff's laws
(i.e., based on physical winding connections), and
the options for that connections are only standard
connection groups, non-standard phase-shifts
(such as those suggested for PST's in the
introduction) cannot be simulated, being
necessary to do this tests manually.
References
[1] Lubomir Sevov, Zhiying Zhang, Ilia Voloh, and Jorge
Cardenas: “Differential Protection for Power
Transformers with Non-Standard Phase Shifts”
General Electric Digital Energy – Multilin.
[2] GE Grid Solutions: “T60 Transformer Protection
System”. Manual edited on 2107.
[3] Omicron: “CMC Test equipment”
Vita
César Galli received his Engineering degree from Universidad
Nacional de La Pampa (Argentine) in 2006. Since 2007 he
works in Autotrol's (Argentine) Energy Division, as a Protection
and Integration Engineer, combining field and laboratory work
in many Utilities and Industry projects.
Jorge Cardenas received his Engineering degree from the
Universidad de Ingenieria (Peru) in 1977 and his MBA from the
Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (Spain) in 1998. Jorge began
his career with the Utility Electroperu (Peru) in 1979, as a
Protection & Control Engineer, and in 1987 he moved to ABB
(Spain) as a HV equipment Sales Engineer, and then promoted
to a Control Design Engineer. In 1989 he joined GE, where he
has held several positions. Currently Jorge works as EMEA-
Application Manager with GE Digital Energy-Multilin. He
authored and co-authored more than 60 papers presented on
protective relay conferences around the world. He is a member
of the CIGRÉ WG B5.31 and the WG B5.43 working groups.