TransformerProtection 042010

MV/LV transformer protection
Power Business Training
Situate the MV protection function

Specify the most suitable solution for todays electrical
networks: circuit breakers
Experts: Guillaume LEBREDONCHEL / Jean-Marc BIASSE

Pedagogy: Martine ALLAGNAT
Production: AMEG
Duration: 52mn
Markets concerned
MV protection devices are used in 4 markets
Energy
Schneider Electric
Industry
Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010
Infrastructures
Buildings
1 - Medium voltage protection

Contents
Medium Voltage protection
Fuse-type protection
Switch-fuse combination unit
Circuit breaker protection
Discrimination
Devices to be protected: MV/LV
transformers
Coordination of protection
Main points to remember
Schneider Electric
Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection - 04/2010
2 main objectives
while optimising
continuity of service
Contribute to the safety

of people and
equipment...
t
Safe
ity
u
n
i
t
Con vice
r
of s e
ion
t
a
s
imi ts
t
p
O
os
c
f
o
Schneider Electric
This means that

Fault current must be quickly
cleared...
...with tripping taking place at the

right level of the installation
CB1
CB2
Power supply to the other

feeders is still ensured
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Effects of electrical current

Fault currents mainly create 2 types of effects:
Electromagnetic stress
Heat dissipation
(Joule effect)
Risk of mechanical
damage
Risks linked to
thermal effect
Dangerous
above a certain
threshold
The installation should be

designed to mechanically
withstand the maximum
fault current
Schneider Electric
Increases with
current level and
duration
The installation should be

equipped with devices that limit
the duration of fault currents. The
higher the current, the shorter the
tripping time
Protection curve
Tripping time
2 main rules:
let the device operate
in normal service
sure to trip
avoid risks related to

the passage of overly
high current in the
installation
e
nc
ra
le
to
ne
zo
Operation is possible
tripping zone
no
tripping zone
Current
sure not to trip

Permissible
continuous I1
Schneider Electric
Fault I
I / I1
2 - Fuse-type protection
Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
Fuse
The fuse is a device that interrupts current by melting the fuse

element
I1
Breaking
capacity
I3
Ir
Schneider Electric
Min.
breaking
current
Danger
Fuse components
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Fuse element
Star core
Insulating tube
Arc-quenching powder
Insulating end-cap
Striker
6
1
3
42
Schneider Electric
10
Fuse melting curve

Depends directly on
the fuses thermal
properties
Time/current characteristic curves

7.2 12 17.5 24 26 kV
Time (s)
Also called
time/current
characteristic
Minimum melting current:
38 A. The fuse melts, but is
not capable of tripping
e.g. I3 = 42 A
Examples of curves for

Solefuse fuses
42 A
Schneider Electric
Current (A)
11
Advantages of fuses
Fast interruption
for high short-circuit values
(but high short-circuit currents are very rare and are
generally preceded by low fault currents)
Current-limiting capacity
capability to limit short-circuit current
Schneider Electric
12
Drawbacks of fuses
Only work once
Fragile
Sensitive to the environment
Dissipate a lot of energy as heat
(cost of Joule losses)
Sensitive to ageing (approximate service life: 10 years)
Have a danger zone (Ir < I < I3)
Possible single-pole breaking
Application limited to small transformers
One rating per application (large stock of spare parts)
Schneider Electric
13
3 - Switch-fuse combination unit

Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
14

Three fuses with strikers
A three-phase switch
is not a protection device on its own
can be tripped by any of the three strikers
Schneider Electric
15
Transfer current
The transfer current is the value above which the fault current will be cleared
by the 3 fuses only, the switch not having had time to react
t (s)
se
u
f
e ted
n
o el
m
y
nt
i
rta ing 2
e
c rd r
un ega the
r eo
th
greater
T
0.9 T0
es
s
fu ed
3 elt
m
2&3
1
low T
I (A)
transfer
Schneider Electric
16
Advantages and drawbacks of switch-fuse

combination units
Main advantage: fuses may be used without any singlepole breaking problems
Main drawback: choosing the right rating is difficult due to
transfer current constraints
Otherwise, they have the same advantages and
drawbacks as fuses
Schneider Electric
17
4 - Circuit breaker protection

Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
18
Circuit breaker
The circuit breaker is a device capable of
making, withstanding and interrupting currents
under normal and abnormal conditions (up to
short-circuit current)
It is defined by its:
voltage (Ur)
rated current (Ir)
breaking capacity (Isc)
Schneider Electric
19
Circuit breaker protection chain

To create a protection chain, the circuit breaker must be
connected to:
current sensors (CTs)
a protection relay
circuit breaker
3 The circuit breaker trips and breaks the

fault current
Sepam
2 The protection device analyzes the fault
current and transmits a tripping order
Protection
relay
1 The current sensor (CT) detects the fault

current and transmits the information to
the protection device
current sensor
Schneider Electric
20
Protection relays
Variety
Numerous and varied
Flexibility
Designed to fit all applications
User-adjustable: installation upgrading possible
with auxiliary power

supply
Sepam
Upgrading capability
selfpowered
VIP
energy
Schneider Electric
21
VIP 30 relay
Just one adjustment
dial for just one
setting! (Is)
Protection tripping curve
The simplest protection relay: set

the adjustment dial to Is
Self-powered protection
Optimal transformer protection,
with one setting of just one
parameter
Operating tests with or without
tripping (VAP6 module)
Schneider Electric
22
VIP 35 relay
VIP 35 phase-tophase protection
VIP 35 earth fault

protection
Same characteristics as the VIP 30 relay, plus definite-time

earth fault protection
2 settings for earth fault protection: T0> - I0>
Self-powered protection
Operating tests with or without tripping (VAP6 module)
Schneider Electric
23
VIP 300 relay
VIP 300 phase-tophase and earth

fault protection
Self-powered protection relay with multiple configurations

Phase and earth fault protection
May be configured for each type of standardized curve:
Is current
an intermediate characteristic point
a high set point
Possibility of placing the VIP 300 upstream of VIP 30/35 relays and ensuring
good discrimination
Discrimination with complex LV switchboards
Schneider Electric
24
Sepam protection relay
Sepam series 10:

For simple
applications
Sepam series 20:

For usual
applications
Sepam series 40:

Fpr demanding
applications
Sepam series 80:

For critical
applications
Range of protection relays offering possibilities for protection, metering,

indication, monitoring-control, communication and diagnostic assistance
Phase-to-phase overcurrent, earth fault and sensitive earth protection
Thermal overload protection
Wide choice of standardized curves can be set
Possibility of integration in a supervisory system via a communication network
or remote control system
Ensures good discrimination, including with LV panels
Auxiliary power supply
Schneider Electric
25
Advantages of circuit breaker protection

10 to 100 times less dissipated power than with fuses
Simple choice of equipment
Capable of withstanding inrush current
Variety of relays available:
phase-to-phase fault protection
earth fault protection
overload protection
etc...
Possibility of adjusting protection relays (upgrading capability)

Possibility of testing operating capability (with or without tripping)
Schneider Electric
26
Cost comparison over time

Costs
1 spare set of fuses +
logistics and labor
100 / 10 years
Switch / fuse solution
Joule losses
0.22 / year
Joule losses
110 / year
2 sets of fuses
Circuit breaker solution

Circuit breaker
Combination unit
1 year
10 years
Acquisition
Schneider Electric
20 years
30 years
Time
Operation
27
5 - Discrimination
Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
28
What is discrimination?
Discrimination
Continuity
of service
No discrimination
CB1
CB1
CB2
Only CB2
trips
The power supply to

the other feeders is
still ensured
Schneider Electric
CB1 and
CB2 trip
CB2
The power supply to

the other feeders is no
longer ensured
29
What is the purpose?

Improve power supply continuity
Discrimination
Schneider Electric
No discrimination
30
Discrimination on more than two levels

CB1
CB2
CB3
CB4
CB5
CB6
CB7
Only CB7 trips
Schneider Electric
31
Discrimination and protection curves

CB3 CB2 CB1
CB1
CB2
CB3
Tripping times get longer towards the source
Schneider Electric
32
Total and partial discrimination

Total discrimination
CB3 CB2 CB1
CB1
Partial discrimination
CB3 CB2 CB1
no
overlapping
CB2
CB3
overlapping
Threshold I
CB2 and CB3
trip
Schneider Electric
33
Main points to remember about

discrimination
Discrimination consists of ensuring the best continuity of service by isolating
only the faulty part of the network
The most commonly-used discrimination consists of ensuring that the curves of
the different protection levels never overlap
There are other more elaborate types of discrimination for specific applications
example: logic discrimination, differential discrimination, and so on
to learn more, a special e-learning module is available (Discover discrimination Basic knowledge tab in Pl@net Training)
Schneider Electric
34
6 - Devices to be protected: MV/LV transformers

Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
35
Situate MV/LV transformers

Secondary distribution substations
HV/MV substation
protection device:
(e.g. circuit breaker, fuses, etc.)
MV/LV transformer
protection
Main low voltage

switchboard (MLVSB)
Schneider Electric
zone concerned:
MV/LV transformer
36
MV/LV transformer
Transforms one voltage and current system
into another one, at the same frequency
It is defined by:
rated power (e.g. 630 kVA)

primary rated voltage (e.g. 20 kV)
secondary voltage (e.g. 400 V)
primary short-circuit voltage (Usc) as a %
(e.g. 5%)
Standard: 2 s
IEC 60076-5 standard
Schneider Electric
37
An example of a transformer
P = 630 kVA
primary voltage U = 20 kV
calculation of primary current: I1 = 630 / (3 x 20) = 18 A
On the secondary circuit:

calculation of secondary current: I2 = 630 / (3 x 0.4) = 909 A
In case of short-circuit on secondary circuit:
P =630 kV
U1 =20 kV
calculation of primary current:

Isc1 = 630 x (U x 5% x 3) = 20 I1 = 360 A
secondary current: Isc2 = Isc1 x 20/0.4 = 18000 A
Usc
U2 =400 V
Schneider Electric
38
Transformer energizing
Starting: high current = inrush current
No-load transformer transient energizing current
The peak current can reach values of up to a dozen times the peak rated
current
Schneider Electric
39
Basic constraints of upstream transformer

protection
Transformer thermal withstand limit
t (s)
Rated operating I
Short-circuit on secondary
(16 to 25 Ir - 2s)
Reference point for

inrush current
~12 Ir 0.1s
Transient
currents
0
I (A)
Ir
MV or LV fault
Schneider Electric
MV fault
40
Transformer protection by switch-fuse

combination unit
According to the standard (62271-105 annex A), the switch-fuse combination
unit must:
withstand inrush current without thermal ageing
ensure breaking of secondary short-circuits by fuses
t (s)
Rated I
Short-circuit withstand
0.1s
Inrush current
0.9 T0
0
Schneider Electric
Ir
12 Ir
17 to 25 Ir
(Usc 6 to 4%)
transfer current
I (A)
41
Iir
t0
= 277 A
250 A
= 20 kV
= 23.1 A
=6%
160 A
200 A
U
Ir
uk
Isc
31,5 A
40 A
50 A
63 A
80 A
100 A
800 kVA transformer
125 A
A theoretical example of difficult coordination
= 385 A
= 35 ms
There is no
solution that
complies with the
standard
t0
Current (Amps)
Schneider Electric
42
Circuit breaker protection: a flexible solution

Circuit breakers capability to break all currents below its
breaking capacity
No difficulty withstanding inrush currents and other
overloads
Multiple choice of protection relays
No complex coordination calculations
Capable of accommodating intelligent network
management
Possibility of remote reclosing after a fault (remote control)
Schneider Electric
43
Comparison of phase protection curves of

VIP 30/35 relays and fuses
Phase protection tripping curve
+ fault clearance curve

Overload and
low fault
protection
Risk of premature aging

with repeated starting
No protection when
overloads and low faults
occur (uncertainty zone)
Fuse
VIP 30/35
Faster breaking with
high currents (rare)
No tripping with
inrush currents
Schneider Electric
Clearing of major faults

within less than 100 ms
44
Transformer internal faults

The most frequent internal fault is a
short-circuit between the turns of the MV
winding
the fault may evolve slowly, and the initial
current may be low (in the range of 1 to 6
times the rated current)
Equivalent diagram of a
faulty turn
This means that correct

protection is needed even for low
levels of fault current
the fuse is blind in this case, and
unable to ensure protection
Inrush current
Low initial curent
Gets worse after 5 s
Schneider Electric
Example of oscillogram of
energizing of a previously
damaged transformer
45
Other types of fault

Fault current values may be low for other reasons
power supply in backup mode with generators
micro-generation: wind power, fuel cells, etc.
fault impedance also limits current value
Backup mode (generator)
Normal
mode
(mains)
Be careful of the quality of

protection for all operating
situations
Schneider Electric
n:
o
i
t
u
l
So
ker
a
e
r
b
it
circu
46
7 - Coordination of protection
Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
47
Coordination with upstream protection

Ensure transformer protection
compatibility with upstream
protection devices
HV/MV substation
MV/LV transformer
protection
Main low voltage

switchboard (MLVSB)
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Upstream circuit breaker
Fuse or
feeder circuit
breaker
LV switchboard
48
Discrimination with upstream network

Loop protection
The upstream protection devices are

circuit breakers (due to current limitations
of fuses, need for earth fault protection,
etc.)
Sometimes numerous levels,

e.g. MV consumer substations
The transformer protection
device must be coordinated
with the upstream network,
which is more difficult for a fuse
MV consumer
substation
Transformer feeders

T (s)
Case 2: Fuse
100
No discrimination
with low current
10
Upstream circuit breaker:

loop protection
1
Case 1: Feeder circuit breaker

0,1
It is difficult to ensure discrimination

with a fuse for low currents
Schneider Electric
0,01
I/Is
0
1,2 Is
10
15
20
25
30
35
49
Ex of coordination with VIP 300 and VIP 30/35

Degree of freedom
in setting the
discrimination distance
Is (or I> with DT)
VIP 300 relay
t>
VIP 300
Supply of the loop

(open ring network)
I>>
VIP 30/35
t>>
VIP 30 or 35 relays
Feeders on MV/LV
transformers
Schneider Electric
50
Coordination with downstream installation

Ensure transformer protection
compatibility with downstream
protection devices
HV/MV substation
MV/LV transformer
protection
Main low voltage

switchboard (MLVSB)
Schneider Electric
Upstream circuit breaker
Fuse or
feeder circuit
breaker
LV switchboard
51
Discrimination with downstream installation

(case of a LV switchboard)
The low voltage installation is often made up of LV switchboards
with different levels of protection
discrimination constraints
considerably delayed tripping of incoming circuit breaker
In this case, it may become difficult for the fuse melting curve
to be compatible with the downstream circuit breaker
solution in a particularly complex case: VIP 300 relay or Sepam relay
Sepam
Schneider Electric
52
An example of discrimination with the

downstream installation
1000
Fuse solution: no discrimination

loss of continuity of service
difficulty of fault location
100
no discrimination with the fuse
10
t>
VIP 300 relay with setting:

EI mode
t>: 0.6 (x 10) = 6s
I>>: 20 Ir
t>>: 0.03
t (s)
Circuit breaker solution:
0,1
t>>
VIP300
0,01
1
10
Transf. energizing I
LV relay
I/In
I>>
100
Fusarc CF 63 A
Schneider Electric
53
8 - Main points to remember

Contents
Discrimination
transformers
Schneider Electric
54

Switch-fuse
combination unit
Circuit breaker
For very high I (rare)
For very high I (rare)
current-limiting effect
fast breaking
For lower I
danger zone: Irf - I3

no overload protection
slow with low current close to I3
choice of fuse difficult or impossible in
combination unit
discrimination problems
More generally speaking

Joule losses (environment, losses of
110 /year with combination unit)
need to change fuses, need for spare
stock (with many different ratings)
risk of thermal aging (service life: about
10 years)
fragility, sensitivity to environment
Schneider Electric
no current-limiting effect
but reaction time: 70 to 100 ms
For lower I
no use limitations
discrimination easily ensured
More generally speaking

very low Joule losses
possibility of remote reclosing (remote
control)
30-year service life, no maintenance
flexibility: upgrading capability (change
of settings), earth fault protection, etc..
the best protection solution
55
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MV/LV transformer protection

Power Business Training

Situate the MV protection function

Experts: Guillaume LEBREDONCHEL / Jean-Marc BIASSE

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

1 - Medium voltage protection

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection - 04/2010

Contribute to the safety

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

This means that

...with tripping taking place at the

Power supply to the other

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Effects of electrical current

The installation should be

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

The installation should be

avoid risks related to

sure not to trip

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection - 04/2010

The fuse is a device that interrupts current by melting the fuse

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Fuse melting curve

Time/current characteristic curves

Examples of curves for

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

3 - Switch-fuse combination unit

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection - 04/2010

Switch-fuse combination unit

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Advantages and drawbacks of switch-fuse

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

4 - Circuit breaker protection

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection - 04/2010

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Circuit breaker protection chain

3 The circuit breaker trips and breaks the

1 The current sensor (CT) detects the fault

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

with auxiliary power

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

The simplest protection relay: set

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

VIP 35 earth fault

Same characteristics as the VIP 30 relay, plus definite-time

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

VIP 300 relay

VIP 300 phase-tophase and earth

Self-powered protection relay with multiple configurations

Power Business training - MV/LV transformer protection 04/2010

Sepam protection relay

Sepam series 10:

Sepam series 20:

Sepam series 40: