Ensuring Correct Relay Protection Functioning in Transient Modes With Saturation of Current Transformers

Electromagnetic current transformers, invented more than 100 years ago, are today the most widespread type of preliminary current converters, used in organizing metrological channels for commercial and technical electricity metering, measuring and relay protection systems. Despite their relatively simple design and modest price, today the question of using unconventional preliminary current converters (Rogowski coils, optical transformers, galvanic-magnetic sensors) is being increasingly raised [1]. This situation is due to the shortcomings of electromagnetic current transformers (CT): large weight and dimensions), explosion and fire hazard, and also saturation of their magnetic conductor in transient modes with the presence of an aperiodic component in short circuiting (SC) current. The phenomenon of saturation leads to significant distortion of the transmitted secondary signal, which in turn may become the cause of overprotection with external SC or delayed protection with internal SC. Russian and international practice in coordinating CT characteristics and relay protection requirements presuppose ensuring correct operation of relay protection systems not only in steady, but also in transient modes with possible saturation of CT magnetic conductors [2]–[5]. At present, testing the correct operation of relay protection and automation devices (RPAD) in transient modes is carried out using the CT saturation time, which under the specific conditions of the location of the CT should be more than the exact current conversion time required for correct operation of the connected RPAD. This time is calculated by special approved methods [2]. Such use of two extreme CT magnetic conductor conditions (saturated/unsaturated), without regard to the current waveform itself may lead to significant inaccuracies in evaluating the correctness of RPAD operation. Fig 1 shows two instances of saturation in one and the same CT in different operating conditions and with the same time before saturation.