2018 International Conference on Smart Electric Drives & Power System

Over-Flux Protection of The Transformer

Pushpak R. Nimkar T. G. Arora
Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering
R. C. O. E. M. R. C. O. E. M.
Nagpur, India Nagpur, India
pushpaknimkar@gmail.com aroratg@rediffmail.com
Parikshit S. Bangde Priyanka J. Narnaware
Department of Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering
R. C. O. E. M. R. C. O. E. M.
Nagpur, India Nagpur, India
parikshitbangde@gmail.com narnaware.priyanka@gmail.com

Abstract- In transformer over fluxing is the dangerous situation per I.S. specification over fluxing in transformer shall not
in which magnetic flux density increases to extremely high level. exceed 110% [3].
The high flux density increases core loss which may lead to In this paper over fluxing protection scheme is implemented
overheating of components which in turn may result into internal using over fluxing relay circuit for protection of the power
fault. So, over fluxing protection to transformer provided in
transformer. An over fluxing relay is an adaptation of
order to prevent from abnormal condition. The magnetic flux
density in windings is directly proportional to the induced voltage overvoltage relay. The PT voltage is connected across a
and inversely proportional to the frequency. Protection system resistor and a capacitor in series. The voltage sensing relay is
operates when this ratio increases above normal level and quickly connected across the capacitor. The relay operates when an
isolates the transformer by sending trip signal to circuit breaker. over fluxing occur and isolate the transformer by sending
The over fluxing relay was modeled in simpower system tripping signal to circuit breaker.
(MATLAB 2015/Simulink). Simulation results are presented to
show the validity of proposed work. II. CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF OVERFLUXING
Various causes and effects of over fluxing in transformers
Keywords—Circuit Breaker (CB), MATLAB, Power
Transformer, Potential Transformer (PT). and different techniques for its detection have been discussed
[1]. Some of the common causes and effects are as under:
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Causes of Overfluxing in Transformer
Transformer is important and costly equipment in the power
• Over voltage causes because of sudden load
system both at transmission and distribution level. Generally
rejection.
Power Transformer connects a larger load in the power
• Power generation at low frequency.
system, hence clearing fault in minimum time becomes a vital
issue. If fault is not dealt properly then it may lead to serious • Lightly loaded transmission line.
ill effects on power system. Hence proper protection is • Transmission system over voltage due to improper
required. shunt compensation.
The transformer works on the principle of mutual induction B. Effects of Overfluxing in Transformer
between the primary and secondary windings. The induction is
• Notable increase in core losses.
caused by the constantly varying magnetic flux that links the
two windings. The flux density in the windings is directly • Hot spots creation.
proportional to the induced voltage and inversely proportional • Leakage flux and magnetizing current rises.
to the frequency and the number of turns in the winding [1]. • Operation of inverse-time-over current relay detains.
Transformers are designed to operate at or below a maximum • In case of impedance relays there are problems of
flux density or peak magnetizing flux in the transformer core over reach and under reach.
under steady-state operation at nominal voltage and total • Harmonics introduction in system. [1]
exciting current is only 0.1% rated current. If the flux density
III. OVERFLUXING PHENOMENON IN TRANSFORMER
swell more than maximum flux density the transformer
experience over fluxing [2]. Whenever there is an over-voltage and when frequency
Nowadays in transformer design practice, the peak rated remaining constant, the transformer core is subjected to a
value of the flux density is kept about 1.7 to 1.8 Tesla, while higher value of flux in order to be able to support the higher
the saturation flux density of Cold Rolled Grain Oriented applied voltage. The flux and the voltage applied in a
(CRGO) steel sheet of transformer is of the order of 1.9 to 2 transformer are related through the following expression
Tesla which analogous to about 1.1 times the rated value. As V = 4.44mfN (1)

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 2018 International Conference on Smart Electric Drives & Power System

Thus, flux can be written as windings and the winding impedance. The impedance is
depends on frequency of the applied voltage. If the nominal
m = V / 4.44fN (2)
voltage is applied at a reduced frequency, the low inductive
Where, reactance will cause a higher current to flow through the
V is the rms value of the voltage windings.
For designing the over fluxing relay primary voltage is
f is the frequency given as input to relay using potential transformer. The
Nis the number of turns in the winding resistance and capacitor are connected in series on secondary
side of potential transformer.
By design, power transformer operates at the knee of the
saturation curve at normal voltage. Hence, any increase in
applied voltage, and the consequence increase in flux density,
drives the transformer deeper into saturation. The transformer,
therefore, draws an excessive magnetization current. Hence,
this condition is described as over-excitation. It can be easily
seen that over-excitation can also occur in case of low-
frequency operation of the transformer at rated voltage.
Therefore, to keep the working flux within the permissible
design limits, the VΤf ratio must not exceed the permissible Fig. 2. Over fluxing relay configuration using overvoltage relay
limit [4].
The current () flowing through R and C is,
IV. NECESSARIES AND TECHNIQUE
 I = V / (R + jXc) (3)
The Simulink Power System library browser in the
MATLAB 2015/ Simulink environment is used to model the Where,
power transformer over fluxing protection system.
V = PT secondary voltage
The block diagram of simulation model contains the
following components: R = Resistance

a. Three phase Ac supply Xc = Capacitive Reactance

b. Three phase Circuit Breaker Then the magnitude of current is,

c. Three phase Power Transformer I = V / (R2 + Xc2)0.5 (4)

d. Three phase Load The voltage across the capacitor (Vc) is,

e. Relay Vc = I.Xc (5)

Therefore,
Vc = (V / (R2 + Xc2)0.5) Xc (6)
If square capacitive reactance is neglected and capacitive
reactance value is considered then the equation becomes,
Vc ؆ V / 2fCR (7)
Since Xc = 1 / 2fC
If RC values arefixed then the equation becomes,
Vc = .V / f (8)
Fig. 1. Block diagram of simulation model Where,  =1 / 2CR
From the above derivation, the voltage across capacitor
The three phase AC supply given to the power transformer
depends on ratio of voltage and frequency.
on primary side and on secondary side of transformer series
RLC load is connected. Over fluxing relay connected on V. SIMULATION
primary side of transformer. If voltage increase or frequency
decreases depend upon the ratio it sends a trip signal to the The simulation has been done on 40MVA, 50Hz,
circuit breaker. In this paper over fluxing relay is design. 132kV/33kV, three phase οΤ Power Transformer. The three
phase load connected to three phase RL circuit then circuit
Over fluxing Relay: breaker is connected. After circuit breaker potential
The magnetic flux density is dependent on the current transformer is used to measure primary voltage of transformer
flowing through the primary windings in a transformer. This and at the end load is connected. The relay will provide trip
current is dependent on the voltage applied across the signal to the circuit breaker.

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Simulation Parameter:

TABLE I. SIMULATION PARAMETERS

Parameter Value
Three Phase Transformer 40 MVA
Frequency 50 Hz
Primary Voltage 132 kV
Secondary Voltage 33 kV
P.T. Ratio 76.21kV/110V
Load 35 MW, 0.86 pf
Transformer withstand for higher V/f values for some
duration as furnished in table below
Fig. 4. Relay subsystem
TABLE II. WITHSTAND LIMIT OF TRANSFORMER
Duration of withstand limit
VI. SIMULATION RESULTS
۴ ൌ ሺ‫܄‬Ȁ܎ሻȀሺ‫ ܖ܄‬Ȁ܎‫ ܖ‬ሻ
(minute) In this paper simulation on following four conditions are
presented:
1.1 Continuous
• Normal condition
1.2 2
• Constant voltage variable frequency
1.25 1
• Constant frequency variable voltage
1.3 0.5 • Variable voltage variable frequency
1.4 0
A. Simulation done during normal condition:
From the above table it is seen that when the value of factor
F reaches to above 1.3 when overfluxing occur due to system In this condition, transformer operates at rated voltage and
hazards the transformer shall be tripped out of service frequency means voltage/frequency ratio in acceptable limit.
instantaneously. Hence over fluxing relay does not give a trip signal to circuit
breaker.

TABLE III. NORMAL CONDITION SIMULATION RESULTS

Sr. No. Parameter Value
1. Primary Voltage 65.62 kV
2. Primary Current 139.4 A
4. Frequency 50 Hz
3. Voltage/Frequency Ratio 1

Fig. 5. Primary Voltage (Vph)

Fig. 3. MATLAB simulation model of over fluxing protection relay

In this method primary voltage is step-down using potential

transformer. This step-down voltage then given to resistance
and capacitor circuit. Now voltage across the capacitor is
calculated and compared with some constant values. Based on
voltage above constant values trip signal will provided. Fig. 6. Primary Current (Iph)

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Fig. 7. Trip Signal Fig. 10. Trip Signal

B. Simulation done during constant rated voltage and In the table below shows the voltage / frequency ratio for
variable frequency condition: different frequencies. Nearly 10% drop in frequency is
allowed for continuous operation. The instant tripping of
In this condition, transformer operates at constant rated
transformer required when frequency drops 20% of rated
voltage and variable frequency. When frequency drops
frequency.
voltage/frequency ratio reaches above acceptable limit. Hence
over fluxing relay give trip signal to circuit breaker.
TABLE V. VOLTAGE / FREQUENCY RATIOS DURING CONSTANT
VOLTAGE AND VARIABLE FREQUENCY
TABLE IV. CONSTANT VOLTAGE VARIABLE FREQUENCY CONDITION
SIMULATION RESULTS Frequency Voltage/Frequency
Sr. No.
Sr. No. Parameter Value Hz Ratio
1. Primary Voltage 67.50 kV 1. 49 1.04
2. Primary Current 155 A 2. 48 1.06
4. Frequency 39 Hz 3. 47 1.09
3. Voltage/Frequency Ratio 1.33 4. 46 1.11
5. 45 1.13
Above table shows that primary phase voltage (Vph) and 6. 44 1.16
primary phase current (Iph) are normal. Also drop in 7. 43 1.19
frequency and hence increase in voltage/frequency ratio.
8. 42 1.22
9. 41 1.26
10. 40 1.29

C. Simulation done during constant rated frequency and

variable voltage condition:
In this condition, transformer operates at constant rated
frequency and variable voltage. When voltage increases
voltage/frequency ratio reaches above acceptable limit. Hence
Fig. 8. Primary Voltage (Vph)
over fluxing relay give trip signal to circuit breaker.

TABLE VI. CONSTANT FREQUENCY VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONDITION

SIMULATION RESULTS
Sr. No. Parameter Value
1. Primary Voltage 86.61 kV
2. Primary Current 182.4 A
4. Frequency 50 Hz
3. Voltage/Frequency Ratio 1.32

Fig. 9. Primary Current (Iph)

Above table shows that primary phase voltage (Vph) and
primary phase current (Iph) are increases at constant
frequency hence increase in voltage/frequency ratio.

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D. Simulation done during variable voltage and variable

frequency condition:
In this condition, transformer operates at variable voltage
and variable frequency. When voltage increases and frequency
drops voltage/frequency ratio reaches above acceptable limit.
Hence over fluxing relay give trip signal to circuit breaker.

TABLE VIII. VARIABLE VOLTAGE VARIABLE FREQUENCY SIMULATION

RESULTS
Fig. 11. Primary Voltage (Vph) Sr. No. Parameter Value
1. Primary Voltage 72.26 kV
2. Primary Current 156.2 A
4. Frequency 48 Hz
3. Voltage/Frequency Ratio 1.15

Fig. 12. Primary Current (Iph)

Fig. 14. Primary Voltage (Vph)

Fig. 13. Trip Signal

In the table below shows the voltage / frequency ratio for

different voltages. Nearly 5% overvoltage is allowed for
continuous operation. The instant tripping of transformer
required when voltage reaches above 130% of rated voltage.

TABLE VII. VOLTAGE / FREQUENCY RATIOS DURING CONSTANT

FREQUENCY AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE Fig. 15. Primary Current (Iph)
Primary Voltage Voltage/Frequency
Sr. No.
kV Ratio
1. 68.90 1.05
2. 72.18 1.11
3. 75.46 1.15
4. 78.74 1.20
5. 82.02 1.25
6. 85.30 1.30
Fig. 16. Trip Signal

In above simulations, at two different conditions namely Above table shows that primary phase voltage (Vph) and
constant voltage variable frequency and constant frequency primary phase current (Iph) are increases and also frequency
variable voltage conditions, only extreme conditions are taken drops hence increase in voltage/frequency ratio.
into consideration. In extreme condition voltage/frequency In above simulation, voltage/frequency ratio is just above
ratio is very high hence relay instantly give trip signal to acceptable limit, transformer can withstand some duration in
circuit breaker. If voltage/frequency ratio is in between that ratio. Hence relay give trip signal to circuit breaker after 2
permissible and extreme condition, depends upon time setting minutes as per setting.
relay will give trip signal to circuit breaker.

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TABLE IX. VOLTAGE / FREQUENCY RATIOS DURING VARIABLE REFERENCES

VOLTAGE AND VARIABLE FREQUENCY
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT Protection for Transformer using Different Time Characteristics”,
International Journal for Scientific Research and Development (IJSRD),
The authors would like to extend thanks to the authorities vol. 4, Issue 03, 2016.
Dr. T. G. Arora and Dr. M. M. Renge of R.C.O.E.M., Nagpur [14] Pankaj B. Thote, Manoj B. Daigavane, Prema M. Daigavane and S. P.
for providing guidance and facilities to carry out the research Gawande, “An Intelligent Hybrid Approach Using KNN-GA to Enhance
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161, 2017.

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