Parallel power transformer current differential protection scheme based on IEC61850 standard

Abstract

Power transformers (PTRFs) are vital components for power systems, as they protect the entire substation equipment from failure. Their protection must be fast and efficient, as they are significant and expensive devices. There are different types of transformer protection schemes, such as Overcurrent, distance, Buchholz Relay, and Differential protection. However, this study focuses on a Differential current protection scheme on the parallel transformer configuration to isolate the faulty component from the rest of the system e.g. faulty PTRFs. It further developed the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) to analyse and evaluate parallel PTRF differential current protection scheme, using SEL487E and MiCOM-P645 Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) relays integrated with Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) for real-time simulation via the CMS omicron amplifier for current injection. Also, it evaluated the functionality of the SEL487E and MiCOM-P645 IED relays using the IEC 61850 standard for communication, by sending a GOOSE-based trip signal in the event of a fault. The generated simulation results show that the parallel PTRF protection scheme configuration is successful, and various fault scenarios have been tested and shown to be successful as well.