Transformer Differential Protection: CT Star Point Earthing Settings

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HV & MV Projects Service Engineer, CSD Approved Testing Engineer, SA Offshore and Onshore platforms Expert, Mega Data Center Operation and Maintenance, Electrical Systems Major Maintenance and Overhauling

For transformer differential protection to remain stable, the "CT Star Point Earthing" setting must be uniform for all windings (typically all "TOWARDS TRANSFORMER"). An inconsistent setting between windings or a mismatch between a setting and the physical installation will cause the software setup of a numerical differential relay to misinterpret the currents and trip for normal operation. This setting is a key part of establishing the relay's common reference point and must be verified meticulously for every CT input specially for Transformer Differential Protection (87T), Reactor Differential Protection. For a typical two-winding transformer (HV and LV sides) and hints at a third, neutral CT below the expected cases: A. The Ideal Case: 1- Configuration: The "CT Star Point Earthing" setting for both the HV and LV sides is set to "TOWARDS TRANSFORMER". 2- Status: IDEAL 3- Action: NONE. This consistent configuration ensures the relay's internal logic correctly processes the phase relationship between the HV and LV currents for the differential algorithm. B. Example 1 of a Wrong Case: Inconsistent Software Settings 1- Error: The settings are inconsistent. The LV side is correctly set to "TOWARDS TRANSFORMER", but the HV side is incorrectly set to "TOWARDS BUSBAR". 2- Consequence: The relay will interpret the current from the HV side as inverted relative to the LV side. This will cause it to calculate a large false differential current during normal load or external faults, leading to a mal-operation and trip. 3- Corrective Action: The incorrect setting on the HV side must be corrected. The "CT star point earthing" setting for the HV side shall be changed to "TOWARDS TRANSFORMER" to match the LV side and the standard scheme. C. Example 2 of a Wrong Case: Software-Physical Mismatch 1- Error: There is a mismatch between the physical installation and the software setting on the HV side. The CT is physically installed with its star point towards the busbar, but the relay setting is "TOWARDS TRANSFORMER". 2- Consequence: The relay receives a current signal that is inverted from what its configuration expects. This will severely distort the differential calculation and guarantee mal-operation. 3- Corrective Action: This requires a physical correction. The HV CT must be reoriented or rewired so that its star point is physically towards the transformer, thus matching the software setting. Alternatively, the physical installation could be left alone and the software settings for all windings could be flipped (to "TOWARDS BUSBAR"), but this is non-standard and must be approved by the Protection Engineering Department (PED). D. Implied Complexity: The Neutral CT The text mentions a "Neutral CT" with a setting of "TOWARDS BUSBAR". This highlights that for transformers with neutral-side CTs, the same rule applies: the setting must be chosen to be consistent with the overall scheme and the physical installation, or the relay will see an imbalance.

Yaseen Mohamed well .... it depends! In the old days with HV cts connected to LV cts in Merz-Price Circulating Current, it was essential that there was only one earth point for both sides otherwise the cts are effectively short circuited! :( Where it is applied is irrelevant as long as there is only one ... note care when doing testing In modern relays with segregated HV and LV connections to the relay, the earth must be applied independantly to each set of cts. Where it is applied is irrelevant!

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