Power differential method for discrimination between fault and magnetizing inrush current in transformers

To avoid the needless trip by magnetizing inrush current, the second harmonic component is commonly used for the blocking differential relay in power transformers. However, the second harmonic component in fault current is increased by the introduction of underground 500 kV lines. This paper describes a new method to discriminate internal fault from inrush current by the sum of active power flowing into transformers from each terminal. The average power is almost zero for energizing, but an internal fault consumes large power. To check the performance of this method, actual inrush current and voltage waveforms of a 500/154 kV transformer are accurately measured by digital equipment. The usefulness is confirmed by applying the method to the measured inrush and simulated fault data.