Current Differential Protection of Alternator Stator

Winding
N.W.Kinhekar, Sangeeta Daingade, and Ajayshree Kinhekar
AbstractThis paper describes a digital technique for
detecting internal faults in stator windings of alternator. The
technique uses current phasors measured at both ends of stator
windings and implements differential protection. These current
phasors at both ends are calculated using recursive DFT
algorithm. ATP-EMTP package has been used for simulations
and generation of fault data which is then processed in MATLAB
to get fundamental frequency current phasors and to implement
relay logic. Results of case studies of single line to ground and line
to line fault are presented.
Keywords: Current differential protection, alternator, internal
faults, ATP-EMTP.

I. INTRODUCTION

YNCHRONOUS generator is the most important element

of power system. Generators do experience short circuits
and abnormal electrical conditions. In many cases, equipment
damage due to these events can be reduced or prevented by
proper generator protection. Generators, unlike some other
power system components, need to be protected not only from
short circuits, but also from abnormal operating conditions.
Examples of such abnormal conditions are over-load, overexcitation, over-voltage, and loss of field, unbalanced currents,
reverse power, and abnormal frequency. When subjected to
these conditions, damage or complete failure can occur within
seconds, thus requiring automatic detection and tripping. All
faults associated with synchronous generators may be
classified as either insulation failures or abnormal running
conditions [1], [2]. An insulation failure in the stator winding
will result in either an interturn fault, a phase fault or a ground
fault, but most commonly the latter since most insulation
failures eventually bring the winding into direct contact with
the core [1]. Differential relays, in particular the digital ones,
are used to detect stator faults of generators.
Electric power utilities and industrial plants tradionally use
electromechanical and solid-state relays for protecting
synchronous generators [3]. With the advent of digital
N. W. Kinhekar is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Sardar
Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, (M.S.), India-400058 (e-mail:
nandkishor.kinhekar@gmail.com).
Sangeeta Daingade is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Sardar
Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, (M.S.), India- 400058 (e-mail:
daingade_sangeeta@rediffmail.com).
Ajayshree Kinhekar is with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Shree
Bhaugubai Mafatlal Polytechnic, Mumbai, (M.S.), India- 400056 (e-mail:
ajayshreewatkar@yahoo.co.in).
Paper submitted to the International Conference on Power Systems
Transients (IPST2009) in Kyoto, Japan June 3-6, 2009

technology, researchers and designers have made significant

progress in developing protection systems based on digital and
microprocessor techniques [4], [5]. Several microprocessor
based algorithms for detecting stator winding faults have been
proposed. Sachdev and Wind [6] developed an algorithm that
uses instantaneous differences between line and neutral end
currents for detecting phase faults. Tao and Morrison [7] have
used the discrete Fourier transform and Walsh functions to
calculate the phasors of the fundamental frequency and thirdharmonic voltages. An on-line digital computer technique for
protection of a generator against internal asymmetrical faults is
described by P. K. Dash and O. P. Malik [8], [9] in which the
discrimination against external faults is achieved by
monitoring the direction of the negative sequence power flow
at the machine terminals. In this paper, we are proposing
digital differential technique in which currents at the both ends
of stator windings are measured and calculated fundamental
frequency phasors of this currents using DFT.
The paper is organized as follows. Section II presents a
general introduction of ATP and the simulation model of
synchronous generator. Section III demonstrates and discusses
the proposed technique and DFT algorithm used to calculate
phasors. Section IV presents the results of case studies for
internal and external fault and tripping logic for differential
relay. Finally the conclusion is given in Section V.
II. ATP-EMTP MODELLING OF SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR
The alternative transient program (ATP) provides the
graphical interface to electromagnetic transient program
(EMTP) on the MS-Windows platform. It can solve any single
and multiphase network which consists of interconnections of
linear and non-linear components. ATP library has many in
built models including rotating machines, transformers, surge
arrestors, MOV, transmission lines and cables [10]. The model
SM-59 provides detail dynamic modeling of synchronous
machine. In addition to rated voltage, current and frequency,
the model needs d and q axis steady state, transient and subtransient reactances. It also needs value of moment of inertia,
damping coefficient and number of poles. When dynamics of
the machine is not required, sinusoidal voltage source model
Type-14 can be used. Thus the package is preferred for
modeling of synchronous generator to study the differential
protection scheme. Figure 1 represents synchronous machine
model in ATP-EMTP used to do fault analysis. Single line to
ground fault is created at the mid point of stator winding.
Currents at the both ends of stator windings are measured and
stored in a file and used for phasor estimation in MATLAB.
Current phasors at the both ends of stator windings are

Current Entering
Stator Winding

Stator Winding

Current Leaving
Stator Winding

Ea

R-L Load
Internal Fault

External Fault

+
Eb

R-L Load

+
Ec

R-L Load

Fig. 1. Synchronous Machine Model

obtained using DFT algorithm which is explained in section

III. Difference of these current phasors at both ends is taken
and differential relay logic is used.
III. PROPOSED TECHNIQUE
In this paper, ATP-EMTP software is used to produce
reliable fault data. Fault is created on the stator winding. On
the both sides of stator winding current meters are connected
which represents current transformers. These current meter
measures current entering into stator windings, which are
called starting end currents represented as IaS, IbS, and IcS for
three phases a, b, c respectively as shown in figure 2.
ATP-EMTP
TOOL

Generator Stator Winding

IaS

IaF
IbS

IbF

Similarly, currents at the other end of stator winding called as

finishing end currents are represented as IaF, IbF and IcF are
measured by current meters at that end. Ground fault is created
at the midpoint of stator winding of one of the phase. Fault
data measured by current meters at both end of stator windings
is stored in a file. This fault data is in the discrete sampled
form. Thus, simulation in ATP-EMTP gives discrete samples
of currents at both ends of stator winding. These current
samples are then processed in MATLAB to produce
fundamental frequency current phasors using recursive DFT
algorithm [11]. Real and imaginary components of these
current phasors at both ends of stator winding are compared. It
is observed that, under no fault condition, difference of real
and imaginary components of current at the both end is zero
and under fault condition, it is greater than zero. Based on this
analysis, differential relay logic is applied and relay trip or notrip decision is taken. Single line to ground fault and line to
line fault, internal and external to the stator winding are
simulated and results are discussed as a case study in next
section.
IV. CASE STUDY
Single line to ground and line to line faults are simulated on
synchronous machine stator winding in ATP-EMTP. Analysis
of these faults is illustrated below.
A. Internal Fault
Single line to ground fault is simulated at the midpoint of
phase a stator winding as shown in figure 1. Currents
entering stator windings are shown in figure 3 below.

IcF

IcS
LG Fault

Sampled Input
Currents from
ATP-EMTP

Sampled Input
Currents from
ATP-EMTP

DFT
Algorithm

DFT
Algorithm
Phasor
Output

MATLAB
TOOL

Differential
Relay Logic

Relay Trip
Decision

Fig.2. Block diagram of proposed scheme

Phasor
Output

Fig.3. Current entering stator winding

Currents leaving stator winding are as shown in figure 4

below. It is observed that current leaving the stator winding of
phase a is zero for internal fault.

algorithm is applied to calculate fundamental frequency

phasor. Both magnitude and phase angles are calculated.
Magnitudes of currents at both ends of stator windings for
single line to ground fault are as shown in figure 7 (a) and (b)
below.
Magnitude of current entering stator winding

Fig.4. Current leaving stator winding

Similarly line to line fault is simulated at the midpoint of

phase a and phase b of stator winding. Currents entering
stator windings are shown in figure 5 below.

Magnitude of current entering stator winding(A)

x 10
2.5

2
Postfault current of a phase stator winding
1.5

0.5

Prefault current

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.7 (a) Magnitude of current entering stator winding

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding(A)

900
Prefault current

800
700
600
500
400
300
200

Postfault current of a phase

100

Fig.5. Current entering stator winding

Currents leaving stator winding for line to line fault are as

shown in figure 6 below.

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.7 (b) Magnitude of current leaving stator winding

Magnitudes of currents at both ends of stator windings for line

to line fault are as shown in figure 8 (a) and (b) below.
Magnitude of current entering stator winding

x 10
2

Magnitude of current entering stator winding(A)

1.8
Postfault current of a phase
1.6
Postfault current of b phase
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4

Fig.6. Current leaving stator winding

Prefault current

Postfault current of healthy c phase

0.2

These currents at starting end and at finishing end of stator

windings are stored in a file and processed in MATLAB.
Currents at both ends are in sampled form and recursive DFT

0
0

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

Fig.8 (a) Magnitude of current entering stator winding

0.25

0.3

zero. From figure 9 (a) and (b), it is observed that after fault
inception, there is unbalance in the phase angles of currents at
both ends. Similarly, unbalance in the phase angles is also
observed in case of line to line fault.
After calculating magnitude and phase angle of currents at
both ends of stator windings, there real and imaginary
components are calculated. For single line to ground fault, the
difference of real and imaginary components of currents at
both ends is taken and is as shown in figure 10 (a) and 10 (b)
below.

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding

700

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding(A)

Prefault current

Postfault current of phase c

600

500
Postfault current of phase a and b
400

300

200

Difference of real component of currents at both ends of Stator winding

100

0
0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

Fig.8 (b) Magnitude of current leaving stator winding

Phase angles of currents at both ends of stator windings for

single line to ground fault are as shown in figure 9 (a) and 9
(b) below.
Phase of current entering stator winding

8000
Postfault difference of faulty phase a

6000

4000

2000
Postfault difference of healthy phases

Prefault difference

100

0
0.05

0.1

50

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.10 (a) Difference of real component of currents at both ends

0
Postfault phase angle of a phase

x 10

Difference of imag component of currents at both ends of stator winding

50

2
100

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.9 (a) Phase angle of current entering stator winding

Phase of current leaving stator winding
Prefault phase angles

Difference of imag component of currents(A)

Phase of current entering stator winding(degree)

Prefault phase angles

Phase of current leaving stator winding(degree)

10000

0.3

Difference of real component of currents(A)

0.05

Postfault difference of faulty phase a

1.5

0.5

100

Prefault difference

Postfault difference of healthy phases

0
50

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.10 (b) Difference of imaginary component of currents at both ends

50

Postfault phase angle of a phase

100

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.9 (b) Phase angle of current leaving stator winding

From above figure 7 (a) and (b), it is observed that after fault
inception on phase a stator winding at 0.1s, current at starting
end rises to high value and current at finishing end becomes

From figure 10 (a) and (b), it is observed that, during prefault

condition, difference of currents at both ends is zero for both
faulty as well as healthy phases. After fault inception, this
difference rises to very high value for faulty phase. This
change in difference of currents at both ends is used for fault
discrimination and also to generate the trip signal for circuit
breaker.
Differential relay logic is developed based on the change in
difference of real and imaginary components of currents at
both ends of stator winding. Figure 11 shows the trip signal. It
is observed that at 0.1s relay issues trip signal.

Trip signal
1

If line to line fault occurs on terminal of synchronous

generator that is external to the stator winding, then currents at
both ends of stator windings remains same as shown in figure
13 (a) and (b) below.

0.9
0.8

Relay Trip Decision

0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.11 Trip signal

Similar analysis is carried out for line to line fault and

generates the trip signal.
B. External Fault
Single line to ground fault is simulated at the terminal of
phase a stator winding as shown in figure 1. If single-line to
ground fault occurs on terminal of synchronous generator that
is external to the stator winding, then currents at both ends of
stator windings remains same as shown in figure 12 (a) and (b)
below.

Fig.13 (a) Currents entering stator winding for external line to line fault

Fig.13 (b) Currents leaving stator winding for external line to line fault

Fig.12 (a) Currents entering stator winding for external line to ground fault

Therefore, for fault external to the stator winding, differential

relay does not issue trip signal. Figure 14 (a) and (b) shows the
magnitude of currents at both ends of stator winding for
external single line to ground fault.
Magnitude of current entering stator winding

Magnitude of current entering stator winding(A)

12000

10000
Postfault current of a phase

8000

6000

4000

2000

Fig.12 (b) Currents leaving stator winding for external line to ground fault

Prefault current

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.14 (a) Magnitude of current entering stator winding for external fault

and imaginary components of currents at both ends is taken

and is as shown in figure 16 (a) and (b) below.

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding

12000

10000
0.015

Postfault current of a phase

Difference of real component of currents(A)

Magnitude of current leaving stator winding(A)

Difference of real component of currents at both ends of Stator winding

0.02

8000

6000

4000

2000

Prefault current

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.14 (b) Magnitude of current leaving stator winding for external fault

From figure 14 (a) and (b), it is observed that magnitude of

currents at both ends remains same. Figure 15 (a) and (b)
shows phase angles of currents at both ends for the single line
to ground fault external to the stator windings.

0.01
Prefault difference

0.005

Postfault difference

0
Fault inception point
0.005

0.01

0.015

0.02

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.16 (a) Difference of real component of currents at both ends

Difference of imaginary component of currents at both ends of Stator winding

0.8

Difference of imag component of currents(A)

Phase of current entering stator winding

50
Prefault phase angle
0

Postfault phase angle of a phase

50

0.4
Postfault difference

Prefault difference
0.2
0
0.2

Fault inception point

0.4
0.6

100

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig.16 (b) Difference of imaginary component of currents at both ends

It is observed that, difference of real and imaginary

components of current at both ends for all three phases is zero
for both prefault and postfault condition. Similar analysis is
carried out for line to line fault external to stator windings.
Therefore, differential relay does not trip for this external
fault. Trip signal for this condition is as shown in figure 17,
below.

Fig.15 (a) Phase angle of current entering stator winding

Phase of current leaving stator winding

100
Phase of current leaving stator winding(degree)

0.6

0.8

50
Prefault phase angle

Trip signal

0.8

Postfault phase angle of a phase

50

0.6
0.4

100

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

0.2

0.25

0.3

Fig. 15 (b) Phase angle of current leaving stator winding

From figure 15(a) and (b), it is observed that phase angle of

currents at both ends of stator windings for external fault
remains same. After calculating magnitude and phase angle of
currents at both ends of stator windings, there real and
imaginary components are calculated. The difference of real

Relay Trip Decision

Phase of current entering stator winding(degree)

100

0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8

0.05

0.1

0.15
Time(sec)

Fig. 17 Trip signal for external fault

0.2

0.25

0.3

Similar analysis is carried out with double line to ground

fault internal to stator windings and external to stator
windings. It is observed that differential relay does not trip for
external fault and issues trip signal for internal fault.
V. CONCLUSIONS
A digital differential technique for detecting generator
stator winding internal faults has been presented in this paper.
ATP-EMTP software has been used for generating fault data
and then processed in MATLAB to get fundamental frequency
current phasors. These current phasors at both ends are
calculated using recursive Discrete Fourier Transform
algorithm. Current phasors at both ends of stator windings are
used in differential algorithm to implement relay logic. Results
of case studies of single line to ground and line to line fault are
presented.
Case study results shows that the technique used correctly
discriminates between internal and external faults on the stator
winding. The results are applicable to other internal
unsymmetrical faults also.
VI. REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]
[8]

[9]

"Protective Relays Applications Guide," The English Electric Company

Limited, Relay Division, Stafford, 1975.
C. J. Mozina, IEEE Tutorial on the Protection of Synchronous
Generators, IEEE Tutorial Course, IEEE Power Engineering Society
Special Publ., no. 95 TP102, 1995.
A. I. Megahed, Student Member, IEEE, and O. P. Malik, Fellow, IEEE,
"An Artificial neural network based digital differential scheme for
synchronous generator stator winding protection," IEEE Transactions
on Power Delivery, vol 14, January 1999.
M. S. Sachdev (Coordinator) Microprocessor Relays and Protections
Systems, IEEE Tutorial Course Text, Power Engineering Society Special
Publ. No.88 EH0269-1-PWR, IEEE, Piscatway, NJ, USA, 1988.
Gabriel Benmouyal, Serge Barceloux, and Rolland Pelletier, "Field
experience with a digital relay for synchronous generators," IEEE
Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 7, no. 4, October 1992.
M. S. Sachdev and D. W. Wind, "Generator differential protection using
a hybrid computer," IEEE Trans. Power Apparatus System, PAS-92
(1973) 2063-2072.
H. Tao and I. F. Morrison, "Digital winding protection for large
generators," J. Electr. Electron. Eng. Aust., 3 (1983), 316-321.
P. K. Dash, O. P. Malik, and G. S. Hope, "Fast generator protection
against internal asymmetrical faults," IEEE Transactions on Power
Apparatus and Systems, vol. PAS-96, no. 5, September/October 1977.
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Books:
[10] EMTP Theory Book, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland,
Oregon, USA 1987.
[11] http://www.nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IITBombay/PowerSystemProtection/Soman S. A.