Transformer Auxiliary Protection Devices:

Part 1 : Oil level indicator (71)

Auxiliary Protection:

1. Oil Level Indicators (71)

2. Thermal Protection (26, 49)
3. Sudden Pressure Relays (63)
4. Gas Accumulators and Buchholz Relays (80)

5. Dissolved Gas and Moisture Monitors

6. Bushing Monitors

In this article you will review and read about Transformer oil level indicator

Part 1 : Oil Level Indicators (71)

In oil-immersed transformers, transformer oil mainly plays the role of insulation and cooling. An oil level indicator
for a transformer is a device that measures the level of oil in the transformer as it helps to dissipate heat and
insulate the windings and protects the transformer against arcing and corona discharge.
The oil level indicator in a transformer is designed to measure both the minimum and maximum oil levels.
The oil level indicator provides a visual indication of the oil level, allowing operators to take appropriate action if
the level is too low or too high.

The location of the oil level indicator in a transformer can vary depending on the design and type of transformer. In
some transformers, the oil level indicator is installed on the top of the transformer tank, while in others, it may be
located on the side or bottom of the tank.

In general, the oil level indicator is installed at a height that allows for easy visibility and access for maintenance
and inspection. It is usually positioned in a way that allows the operator to read the oil level without having to
climb on top of the transformer or use special equipment.
The exact location of the oil level indicator can also depend on the size and capacity of the transformer. For larger
transformers, multiple oil level indicators may be installed at different locations to provide a more accurate reading
of the oil level.

Oil level too high

What are the consequences of increased oil level in transformers?

An increase in oil level in a transformer can have several negative impacts on its operation and performance. Some
of the common influences of increasing oil level in a transformer include:
1. Reduced Insulation Performance: When the oil level rises above the recommended level, it can cause the
insulation materials inside the transformer to become saturated with oil. This can reduce their dielectric strength
and increase the risk of insulation breakdown.
2. Overheating: An increase in oil level can reduce the cooling capacity of the transformer, leading to overheating.
This can cause damage to the transformer and reduce its lifespan.
3. Oil Leakage: If the oil level rises above the maximum level, it can cause the oil to leak out of the transformer.
This can create a safety hazard and cause damage to the surrounding environment.
4. Reduced Efficiency: An increase in oil level can reduce the efficiency of the transformer, leading to higher
energy consumption and increased operating costs.

5. Reduced Lifespan: Over time, an increase in oil level can cause damage to the transformer, reducing its lifespan
and requiring costly repairs or replacement.

It is important to monitor the oil level in a transformer regularly and take corrective actions if the level rises
above the recommended range. This can help ensure safe and efficient operation of the transformer and prevent
any negative impacts on its performance.
What should be checked after increasing the transformer oil level?
If the oil level in a transformer has increased, there are several steps you can take to identify the cause and take
corrective actions. Here are some of the steps you can follow:

1. Check the oil level gauge: The first step is to check the oil level gauge to ensure that it is accurate. Sometimes,
the gauge may give a false reading due to a faulty gauge or other issues.
2. Check for leaks: If the oil level has increased, it may be due to a leak in the transformer. Check for any signs of
oil leakage around the transformer, including the gaskets, bushings, and other components.
3. Check the breather: The breather is a device that allows air to enter and exit the transformer as the oil level
changes. If the breather is clogged or damaged, it can cause the oil level to rise. Check the breather and clean or
replace it if necessary.
4. Check the cooling system: The cooling system in a transformer helps to dissipate heat generated during
operation. If the cooling system is not functioning properly, it can cause the oil level to rise. Check the cooling
system, including the fans, radiators, and pumps, and repair or replace any faulty components.
5. Check the tap changer: The tap changer is a device that allows the transformer to adjust the voltage output. If the
tap changer is not functioning properly, it can cause the oil level to rise. Check the tap changer and repair or
replace any faulty components.

6. Check the transformer for internal faults: If all the above steps have been checked and no issues have been
found, it may be necessary to perform tests to check for internal faults in the transformer. This may include
insulation resistance tests, winding resistance tests, and other diagnostic tests.

If it is caused by overload, the load should be reduced.

If the three-phase current is seriously unbalanced and the current of a certain phase exceeds the rated value. The
load should be adjusted to achieve a basic balance.
If the cooler is abnormal, the temperature of the transformer oil rises. Oil expands when heated. cause the oil level
to rise. Then check whether the cooler is blocked by dust accumulation, and whether the upper and lower valves of
the oil pipe are open. Whether the fan and submersible pump are running normally. Whether the temperature of the
cooling medium is appropriate, etc. Prompt treatment returns the cooler to normal operation.

If the oil level is too high due to excessive oiling of the transformer, the oil should be drained to an appropriate
height.

It is important to note that any maintenance or repair work on a transformer should only be performed by qualified
personnel with the necessary training and experience.

Oil level too Low

Decreasing oil level in a transformer can have several negative impacts on its performance and lifespan. Here are
some of the effects of low oil level in a transformer:
1. Reduced cooling capacity: The oil in a transformer acts as a coolant, and if the oil level drops, the cooling
capacity of the transformer is reduced. This can cause the transformer to overheat, which can lead to insulation
breakdown and other issues.

2. Reduced insulation: The oil in a transformer also acts as an insulator, and if the oil level drops, the insulation
between the windings can be compromised. This can lead to arcing and other electrical faults.
3. Increased noise: A low oil level can cause the transformer to vibrate and produce more noise than usual. This
can be a sign of impending failure.
4. Reduced lifespan: A transformer with low oil level is more likely to fail prematurely due to the increased stress
on its components.
If the oil level drops to below the minimum level, it can cause serious damage to the transformer. Here are some of
the consequences of low oil level:
1. Overheating: A low oil level can cause the transformer to overheat, which can lead to insulation breakdown and
other issues.
2. Short circuits: A low oil level can cause the windings to come into contact with each other, leading to short
circuits and other electrical faults.

3. Catastrophic failure: If the oil level drops too low, it can cause the transformer to fail catastrophically, which can
result in a fire or explosion.

Therefore, it is important to monitor the oil level in a transformer regularly and maintain it within the
recommended range to ensure its safe and efficient operation.

After decreasing or increasing oil level in a transformer from min. and max. preset levels, an alarm will be
triggered. These alarms are usually relayed to the control center.
Protection Devices: Part 2: Thermal protection (26Q, 49W), Oil Temperature Indicator (OTI) & Winding
Temperature Indicator (WT

omponents in the power grid, and their proper operation and maintenance are essential for ensuring the reliability
and availability of electrical power. Transformers are subjected to various stresses and external factors that can
cause them to malfunction or fail, resulting in power outages and other problems.
One of the most common causes of transformer failure is thermal overload, which occurs when the internal
temperature of the transformer rises above safe levels. This can be caused by various factors, such as overloading,
short circuits, insulation failure, or ambient temperature conditions. Thermal overload can lead to insulation
breakdown, oil degradation, and other forms of damage, which can ultimately result in transformer failure.
The ANSI 26 function is designed to monitor the temperature of the transformer oil (26Q), such as the oil
temperature (top oil or bottom oil). This is important because the oil in a transformer is used to cool the windings
and other internal components, and if the oil temperature rises too high, it can lead to damage or failure of the
transformer. The ANSI 26 function is commonly used to protect against #overloading, #overvoltage, and other
abnormal operating conditions.
The ANSI 49 function, on the other hand, is designed to monitor the temperature of the current-carrying element
of the transformer, which is typically the winding hot-spot temperature (49W). The hot-spot temperature is the
highest temperature within the transformer winding, and it can be used to estimate the overall temperature of the
winding. The ANSI 49 function is commonly used to protect against sustained overloading, #insulation_failure,
and other abnormal operating conditions.

What is the reason for the increase in temperature inside the transformer (winding temperature or oil
temperature)?
There are several factors that can cause temperature problems in power transformers, which can lead to thermal
overload and ultimately #transformer failure. Here are some common causes:

- High ambient temperature: The temperature of the air surrounding the transformer can affect its internal
temperature. When the ambient temperature is high, the transformer may have difficulty dissipating heat, which
can cause its internal temperature to rise.

- Cooling system failure: Transformers are designed to dissipate heat through their cooling systems, which
typically involve the circulation of oil or air. If the cooling system fails or is not functioning properly, the
transformer may not be able to dissipate heat effectively, leading to temperature problems.

- Overloading: Overloading occurs when the transformer is subjected to more current than it is designed to
handle. This can cause the internal temperature of the transformer to rise rapidly, leading to thermal overload.
- Slow clearing of faults: When a fault occurs in the power system, such as a short circuit or ground fault, it
can cause a surge of current that can overload the transformer. If the fault is not cleared quickly, the transformer
may be subjected to excessive current for an extended period, leading to temperature problems.
- Abnormal system conditions: Abnormal system conditions, such as low frequency, high voltage, and
harmonics, can also cause temperature problems in transformers. These conditions can cause the transformer to
operate outside of its normal operating range, leading to thermal overload.
- Aging or degradation of insulation materials: Over time, the insulation materials used in transformers can
degrade or break down, which can reduce their ability to withstand high.
In addition to the above, here are some additional internal and external factors that can affect the temperature inside
a transformer:

- Airflow restrictions: If the airflow around the transformer is restricted, such as by obstructions or debris

- Poor design: A transformer that is poorly designed may have inadequate cooling systems or insulation materials
that are not well-suited for the expected operating conditions
- Manufacturing defects: A transformer that has manufacturing defects, such as poor connections or improper
winding placement,

- Voltage fluctuations: Voltage fluctuations, such as those caused by voltage surges or sags,
- Harmonics: Harmonics are frequencies that are multiples of the fundamental frequency of the power system.

What are the effects of temperature increase inside the transformer?

- Reduced lifespan: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can cause the internal components of the
transformer, such as insulation and windings, to degrade more quickly, shortening the transformer’s overall
lifespan. The aging of the insulation at the hottest point in winding typically determines the life span of a power
transformer; an oil temperature just 8°C above nominal could reduce the insulation life by up to 50 percent, which
can significantly impact the transformer's life expectancy. Thus, even small temperature increases can have a
significant impact on the transformer's lifespan.

Reduced efficiency: When a transformer operates at high temperatures, it can become less efficient at converting
electrical energy from one voltage level to another. This can result in increased energy losses and reduced overall
efficiency of the power system.
- Reduced capacity: When a transformer is subjected to high temperatures, it may be unable to handle its
designed capacity, resulting in reduced power output and potential overloading of other components in the power
system.

- Gas formation in transformer oil: High temperatures can cause the oil in the transformer to break down
and generate gasses. These gasses can lead to the formation of bubbles or voids in the oil, reducing the
effectiveness of the transformer's cooling system and exacerbating the temperature problem.

- Insulation failure: In extreme cases, such as when the transformer is subjected to a sudden, high-current
fault, the internal temperature of the transformer can rise rapidly, causing immediate insulation failure. This can
result in catastrophic transformer failure and potential safety hazards.
Oil degradation: High temperatures can also cause the oil in the transformer to degrade, reducing its insulating
properties and potentially leading to further temperature problems.
- Increased maintenance costs: When a transformer operates at high temperatures, it may require more
frequent maintenance and repair to keep it operating properly. This can result in increased maintenance costs and
downtime for the power system.
Multiple Set Point Selection for Thermal Protection in Power transformers:
Both the ANSI 26Q and 49W devices are equipped with multiple set points or stages, which are used to provide a
graduated response to temperature increases. The specific set points and stages may vary depending on the
manufacturer and the application, but a typical set of stages is:

Stage 1: Cooling initiation - The first stage is typically set to initiate the cooling system of the transformer or
equipment to try and bring the temperature back down to a safe level. This stage can be set to activate at a
predetermined temperature threshold, such as 10 degrees Celsius above the nominal temperature rating.
Stage 2: Increased cooling - If the temperature continues to rise beyond the first set point, the second stage can be
activated, which turns on additional cooling capacity, such as a secondary cooling pump. This stage can be set to
activate at a higher temperature threshold, such as 20 degrees Celsius above the nominal temperature rating.

Stage 3: Alarm initiation - If the temperature continues to rise beyond the second set point, an alarm signal is
triggered to alert operators to the potential problem. This stage can be set to activate at a higher temperature
threshold, such as 30 degrees Celsius above the nominal temperature rating.

Stage 4: Equipment trip (optional) - If the temperature continues to rise beyond the third set point, the final stage
can be set to trip the equipment, disconnecting it from the power system. This stage is optional and is typically only
used in cases where the temperature has risen to a critical level and poses a safety hazard. This stage can be set to
activate at the highest temperature threshold, such as 40 degrees Celsius above the nominal temperature rating.

The use of multiple set points or stages allows for a controlled and gradual response to temperature increases,
which can help prevent unnecessary equipment trips and reduce wear and tear on the equipment's cooling systems.
This is because initiating cooling or alarm signals at lower temperature thresholds can help prevent temperature
problems from becoming severe and causing damage to the equipment or the power system.
 Common Transformer Faults
Transformers are high-voltage capacity equipment that facilitates the transmission and distribution of electrical
power. Its primary purpose is to step down voltage levels in a given power system. But despite being enclosed
devices with no rotating parts, they are not entirely invulnerable to faults. Should these faults crop up, leaving them
unchecked could lead to disastrous results by damaging the transformer and impeding daily operations.
To avoid this, one must first be familiar with the most common transformer faults and how to diagnose and protect
against them.

1. Overheating fault
Overheating in a transformer often arises due to performing overloads beyond the permissible overloads stated by
the manufacturer as per IEC standards and external faults like short-circuiting on installations downstream or
cooling system failure. Fortunately, most overheating faults can be easily prevented by doing proper transformer
maintenance. However, if the issue is neglected, overheating typically causes the insulation of the windings to
break down.
The general steps to diagnose this issue are:

 Check if the cooling fans are working properly, along with the condition of the fans and oil pumps.
 Inspect the radiator and ensure it is clean. Otherwise, clean out the dust, dirt, and other contaminants that
may have stuck to it.
 Determine if there is some sort of overcurrent by checking the current of the transformer and reducing the
load if necessary to stay in line with the unit’s rated current.
 The ambient temperature can affect the transformer when it operates on particularly hot days. For these
situations, consider turning up the cooling stations.
 Oil mainly works to cool down the transformer. Thus, check if the oil levels have been depleted and replace
it when necessary. Also, don’t forget to check for potential leakages causing the issue.

2. Oil and winding insulation faults

Transformer oils are specifically made to supply electrical insulation under high electrical fields. Thus, a
substantial decrease in its dielectric strength could mean that the oil is no longer fit for use. Some factors that could
lead to an oil’s dielectric strength deteriorating include polar contaminants like water and cellulose paper
breakdown.
In case of minor faults like damage to the insulation in the core bolts, local overheating, and so on, the arcing
causes gas to slowly generate in the oil and rise towards the conservator.
On the other hand, a major fault that results in severe arcing will quickly release a large volume of gas and oil
vapours that do not have enough time to escape. This violent development thus bodily displaces the oil and builds
up pressure that forces the oil surge into the conservator.
Essentially, the localised breakdown and heating of the oil is the main culprit behind virtually all faults affecting
the transformer core and windings.
3. Core fault
Serious overheating occurs if any part of the core insulation gets damaged or the core’s lamination structure is
bridged by a conducting material that allows sufficient eddy current to flow. Furthermore, pay attention to the
insulated core bolts used to tighten the core. Failure in their insulation can provide an easy path for stray current,
which will also contribute to overheating.

4. Phase-to-phase fault
Also known as three-phase faults, these issues do not flow through earthing and are thus limited to just winding
impedance. The value of this impedance is intentionally designed into the transformer unit to restrict the maximum
short circuit current. This is achieved by making the leakage reactance flux generate the required to short-circuit
level by not linking the primary and secondary windings. Differential relays and Buchholz relays are the main
ways to resolve this fault.
To diagnose a phase-to-phase fault, check if the transformer’s protection devices have isolated the transformer and
released oil from the tanks. Some of the usual causes of short-circuiting in this fault include:

 Low oil levels

 Ageing transformer
 Bad oil from water contamination
 High voltage due to lightning or other electric surges

5. Tank faults (oil level) and cooling failure

Oil leakage in a transformer may cause a flashover between end connections and the windings. When there is less
oil than is necessary for the tanks, it leads to winding insulation reduction. Ultimately, a tank fault results in an
abnormal rise in the transformer’s temperature. Inspect for leakage by periodically conducting a visual check on
the tank body. The common reasons for leakage include:

 Loosening of tank body screws

  Corrosion on the tank body
 Mechanical damage caused by a strong impact on the tank body

On the other hand, failure in the cooling system will inevitably affect the transformer’s performance and prevent it
from operating at its full rating. Most smaller transformers are generally fine with just natural cooling, but the
larger models require forced cooling in their design. Do a performance check on the transformer’s cooling system
to verify if it still functions as intended.

What are the types of transformer faults

 Over heating
 Winding faults
 Open circuits
 External faults
 Over fluxing
 Earth faults
 Phase faults
 Inter turn faults
 Core faults
 Tank faults and cooling failure
 Tap changer faults
Overheating

Over-heating is caused due to sustained overloads, short circuits and in case of failure of the cooling system. Over-
heating is also caused by overexcitation if a transformer is operated at its maximum potential like high frequency
or in high voltage the core will get excited.

Protection

Resistance temperature indicator can be used near the winding, thermal overload and temperature relays can be
used. Bridge circuits can be used when the bridge balance gets disturbed more than the permissible duration circuit
breaker trips.

Winding faults

The winding faults are internal faults, the over-heating or mechanical shocks deteriorates the winding insulation. If
the winding insulation is weak there is a possibility of phase-phase faults, earth, and inter-turn faults. The
insulation could be damaged due to a short circuit or ground fault. Insulation could be breakdown because of the
aging of the insulation or the oil contamination or due to transient over-voltages due to lightning.

Protection

Differential and overcurrent protection can be used as backup protection for earth fault protection, restricted earth
fault protection system, neutral current relays or leakage to frame protection system can be used. Electrical
transients can be prevented by using a surge or lightning arrester.

Open circuits

An open circuit in one of the three phases causes the heating of the transformer. Compared to other faults open
circuits are harmless, during such faults transformers can be manually disconnected from the system.
External faults

Through faults are external faults that occur outside the protected zone, these faults cannot be detected by
differential protection. If an external fault occurs it could cause mechanical and thermal stress to the transformer
and it could damage the transformer. Sustained external faults must be cleared before the thermal rating of the
windings is exceeded.

Protection

Overcurrent relay with under-voltage blocking, zero sequence protection, and negative sequence protection are
used to give protection. Overcurrent protection not only protects the transformer but also covers the station bus bar
and a portion of the transmission line.

Over-fluxing

Over fluxing can be caused by poor regulation of voltage and frequency on the power system. The flux density in
the transformer core is proportional to the ratio of voltage to frequency. Transformers work with a value of flux
density in the core. If full excitation is applied in a generator transformer before it reaches its synchronous speed
then over fluxing of the core could occur due to high V/f.

Protection

V/f relay is called volts/hertz relay is provided to give protection against over fluxing operation.

Earth faults

The flow of earth fault current is dependent on their being a presence of a zero sequence path. The ampere turn
balance between the secondary and primary windings must be maintained. The magnitude of the transformer earth
fault current is depended on the method of earthing, the impedance of winding, the transformer connection and
position of the fault on the winding. Solidly earthed transformer have their winding impedance to limit the earth
fault current. Earth faults are the most common type of faults in the transformer, to reduce the earth’s fault
additional impedance can be added to the zero-sequence current paths by using earthing transformers and resistors.

Phase faults

Phase to phase faults or three-phase faults do not flow through the earthing arrangement and therefore are limited
by winding impedance only. The value of winding impedance is deliberately designed into the transformer in order
to limit the maximum short circuit current. It is achieved by designing the leakage reactance flux which does not
link the primary and secondary windings to give the desired short-circuit level. To remove these faults Buchholz
surge and differential relays can be used.

Inter turn faults

These faults occur in the high voltage winding because of the degradation of the insulation and it could be caused
by the voltage doubling at the HV terminal. The voltage doubling can be caused by lightning or switching. The
inter-turn faults cause localized extreme hot spots to occur as the faulted turns carry huge currents and this would
badly affect the winding insulation. These faults can be detected by using the Buchholz gas device and differential
relay.

Core faults

These faults can be caused by two causes they are a breakdown in the insulation between the silicon steel core
lamination and secondly by a second transformer earth fault point occurring due to the build-up of debris or a
breakdown in core bolt insulation. This could cause the excessive flow of eddy currents and hot spots will be
formed in the transformer core. This fault will badly affect the performance of the transformer and it can be
prevented in the early stage by doing oil and gas analysis.
Tank faults and cooling failure

Transformer oil leakage could cause flashover between windings and end connections. In order to operate the
transformer at the full rating, the cooling system must work properly. Mostly smaller transformers are naturally
cooled but, large transformers have forced cooling. Failure in the cooling system will badly affect the performance
of the transformer.

Tap changer faults

Tap changers are the most important part of the transformer, the tap changer provides automatic regulation of the
voltage regardless of normal loading conditions by varying the ratio of primary to secondary turns. Tap changer
can itself become faulty due to flashovers, selector or divertor failure, mechanical failure or burn out of divertor
resistors. Tap changer faults could also occur due to inadequate maintenance.

Transformer Protection for Different Types of Transformers

The protection system used for a power transformer depends on the transformer's categories. A table below shows
that,

Transformer Rating - KVA

Category
1 Phase 3 Phase

I 5 - 500 15 - 500

II 501 - 1667 501 - 5000

III 1668 - 10,000 5001 - 30,000

IV > 10,000 >30,000

 Transformers within the range of 500 KVA fall under (Category I & II), so those are protected using fuses,
but to protect transformers up to 1000 kVA (distribution transformers for 11kV and 33kV) Medium Voltage
circuit breakers are usually used.
 For transformers 10 MVA and above, which falls under (Category III & IV), differential relays had to be
used to protect them.

Additionally, mechanical relays such as Buchholtz relays, and sudden pressure relays are widely applied for
transformer protection. In addition to these relays, thermal overload protection is often implemented to extend a
transformer’s lifetime rather than for detecting faults.

Common Types of Transformer Protection

1. Overheating protection
2. Overcurrent protection
3. Differential Protection of Transformer
4. Earth Fault Protection (Restricted)
5. Buchholz (Gas Detection) Relay
6. Over-fluxing protection

Overheating Protection in Transformers

Transformers overheat due to the overloads and short circuit conditions. The allowable overload and the
corresponding duration are dependent on the type of transformer and class of insulation used for the transformer.
Higher loads can be maintained for a very short amount of time if it is for a very long, it can damage the insulation
due to temperature rise above an assumed maximum temperature. The temperature in the oil-cooled
transformer is considered maximum when its 95*C, beyond which the life expectancy of the transformer decreases
and it has detrimental effects in the insulation of the wire. That is why overheating protection becomes essential.

Large transformers have oil or winding temperature detection devices, which measure oil or winding temperature,
typically there are two ways of measurement, one is referred to hot-spot measurement and second is referred to
as top-oil measurement, the below image shows a typical thermometer with a temperature control box
from reinhausen used to measure the temperature of a liquid insulated conservative type of transformer.

The box has a dial gauge which indicates the temperature of the transformer (which is the black needle) and the
red needle indicates the alarm set point. If the black needle surpasses the red needle, the device will activate an
alarm.

If we look down, we can see four arrows through which we can configure the device to act as an alarm or trip or
they can be used to start or stop pumps or cooling fans.

As you can see in the picture, the thermometer is mounted on the top of the transformer tank above the core and
the winding, it's so done because the highest temperature is going to be at the center of the tank because of the core
and the windings. This temperature is known as the top oil temperature. This temperature gives us an estimate of
the Hot-spot Temperature of the transformer core. Present-day fiber optic cables are used within the low voltage
winding to accurately measure the temperature of the transformer. That is how overheating protection is
implemented.

Overcurrent Protection in Transformer

The overcurrent protection system is one of the earliest developed protection systems out there, the graded
overcurrent system was developed to guard against overcurrent conditions.
power distributors utilize this method to detect faults with the help of the IDMT relays. that is, the relays having:

1. Inverse characteristic, and

2. Minimum time of operation.

The capabilities of the IDMT relay is restricted. These sorts of relays have to be set 150% to 200% of the max
rated current, otherwise, the relays will operate for emergency overload conditions. Therefore, these relays provide
minor protection for faults inside the transformer tank.

Differential Protection of Transformer

The Percentage Biased Current Differential Protection is used to protect power transformers and it is one of the
most common transformer protection schemes that provide the best overall protection. These types of protection
are used for transformers of rating exceeding 2 MVA.

The transformer is star connected on one side and delta connected the other side. The CTs on the star side are delta-
connected and those on the delta-connected side are star-connected. The neutral of both the transformers are
grounded.

The transformer has two coils, one is the operating coil and the other is the restraining coil. As the name implies,
the restraining-coil is used to produce the restraining force, and the operating-coil is used to produce the operating
force. The restraining-coil is connected with the secondary winding of the current transformers, and the operating
coil is connected in between the equipotential point of the CT.

Transformer Differential Protection Working:

Normally, the operating coil carries no current as the current is matched on both sides of the power transformers,
when an internal fault occurs in the windings, the balance is altered and the operating coils of the differential
relay start producing differential current among the two sides of the transformer. Thus, the relay trips the circuit
breakers and protects the main transformer.

Restricted Earth Fault Protection

A very high fault current can flow when a fault occurs at the transformer bushing. In that case, the fault needs to be
cleared as soon as possible. The reach of a particular protection device should be only limited to the zone of the
transformer, which means if any ground fault occurs in a different location, the relay allocated for that zone should
get triggered, and other relays should stay the same. So, that is why the relay is named Restricted earth fault
protection relay.

In the above picture, the Protection Equipment is on the protected side of the transformer. Let's assume this is the
primary side, and let's also assume there is a ground fault on the secondary side of the transformer. Now, if there is
a fault on the ground side, because of the ground fault, a Zero Sequence Component will be there, and that will
circulate only on the secondary side. And it will not be reflected in the primary side of the transformer.

This relay has three phases, if a fault occurs, they will have three components, the positive sequence components,
the negative sequence components, and the zero sequence components. Because the positive sequins
components are displaced by 120*, so at any instant, the sum of all the currents will flow through the protection
relay. So, the sum of their currents will be equal to zero, as they are displaced by 120*. Similar is the case for the
negative sequence components.

Now let us assume a fault condition occurs. That fault will be detected by the CTs as it has a zero-sequence
component and the current starts flowing through the protection relay, when that happens, the relay will trip and
protect the transformer.
Buchholz (Gas Detection) Relay
The above picture shows a Buchholz relay. The Buchholtz relay is fitted in between the main transformer unit and
the conservator tank when a fault occurs within the transformer, it detects the resolved gas with the help of a float
switch.

If you look closely, you can see an arrow, gas flows out from the main tank to the conservator tank, normally there
should not be any gas in the transformer itself. Most of the gas is referred to as dissolved gas and nine different
types of gasses can be produced depending on the fault condition. There are two valves at the top of this relay,
these valves are used to reduce the gas build-up, and it's also used to take out a gas sample.

When a fault condition occurs, we have sparks between the windings, or in between windings and the core. These
small electrical discharges in the windings will heat the insulating oil, and the oil will break down, thus it produces
gases, the severity of the breakdown, detects which glasses are created.

A large energy discharge will have a production of acetylene, and as you may know, acetylene takes a lot of energy
to be produced. And you should always remember that any type of fault will produce gases, by analyzing the
amount of gas, we can find the severity of the fault.

How Buchholz (Gas Detection) Relay Works?

As you can see from the image, we have two floats: an upper float and a lower float, also we have a baffle plate
that is pushing down the lower float.

When a large electrical fault occurs, it produces a lot of gas than the gas flows through the pipe, which shifts the
baffle plate and that forces the lower floated down, now we have a combination, the upper float is up and the lower
float is down and the baffle plate has tilted. This combination indicates that a massive fault has occurred. which
shuts down the transformer and it also generates an alarm. The image below shows exactly that,
But this is not the only scenario where this relay can be useful, imagine a situation where inside the transformer
there is a minor arcking that is happening, these arks are producing a small amount of gas, this gas produces a
pressure inside the relay and the upper float gets down displacing the oil inside it, now the relay generates an alarm
in this situation, the upper float is down, the lower float is unchanged and the baffle plate is unchanged if this
configuration is detected, we can be sure that we have a slow accumulation of gas. The image below shows exactly
that,Now we know we have a fault, and we will bleed out some of the gas using the valve above the relay and
analyze the gas to find out the exact reason for this gas build-up.

This relay can also detect conditions where the insulating oil level falls due to leaks in the transformer chassis, in
that condition, the upper float drops, the lower float drops, and the baffle plate stays in the same position. In this
condition, we get a different alarm. The below image shows the working.

With these three methods, the Buchholz relay detects faults.

Over-fluxing Protection
A transformer is designed to operate at a fixed flux level exceed that flux level and the core gets saturated, the
saturation of the core causes heating in the core that quickly follows through the other parts of the transformer that
leads to overheating of components, thus over flux protection becomes necessary, as it protects the transformer
core. Over-flux situations can occur because of overvoltage or a reduction in system frequency.

To protect the transformer from over-fluxing, the over-fluxing relay is used. The over-fluxing relay measures the
ratio of Voltage / Frequency to calculate the flux density in the core. A rapid increase in the voltage due to
transients in the power system can cause over fluxing but transients die down fast, therefore, the instantaneous
tripping of the transformer is undesirable.

The flux density is directly proportional to the ratio of voltage to frequency(V/f) and the instrument should detect
the ration if the value of this ratio becomes greater than unity, this is done by a microcontroller-based relay which
measures the voltage and the frequency in real-time, then it calculates the rate and compares it with the pre-
calculated values. The relay is programmed for an inverse definite minimum time (IDMT characteristics). But the
setting can be done manually if that is a requirement. In this way, the purpose will be served without compromising
the over-flux protections. Now, we see how important it is to prevent the tripping of the transformer from over-
fluxing.