The Effect of Harmonic Distortion on the Performance of Differential Relay for Distribution Transformer Protection

Abstract

This paper aims to analyzing and probing the influences of power system harmonics on a differential relay used for distribution transformer protection. The increased use of nonlinear devices in industry, commercial and residential areas can lead to a significant increase the level of harmonic distortion in the power system. This harmonic has the significant effects to the differential protection systems components such as current transformer (CT) and relay. The CT tends to saturate due to the presence of current harmonics in power system, so it will produce magnitude secondary current error and make the differential relay to miss operations. The harmonic distortion effects on the differential protection have been investigated through laboratory test. To determine the CT errors when operates under harmonic condition, the CT has been test with certain level of THDi. The result of this testing was found that with increasing of the THDi, the magnitude of secondary current error increased and differential relay will operate at no fault conditions.