Differential Relay Sensitivity Adjuster
L. HEADLEY
M A G N E T I Z I N G I N R U S H C U R R E N T experienced
when energizing a transformer has always presented
a problem in the application of differential relays. T h e
inrush current appears to the differential relay as a fault
within the transformer and will cause the relay to operate
and trip the transformer circuit breakers incorrectly. This
problem is increased with the use of large transformers.
T o overcome this difficulty, a device has been developed
which automatically desensitizes the differential relay
during the inrush period. This device is referred to as a
sensitivity adjuster and consists of a small iron-core reactor
connected across the restraint winding terminals of the
differential relay. A center tap on the reactor winding is
connected to the operating winding terminal of the differen­
tial relay by a circuit which includes the contacts of a time-
delay relay and may also include an adjustable resistor.
T h e sensitivity adjuster is a simple device and can be
applied to almost any type of percentage restraint differen­
tial relay. T h e adjuster does not change the sensitivity
of the differential relay or interfere in any way with the
relay operation during normal conditions.
O n e adjuster is required for each phase element of the
differential relay and can be easily applied, even on relays
that are already in service. T h e application of this device
does not require making any changes in the differential
relay or its adjustment. T h e setting required for the
differential relay during the inrush period is determined
primarily by the number of turns on the reactor. A low-
ohmage adjustable resistor in series with the center tap of
the reactor can be used if further accuracy is required.
Figure 1 shows a sensitivity adjuster applied to one
phase element of a differential relay. When the trans­
former is de-energized, relay C is de-energized and contact
C is closed. So long as contact C" is closed, the differential
Table I. Tests Without Sensitivity Adjuster
Magnetizing I n r u s h , 3 3 Kilovolt-Amperes,
rms
Test
Number Phase Β Phase C
1 700 1,160 360
2 1,200 500 500
3 1,200 1,200 700
Table II. Tests With Sensitivity Adjuster Connected
M a g n e t i z i n g I n r u s h 3 3 Kilovolt-Amperes,
rms
Test
Number
4 350 340
5 400 1,140
6 1,200 540 1,200
7 700 1,160
8 1,150 500
NOVEMBER 1950
M E M B E R AIEE
Figure 1. Percentage differential relay equipped with sensi­
tivity adjuster
relay setting is desensitized to prevent operation on magne­
tizing inrush. When the transformer is energized, relay
C is energized which after a time delay opens contact
C restoring the differential relay to a normal sensitive
setting. If a fault of sufficient magnitude occurs in the
transformer during the inrush period, it will be detected
by the differential relay which will operate to clear the
transformer from the system.
Tests were made to determine the effect of magnetizing
inrush current on a differential relay equipped with a
sensitivity adjuster. These tests were made on a 40,000-
kva 33/110-kv 3-phase transformer by energizing the
transformer through a 33-kv oil circuit breaker. T h e
transformer was equipped with percentage restraint
differential relays set for sensitive operation to give maxi­
m u m protection.
T h e first series of tests was made by energizing the
transformer several times with the sensitivity adjuster
disconnected from the differential relay. Each time the
transformer was energized the inrush current was sufficient
to cause the differential relay to operate. T h e second
series of tests was made with the sensitivity adjuster con­
Relay R e s p o n s e
nected to the differential relay. No change was made
in the normal setting of the relay. T h e transformer was
Phase Β again energized several times, and each time the inrush
Phase A
Phase A and Phase Β current was equally severe as on the previous tests. How­
ever, the differential relay did not respond to trip the
transformer circuit breakers. T h e results of these tests
are shown in Tables I and I I .
T h e use of sensitivity adjusters on transformer differential
relays prevents the relays from tripping on magnetizing in­
Relay Response rush and permits extremely sensitive relay settings.
Digest of paper 50-190, "Differential Relay Sensitivity Adjuster," recommended by
860 None the A I E E Committee on Relays and approved by the A I E E Technical Program C o m ­
620 None mittee for presentation at the A I E E Middle Eastern District Meeting, Baltimore, M d . ,
None October 3-5, 1950. Scheduled for publication in A I E E Transactions, volume 69, 1950.
400 None
400 None C. L. H e a d l e y is with the Consolidated Gas, Electric Light, and Power C o m p a n y of
Baltimore, Baltimore, M d .
Headley—Differential Relay Sensitivity Adjuster 967