IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol 11, No.

3, July 1996 1285

A NEW DIGITAL DIRECTIONAL TRANSVERSE DIFFERENTIAL CURRENT

PROTECTION TECHNIQUE
M. M. Eissa 0. P. Mal&
Department of Electric Power Systems Department of Electrical Engineering
Technical University of Budapest University of Calgary
H-1111 Egry J. U. 18, I1 em, Hungary Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4

ABSTRACT- Recently, several papers have
discussed the protection of parallel transmission lines
connected to common buses. The main purpose of this
paper is to discuss problems associated with parallel
line relaying schemes, which depend upon the theory
OF transverse differential protection relaying, and to
present a new advanced technique to overcome these
problems. The suggested technique relies on current
incremental signals in corresponding phases instead
of current magnitude. This method eliminates many
of the associated problems typically encountered in
this area. The possibility of applying the suggested
technique on parallel threeterminal lines was
investigated and satisfactory results were recorded.
The voltage signal and the communication channel
have been excluded from this study.
INTRQDUCTIQN
Transmission lines that are on the same tow or
paralleled along the same right-of-way, present unique
problems to the associated lines relays. The “ l t y stems
firom the fhct that the lines are mutually coupled in
their zero-sequence. The small amount of negative and
positive sequence mutual coupling can usually be neglected
but the zero sequence coupling causes an error in the apparent
iinpedance Seen by the relay[ 11. In fact, most algorithms focus
on single-circuit lines rather than double-cirait lines.
Most relaying protection algorithms available may be
applied to double-circuit lines, but the analysis considers the
htnes as two separate circuits[2,3,4,5].
The most accepted protection scheme for double-circuit
hies, analyzed as one unit, uses oonventional directional-
transverse differential-protection relays, which compare the
nnagnitucle and phase of the currents in the two parallel lines
at the same end. A form of the transverse differential
protection for parallel lines is a protection of the balance type.
A current balance relay may compare the current in one
circuit with the current in another circuit, which should have
equal or proportional magnitudes under normal operating
conditions. The relay will operate when the current division
io the two circuits Varies by a given tolerance.
Recently, this form of transverse Merential protection
relaying was presented digitally in [6,7]. The protection
algorithm is based on the comparison of the average current
in corresponding phases. This technique relies on current
magnitude readings and avoids the phase bearing in
consideration that makes it &er h m loss of dependability
in many cases. To assess problems associated with this
technique, consider the zone of protection for a line AB with
sources behind both ends as shown in Fig. 1. In the case
where a singlesupply is located at bus A, a load or weak
source is located at bus B and a fault, F-1, occurs within the
zone of protection the magnitude of the current flowing in
both line at end B through relay-2 has almost the same
magnitude and hence would not initiate a line trip. This
problem can be resolved by providing a directional element at
bus B(as well as at A).
hother significant problem encountered with this
technique arises when a fault, F-2,is located in the vicinity of
bus-B and is associated with a small short-circuit capacity
&rived at B (Fig. 2). In this case,aprotective relay at bus-B,
without an intuitive directional element, would not operate to
trip the line because the current magnitude in both lines
would be the same. The relay at bus-A would not recognize
the fault because it Woud fall autside of its protection zone.
Therefore, a blind spot along the system would be established.
Fig, 1. Protection scheme for a system with single-end
supply, fault located within protective zone.
0 0

‘96 WM 015-8 PWRD A paper recommended and approved by the IEEE

]Power System Relaying Committee of the IEEE Power Engineering Society Fig. 2. Protection scheme for a system with dual supply,
for presentation at the 1996 IEEE/PES Winter Meeting, January 21-25, 1996, fault located in the vicinity of bus B.
Baltimore, MD. Manuscript submitted August 1, 1995; made available for
]printing December 8, 1995.

0885-8977/96/’$05.00 0 1996 IEEE

1286
In regions where large blocks of power are being
h-dnsferred over double circuit EHV transmission lines, the
occurrence of a "cross country" fault, could initiate serious
system stability problems, if the fault results in thr-phase
trip of both lines [SI. This problem is encountered when
phase and ground distance relaying are used for protecting
parallel transmission lines, which are connected to common
buses at both ends 191. Consider the case of a simultaneous
fault between phase-A and ground on line-1, and between
phase-B and ground on line-2.This is generally caused from
the first ground fault expanding with time, and involving the
other transmission line in the fault- Such fault will appear as
an A-B-Ground fault in both lines and this Will cause a three
phase trip of both circuits. Precautions must be taken to solve
this problem selectively.
To reinforce the dependability and accuracy of the
protective relaying scheme, a directional element must be
added to the system This paper suggests that a new digital
directional- transverse differential relay be used to overcome
these problems without sacrificing the advantages of the
conventionaltransverse scheme.
The conventional directional transverse differential relay
needs a current relay and two powerdirectional relays at
each end of the line. The two power-directional relays are
needed in order to discriminate the faulted line. The voltage
windings of the power directional relays are, in turn,
connected to bus voltage transformers. Under normal
operating conditions and during external short M t s , the
current flowing through the relays is equal to the relatively
small current of unbalance and the protection remains
moperative. But, when a fault occurs on line1 (at point F-l),
circuit breakers B1 and B2 must be tripped (Fig. 1).
Themaindisadvantage of this type of relay is the voltage
dead zone ofthe power directional relay that appears as a
result of the failure of the relay to operate when neat three
phase faults occur, during which the voltage applied to the
relay drops considerably.
The conventional directional transverse differential
protection relay is updated here. The suggested technique
completely avoids the voltage signal used in conventional
relays. Also, the suggested technique ignores the
communication channel used in the digital current balana
based algorithm. The suggested technique relies on current
signals only and has the features of the directional schemes.
PROPOSED TECHNIQUE
The directional relay responds to the phase angle between
two ac inputs. Commonly used directional relaying
techniques may compare the phase angle of a current with a
voltage or the phase angle of one current may be compared
with that another current [lo]. If a fault occufs near the relay
location point, the associated voltage collapse makes it
diflicult for an algorithm to determine which way the fault
current is flowing. From this standpoint, the suggested
technique avoids the problem of voltage collapse and
essentially relies on the current deviation signal in its
operation.
To explain further, the inception of a fault in a power
system will cause the post-fault current at a relaying point to
deviate from the steady-state pre-hult current..
So at one end of the transmission line one can state:
k J ( k ) = iJ(k) - ii(k - n )
Aiz(k) = i2(k) - i z ( k - n)
(1)
where Aii(k) and Aiz(k) are the current deviation
signals generated by the faulc ii and ir are the currents in
line-1 and line-2 for one correspondingphase, k indicates the
most recent sample and n is the number of samples per cycle.
The suggested technique can be explained through an
analysis of two key components. The first component will be
referred to as the starting element and the second is
considered to be the differential element. Both are defined as
follows:
The starting element is considered to be the first step in
initiating the relay operatioa It c m be initiated when the
magnitude of the post-f8ult current exceeds the magnitude of
the pre-fault current by a specific limit, E. Confirmation
would OCCUT by analyzing a number of consecutive samples.
To iruJease relay security, both the post-fiult and pre-hult
currents are taken as a su"atI'on signal:
I I
La1 k-1
wherethe suf€ixIinthiscaserefersto the line asbeing line-1
or line2 and k indicates the most recent samples. For this
study, E, was defined as 0.05 p.u for any ofthe phases and s
equaled three collsecutive samples. These values were
believed to be suf€icient to detect any abnormalities.
The dffmentid e i " t follows the starting element and
recognizes the protected zone that distinguishes between
internal and external faults. A comparison of the current
deviation signals, Aii(k) and Ai2(k), identifies the fault
as internal or external to the protective zone. The comparison
can be mathematically explained as follows:
To identify the faulted and un-faulted lines, the signals are
again compared with each other under the following criteria:
If IEi(k)l> I&z(k)l Line-1 is faulted,
Line-2is faulted.
If IbJ(k)l< lAi2(k)I
To further improve relaying integrity and reliability, a
special si@ is introduced.
P P -1
AiJz(j) = c E l z ( j ) + lfii~(k)l-IAi2(k)l ( 3 )
j=l j=l
 1287

antd were investigated. Fault inception angles were examined

the entire cycle.
&12( j ) = 1&1( j ) l - j)l
where J = 1, 2, 3 ....k

biz( j ) is the differentid fault-current signal, Diu,

and can be identified as sum of the differences of the
magnitudes of the deviation signals in the two lines up to k
mmple.
Finally, the current-deviation signals, G I and A i 2 from
which the differential current signal Diu is derived are
based upon instantaneous values of the current during fault
conditions. This feature provides A i 1 and & 2 with
directional features that determine current flow direction (a) Parallel circuitlines [ll].
during a fault.

THRESHOLD BOUNDARY

Determining threshotd values is essential in i d e n m g

the. reach of the relay, especially in the case of external short
circuit. When the length, material type, conductor size, and
P Q
80 km
impedance of parallel lines are identical, the currents which
flow through each of the parallel lines may be equal both
wider normal operating conditions and in the event of an
external short circuit. Even under these conditions, however,
the differential protection relay will carry an imbalance
current resulting fiom the current transformer characteristics
and a certain inequality in the two lines. Therefore, the
threshold should be selected based on a practical dif€erence
&$ween the two lines. In this study, 30% was taken to cover Ri 3. Power system configuration studied.
s
ary asymmetry enmuntered in the system. Thus, the fjnal
ccbmparison can be stated as follow, if Din is less than For the power system depicted in Fig. 3(a), consider that a
same negative threshold value, the relay will identify that Single phase to ground internal fault of 50 ohms fault
line-2 is faulted On the other hand, Diu is greater than resistance has occurred at 200 km from relay-1 with short-
satme positive threshold value, line-1 is identified as the circuit capacities at buses A, B, and C equal to 35,lO and 10
faulted line. GVA respectively. Figure 4 shows the fault trajectories for
relay-1 and relay-2. As depicted in the figures, the pre-
THREE PHASE POWER SYSTEM defined positive threshold limit is crossed by the Merentid
SIMULATION MODEL current signal in phase A, thus identiijing the fault on line- 1.

A digital simulation model is shown in Fig. 3. Both double-
circuit and single circuit lines were modeled as non-
transposed, distributed parameter lines. The sources were
modeled as three separate generators with an equivalent
circuit in which the positive sequence can be calculated from
the fault level. The two transverse-differential current relays
were placed at both sending and receiving ends of the
transmission line. The transients were computed using the
well-known ElectroMagnetic Transient Program(EMTP)[131.
In addition, six current signals were injected at each end of
the lines. A sampling frequency of 800 Hz for a system
o]perating at a frequency of 50 Hz provides satisfactory
results.
RELAY PERFORMANCE
An extensive series of calculations was performed to
generate the previously listed formulas. A wide variation of
fault boundaries, source impedances and fault resistances
If the network configuration behind the buses is varied, a
significant impact may be seen in some relaying
algorithms[l]. From this standpoint, a case study was
examined taking short-circuit capacities equal to 35,3 and 3
GVA at buses A, B, and C respectively. The fault parameters
were defined as a fault resistance equal to 70 ohms, located
200 km from relay-1, with a two line-to-ground fault (phases
A and B). As represented in Fig. 5, the fault trajectories
exceed predefined negative threshold limits, thus
recognizing the fault on line-2, phases A and B.
Fault Resistance
Line-teground faults can have very high fault current
values associated with them. If a fautt occurs through a high
resistance path, the problem becomes even more
complicated[l4]. In reality, the high-fault resistance involved
with some faults has a negative bearing on some algorithms,
specifically those related to the protection of the double-
circuit lines[6].
1288
To a n a l p this concern, two additional cases, for a single
he-to-ground on phase A, he-1 were examined The fault
was located 200 km from relay-1 with a fault resistance equal
to 100 ohms. The second case used the same parameters with
the exception of changing the fault resistance to 300 ohms.
Both cases revealed similar results. Case two results are
shown in Fig. 6. The impact of increased fault resistance is to
slow the rise of the fault trajectories, thus delaying the action
of crossing the threshold boundary.
-2b
1
- _ ._ - - -S -- - _ -7. - - - 9 I
I
Threshold
no. of postfault samples
(a) Relay-1
2
-2
1 3 5 7 9 no.
no. of postfault samples
(b) Relay-2
Fig. 4. Relay performance for a single line-to-ground fault
on phase A with a fault resistance of 50 ohms.
SCOPE ON THE STUDIED
PROBLEM AREAS
Single end supply
The short-circuit impgdance is mostly influenced by the
occurrence of large power system contingencies occurring
nearby, for instance a generator outage in the vicinity of the
line to be protected. The extreme cases occur only when the
total generating capacity at one end of the line is out of
operation. These cases occur where only one generation unit
is c ~ ~ e c t etod the power system by the line to be protected,
e.g., the line Maasvlakte - Krimpen of the Dutch 400 kv
power system [151.
The previous discussion concluded that a technique based
on the current magnitude only as described in [6,7] is highly
influenced by the short-circuit impedance behind the buses.
The relay does not work well when all the generating
capacity at one end of the buses is out of operation, as
depicted in Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 shows the relay performance for a system wth a
smgle-supply located at bus A, a load located at bus B and a
two line-to-ground hult 200 lan from bus A As represented
in Fig. 7@), the relay located at bus B operates successfully.
---_-__--_____
- - - - - _ _ - _ _ _ _ _ _ _Threshold
-1s .
-28 r
7
no. of postfault samples
(a) Relay-1
t
";'t 1
-2e
$:-I
-3s
~
3 of poitfault
5 samples.
7 9
0)ReIay-2
Fig. 5. Relay performance for a double line-to-ground
fault with a fault resistance of 70 ohms.
Close in fault
As mentioned earlier, to avoid blind spots originating along
the system being protected because of close-up faults, the
followhg analysis w a performed.
~ A c a ~ estudy w a Set-up
~ to
review the relay performance of the system where a single
line-to-ground fault with a resistance equal to 50 ohms
occurred at 290 lan from relay-1. As noted in Fig. 8@), the
fault trajectory for relay 2 will cross the threshold boundaq
after a few samples from the fault initiation. Therefore, circuit
breaker B2 will be activated. At this point, the fault current
will flow through the faulted line until the relay at bus A
operates and trips out circuit breaker B1 as shown in Fig.
W.
 1289

The non-simultaneous disconnection at both ends of the protection techniques[l7]. A non-pilot protection such as
fandted line depends upon the time clearing properties of the suggested here would be applied on a parallel three terminal
cixcuit breaker. By using one-cycle fault interruption switch line. In double circuit line applications, there is a possibility
gear for EHV/UH lines[l6] in addition to the fast detection of relay instability on the healthy circuit when a fault occufs
tinme of the relay installed at the near end from the fault point, on an adjacent circuit due to the mutual coupling [17]. The
the total cIearing time will be ieduced. protection of single circuit three terminal lines has been
discussed by many authors such as [14,18,19]. Some
techniques have been extended to protect double circuit
lines[11,17,20].
An extensive series of calculations were performed,
showing satisfactory results. For the power system depicted in
Fig. 3(b), consider a single phase to ground internal fault on
phase A of line-1 at tee point, F, with a fault resistance of 50
ohms. Figure 10 shows the fault trajectories for relays 1, 2
and 3 installed at Q, P and R respectively. As depicted in the
figure, the pr- positive threshold limit is crossed by
the Merentid current signal in phase A, thus identifjing the
fault on line-1.
Throshol
--------------r--.
-2
1 3 5 7 9 1 1 1 3 1 5
no. of postfault samples
(a) Relay-1

1 J 5 7 9
no. of postfault samples
(a) Relay-1

_ _ _ - _ - - - - - - - Threshold
-----
-2
3 5 7 9 11 13
no. of postfault samples
(b) Relay-2

Wg. 6. Effect of high ground fault resistance, 300 ohms, on

the relay response
-
Cross - Country fault
For the power system depicted in Fig. 3(a), consider that a
siimultaneous fault with a fault resistance of 50 ohms has
occurred at 225 km from relay-1 with short-circuit capacities
at buses A, B, and C equal to 35, 10 and 10 GVA
respectively. The fault was selected as phase A to ground for -2 n
h e 1 and phase B to ground for line-2. As shown in Fig. 9, no. of postfault samples
the faulted phases in each line will exceed pre-defined
threshold limits. So, the operation would be a single phase @) Relay-2
tnip on each of de circuits, maintaining three phase ties
&tween the two ends of the lines, assuming that singlepole Fig. 7. Relay response for a 2 L G fault in case of a system
hipping is used. with single-end supply.
EXTENDED STUDY PROTECTION BLOCKING
Three terminal lines often offer considerable economic,
technical and environmental advantage over 2-terminal lines.
Such lines are often considerably more dif€icult to protect The suggested digital, directional-transverse, differential
than plain feeders using conventional unit or non-unit current protection relaying scheme, according to its principle
1290

of operation, is dependent on both lines being in service.

Therefore, it cannot remain connected to energized power
lines in cases where one of the parallel lines is switched out
because of maintenance or other reasons. For this reason, it
locks out when one of the lines is tripped out of service.
Monitoring for this situation can be accomplished by
meamring the circuit breakers' status as being opened or
closed. However, mother relaying scheme must provide
protection for the three-phase, single-circuit line remaining in
service.

II J/ I
t
-8

ze
I
1 3 5 7
no. of postfault samples
(a) Relay-1
9

ea
r4
.L.
n
I
I 1s

la

Threshold
v

1 5 9 13 17 21 25 29 33 37 41 sn -=e
no. of postfault samples
-16
(a) Relay-1
-1s

-28 1
25 - 3 I
no. of postfault s
'I 9

(b) Relay-2
28 -
Fig. 9. Relay response in case of "cmss comtryn.
15 .
CONCLUSIONS
A new digital directional transverse differential current
Threshold protection technique is proposed in this paper. The suggested
L technique is based only on the incremental current signals.
Thrsshold Using the incremental current signals in the comparison
-5 i

1 3 I 7
no. of postfault samples
@) Relay-2
Fig. 8. Relay response for a single line-teground fault on
phase A with a fault resistanceof 50 ohms. Fault located in
the vicinity of bus B.
AUTO-RECLOSING EFFECT
It has been noted by the fore-mentioned discussion that
the communication channel operates for the blocking purpose
during a switching operation and is not a satisfactory
solution. The energization process for phase(s) of a
transmission line would result in a high inrush current in the
phase(@ being energized which may be either reclosing a
faulted line or line charging. For such a scheme, tripping is
also blocked for switching into a fault condition. This
problem has been discussed and solved in [211.
9
provides much better coverage than the current magnitude
based technique. The incremental current
differential fault-cunmt signal with the directional features
that determine the current flow direction during a f5ult. The
mode of independent tripping at each end has been verified
A mmmunicafionchannel linking the zone to be protected
between two ends has been excluded and the need for voltage
as well. Studies exclusively concluded that the trippmg time
for all types of faults excluding the very high resistance and
close-up faults is less than 5 msec. This demonstratesthat the
relay is reliable for some extreme cases. When the total
generating capacity is at one end of the buses, the line is out
of operation. The technique has been extended to protect
parallel threeterminal lines. All the cir-m of the
fault and network variations were investigated, and
satisfactory results were recorded. The simplicity in
derivation is one of the main points in favour of the proposed
technique.
 1291

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Moustafa Mohamed M. Eissa Was born in El-
Massara, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt on May 17, 1963. He received
the B.Sc with distinction first class honors and the MSc. degree
in Electrical Engineering from Helwan University, Cairo,Egypt
in 1986 and 1992 respectively. From 1993 to the present he has
undertaken study towards the PhD. degree in the area of power
system protection
0.P. Malik (M'66-SM'69-F987) graduated in 1952 and
obtained M. E. in 1962. In 1965 he received Ph. D. from U of
London. From 1952 to 1961 he worked with Electric Utilities in
India. He is at present a professor at U of C.