Current Transformer Performance study Using Software Tools.

A. Mechraoui, A. Draou , A. Akkouche, and S. AL Ahmadi

Department of Electronics Technology
Madinah College of Technology ,
Madinah Council of Technical Education and Vocational Training,
Saudi Arabia, Email :[email protected]

Abstract given relay (modeling) and testing it

Power system protective relaying systems are striving (simulation). Designing, setting, testing and
to meet the demands of systems which are ever evaluating protective relays call for software
increasing in complexity. . High-speed digital relays
must make decisions while the power system is still in
tools capable of modeling the protective relays
transition. Understanding the operation and of various designs as well as the surrounding
performance of microprocessor based relays requires power system. It is relatively difficult to
new engineering tools. Current transformer (CT) explain the relationship of transformer
and relay modeling are practical tools to evaluate modeling to the performance of the large
protection equipment performance. Models for
instrument transformers are especially important for
interconnected system. The primary role of
studying ct saturation, ferroresonance phenomena, software is help bridge this gap. This paper
harmonics, and their effects on the performance of presents software tools for modeling, testing
protective relaying. This paper presents some and evaluating protective relays.
software tools (ATP-EMTP,MODEL-TACS, TOP 2 Software Tools.
and Mathcad) that are used to investigate and to
understand the transient events to better understand
and visualize the response of digital relay models ATP/EMTP
during transient conditions The ATP version of EMTP [8] is the basic
Keywords : Software, ATP/EMTP, MATHCAD, software tool for electric system transient
Modeling, Simulation, Transients, Protective Relaying. modeling. Different computer operating
systems use different versions of the program.
1 Introduction.
Version ATPMING works very well with MS
Windows 98, 2000 and XP.
The dynamic performance of high-speed
protective relays depends to a large extent on
MODEL-TACS [8]
the signals produced by the instrument
transformers, and these signals depend on the
overall transient response of the instrument
transformers and the type of transients
generated by the power system. Computer
simulation of power systems and protective
relays eases the burden of relay testing and
relay performance evaluations. The subject of
computer modeling and simulation for the
study of the power system transients on the
current transformers are summarized in Figure 1 strategy for implementing relay in
[1,2,3,4,5,6 ,7]. ATP/EMTP
The relay design assessment is needed when a
new relay design is introduced. In industry, a Figure 1 illustrates a general strategy for
vendor or utility may want to evaluate the relay implementing relay simulations in EMTP.
design characteristics to make sure that its Since this strategy operates in closed-loop, a
performance is as expected [5]. In education, solution for each time-step in EMTP requires a
students learn by emulating an algorithm of a
solution in TACS. The function blocks can be achieved in other programs such as
identified in Fig. 1 by {1} and {9} are MATLAB.
programmed in the network portion of EMTP.
Function blocks {2} through {8} are 3 CT Modelling using EMTP/ATP
programmed in TACS. Block {2} can be
implemented in either the network portion of Models for instrument transformers are
EMTP or in TACS. In some relay simulation, especially important for studying ct saturation,
blocks {2}, {3}, and {8} may be omitted in this ferroresonance phenomena, harmonics, and sub
strategy depending upon several factors harmonics and their effect on the performance
including the desired simulation detail or of protective relaying. The major nonlinear
quality level, the primary focus to the effects in iron cores are saturation, eddy
simulation, and the total system. Block {4} currents, and hysteresis. The predominant
may be omitted if the DSP algorithm assumes a effect in cts is saturation. A number of iron
sampling interval equal to that of the EMTP core models described in the literature and their
simulation time-step. If this is not the case, summary is described below:
EMTP measurements must be sampled as
required by blocks {5} through {7}. EMTP and ATP Inductor Models
The EMTP and alternative transients program
ATPDraw [9] (ATP) support two classes of nonlinear
With the introduction of graphical user elements, a true nonlinear model (Type-93),
interfaces for EMTP (ATPDRAW) knowledge and two pseudo-nonlinear models (Type-96
of the subtleties of EMTP is less important. and Type-98).
ATPDraw is a graphical, mouse-driven In the true nonlinear model the nonlinearity of
preprocessor to ATP on the MS Windows the element is explicitly defined as a nonlinear
platform and uses a standard Windows layout. function, i.e., the flux as a function of the
Users build a picture of an electric circuit by current . The EMTP and ATP then solve the
selecting components from menus and using combination of nonlinear equations and an
dialog boxes to enter component values and appropriate system equivalent at each time step
ATP parameters. ATPDraw then creates the using a NewtonRaphson iterative procedure.
ATP input file and runs ATP. Basic ATP In the pseudo-nonlinear model, the nonlinearity
model development is much easier in this is defined as a number of piece-wise linear
environment, particularly for new users. segments. Such linear segments are represented
by the program with a resistor in parallel with
TOP[3] an appropriate current source. In the particular
TOP, written and supported by Electrotek case of a nonlinear inductor, the flux is
Concepts, Inc., is a graphical postprocessor for monitored at each time step in order to
transient data. TOP will graph ATP output files determine which linear segment should be used
(*.pl4) and allow users to save the data in to compute the inductance at that time step.
different formats, including COMTRADE and Note that this methodology does not model the
comma separated variable (CSV) text files. true nonlinearity since the program relies on
This program is the bridge between ATP and previous time step results to decide on what
Mathcad. segment to operate next. The EMTP and ATP
change segments only after they have operated
illegally outside the range of the current
Mathcad 2002 Professional segment. It is therefore important to use a small
Mathcad worksheets process the transient data time step during the simulation so that the
generated by ATP. The Mathcad desktop operating point moves up and down the
interface uses mathematical equations similar nonlinearity in small increments.
to those seen in textbooks. Concepts are easy to EMTP and ATP[9,10] support the following
see and understand, although the same results two additional magnetic saturation routines:
 Subroutines CONVERT (in EMTP) and
SATURA(in ATP) are designed to convert rms
saturation curve data into peak data with the
hysteresis loop being ignored.
Subroutines HYSDAT (in EMTP) and
HYSTERESIS (in ATP) are designed to
provide the hysteresis loop data required by the
Type-96 pseudo-nonlinear reactor model. This
model uses data points from the ct secondary
excitation
curve, as inputs to subroutine CONVERT to
obtain data points of peak flux, versus peak
current . The result is a piece-wise linear model
because a small finite number of data points are
used, usually 10 or less.
These EMTP/ATP models allow the user to Figure 4: CT primary and secondary current
represent the effects of residual flux left in the during saturation
ct following primary current interruption. They Figure 5 shows the voltage developed across
can also be easily integrated directly into the CT secondary during the simulation.
EMTP/ATP power system studies. Finally
because the model parameters are derived from
ct test data, a degree of validity is implied. The
main disadvantage is the need to preprocess the
data. The model used in this works is shown in
Figure 3.

Figure 5: CT burden voltage during an

asymmetrical fault

Figure 3 ATP saturable transformer model.

Effect on Overcurrent relays

The digital relay block diagram in Figure 6,
demonstrates that you can model saturated CTs
4 Simulation results obtained
and relay elements, to better understand relay
Simulation results are obtained to show the
performance during transient events. elements
effects of saturation of the CT on a digital
if you know the relay parameters. Consider
overcurrent and distance protection relays.

Effect of saturation on the secondary current.

The currents applied to the primary sides of
transformers 1 and 2, are shown in Figure 4 .
Saturation reduces the magnitude of CT
secondary current from its ideal value as shown
in Figure 4 .
 Figure 6: Overcurrent relay response to
saturated CT secondary current

Effect on distance relays

A typical digital relay model is derived from
public information and may include:
Anti-alias low-pass filter (cutoff slightly
above one-half sampling frequency)
Sampling function
Full-or Half cycle cosine filter
Sample-to-vector converter
Sequence current and voltage calculation
Figure 6: Digital Overcurrent Relay Block Phase-distance calculation
Diagram Ground-distance calculation
Negative-sequence impedance calculation.
The following example demonstrates a digital Zero-sequence impedance calculation
overcurrent relay response to saturated CT
secondary current. Assume a sample rate of 16
samples per cycle. The analog low-pass filter is
set at a cutoff frequency of 540 Hz to limit
signal aliasing. After sampling by the A/D
converter, the relay converts the current
samples to complex vectors.
The relay then compares the absolute values of
the complex currents to the 50 element setting
to determine if the element should operate.
Figure 6 shows the relay response to the
saturated current from Figure 4.
Saturation initially reduces the relay magnitude
response by one half, a reduction that may
affect relay performance in different ways. For
example, a high-set instantaneous 50 element Figure 7 Digital Distance Relay Block Diagram
could pick up for one cycle and then drop out
for one to two cycles. A time-delayed Mathcad formulae and calculations describe
overcurrent element could respond up to three the different blocks or functions of the digital
cycles late. relay models used in this example. Figure 8
shows the effects of CT saturation during a
phase-to-phase-to-ground fault at 15 percent of
the line length, applied at 7 cycles into the
simulation. Force saturation by increasing CT
burden to 4 Ohms. Open the line breaker after
5 cycles.
 Figure 8: Saturated B- and C-phase CT Figure 10: Phase-to-Phase Impedance
secondary current, phase-to-phase-to-ground Calculation During CT Saturation
fault
The phase angle calculated by the relay
After analog filtering, sampling, and digital remains close to the actual phase angle as the
filtering, the CT secondary current appears as CT recovers from saturation, as shown in
shown in Figure 9. Figure 11.

Figure 9: Filtered Secondary Current, Phase-to-

Phase-to-Ground Fault Figure 11: Filtered Secondary Current, Phase-
to-Phase-to-Ground Fault
Saturation causes the relay to under-reach, as
shown in Figure 10. Without saturation, the Figure 12 shows the effects of CT saturation on
relay calculates the ideal B-phase to C-phase Z2 and Z0 calculations. These directional
impedance (MBC) = 0.936 Ohm at 1.375 elements are very secure. Notice that Z0 has a
cycles after fault inception. With saturation, the brief positive excursion. Security counters in
relay calculates MBC = 2.09 Ohms at 1.375 the directional logic ensure that the calculation
cycles after fault inception. At 5 cycles after has stabilized before allowing a directional
fault inception, with the B-C-phase CTs still determination.
slightly saturated, the relay calculates 1 Ohm.
 7 References
[1] F. de Len and A. Semlyen, Complete transformer model for
electromagnetic transients, IEEE Trans. on Power Delivery, vol. 9,
no. 1, pp. 231239, Jan. 1994.
[2] Joseph B. Mooney, Charlie F. Henville, and Frank P.
Plumptre, Computer Based Relay Models Simplify Relay-
Application Studies, Proceedings of the 20th Annual Western
Protc. Relay Conference, Spokane, WA, October 19 21,
1993.
[3] J. R. Lucas and P. G. Mc Laren, Improved simulation
models for current and voltage transformers in relay studies,
IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, vol. 7, pp. 152159, 1992.
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Plumptre, Computer Based Relay Models Simplify Relay-
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[5] J. H. Chan, A. Vladimirescu, X. Gao, P. Liebmann, and J.
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[6] J. G. Frame, N. Mohan, and T. Liu, Hysteresis modeling in
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[7] S. Prigozy, PSPICE computer modeling of hysteresis
effects, IEEE Trans. Educ., vol. 36, pp. 25, 1993.
[8] Alternative Transients Program (ATP) Rule Book,
Copyright 1987 1988 by Canadian / American EMTP User
Group.
[9] Lszl Prikler and Hans Kr. Hidalen, ATPDraw for
Windows 3.1x/95/NT version 1.0 Users Manual, SINTEF
Figure 12: CT saturation effects on Z2 and Z0 Energy Research, Trondheim, Norway, October 15, 1998.
Calculations [10] A. Morched, L. Mart, and J. Ottevangers, A high
frequency transformer model for the EMTP, IEEE Trans.
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6. Conclusions. [11] A. Mechraoui, M, Al Zahrani, A Choucha and A. Nouar,
Current Transformer performance and suitability using
Software Tools, Int.Conf.EEE'2004, vol. 2, pp. 323328,
The most significant features that the April 2004.
instrument transformer (CT) models must
include, have been described in the paper. It is
imperative that relay systems be tested under
transient conditions in order to assure a high of
dependability and security in their design and
applications. The use of electromagnetic
transient programs to adequately model the
different power system components and to
generate transient data to assess the
performance and correct application of modem
static and microprocessor high-speed protective
relays has become essential. This paper has
investigated a number of relay models and the
nonlinear behavior of the magnetic core of
instrument transformers. It was shown that
software tools are effective, inexpensive tools
for power system transient analysis and relay
simulation.