Zero sequence filtering is a concept used to eliminate zero sequence current component from the secondary current of Current Transformer used in Differential Protection of Transformer. This concept is useful in Transformer having earthed Star winding.
What is the Need for Zero Sequence Filtering?
Let us have a detailed discussion on this topic. For better understanding, let us consider a Delta Star Transformer of voltage ratio 1:1 as shown in figure below. Voltage ratio of 1:1 has been considered for the sake of simplicity.
Let us understand the above expiation with some numeric data. Let the fault current be 100 A. This fault current will flow through ground and winding PN for star side of Transformer.
As we know that during single line to ground fault, the fault current has equal positive, negative and zero sequence current component. Therefore, the fault current will have Zero Sequence current I0 = 1/3(100+0+0) = 100/3 = x (say)
Since 100 A of current is flowing in winding PN of star side, therefore, the current in corresponding delta side of winding AB will also be 100 A as voltage ratio is assumed unity. This current in delta side is already having zero sequence current component of x A. This current of magnitude x A will circulate around the delta loop.
Therefore, line current in AS = (100-x) A.
But the current in the star side of phase PN = 100 A
Thus a differential current of x A will be sensed by the relay and will cause the relay to operate though the fault is not in the zone protected. Therefore in differential protection of Delta Star or Star Delta Transformer, zero sequence filtering is required in star side to make differential relay stable under through fault condition. In Star Star transformer we may or may not need this filtering but it is recommended to enable this.
How Zero Sequence Filtering is achieved?
In earlier design, zero sequence filtering was achieved by proper selection of line CTs connection. Let us discuss this aspect in detail. For better understanding, consider a DELTA STAR Transformer as shown in figure below.
CTs in Delta side of Transformer are connected in STAR while that in STAR side, it is connected in Delta. Why?
It’s quite easy. As zero sequence current cannot flow in Delta side, therefore line current IA – IB will not have any zero sequence current components and hence line CTs secondary currents I1, I2 and I3 won’t also have no zero sequence current component.
Next you might ask why we didn’t connect these CTs in delta? Actually in differential protection of Transformer we need to correct the phase as there is a phase change of 30 °in currents from Delta to Star, therefore to match the phase, we connected CTs in STAR fashion.
Similarly in star side of Transformer, CTs are connected in DELTA to have phase correction. This also have one more advantage. In case of single line to ground fault in STAR side, fault current in line will contain zero sequence current component but due to DELTA connection of CTs, this zero sequence current will circulate around the DELTA loop. This will result in no zero sequence current component in I’1, I’2 and I’3.
This is how zero sequence current is eliminated in differential protection of Transformer.
In modern Numerical Relays, this elimination of zero sequence current do not need such connection of line CT secondary. We connect both Delta and Star side CTs in star and fed to relay. What the numerical relay does is that it calculates the zero sequence current as
I0 = (Ia + Ib +Ic)/3
and subtracts this current I0 from the corrected phase current of CT input. If the CT input to relay is Ia, then the input from differential calculation of relay will be (Ia – I0). The fault current in the example was 100 A. Zero sequence current was x A. Therefore if filtering is enabled, then relay input for differential calculation will be (100 – x) A in Star side of Transformer and that in Delta side is (100 – x) A. This means no differential current and hence relay is stable under through fault.
But mind that for relay to filter out zero sequence current, we need to enable this feature provided in the numerical relay.
Hope you got what I meant to say throughout the post. But if you have anything to ask, please write in comment. Thank you!
Excellent explanations
Hi,
Interesting article. I have some question which I faced during my work.
We have Ynd1 Power Transformer and we have a tripping of Biased Differential Protection during a downstream fault. It is an earth fault.
Our biased differential relay is an old static relay which has interposing CT (ICT) on both side. On the high side it is Star-Delta while the low side is Star-Star.
May I know for the zero sequence filtering to work, how should my ICT connection be? on the 33kV side from CT secondary (Star connection) until the Winding 1 (Star connection) of the Interposing CT, will the addition of a grounding (either on the CT star connection or ICT Winding 1 Star) defeat the zero sequence filtering?
From the Winding 2 of ICT until the Biased Differential relay, should there be grounding also or no, in order for the zero sequence filtering to work?
Thanks in advance!
Awesome article Bro…. Thank you so much… I am an engineer working in 400kV substation.
Thank you Venkat! Please share if you really liked it.
During fault condition in Star side on transformer zero sequence current in delta side?? If yes,
Where from its come or hows generated in delta?
Well explained article.
Thank you!
Sir pls post some details regarding resistive reach phase and ground , compensation factor in distance protection
Definitely, these are awesome topics.
My transformer tripped with diff flag online fault trip what may be the reason?
Check the setting. Check for any fault in the protected zone. Take IR of tranaformer and bus bar. You will come to know the reason.
My transformer tripped with diff flag online fault trip what may be the reason?
thank you !!
if lhave zigzag in delta side is it act same earthed star ?