Machine operation

assistance functions

Differential current
Through current

DE50311

Differential current
Operation
The differential current Id is calculated to facilitate the implementation of the
ANSI 87T and ANSI 87M differential protection functions:
b for a rotating machine (ANSI 87M), it is calculated for each phase by:
Id

= I + I

b when a transformer is used (ANSI 87T), the Id calculation takes into account the
vector shift and transformation ratio:

I d = Irec + I rec
The Id value is expressed with respect to In1, the rated current of the main channels.

Readout
The measurements may be accessed via:
b the Sepam display via the
key
b the display of a PC with the SFT2841 software
b the communication link.

Characteristics
Measurement range
Units
Resolution
Accuracy (1)
Display format
Refresh interval
(1) At In, under reference conditions (IEC 60255-6).

0.015 to 40 In
A or kA
0.1 A
5 %
3 significant digits
1 second (typical)

Through current
Operation
The through current It is calculated to facilitate the implementation of the ANSI 87T
and ANSI 87M differential protection functions:
b for a rotating machine (ANSI 87M), it is calculated for each phase by:
It

I= I--------------2

b when a transformer is used (ANSI 87T), the It calculation takes into account the
vector shift and transformation ratio:
It = max ( Irec , I rec )
The It value is expressed with respect to In1, the rated current of the main channels.

Readout
The measurements may be accessed via:
b the Sepam display via the
key
b the display of a PC with the SFT2841 software
b the communication link.

Characteristics
Measurement range
Units
Resolution
Accuracy (1)
Display format
Refresh interval
(1) At In, under reference conditions (IEC 60255-6).

60

0.015 to 40 In
A or kA
0.1 A
5 %
3 significant digits
1 second (typical)

SEPED303001EN - 01/2013

Protection functions

Machine differential
ANSI code 87M

Phase-to-phase short-circuit protection for

generators and motors.

Percentage-based differential
The percentage-based tripping characteristic compares the through current to the
differential current.
According to the current measurement convention, shown in the diagram and respecting
the recommended wiring system, the differential and through currents are calculated by:
b differential current:

Description
Phase-to-phase short-circuit protection, based on
phase by phase comparison of the currents on motor
and generator windings.
This function picks up if the difference in current is
greater than the set point defined by:
b a percentage-based curve
b a differential curve (high set point).

Idx = I x + I x where x = 1, 2, 3
b through current
I x I x
Itx = --------------------- where x = 1, 2, 3
2
The percentage-based characteristic is made up to two half curves defined according
to the following formulas:
b 1st half curve depending on the Is set point

Tripping restraint ensures stability due to:

b detection of an external fault or machine starting
b detection of CT saturation
b fast detection of CT loss
b detection of transformer energizing.

2
2
Itx
Idx ----------- > Is where 0 y Itx y 2In and x = 1, 2, 3
32

b 2nd half curve

2

where 2In < Itx and x = 1, 2, 3.

DE52189

DE50311

2
Idx
Itx
------------- ----------- > ( 0.05 In )
8
32

Differential high set point.

To avoid any delay for major asymmetrical faults, a differential high set point, without
restraint, is used.
The characteristic of this set point is:
Idx > 5.5 In

212

Idx
and --------- > 1 where x = 1, 2, 3
Itx

SEPED303001EN - 01/2013

Protection functions

Machine differential
ANSI code 87M

Tripping restraints
b Restraint for external faults or machine starting
During starting or an external fault, the through current is much higher than 1.5 In. As
long as the CTs do not saturate, the differential current is low. This transient state is
detected by the following characteristic:
2

2
Idx
Itx
------------- ----------- < ( 0.25 In )
2
32

where x = 1, 2, 3

An external fault can be followed by a short, but high differential current, that is why
a 200 ms restraint is used to ensure protection stability for this type of fault.
b Restraint on CT saturation
CT saturation can result in a false differential current and nuisance tripping. The
restraint analyses the asymmetry of the signals and restrains the tripping order if a
CT is saturated.
b Restraint on CT loss
CT loss can result in a false differential current and nuisance tripping. This restraint
is the means to detect a measurement that abnormally drops to zero (sample
analysis).
b Restraint on transformer energizing
this restraint ensures that the H2 level of the differential current is greater than 15 %:
Idxh2
----------------- > 0.15 where x = 1, 2, 3.
Idx

DE52288

Block diagram

SEPED303001EN - 01/2013

213

Protection functions

Machine differential
ANSI code 87M

Dimensioning phase-current sensors

Current transformers must be either:
b type 5P20, with an accuracy burden VACT u Rw.in2
b or defined by a knee-point voltage Vk u (RCT + Rw).20.in.
The equations apply to the phase current transformers placed on either side of the
machine.
in is the CT rated secondary current.
RCT is the CT internal resistance.
Rw is the resistance of the CT load and wiring.
The setting range of the Is set point depends on the rated values of the current
sensors on the main channels I1, I2, I3 and the additional channels I'1, I'2, I'3. The
setting range is the intersection of [0.05 In 0.5 In] with [0.05 In 0.5 In]. When the
rated values are identical, the setting range is optimum. If there is no intersection, the
function cannot be used.

Characteristics
Settings

Is set point
Setting range
Accuracy (1)
Resolution
Drop out/pick up ratio

max(0.05 In; 0.05 In) y Is y max(0.5 In; 0.5 In)

5 % Is or 0.4 % In
1 A or 1 digit
93.5 % 5 %

Advanced settings
Pick-up of restraint on CT loss
Setting range

On / off

Characteristic times
Operation time
Overshoot time
Reset time

Operation time of differential current function

< 45 ms at 2 Is
< 40 ms at 2 Is

Inputs
Designation
Protection reset
Protection inhibition

Syntax
P81L_x_101
P81L_x_113

Equations
b
b

Logipam
b
b

Designation
Syntax
Protection output
P87M_1_3
Phase 1 fault
P87M_1_7
Phase 2 fault
P87M _1_8
Phase 3 fault
P87M _1_9
Protection inhibited
P87M_1_16
High set point
P87M_1_33
Percentage-based set point
P87M_1_34
CT loss
P87M_1_39
(1) Under reference conditions (IEC 60255-6).

Equations
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b

Logipam
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
b

Outputs

214

Matrix
b

SEPED303001EN - 01/2013