4 Application

400 kV

765 kV

Coupling transformer with current transformers

(1 x 400 kV side and 2 x 765 kV side, distance 500 m).
To each current transformer a GPS-synchronized CPC 100
is connected to supply the test current.

Current transformer
3,200:1

Current transformer
3,200:1

CPC 100 with CMGPS

Current transformer
3,200:1

CPC 100 with CMGPS

400 kV:765 kV coupling transformer

(YNyn0, 2,000 MVA)

CPC 100 with CMGPS

When full power

is required
GPS-synchronized measurement
using the CPC 100

Differential protective relays are used to protect

power transformers. These devices measure and
compare the currents on the high- and mediumvoltage side. If the sum of the currents flowing
into the transformer does not match the currents
flowing out, the protective relay trips. Eskom
(South Africa) needed to test the protective relay
scheme of a 400 kV to 765 kV power transformer,
whose current transformers are located some
500m apart. The testing devices used therefore
had to meet two requirements. Firstly, they had
to be synchronized due to the large distance between the measuring points, and secondly they

By Alexander Dierks, Alectrix and

Jan Cronj, Eskom PTM Witbank, South Africa

also had to be capable of providing sufficiently

high test currents. The CPC 100 from OMICRON
perfectly fulfills these requirements.

OMICRON Magazine | Volume2 Issue2 2011

Application

765 kV line as new backbone

Eskom is the energy supply company in South Africa. The majority

via a 400 kV grid. However, due to growing energy requirements,

of power plants in South Africa are located in the north-east.

this grid had to be upgraded to higher voltages, for which 400 kV

However, the main load centers of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,

to 765 kV transformers are needed in the substations. A complete

and Durban are located further to the south-west. A 765 kV grid

inspection of the relay configuration, the setting parameters, the

has been under construction for three years and is set to connect

secondary wiring, as well as the polarity of the current transform-

these regions to the power plants. To date, connection has been

ers needs to be performed during commissioning.

OMICRON Magazine | Volume2 Issue2 2011

6 Application

210A at180

400A at0

210A

Measured at the relay on the secondary side:

2 x 105 A on the 765 kV side, 400 A on the 400 kV side,
results in a stabilization current of 210 A with very small
differential current the protective relay does not trip.

Problem:Asymmetry within the

output current would have tripped
the protective relay immediately.

Looking for a new testing method

signals needs to be synchronized, and

voltage 765 kV side. The stabilization

To date, testing the configuration of the

secondly the fault inception must be time-

current of 210 A could then be read off

protective devices involved the trans-

synchronized. For the first challenge, the

from the measurement curves. However,

former being short-circuited on the

mains voltage is used as the basis for the

the key was that the protective relay did

medium-voltage side and injected from

phase synchronization and fed in to the

as desired not operate. The relay in fact

a three-phase supply on the high-voltage

V1 AC input. The respective supply must

only tripped (correctly) during simulation

side. All currents were then measured on

be in phase synchronism for this to work.

of a fault in the transformer, during which

the primary and secondary side of the

GPS real-time technology is used to ensure

the fault current was increased to 3,000 A.

current transformers, which allowed the

time-synchronism. Here, the binary output

configuration of the respective protective

signal from a CMGPS is fed into the binary

OMICRON's CPC 100 proves its value

element to be scrutinized. This same test,

input.

With the universal testing device CPC 100

however, cannot be applied to 400 kV to

from OMICRON, Eskom has found a per-

765 kV transformers. A typical primary test

Successful measurement

fect solution for measuring its differential

current of 5.5 A would result in barely any

Initial testing in a laboratory, during

protective elements. Following the good

measurable current on the secondary side

which the test current of 1 A was ramped

test results, the GPS-synchronized testing

of the 3,200 : 1 current transformers used.

up to 80 A, highlighted an asymmetry.

procedure is now to be included in the

Eskom therefore was looking for a new ap-

Whereas the test curves of two CPC 100

testing standard. The values gained using

proach and utilized the universal CPC 100

units were absolutely identical, the third

this approach allow reliable assessment

testing system from OMICRON.

was initially one and a half waves off. This

to be made about the operability of the

would have caused the protective relay to

differential protective relay. The tried and

Three testing devices, each

trip immediately. However, a second test

tested CPC 100 really proved its value.

synchronized via GPS

then led to the desired successful result.

The set-up is problematic, as the dis-

The test object was initially injected with

tance between the current transformers

10 A, and was then ramped up via an

on the high- and medium-voltage side

intermediate step of 40 A to 80 A using

is around 500 m. The only way to take

the sequencer test card. The test set-up

Eskom is the energy supply company

measurements is therefore to use three

was subsequently recreated for the actual

in South Africa. Some 95% of the

synchronized CPC 100 units (two of which

system to be tested. 400 A was injected

energy requirements in South Africa

are on the high-voltage side). Two chal-

on the medium-voltage 400 kV side. As

and 45% of the energy requirements

lenges need to be mastered. Firstly, the

per the winding factor of 1.91, currents

throughout the whole of Africa are

phase angle of the testing system's output

of 2 x 105A were injected on the high-

covered by Eskom.

OMICRON Magazine | Volume2 Issue2 2011

Eskom

www.eskom.co.za