Differential Feeder Protection

Why Needed?

Overcomes application difficulties of simple overcurrent

relays when applied to complex networks i.e. co-ordination
problems and excessive fault clearance times

Basic Principle

Involves measurement of current at each end of feeder

And transmission of information between each end of feeder
Protection should operate for faults inside the protected zone
(i.e. the feeder) but must remain stable for faults outside the
protected zone
Thus can be instantaneous in operation

> Biased Differential Protection

Merz-Price Differential Or Unit Protection

Protected
Circuit Or Plant

Boundaries of protection coverage accurately defined

Protection responds only to faults in protected zone

> Biased Differential Protection

Two Types of Scheme

End A

End B

Relay

Circulating Current System

End A

End B

Relay

Balanced Voltage System

Basic Mertz-Price principle applies well where CT

secondary circuit can be kept short e.g. protection of
transformers, busbars, machines
For feeder protection where boundaries of protection are
a distance apart a communication channel is required

> Biased Differential Protection

Unit Protection Involving Distance Between

Circuit Breakers (1)
A

Relayin
g
Point

R
Trip
B

Trip
A

Simple Local Differential Protection

4

> Biased Differential Protection

Unit Protection Involving Distance Between

Circuit Breakers (2)
A

B
Communication
Channel

Relayin
g
Point

Trip A

Trip B

Unit Protection Involving Distance

Between Circuits
5

Relayin
g
Point

> Biased Differential Protection

Early Merz-Price Balanced Voltage

Systems For Feeders

2 Problems:

1) Mal-operation due to unequal open circuit secondary

voltages of the two transformers for thro fault currents

2) High output voltages of CTs cause capacitance currents

to flow through relay Since capacitive currents are
proportional to pilot length, relay insensitive for all but
very short lines

> Biased Differential Protection

Early Merz-Price Circulating Current

System For Feeders
End Y

End X
a

c
Relay

EY
Relay

EX

b
a
EX

> Biased Differential Protection

Relay
X

Voltage Level
of Relay Pilot

Zero Voltage
Across Centre
of Outer Pilots

Relay
Y

d
EY

c
Voltage Diagram
for External Fault

Non-Biased Relay & Biased Relay

Differential
Current

External

Operate

Fault

Restrain
Through Current

Non-Biased Relay

Operate
Differential
Current
Restrain

Through Current

Biased Relay
8

> Biased Differential Protection

Basic Pilot Wire Schemes with Bias (1)

OP

OP

Circulating Current

> Biased Differential Protection

Basic Pilot Wire Schemes with Bias (2)

OP

OP

Balanced Voltage

10

> Biased Differential Protection