Sympathetic Transformer Inrush Detection and Relay Blocking During Power System Restoration

A classic inrush current occurs during normal energization of reactive grid elements like transformers. It can simulate short-circuit currents. Hence inrush currents have to be detected and protection relays need to be blocked for avoiding their overfunction. Conventional detection criteria are the
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harmonic content and some kind of current waveform analysis. A classic inrush can evolve into a sympathetic inrush event, if the energization of a single transformers drives other transformers into magnetic saturation. The risk of facing a sympathetic inrush current is particularly high during a power system restoration process. Its characteristic waveform differs from the classic inrush. While the classic inrush has unipolar current peaks, the sympathetic inrush is characterized by bipolar peaks. The conventional detection criteria tend to fail in this case. This article proposes a new approach to detect sympathetic transformer inrush currents. The approach includes the detection of classic inrush currents as well as the distinction against short-circuit currents for ensuring the relay blocking. First it introduces the basic physical mechanism behind the evolution of a classic to a sympathetic inrush. This mechanism also explains the higher risk of facing a sympathetic inrush during the restoration process. The proposed detection method is then introduced in detail. Three new differentiation criteria will be applied and merged together to a final decision. The paper closes with practical lab tests of the new approach on simulated sympathetic and measured classic inrush currents. All lab tests showed good results and promise a practical implementation in the grid.