Restricted Earth Fault Protection of Transformer

An external fault in the star side will result in current flowing in the line
current transformer of the affected phase and at the same time a balancing
current flows in the neutral current transformer, hence the resultant current in
the relay is therefore zero. So this REF relay will not be actuated for external
earth fault. But during internal fault the neutral current transformer only carries
the unbalance fault current and operation of Restricted Earth Fault Relay
takes place. This scheme of restricted earth fault protection is very
sensitive for internal earth fault of electrical power transformer. The protection
scheme is comparatively cheaper than differential protection scheme.