Protection of Electric Networks of

Low Voltage Public Distribution

Chapter 4: Protection of
transformers

Trainer Designer: Mr. BENYAHIA Mohand Saddek

Version .1| September 7, 2020
 Table of
subjects
Objectives 3
Introduction 4
I -The role of the transformer 5
II -Constitution of a transformer 6
III -Principle of operation 7
IV -Transformer characteristics 8
V -Fuse selection rules 9
VI - HTA protections 10
1. Determination of the fuse rating ..................................................................................... 10
2. Procedure to follow .................................................................................................................... 11
3. Example of application .......................................................................................................... 11
4. Low-voltage protection ...................................................................................................... 13

Bibliographie 14
 Objectives
At the end of this chapter, the learner will be able to:
Define the main characteristics of HTA transformers
/BT
Define the selection rules for high voltage fuses
Apply the NFC standard: 15-105

3
 Introduction

The HTA fuses used in the HTA/BT stations are coordinated with the power of
transformer.
Their time/current characteristic is designed to protect distribution networks.
HTA against failures occurring at the transformer and against low voltage defects located in
amount of BT protection.

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 The role of the transformer

I The role of the transformer

A transformer is a static element that transforms electrical energy between two
circuits thanks to electromagnetic induction. Depending on the electrical station, the transformer
will be
Elevator, the voltage at the secondary (output) will be higher than the primary voltage.
(in input), generally at the output of the power plant
Transformer, the secondary voltage (output) will be lower than the voltage
primary (input), used for adaptation to use.
The two circuits are therefore electrically separated, galvanically, but coupled.
magnetically.
Another important role of transformers inserted in energy networks is their
contribution to the adjustment of a voltage level based on load conditions
network.
This is achieved by modifying their Transformation ratio through converters.
of prices (by acting on the number of turns).

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 Constitution of a transformer

II Constitution of a
transformer
In addition to its magnetic core, its windings, and its insulation, a
The transformer has many secondary components. The magnetic circuit and the
windings are immersed in a liquid dielectric that ensures insulation and evacuation
the caloric losses of the transformer. Those presented here correspond to a
classic power transformer.

Constitution of a transformer

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 Operating principle

III Principle of operation

The alternating current flowing in the primary winding generates a magnetic flux.
variable in the core. This variation in flux induces another current in the secondary or,
If the secondary circuit is not connected to a load, it induces a voltage.
It is said that the transformer is no-load when the secondary circuit is open. It does not deliver
So no current. The primary winding behaves in this case like an inductor.
alternating current, a simple inductance that opposes the flow of current.
The transformer operates under load when a load is connected to its output. The
the current debited by the secondary then creates a magnetic field opposite to the generated field
through the primary. This results in an increase in current in the primary and ultimately
there is an almost perfect equality between the power generated by the secondary and the power
consumed by the primary winding.
Strictly speaking, there are indeed some losses between the power that enters the winding.
primary and that which comes out of secondary but, in theory at least, one can say that:
P1 = P2
U1 .I 1= U.2 I 2
Transformers have a very good efficiency, around 99%.
The magnetic fluxes produced by primary and secondary currents cancel each other out. The flux
generated by a coil being proportional to the current and the number of turns, we can
understand that :
N.1 I =
1 N.2I 2

In conclusion:
The transformer draws a power S(VA) from the HTA network that it transfers to
the BT installation with losses close (around 2 to 3%).
The IBT current adjusts itself to maintain Sprim = S sec. The ratio of

Transformation allows you to size the quantities.

when the transformer is a step-down transformer.

The operation of a transformer

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 Characteristics of the transformer

IV Characteristics of
transformer
The transformer is defined by:
Apparent Power (kVa),
Short-circuit voltage Ucc (%),
Service voltage Up (kV)
Operation with or without overload.

Definition

I: nominal secondary current (assigned current in continuous service)

2n
Ucc (%): Short-circuit voltage (it is the supply voltage under which the
The short-circuit current is equal to the nominal secondary current, I.
2n
Zd(Ω) : Direct impedance of the transformer (value that conditions the value of
the intensity of three-phase short-circuit that originates at its secondary terminals

I (A): inrush current (peak value of the current in transient state of

e

magnetizing current at transformer power-up

T (s): Time constant (it is the decay time of the transient regime of
0
powering on
Power (KVA) Time constant (ms)

100 14 150
160 12 200
250 12 220
400 12 250
630 11 300
800 10 300
1000 10 350

Starting currents related to the nominal current of HTA/LV transformers

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 Rules for choosing fuses

V Rules for Choosing Fuses

The different types of fuses, according to their specific characteristics, ensure a real
protection for a wide variety of medium and low voltage equipment (transformers,
cables etc....)
It is of the utmost importance to recall that the characteristics of the equipment are
protection must always be taken into consideration.
In order to correctly choose the assigned fuse rating for protection of the
transformer, it is important to know and take into account the following definitions:

Definition: 1 Network characteristics:

Assigned voltage Un
It is the highest phase-to-phase voltage (in kV) of the network on which it is installed.
the fuse.
Short-circuit current Icc
It is the maximum current in the event of a three-phase short circuit on the network.

Definition: 2 The characteristics of fuses:

Characteristics time/current (If 0.1 s and If 2 s)
Minimal cut-off assigned current (I3).

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 HTA Protections

VI HTA Protections

Public distribution transformers from 100 to 1,000 kVA can be protected by

high voltage fuses, according to the primary voltage level.
Indeed, the standard recommends fuse protection for all transformers whose
the nominal primary current is less than 45A.
The rules for choosing fuses, expressed by manufacturers and depending on
Characteristics of each type cover the following criteria:
The service voltage of the transformer
The rated voltage of the fuse must be greater than or equal to the network voltage.
However, a fuse with too high a voltage will result in overvoltages in case of melting.
excessive on the network.
The short-circuit breaking capacity of the fuse I(KA) must
1
be greater than the
short-circuit current
The fault current in the secondary of the transformer to be interrupted must be
greater than or equal to I
3
The starting currents,
The generally accepted possibility of temporarily overloading a transformer,
The necessity that a low voltage fault (upstream of the low voltage protection devices)
be eliminated in a sufficiently short time,
The respect for selectivity with BT departure protections (See chapter 3)
point 3.3.3)

1. Determination of the fuse gauge

For the range of transformers meeting this recommendation, for the protection
To be effective, the fuse rating must meet four conditions.
1. It must withstand the inrush current; The fuse's melting current at
0.1s must be higher than 12 times the assigned intensity of the transformer.
( If(0,1 s) > 12 x In transfo)
(We generally admit that Ippendant40 ms, with Ip: primary nominal current of
transformer). The fuses, in accordance with the NF C 64-210 standard, fulfill all
this condition.
2. It must melt in less than 2 seconds in the event of a direct short circuit at the secondary terminals of the
transformer ccp
If (2s). This value helps prevent deterioration of the
transformer.
The melting time of a high voltage fuse with reference current In, in accordance with the standard
NFC64-210 is at most equal to or less than 2 as soon as the current reaches 6 In.
Therefore, if the short-circuit current at the secondary is brought back to the primary
ccp
of the transformer, it is necessary that:

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 Procedure to follow

3. It must support the temporary overloads that the transformer itself

capable of accepting, that is, in practice, 40% of its primary current:
4. It must ensure selectivity with the low voltage fuses installed downstream. This coordination
is ensured when the operating areas of the HTA and BT fuses defined in
the standards do not have any overlap.
The lower limit of In is: In > k.I / r B
With:
In: rating of the low voltage main fuse.
HTA/BT transformation report.
k: coordination coefficient HTA/BT.
The coordination coefficient HTA/BT is the ratio existing between the currents.
assigned fuses so that, under no circumstances, the two operating curves
they have an overlap area; it must take into account the fuse technique and
its value is:
k = 1.4 if IB≤ 315 A
k = 1.6 if BI > 315 A

2. Steps to follow
The practical procedure consists of first determining the two limits:

Upper limit defined by condition No. 2, namely

And the lower limit defined by condition No. 3, the permissible overloadn I > 1.4Inp.

In the interval 1.4InpetIccp/6, several standardized calibers may exist. To obtain the
best current limiting effect, that is to say the best protection, must be
selected at the lowest level possible compared to the nominal current of
transformer to be protected. However, the following restrictions must be taken into account:
The starting current, condition No. 1.
Cooling conditions (for example: in compact distribution stations).

3. Application example
Transformer characteristics
The transformer is defined by:
Apparent power S (kVA) = 400 kVA
Short-circuit voltage Ucc (%), = 4%
Tension de serviceUp(kV), =10KV
Operation with overload.=40%

Ins = = =578A

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 Example of an application

Iccs= =14450A

Iccp= =578A
Ie(A) = 12 x(23.1) =277.2 A
T (s) :250ms
0
Determination of the fuse rating

The possible standardized calibers are (40A; 50A; 63A and 80A).
In < 578 / 6 = 96.33A Give location on the graph below at point B
which excludes caliber 100A
In >1.4 (23.1)=32.34Ie= 12X 23.1=277.2 A) Give place to pointA
which excludes caliber 40A
Let's check that the 50A fuse is suitable for the protection of a 400KVA transformer.
10KV.
See video: (the curves for choosing the fuse rating of the HTA [Link])

Example of melting curve of Solefuse type fuse from SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

A transformer can therefore be assigned several high voltage fuses of different currents.
assignees. The determining selection criterion is the time/current characteristic and not
the current assigned to the HTA fuse.

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 Low Voltage Protection

Choice of fuses for the protection of transformers:

POWER (KVA)
Tension Type of fuse 50 100 160 250 400 630 800 1000

10KV DIN Standards (A) 10 20 31.5 40 63 80 80 100

UTE Standards [] 80 80

30KV DIN Standards (A) 4 6.3 10 20 25 40 40 50

UTE Standards (A) - 6.3 6.3 16 16 31.5 31.5 31.5

Remark
The fuse ratings correspond to an indoor installation with overload.
permanent of about 30% of the transformer. Although these gauges are the most
Adequate, other fuses also protect transformers satisfactorily.

4. Low voltage protection

These protections are carried out either by:
Low voltage circuit breakers (pole-mounted transformers)
Low voltage fuses (transformers with power <400KVA)
Low voltage fuses associated with overload protection by thermal trigger
(transformers with a power ≤250KVA).
Their role is to ensure the elimination of defects located upstream of the columns.
of buildings or individual connections in a time compatible with the adherence of
equipment, especially the HTA/BT transformer whose lifespan is sensitive to
surcharges.

Role of low voltage protections:

Fuses are known to be poor protections against overloads.

Given their I/t characteristic. Thus, two cases arise depending on the gauge.
low voltage transformer fuses:
The sum of the calibers of the BT departures ≤ Assigned current of the transformer; in this case,
protection against overloads is properly ensured; only the overloads
simultaneous on several BT departures are not detected but, given their
reduced frequency, they do not justify special protection;
Sum of the calibers of the BT departures > In, assigned current of the transformer; in this case, the
The current from a distant fault may be such that it cannot be eliminated by the low-voltage fuse.
the departure in a time compatible with the operation of the transformer, this absence of
transformer protection is manifested below what is called the current of
critical defect. The sizes of the low voltage fuses retained by the technical guide are
limited to 63A, 125A, 200A, 250A, and 315A, exceptionally 400A.

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 Bibliography

VI Bibliography
Short-circuit temperature limits of electrical cables with assigned voltages of 1
kV

Operation and protection of distribution networks

Technical guide of the SONELGAZ distribution.

Determination of conductor sections and choice of protection devices

Low voltage electrical installations

Low voltage fuses

Fuse circuit breaker for public or private transformer stations of the indoor type.

Calculation of short-circuit currents in three-phase alternating current networks.

Low voltage electrical installations

Technical notebooks of Schneider Electric

The reference technical and scientific publisher

Technical Union of Electricity

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