An enhanced sub-cycle statistical algorithm for inrush and fault currents classification in differential protection schemes

Abstract Differential protection is a widely-used approach for power transformer protection, the performance of which may be, at times, challenged due to the inrush current and current transformer (CT) saturation. This paper presents an enhanced statistical algorithm for discrimination of fault and inrush current signals under CT saturation scenarios. This paper proposes twofold discrimination indices centered on the concept of fourth-order statistic moment, the so-called kurtosis on the current signal. Mathematically proven, the algorithm performance only depends on the current signal phase angle and it does not require transformer parameters. The mathematical closed form formulation in this paper classifies fault condition and inrush currents in sub-cycle timeframes even in the CT saturation conditions. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified under various fault and inrush current scenarios with and without CT saturation. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can successfully classify the disturbances and detects saturations quickly with promising accuracy. Index Terms: Inrush current; internal fault; current transformer saturation; differential protection