Turn-to-turn fault detection in transformers using negative sequence currents

This paper presents a new, simple and efficient protection technique which is based on negative sequence currents. Using this protection technique, it is possible to detect minor internal turn-to-turn faults in power transformers. Also, it can differentiate between internal and external faults. The discrimination is achieved by comparing the phase shift between two phasors of total negative sequence current. The new protection technique has been studied via an extensive simulation study using PSCAD^®/EMTDC™ software in a three-phase power system and also has been compared with a traditional differential algorithm. The results indicate that the new technique can provide a fast and sensitive approach for identifying minor internal turn-to-turn faults in power transformers.