The Effect of Current-Transformer Residual Magnetism on Balanced-Current or Differential Relays

High-speed current-balance relaying has been subject to occasional false tripping that has not been explained satisfactorily. Field and factory tests now show that this is probably due to differences in residual fluxes in the current-transformer cores. The limiting value of these fluxes can be calculated approximately, and they can be measured with portable instruments connected to the secondary winding. They may cause a deficiency in secondary current, especially during the first half-cycle of fault current, which will cause current-balance or differential-overcurrent relays to operate falsely. This false operation can be avoided by the addition of a short inherent or external time delay with relays having a high dropout, or by the use of special current transformers.