AQ: Frequent tripping in Unit Station Transformer
We are facing problem of frequent tripping in Unit Station Transformer -2 during heavy rain. During checking, not found any abnormalities
1. Fault UST2 OTI Trip Observation- * Direct OTI trip initiated without Alarm
* Oil temperature is normal
* Tripping contacts are not physically operated
* OTI trip contacts are operated frequently as per in Disturbance record Action taken-Spare Core of another cable used for OTI Trip contact
2. UST2 PRD Trip
* PRV contacts are not physically operated
* PRV trip contacts are operated frequently as per in Disturbance record New cable used for all contacts
Make sure for rainy conditions the marshalling box is properly closed and weather protected as moist condition also leads to tracking and may simulate tripping inadvertently. Please also make sure the tripping impulse from OTT/WTT/BT/MOG/PRD etc are driving a mechanical hand reset type VAJH type relay and the output contacts of this relays are used for trip ckt initiation.
If these are substituted by numerical relay binary inputs then also there will be a problem of spurious tripping.
Make sure the grounding of the multicore control cable if sheathed the grounding should be at TRPP panel end only, if armoured cable is used the armour grounding at the panel end only.’
I am assuming that the trip circuit is floating DC (ungrounded). If so, the moisture could be causing a “sneak” circuit, otherwise known as a “hot short” in the tripping circuit, which essentially bypasses the sensing relay contacts and actuates the tripping relay coil. I would check the cabling between the sensing relay contacts and the trip relay coil and the cabling on the hot side of the sensing relay contacts for insulation problems.
