
G. Ziegler, 10/2005    page 5
Differential Protection Symposium
Belo HorizonteNovember 2005
Protection Criterion “current difference“
(differential protection)
n Kirchhoff‘s law:  II
1
+ I
2
+ I
3
+ ... I
n
I= I
diff
= 0; 
Current difference indicates fault 
n Security by through-current dependent restraint  
|I1|+|I2|+ ... |In| = I
Res
n Characteristic:
n Absolute zone selectivity (limits: CT locations)
No “back-up“for external faults
n Differential protection: for generators, motors, transformers, lines and busbars
Trip
I
res
I
diff
protection
object