Differential protection is a power system relay method that compares current entering and leaving a protected zone. Principle of Operation: These relays activate based on discrepancies in electrical quantities. Differential protection is a selective protection scheme used to detect faults within a specific zone (like a transformer, generator, busbar, or transmission line) by comparing the incoming and outgoing currents. That operates on the principle of Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL), which states that the. The aim of this technical article is to cover the most important principles of four fundamental relay protections: overcurrent, directional overcurrent, distance and differential for transmission lines, power transformers and busbars. com IEEE Southern Alberta Section PES/IAS Joint Chapter Technical Seminar - November 2016 Protective Relays - Technical Seminar Nov 2016 - Copyright: IEEE 2 Abstract: Protective relays and devices. Principles of Differential Relaying Patrick Arendse Specialist Engineer Secondary Systems Hydro Tasmania Consulting Principles of Differential Relaying Introduction Introduction Classification Current Balance Voltage Balance High and Low Impedance Schemes. The restraint characteristic Low Impedance.