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Through the analysis of the recovery inrush current generated by the external fault removal of the converter transformer, it is pointed out that the zero-sequence current caused by the recovery inrush may result in the saturation of the neutral current transformer (CT), whose measurement distortion contributes to the mis-operation of zero-sequence differential current protection. In this paper, a new scheme of zero-sequence differential current protection based on waveform correlation is proposed. By analyzing the characteristics of zero-sequence current under internal fault, external fault and external fault removal, the waveform correlation of the zero-sequence current measured at the terminal of the transformer and the zero-sequence current measured at the neutral point of the transformer is used for identification. The polarity of the CT is selected to guarantee the zero-sequence currents at the terminal and neutral point of the transformer exhibit a "ride through" characteristic under external fault, then the waveform similarity is high, and the correlation coefficient is positive. On the other hand, when internal fault occurs, zero-sequence current waveforms on both sides differ from each other largely, and the correlation coefficient is negative. Through a large number of simulations verified by PSCAD/EMTDC, this criterion can accurately identify internal and external faults, exempt from effects of the recovery inrush. Moreover, it presents certain ability for CT anti-saturation.