In order to make the transformer differential protection identify the transformer’s running state more accurately, a method combined multi criteria transformer differential protection is proposed. First the characteristics of inrush current is analyzed and the situations that traditional secondary harmonic restraint may malfunction or delay action even refuse to move is discussed. Therefore, adaptive secondary harmonic restraint principle based on fundamental amplitude variation characteristics is used. Meanwhile, the four-line-percentage restraint principle combined with overcurrent instantaneous trip protection principle and zero sequence current differential protection principle are used to compose a differential protection scheme which can quickly and accurately to identify the transformer running state. Matlab/Simulink modeling and simulation is adopted to verify that the performance of transformer differential protection scheme utilizing each criterion’s advantages is greatly improved.