Application of Non-Directional Overcurrent

and Earthfault Protection

Non-Directional Overcurrent and Earth
Fault Protection
Overcurrent Protection
Purpose of Protection

z Detect abnormal conditions

z Isolate faulty part of the system
z Speed
z Fast operation to minimise damage and danger
z Discrimination
z Isolate only the faulty section
z Dependability / reliability
z Security / stability
z Cost of protection / against cost of potential hazards
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination

F1 F2
F3

z Co-ordinate protection so that relay nearest to

fault operates first
z Minimise system disruption due to the fault
Fuses
Overcurrent Protection
Fuses

z Simple
z Can provide very fast fault clearance
z <10ms for large current
z Limit fault energy

Arcing Time
Pre Arc Time
Prospective Fault Current

Total t
Operating
Time
Overcurrent Protection
Fuses - disadvantages

z Problematic co-ordination

Fuse A Fuse B

z IFA approx 2 x IFB

z Limited sensitivity to earth faults
z Single phasing
z Fixed characteristic
z Need replacing following fault clearance
Tripping Methods
Overcurrent Protection
Direct Acting AC Trip

51

Trip Coil

IF

z AC series trip
z common for electromechanical O/C relays
Overcurrent Protection
Direct Acting AC Trip

IF '

+
Sensitive
51 Trip
Coil
-

IF

z Capacitor discharge trip

z used with static relays where no secure DC
supply is available
Overcurrent Protection
DC Shunt Trip
IF
IF '

51

DC SHUNT
BATTERY TRIP COIL

z Requires secure DC auxiliary

z No trip if DC fails
Overcurrent Protection
Overcurrent Protection
Principles

z Operating Speed
z Instantaneous
z Time delayed
z Discrimination
z Current setting
z Time setting
z Current and time
z Cost
z Generally cheapest form of protection relay
Overcurrent Protection
Instantaneous Relays

B A

50 50
IF2 IF1

z Current settings chosen so that relay closest to

fault operates
z Problem
z Relies on there being a difference in fault level
between the two relay locations
z Cannot discriminate if IF1 = IF2
Overcurrent Protection
Definite (Independent) Time Relays

TIME

TOP

IS Applied Current
(Relay Current Setting)
Overcurrent Protection
Definite (Independent) Time Relays

51 51
0.9 sec 0.5 sec

z Operating time is independent of current

z Relay closest to fault has shortest operating time
z Problem
z Longest operating time is at the source where
fault level is highest
Overcurrent Protection
IDMT

TIME

IS Applied Current
(Relay Current Setting)

z Inverse Definite Minimum Time characteristic

Overcurrent Protection
Disc Type O/C Relays

z Current setting via plug bridge

z Time multiplier setting via disc
movement
z Single characteristic
z Consider 2 ph & EF or 3 ph
plus additional EF relay
Overcurrent Protection
Static Relay

M CGG
A B C
INST INST No
Ph+
t t In Hz
Vx V
I > Is I > Is

0.1 0.05 0.05

0.1 0 0
0.2 0 Is = 0 Is =
0.4 0 0
Σ x Is Σ x Is
0.4 0 0
0.4 0 0
0.8 0 0
RESET
0 1 1
0 1 1
0 1 1
D
0.025 0.05 0.05
0.05 0.05 LT1
0
0 0.1 x t = 0.1 x t = t
Σ Σ
0 0.2 0.2
0.3 0.3 S1
0 V1
0 0.4 0.4 E1
I
0 1 1
0 2 I = 2 I =
0 4 INST 4 INST
0 8 8
0 10 Σ x Is 10 Σ x Is
0 ∝ ∝

z Electronic, multi characteristic

z Fine settings, wide range
z Integral instantaneous elements
Overcurrent Protection
Numerical Relay

I>1

I>2
Time
I>3

I>4

Current

z Multiple characteristics and stages

z Current settings in primary or secondary
values
z Additional protection elements
Co-ordination
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination Principle

z Relay closest to fault

must operate first
R1 R2 z Other relays must have
IF1 adequate additional
operating time to
T prevent them operating
z Current setting chosen
to allow FLC
z Consider worst case
conditions, operating
IS2 IS1 Maximum I modes and current
Fault flows
Level
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination Example

E D C B A

10

E
Operating time (s)

1
D
C

0.1

0.01
Current (A) FLB FLC FLD
Overcurrent Protection
IEC Characteristics

1000

100
z SI t = 0.14

Operating Time (s)

(I0.02 -1)
z VI t = 13.5 10
LTI
(I2 -1)
SI

z EI t = 80 1
(I2 -1) VI

z LTI t = 120 EI

0.1
(I - 1) 1 10 100
Current (Multiples of Is)
Overcurrent Protection
Operating Time Setting - Terms Used

z Relay operating times can be 1000

calculated using relay
characteristic charts
100

Operating Time (s)

z Published characteristcs are
drawn against a multiple of
current setting or Plug Setting 10

Multiplier
z Therefore characteristics can be 1

used for any application

regardless of actual relay current 0.1
setting 1 10 100
Current (Multiples of Is)
z e.g at 10x setting (or PSM of 10)
SI curve op time is 3s
Overcurrent Protection
Current Setting

z Set just above full load current

z allow 10% tolerance
z Allow relay to reset if fault is cleared by
downstream device
z consider pickup/drop off ratio (reset ratio)
z relay must fully reset with full load current
flowing
z PU/DO for static/numerical = 95%
z PU/DO for EM relay = 90%

z e.g for numerical relay, Is = 1.1 x IFL/0.95

Overcurrent Protection
Current Setting

z Current grading
z ensure that if upstream relay has started
downstream relay has also started

R1 R2 IF1

z Set upstream device current setting greater than

downstream relay
e.g. IsR1 = 1.1 x IsR2
Overcurrent Protection
Grading Margin

z Operating time difference between two devices to

ensure that downstream device will clear fault before
upstream device trips
z Must include
z breaker opening time
z allowance for errors GRADING
MARGIN
z relay overshoot time
z safety margin
Overcurrent Protection
Grading Margin - between relays

R1 R2

z Traditional
z breaker op time - 0.1
z relay overshoot - 0.05
z allow. For errors - 0.15
z safety margin - 0.1
z Total 0.4s
z Calculate using formula
Overcurrent Protection
Grading Margin - between relays

z Formula
z t’ = (2Er + Ect) t/100 + tcb + to + ts
z Er = relay timing error
z Ect = CT measurement error
z t = op time of downstream relay
z tcb = CB interupting time
z to = relay overshoot time
z ts = safety margin
z Op time of Downstream Relay t = 0.5s
z 0.375s margin for EM relay, oil CB
z 0.24s margin for static relay, vacuum CB
Overcurrent Protection
Grading Margin - relay with fuse

z Grading Margin = 0.4Tf + 0.15s over whole characteristic

z Assume fuse minimum operating time = 0.01s
z Use EI or VI curve to grade with fuse
z Current setting of relay should be 3-4 x rating of fuse to
ensure co-ordination
Overcurrent Protection
Grading Margin - relay with upstream fuse

Tf
Tr

I FMAX

z 1.175Tr + 0.1 + 0.1 = 0.6Tf

Allowance for CT CB Safety margin Allowance for fuse
and relay error error (fast)

or
z Tf = 2Tr + 0.33s
Overcurrent Protection
Time Multiplier Setting

100

z Used to adjust the operating

time of an inverse

Operating Time (s)

10
characteristic
z Not a time setting but a
multiplier
1
z Calculate TMS to give
desired operating time in
accordance with the grading
margin 0.1
1 10 100
Current (Multiples of Is)
Overcurrent Protection
Time Multiplier Setting - Calculation

z Calculate relay operating time required, Treq

z consider grading margin
z fault level
z Calculate op time of inverse characteristic
with TMS = 1, T1

z TMS = Treq /T1

Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination - Procedure

z Calculate required operating current

z Calculate required grading margin
z Calculate required operating time
z Select characteristic
z Calculate required TMS
z Draw characteristic, check grading over whole
curve

Grading curves should be drawn to a common

voltage base to aid comparison
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination Example

200/5 100/5

I
FMAX
= 1400 Amp
B A
Is = 5 Amp Is = 5 Amp; TMS = 0.05, SI

z Grade relay B with relay A

z Co-ordinate at max fault level seen by both relays =
1400A
z Assume grading margin of 0.4s
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination Example

200/5 100/5

I
FMAX
= 1400 Amp
B A
Is = 5 Amp Is = 5 Amp; TMS = 0.05, SI

z Relay B is set to 200A primary, 5A secondary

z Relay A set to 100A ∴ If (1400A) = PSM of 14
relay A OP time = t = 0.14 x TMS = 0.14 x 0.05 = 0.13
(I0.02 -1) (140.02 -1)
z Relay B Op time = 0.13 + grading margin = 0.13 + 0.4 = 0.53s
z Relay A uses SI curve so relay B should also use SI curve
Overcurrent Protection
Co-ordination Example
200/5 100/5

I FMAX
= 1400 Amp
B A
Is = 5 Amp Is = 5 Amp; TMS = 0.05, SI

z Relay B Op time = 0.13 + grading margin = 0.13 + 0.4 = 0.53s

z Relay A uses SI curve so relay B should also use SI curve
z Relay B set to 200A ∴ If (1400A) = PSM of 7
relay B OP time TMS = 1 = 0.14 x TMS = 0.14 = 3.52s
(I0.02 -1) (70.02 -1)
z Required TMS = Required Op time = 0.53 = 0.15
Op time TMS=1 3.52
z Set relay B to 200A, TMS = 0.15, SI
Overcurrent Protection
LV Protection Co-ordination

11kV

MCGG 4 CB 4
350MVA
2 x 1.5MVA
11kV/433V
5.1%
CTZ61 3 ACB CTZ61 3 (Open)
2
ACB
1 MCCB
1 Relay 1
2 Relay 2 27MVA
3 Relay 3
4 Relay 4 Fuse F K
F Fuse
Load 20MVA
ZA2118B
Overcurrent Protection
LV Protection Co-ordination

1000S

100S
TX damage

Fuse

MCCB (cold)
10S

Very
1.0S inverse
Relay 3

Relay 4
0.1S Relay 2

0.01S
0. 1kA 10kA 1000kA
ZA2119
Overcurrent Protection
LV Protection Co-ordination

11kV

KCGG 142 4 CB 4
350MVA
2 x 1.5MVA
11kV/433V
5.1%
KCEG 142 3 ACB 3 (Open)
2
ACB
1 MCCB
1 Relay 1
2 Relay 2 27MVA
3 Relay 3
4 Relay 4 Fuse F K
F Fuse
Load 20MVA
ZA2120C
Overcurrent Protection
LV Protection Co-ordination

1000S
Long time
inverse
100S
TX damage

Fuse
10S

MCCB (cold)
1.0S

Relay 3
0.1S Relay 2

Relay 4

0.01S
0. 1kA 10kA 1000kA
ZA2121
Overcurrent Protection
Blocked OC Schemes

Graded
protection
R3

R2
Block t >
Blocked
IF2 protection
R1 I > Start

IF1
M (Transient backfeed ?)
ZA2135
Delta / Star Transformers
Overcurrent Protection
Transformer Protection - 2-1-1 Fault Current

Turns Ratio
z A phase-phase fault on one = √3 :1
side of transformer
produces 2-1-1 distribution
on other side
z Use an overcurrent element
in each phase (cover the 2x Iline
phase)
Idelta 0.866 If3∅
z 2∅ & EF relays can be used
provided fault current > 4x
setting
Overcurrent Protection
Transformer Protection - 2-1-1 Fault Current

Turns Ratio
= √3 :1
z Istar = E∅-∅/2Xt = √3 E∅-n/2Xt

z Istar = 0.866 E∅-n/Xt

z Istar = 0.866 If3∅

Iline
z Idelta = Istar/√3 = If3∅ /2
0.866 If3∅
Idelta
z Iline = If3∅
Overcurrent Protection
Transformer Protection - 2-1-1 Fault Current

Ø/Ø
51 51

HV LV

z Grade HV relay with

respect to 2-1-1 for
∅-∅ fault
z Not only at max
fault level 86.6%If3∅ If3∅
Use of High Sets
Overcurrent Protection
Instantaneous Protection

z Fast clearance of faults

z ensure good operation factor, If >> Is (5 x ?)
z Current setting must be co-ordinated to prevent
overtripping
z Used to provide fast tripping on HV side of transformers
z Used on feeders with Auto Reclose, prevents transient
faults becoming permanent
z AR ensures healthy feeders are re-energised
z Consider operation due to DC offset - transient
overreach
Overcurrent Protection
Instantaneous OC on Transformer Feeders

HV2 HV1 LV
z Set HV inst 130% IfLV
z Stable for inrush
HV2
HV1 z No operation for LV fault
TIME

LV
z Fast operation for HV
fault
z Reduces op times
required of upstream
CURRENT
IF(LV) IF(HV) relays
1.3IF(LV)
Earthfault Protection
Overcurrent Protection
Earth Fault Protection

z Earth fault current may be limited

z Sensitivity and speed requirements may not be met by
overcurrent relays
z Use dedicated EF protection relays
z Connect to measure residual (zero sequence) current
z Can be set to values less than full load current
z Co-ordinate as for OC elements
z May not be possible to provide co-ordination with
fuses
Overcurrent Protection
Earth Fault Relay Connection - 3 Wire System

E/F OC OC OC E/F OC OC

z Combined with OC relays z Economise using 2x OC

relays
Overcurrent Protection
Earth Fault Relay Connection - 4 Wire System

E/F OC OC OC E/F OC OC OC

z EF relay setting must be z Independent of neutral

greater than normal current but must use 3 OC
neutral current relays for phase to neutral
faults
Overcurrent Protection
Earth Fault Relays Current Setting

z Solid earth
z Resistance earth
z 30% Ifull load
adequate z setting w.r.t earth fault
level
z special considerations
for impedance earthing
- directional?
Overcurrent Protection
Sensitive Earth Fault Relays

A
B
C

z Settings down to
0.2% possible
E/F
z Isolated/high
impedance earth networks
z For low settings cannot use residual connection, use
dedicated CT
z Advisable to use core balance CT
z CT ratio related to earth fault current not line current
z Relays tuned to system frequency to reject 3rd
harmonic
Overcurrent Protection
Core Balance CT Connections

NO OPERATION OPERATION

z Need to take care with core

balance CT and armoured CABLE GLAND
cables
CABLE
z Sheath acts as earth return BOX
path
z Must account for earth current E/F
path in connections - insulate CABLE GLAND/SHEATH
cable gland EARTH CONNECTION