Network Protection & Automation Guide
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O v e r c u r r e n t P r o t e c t i o n f o r P h a s e a n d E a r t h F a u l t s
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then checked to see if operation will also be satisfactoryat the minimum fault current expected. It is alwaysadvisable to plot the curves of relays and otherprotection devices, such as fuses, that are to operate inseries, on a common scale. It is usually more convenientto use a scale corresponding to the current expected atthe lowest voltage base, or to use the predominantvoltage base. The alternatives are a common MVA baseor a separate current scale for each system voltage.The basic rules for correct relay co-ordination can generallybe stated as follows:
a.
whenever possible, use relays with the sameoperating characteristic in series with each other
b.
make sure that the relay farthest from the sourcehas current settings equal to or less than the relaysbehind it, that is, that the primary current requiredto operate the relay in front is always equal to orless than the primary current required to operatethe relay behind it.
9.3 PRINCIPLES OF TIME/CURRENT GRADING
Among the various possible methods used to achievecorrect relay co-ordination are those using either time orovercurrent, or a combination of both. The common aimof all three methods is to give correct discrimination.That is to say, each one must isolate only the faultysection of the power system network, leaving the rest of the system undisturbed.
9.3.1 Discrimination by Time
In this method, an appropriate time setting is given toeach of the relays controlling the circuit breakers in apower system to ensure that the breaker nearest to thefault opens first. A simple radial distribution system isshown in Figure 9.1, to illustrate the principle.Overcurrent protection is provided at
B
,
C
,
D
and
E
, thatis, at the infeed end of each section of the power system.Each protection unit comprises a definite-time delayovercurrent relay in which the operation of the currentsensitive element simply initiates the time delay element.Provided the setting of the current element is below thefault current value, this element plays no part in theachievement of discrimination. For this reason, the relayis sometimes described as an ‘independent definite-timedelay relay’, since its operating time is for practicalpurposes independent of the level of overcurrent.It is the time delay element, therefore, which providesthe means of discrimination. The relay at
B
is set at theshortest time delay possible to allow the fuse to blow fora fault at
A
on the secondary side of the transformer.After the time delay has expired, the relay outputcontact closes to trip the circuit breaker. The relay at
C
has a time delay setting equal to
t
1
seconds, and similarlyfor the relays at
D
and
E
.If a fault occurs at
F
, the relay at
B
will operate in
t
seconds and the subsequent operation of the circuitbreaker at
B
will clear the fault before the relays at
C
,
D
and
E
have time to operate. The time interval
t
1
betweeneach relay time setting must be long enough to ensurethat the upstream relays do not operate before thecircuit breaker at the fault location has tripped andcleared the fault.The main disadvantage of this method of discriminationis that the longest fault clearance time occurs for faultsin the section closest to the power source, where thefault level (MVA) is highest.
9.3.2 Discrimination by Current
Discrimination by current relies on the fact that the faultcurrent varies with the position of the fault because of the difference in impedance values between the sourceand the fault. Hence, typically, the relays controlling thevarious circuit breakers are set to operate at suitablytapered values of current such that only the relay nearestto the fault trips its breaker. Figure 9.2 illustrates themethod.For a fault at
F
1
, the system short-circuit current is givenby:where
Z
s
=
source impedance
Z
L1
=
cable impedance between
C
and
B= 0.24
Ω
HenceSo, a relay controlling the circuit breaker at
C
and set tooperate at a fault current of 8800A would in theoryprotect the whole of the cable section between
C
and
B
.However, there are two important practical points thataffect this method of co-ordination:
IA
=×=
1130725
.8800
= =
11250
2
0.485
Ω
I ZZ A
SL
=+
6350
1Figure 9.1: Radial system with time discrimination
t
1
F DE t
1
t
1
CBA
Chap9 exe 21/06/02 8:51 Page 124
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