1.

Fundamentals of Bus Bar Protection GE Multilin

2. Outline

3. Single bus - single breaker
14. Protection Requirements High bus fault currents due to large number of circuits connected: CT saturation often becomes
a problem as CTs may not be sufficiently rated for worst fault condition case large dynamic forces associated with bus faults
require fast clearing times in order to reduce equipment damage False trip by bus protection may create serious problems:
service interruption to a large number of circuits (distribution and sub-transmission voltage levels) system-wide stability
problems (transmission voltage levels) With both dependability and security important, preference is always given to security
Protection of power system busbars is one of the most critical relaying applications. Busbars are areas in power systems
where fault current levels may be very high. In spite of that, some of the circuits connected to the bus may have their Current
Transformers (CTs) insufficiently rated. This creates a danger of significant CT saturation and jeopardizes security of the
busbar protection system. A false trip of a distribution bus can cause outages to a large number of customers as numerous
feeders and/or sub-transmission lines may get disconnected. A false trip of a transmission busbar may drastically change
system topology and jeopardize power system stability. Hence, the requirement of a maximum security of busbar protection.
On the other hand, bus faults generate large fault currents. If not cleared promptly, they endanger the entire substation due
to both dynamic forces and thermal effects. Hence, the requirement of high-speed operation of busbar protection. With both
security and dependability being very important for busbar protection, the preference is always given to security. Protection
of power system busbars is one of the most critical relaying applications. Busbars are areas in power systems where fault
current levels may be very high. In spite of that, some of the circuits connected to the bus may have their Current
Transformers (CTs) insufficiently rated. This creates a danger of significant CT saturation and jeopardizes security of the
busbar protection system. A false trip of a distribution bus can cause outages to a large number of customers as numerous
feeders and/or sub-transmission lines may get disconnected. A false trip of a transmission busbar may drastically change
system topology and jeopardize power system stability. Hence, the requirement of a maximum security of busbar protection.
On the other hand, bus faults generate large fault currents. If not cleared promptly, they endanger the entire substation due
to both dynamic forces and thermal effects. Hence, the requirement of high-speed operation of busbar protection. With both
security and dependability being very important for busbar protection, the preference is always given to security.
15. Bus Protection Techniques Interlocking schemes Overcurrent (unrestrained or unbiased) differential Overcurrent
percent (restrained or biased) differential Linear couplers High-impedance bus differential schemes Low-impedance bus
differential schemes Power system busbars vary significantly as to the size (number of circuits connected), complexity
(number of sections, tie-breakers, disconnectors, etc.) and voltage level (transmission, distribution). The above technical
aspects combined with economic factors yield a number of solutions for busbar protection. Power system busbars vary
significantly as to the size (number of circuits connected), complexity (number of sections, tie-breakers, disconnectors, etc.)
and voltage level (transmission, distribution). The above technical aspects combined with economic factors yield a number
of solutions for busbar protection.
16. Interlocking Schemes Blocking scheme typically used Short coordination time required Care must be taken with possible
saturation of feeder CTs Blocking signal could be sent over communications ports (peer-to-peer) This technique is limited to
simple one-incomer distribution buses A simple protection for distribution busbars can be accomplished as an interlocking
scheme. Overcurrent (OC) relays are placed on an incoming circuit and at all outgoing feeders. The feeder OCs are set to
sense the fault currents on the feeders. The OC on the incoming circuit is set to trip the busbar unless blocked by any of the
feeder OC relays. A short coordination timer is typically required to avoid race conditions. When using microprocessor-
based multi-functional relays it becomes possible to integrate all the required OC functions in one or few relays. This allows
not only reducing wiring but also shortening the coordination time and speeding-up operation of the scheme. Modern relays
provide for fast peer-to-peer communications using protocols such as the UCA with the GOOSE mechanism. This allows
eliminating wiring and sending the blocking signals over the communications. The scheme although easy to apply and
economical is limited to specific (simple) busbar configurations. A simple protection for distribution busbars can be
accomplished as an interlocking scheme. Overcurrent (OC) relays are placed on an incoming circuit and at all outgoing
feeders. The feeder OCs are set to sense the fault currents on the feeders. The OC on the incoming circuit is set to trip the
busbar unless blocked by any of the feeder OC relays. A short coordination timer is typically required to avoid race
conditions. When using microprocessor-based multi-functional relays it becomes possible to integrate all the required OC
functions in one or few relays. This allows not only reducing wiring but also shortening the coordination ti me and speeding-
up operation of the scheme. Modern relays provide for fast peer-to-peer communications using protocols such as the UCA
with the GOOSE mechanism. This allows eliminating wiring and sending the blocking signals over the communications. The
scheme although easy to apply and economical is limited to specific (simple) busbar configurations.
17. Overcurrent (unrestrained) Differential Differential signal formed by summation of all currents feeding the bus CT ratio
matching may be required On external faults, saturated CTs yield spurious differential current Time delay used to cope with
CT saturation Instantaneous differential OC function useful on integrated microprocessor-based relays Typically a
differential current is created externally to a current sensor by summation of all the circuit currents. Preferably the CTs
should be of the same ratio. If they are not, a matching CT (or several CTs) is needed. This in turn may increase the burden
for the main CTs and make the saturation problem even more serious. Historically, means to deal with the CT saturation
problem include definite time or inverse-time overcurrent characteristics. Although economical and applicable to distribution
busbars, this solution does not match performance of more advanced schemes and should not be applied to transmission-
level busbars. The principle, however, is used as a protection function in an integrated microprocessor-based busbar relay.
If this is the case, such unrestrained differential element should be set above the maximum spurious differential current and
may give a chance to speed up operation on heavy internal faults as compared to a percent (restrained) bus differential
element Typically a differential current is created externally to a current sensor by summation of all the circuit currents.
Preferably the CTs should be of the same ratio. If they are not, a matching CT (or several CTs) is needed. This in turn may
increase the burden for the main CTs and make the saturation problem even more serious. Historically, means to deal with
the CT saturation problem include definite time or inverse-time overcurrent characteristics. Although economical and
applicable to distribution busbars, this solution does not match performance of more advanced schemes and should not be
applied to transmission-level busbars. The principle, however, is used as a protection function in an integrated
microprocessor-based busbar relay. If this is the case, such unrestrained differential element should be set above the
maximum spurious differential current and may give a chance to speed up operation on heavy internal faults as compared to
a percent (restrained) bus differential element
18. A linear coupler (air core mutual reactor) produces its output voltage proportional to the derivative of the input current.
Because they are using air cores, linear couplers do not saturate. During internal faults the sum of the busbar currents, and
thus their derivatives, is zero. Based on that, a simple busbar protection is thus achieved by connecting the secondary
windings of the linear couplers in series (in order to respond to the sum of the primary currents) and attaching a simple
voltage sensor. Disadvantages of this approach are similar to those of the high-impedance scheme A linear coupler (air core
mutual reactor) produces its output voltage proportional to the derivative of the input current. Because they are using air
cores, linear couplers do not saturate. During internal faults the sum of the busbar currents, and thus their derivatives, is
zero. Based on that, a simple busbar protection is thus achieved by connecting the secondary windings of the linear
couplers in series (in order to respond to the sum of the primary currents) and attaching a simple voltage sensor.
Disadvantages of this approach are similar to those of the high-impedance scheme
19. Linear Couplers
20. Fast, secure and proven Require dedicated air gap CTs, which may not be used for any other protection Cannot be
easily applied to reconfigurable buses The scheme uses a simple voltage detector it does not provide benefits of a
microprocessor-based relay (e.g. oscillography, breaker failure protection, other functions) Linear Couplers
21. High Impedance Differential Operating signal created by connecting all CT secondaries in parallel CTs must all have the
same ratio Must have dedicated CTs Overvoltage element operates on voltage developed across resistor connected in
secondary circuit Requires varistors or AC shorting relays to limit energy during faults Accuracy dependent on secondary
circuit resistance Usually requires larger CT cables to reduce errors ? higher cost
22. Percent Differential Percent characteristic used to cope with CT saturation and other errors Restraining signal can be
formed in a number of ways No dedicated CTs needed Used for protection of re-configurable buses possible Percent
differential relays create a restraining signal in addition to the differential signal and apply a percent (restrained)
characteristic. The choices of the restraining signal include sum, average and maximum of the bus currents. The
choices of the characteristic include typically single-slope and double-slope characteristics. This low-impedance approach
does not require dedicated CTs, can tolerate substantial CT saturation and provides for high-speed tripping. Many integrated
relays perform CT ratio compensation eliminating the need for matching CTs. This principle became really attractive with the
advent of microprocessor-based relays because of the following: Advanced algorithms supplement the percent differential
protection function making the relay very secure. Protection of re-configurable busbars becomes easier as the dynamic bus
replica (bus image) can be accomplished without switching secondary current circuits. Integrated Breaker Fail (BF) function
can provide optimal tripping strategy depending on the actual configuration of a busbar. Distributed architectures are
proposed that place Data Acquisition Units (DAU) in bays and replace current wires by fiber optic communications.Percent
differential relays create a restraining signal in addition to the differential signal and apply a percent (restrained)
characteristic. The choices of the restraining signal include sum, average and maximum of the bus currents. The
choices of the characteristic include typically single-slope and double-slope characteristics. This low-impedance approach
does not require dedicated CTs, can tolerate substantial CT saturation and provides for high-speed tripping. Many integrated
relays perform CT ratio compensation eliminating the need for matching CTs. This principle became really attractive with the
advent of microprocessor-based relays because of the following: Advanced algorithms supplement the percent differential
protection function making the relay very secure. Protection of re-configurable busbars becomes easier as the dynamic bus
replica (bus image) can be accomplished without switching secondary current circuits. Integrated Breaker Fail (BF) function
can provide optimal tripping strategy depending on the actual configuration of a busbar. Distributed architectures are
proposed that place Data Acquisition Units (DAU) in bays and replace current wires by fiber optic communications.
23. Low Impedance Percent Differential Individual currents sampled by protection and summated digitally CT ratio matching
done internally (no auxiliary CTs) Dedicated CTs not necessary Additional algorithms improve security of percent differential
characteristic during CT saturation Dynamic bus replica allows application to reconfigurable buses Done digitally with logic
to add/remove current inputs from differential computation Switching of CT secondary circuits not required Low secondary
burdens Additional functionality available Digital oscillography and monitoring of each circuit connected to bus zone Time-
stamped event recording Breaker failure protection
24. Digital Differential Algorithm Goals Improve the main differential algorithm operation Better filtering Faster response
Better restraint techniques Switching transient blocking Provide dynamic bus replica for reconfigurable bus bars Dependably
detect CT saturation in a fast and reliable manner, especially for external faults Implement additional security to the main
differential algorithm to prevent incorrect operation External faults with CT saturation CT secondary circuit trouble (e.g. short
circuits)
25. Low Impedance Differential (Distributed) Data Acquisition Units (DAUs) installed in bays Central Processing Unit (CPU)
processes all data from DAUs Communications between DAUs and CPU over fiber using proprietary protocol Sampling
synchronisation between DAUs is required Perceived less reliable (more hardware needed) Difficult to apply in retrofit
applications
26. Low Impedance Differential (Centralized) All currents applied to a single central processor No communications, external
sampling synchronisation necessary Perceived more reliable (less hardware needed) Well suited to both new and retrofit
applications.
27. CT Saturation
28. CT Saturation Concepts CT saturation depends on a number of factors Physical CT characteristics (size, rating, winding
resistance, saturation voltage) Connected CT secondary burden (wires + relays) Primary current magnitude, DC offset
(system X/R) Residual flux in CT core Actual CT secondary currents may not behave in the same manner as the ratio
(scaled primary) current during faults End result is spurious differential current appearing in the summation of the secondary
currents which may cause differential elements to operate if additional security is not applied
29. CT Saturation
30. External Fault & Ideal CTs Fault starts at t0 Steady-state fault conditions occur at t1
31. External Fault & Actual CTs Fault starts at t0 Steady-state fault conditions occur at t1
32. External Fault with CT Saturation Fault starts at t0, CT begins to saturate at t1 CT fully saturated at t2
33. Some Methods of Securing Bus Differential Block the bus differential for a period of time (intentional delay) Increases
security as bus zone will not trip when CT saturation is present Prevents high-speed clearance for internal faults with CT
saturation or evolving faults Change settings of the percent differential characteristic (usually Slope 2) Improves security of
differential element by increasing the amount of spurious differential current needed to incorrectly trip Difficult to explicitly
develop settings (Is 60% slope enough? Should it be 75%?) Apply directional (phase comparison) supervision Improves
security by requiring all currents flow into the bus zone before asserting the differential element Easy to implement and test
Stable even under severe CT saturation during external faults
34. High-Impedance Bus Differential Considerations
35. High Impedance Voltage-operated Relay
External Fault
36. High Impedance Voltage Operated Relay Ratio matching with Multi-ratio CTs
37. High Impedance Voltage Operated Relay Ratio matching with Multi-ratio CTs
38. Electromechanical High Impedance Bus Differential Relays Single phase relays High-speed High impedance voltage
sensing High seismic IOC unit
42. Fast, secure and proven Requires dedicated CTs, preferably with the same CT ratio and using full tap Can be applied to
small buses Depending on bus internal and external fault currents, high impedance bus diff may not provide adequate
settings for both sensitivity and security Cannot be easily applied to reconfigurable buses Require voltage limiting varistor
capable of absorbing significant energy May require auxiliary CTs Do not provide full benefits of microprocessor-based relay
system (e.g. metering, monitoring, oscillography, etc.) High-impedance protection responds to a voltage across the
differential junction points. The CTs are required to have a low secondary leakage impedance (completely distributed
windings or toroidal coils). During external faults, even with severe saturation of some of the CTs, the voltage does not rise
above certain level, because the other CTs will provide a lower-impedance path as compared with the relay input
impedance. The principle has been used for more than half a century because is robust, secure and fast. The technique,
however, is not free from disadvantages. The most important ones are: The high-impedance approach requires dedicated
CTs (significant cost associated). It cannot be easily applied to re-configurable buses (current switching using bistable
auxiliary relays endangers the CTs, jeopardizes security and adds an extra cost). It requires a voltage limiting varistor
capable of absorbing significant energy during busbar faults. The scheme requires only a simple vol tage level sensor. From
this perspective the high-impedance protection scheme is not a relay. If BF, event recording, oscillography, communications,
and other benefits of microprocessor-based relaying are of interest, then extra equipment is needed (such as a Digital Fault
Recorder or dedicated BF relays). High-impedance protection responds to a voltage across the differential junction points.
The CTs are required to have a low secondary leakage impedance (completely distributed windings or toroidal coils). During
external faults, even with severe saturation of some of the CTs, the voltage does not rise above certain level, because the
other CTs will provide a lower-impedance path as compared with the relay input impedance. The principle has been used for
more than half a century because is robust, secure and fast. The technique, however, is not free from disadvantages. The
most important ones are: The high-impedance approach requires dedicated CTs (significant cost associated). It cannot be
easily applied to re-configurable buses (current switching using bistable auxiliary relays endangers the CTs, jeopardizes
security and adds an extra cost). It requires a voltage limiting varistor capable of absorbing significant energy during busbar
faults. The scheme requires only a simple voltage level sensor. From this perspective the high-impedance protection
scheme is not a relay. If BF, event recording, oscillography, communications, and other benefits of microprocessor-based
relaying are of interest, then extra equipment is needed (such as a Digital Fault Recorder or dedicated BF relays).
43. Low-Impedance Bus Differential Considerations
44. ?P-based Low-Impedance Relays No need for dedicated CTs Internal CT ratio mismatch compensation Advanced
algorithms supplement percent differential protection function making the relay very secure Dynamic bus replica (bus image)
principle is used in protection of reconfigurable bus bars, eliminating the need for switching physically secondary current
circuits Integrated Breaker Failure (BF) function can provide optimal tripping strategy depending on the actual configuration
of a bus bar The low-impedance approach used to be perceived as less secure when compared with the high-impedance
protection. This is no longer true as microprocessor-based relays apply sophisticated algorithms to match the performance
of high-impedance schemes, and at the same time, the cost considerations make the high-impedance scheme less
attractive. This is particularly relevant for large (cost of extra CTs) and complex (dynamic bus replica) buses that cannot be
handled well by high-impedance schemes. Microprocessor-based low-impedance busbar relays are developed in one of the
two architectures: Distributed Centralized The low-impedance approach used to be perceived as less secure when
compared with the high-impedance protection. This is no longer true as microprocessor-based relays apply sophisticated
algorithms to match the performance of high-impedance schemes, and at the same time, the cost considerations make the
high-impedance scheme less attractive. This is particularly relevant for large (cost of extra CTs) and complex (dynamic bus
replica) buses that cannot be handled well by high-impedance schemes. Microprocessor-based low-impedance busbar
relays are developed in one of the two architectures: Distributed Centralized
47. Large Bus Applications
48. Large Bus Applications
For buses with up to 24 circuits
49. Summing External Currents
Not Recommended for Low-Z 87B relays Relay becomes combination of restrained and unrestrained elements In order to
parallel CTs: CT performance must be closely matched Any errors will appear as differential currents Associated feeders
must be radial No backfeeds possible Pickup setting must be raised to accommodate any errors
50. Definitions of Restraint Signals
51. Sum Of vs. Max Of Restraint Methods Sum Of Approach More restraint on external faults; less sensitive for internal
faults Scaled-Sum Of approach takes into account number of connected circuits and may increase sensitivity Breakpoint
settings for the percent differential characteristic more difficult to set Max Of Approach Less restraint on external fault s;
more sensitive for internal faults Breakpoint settings for the percent differential characteristic easier to set Better handles
situation where one CT may saturate completely (99% slope settings possible)
52. Bus Differential Adaptive Approach Region 1 Low current magnitudes CT saturation possible due to DC offset CT
saturation difficult to detect More security required ? Use 2-out-of-2 Operating Mode Region 2 High current magnitudes ?
Quick CT saturation possible CT saturation easy to detect Security required only if CT saturation detected Dynamically
decide if 1-out-of-2 or 2-out-of-2 Operating ModeRegion 1 Low current magnitudes CT saturation possible due to DC offset
CT saturation difficult to detect More security required ? Use 2-out-of-2 Operating Mode Region 2 High current magnitudes ?
Quick CT saturation possible CT saturation easy to detect Security required only if CT saturation detected Dynamically
decide if 1-out-of-2 or 2-out-of-2 Operating Mode
53. Bus Differential Adaptive Logic Diagram
54. Phase Comparison Principle
55. Phase Comparison Principle Continued Implementation Select n fault Contributors A contributor is a feeder carrying
a significant amount of current (above load) A feeder is a contributor if its current magnitude is: Above the high breakpoint
setting of the bus differential element Above a certain portion of the restraint current Determine the angle between each
Contributor and the sum of the remaining n-1 Contributors. Determine the maximum of the angles and compare with the
directional threshold Threshold is set at 90o For external faults, the maximum of the angles should be greater than 90o An
angle of more than 90o for an internal fault due to CT saturation is not physically possible.Implementation Select n fault
Contributors A contributor is a feeder carrying a significant amount of current (above load) A feeder is a contributor if its
current magnitude is: Above the high breakpoint setting of the bus differential element Above a certain portion of the
restraint current Determine the angle between each Contributor and the sum of the remaining n-1 Contributors. Determine
the maximum of the angles and compare with the directional threshold Threshold is set at 90o For external faults, the
maximum of the angles should be greater than 90o An angle of more than 90o for an internal fault due to CT saturation is
not physically possible.
56. CT Saturation Fault starts at t0, CT begins to saturate at t1 CT fully saturated at t2
57. CT Saturation Detector State Machine The CT saturation condition is declared when the magnitude of the restraining
signal becomes larger than the higher breakpoint and at the same time the differential current is below the first slope. As t he
phasor estimator in the main differential algorithm introduces a processing delay that may cause fast CT saturation to be
missed, a similar procedure is done using the relations between the signals at the waveform level to catch fast CT
saturation. Additionally, the sample-based stage of the saturation detector uses the time derivative of the restraining signal
(di/dt) to better trace the saturation pattern shown in the above diagram. The CT saturation condition is of a transient
nature and requires a seal-in, therefore the CT saturation detector state machine is used. The saturation detector is
capable of detecting saturation occurring in approximately 2 ms into a fault. It should be emphasized that the saturation
detector has no dedicated settings, but does rely on settings for the main differential characteristic for proper operation. The
CT saturation condition is declared when the magnitude of the restraining signal becomes larger than the higher breakpoint
and at the same time the differential current is below the first slope. As the phasor estimator in the main differential algorithm
introduces a processing delay that may cause fast CT saturation to be missed, a similar procedure is done using the
relations between the signals at the waveform level to catch fast CT saturation. Additionally, the sample-based stage of the
saturation detector uses the time derivative of the restraining signal (di/dt) to better trace the saturation pattern shown in the
above diagram. The CT saturation condition is of a transient nature and requires a seal-in, therefore the CT saturation
detector state machine is used. The saturation detector is capable of detecting saturation occurring in approximately 2 ms
into a fault. It should be emphasized that the saturation detector has no dedicated settings, but does rely on settings for the
main differential characteristic for proper operation.
58. CT Saturation Detector Operating Principles
59. CT Saturation Detector - Examples The oscillography records on the next two slides were captured from a B30 relay
under test on a real-time digital power system simulator First slide shows an external fault with deep CT saturation (~1.5
msec of good CT performance) SAT saturation detector flag asserts prior to BIASED PKP bus differential pickup DIR
directional flag does not assert (one current flows out of zone), so even though bus differential picks up, no trip results
Second slide shows an internal fault with mild CT saturation BIASED PKP and BIASED OP both assert before DIR asserts
CT saturation does not block bus differential More examples available (COMTRADE files) upon request
60. CT Saturation Example External Fault Two examples of relay operation are presented: an external fault with heavy CT
saturation and an internal fault with mild CT saturation. The protected bus includes six circuits connected to CT banks F1,
F5, M1, M5, U1 and U5, respectively. The circuits F1, F5, M1, M5 and U5 are capable of feeding some fault current; the U1
circuit supplies a load. The F1, F5 and U5 circuits are significantly stronger than the F5 and M1 connections. The M5 circuit
contains the weakest (most prone to saturation) CT of the bus. The Figure presents the bus currents and the most important
logic signals for the case of an external fault. Despite very fast and severe CT saturation, the B30 remains stable.Two
examples of relay operation are presented: an external fault with heavy CT saturation and an internal fault with mild CT
saturation. The protected bus includes six circuits connected to CT banks F1, F5, M1, M5, U1 and U5, respectively. The
circuits F1, F5, M1, M5 and U5 are capable of feeding some fault current; the U1 circuit supplies a load. The F1, F5 and U5
circuits are significantly stronger than the F5 and M1 connections. The M5 circuit contains the weakest (most prone to
saturation) CT of the bus. The Figure presents the bus currents and the most important logic signals for the case of an
external fault. Despite very fast and severe CT saturation, the B30 remains stable.
61. CT Saturation Internal Fault Example The Figure presents the same signals but for the case of an internal fault. The
B30 trips in 10 ms (fast form-C output contact). The Figure presents the same signals but for the case of an internal fault.
The B30 trips in 10 ms (fast form-C output contact).
62. Applying Low-Impedance Differential Relays for Busbar Protection Basic Topics Configure physical CT Inputs Configure
Bus Zone and Dynamic Bus Replica Calculating Bus Differential Element settings Advanced Topics Isolator switch
monitoring for reconfigurable buses Differential Zone CT Trouble Integrated Breaker Failure protection
63. Configuring CT Inputs For each connected CT circuit enter Primary rating and select Secondary rating. Each 3-phase
bank of CT inputs must be assigned to a Signal Source that is used to define the Bus Zone and Dynamic Bus Replica For
B30, CTs are connected in 3-phase sets For B90, CTs are connected as individual single phases UR hardware is built to
support combinations of both 1 A and 5 A secondaries within the same DSP moduleFor B30, CTs are connected in 3-phase
sets For B90, CTs are connected as individual single phases UR hardware is built to support combinations of both 1 A and 5
A secondaries within the same DSP module
64. Per-Unit Current Definition - Example For Zone 1: 1.00 ASEC injected on F1 is 1.00 p.u. 6.67 ASEC injected on F2 is
1.00 p.u. 2.67 ASEC injected on F3 is 1.00 p.u. For Zone 2: 1.56 ASEC injected on F4 is 1.00 p.u. 20.83 ASEC injected on
F5 is 1.00 p.u. 5.00 ASEC injected on F6 is 1.00 p.u. For Zone 1: 1.00 ASEC injected on F1 is 1.00 p.u. 6.67 ASEC inj ected
on F2 is 1.00 p.u. 2.67 ASEC injected on F3 is 1.00 p.u. For Zone 2: 1.56 ASEC injected on F4 is 1.00 p.u. 20.83 ASEC
injected on F5 is 1.00 p.u. 5.00 ASEC injected on F6 is 1.00 p.u.
65. Configuration of Bus Zone Dynamic Bus Replica associates a status signal with each current in the Bus Differential Zone
Status signal can be any logic operand Status signals can be developed in programmable logic to provide additional checks
or security as required Status signal can be set to ON if current is always in the bus zone or OFF if current is never in the
bus zone CT connections/polarities for a particular bus zone must be properly configured in the relay, via either hardwire or
software
66. Configuring the Bus Differential Zone Configure the physical CT Inputs CT Primary and Secondary values Both 5 A and
1 A inputs are supported by the UR hardware Ratio compensation done automatically for CT ratio differences up to 32:1
Configure AC Signal Sources Configure Bus Zone with Dynamic Bus Replica
67. Dual Percent Differential Characteristic
68. Calculating Bus Differential Settings The following Bus Zone Differential element parameters need to be set: Differential
Pickup Restraint Low Slope Restraint Low Break Point Restraint High Breakpoint Restraint High Slope Differential High Set
(if needed) All settings entered in per unit (maximum CT primary in the zone) Slope settings entered in percent Low Slope,
High Slope and High Breakpoint settings are used by the CT Saturation Detector and define the Region 1 Area (2-out-of-2
operation with Directional)
69. Calculating Bus Differential Settings Minimum Pickup Defines the minimum differential current required for operation of
the Bus Zone Differential element Must be set above maximum leakage current not zoned off in the bus differential zone
May also be set above maximum load conditions for added security in case of CT trouble, but better alternatives exist
70. Calculating Bus Differential Settings Low Slope Defines the percent bias for the restraint currents from IREST=0 to
IREST=Low Breakpoint Setting determines the sensitivity of the differential element for low-current internal faults Must be
set above maximum error introduced by the CTs in their normal linear operating mode Range: 15% to 100% in 1%.
increments
71. Calculating Bus Differential Settings Low Breakpoint Defines the upper limit to restraint currents that will be biased
according to the Low Slope setting Should be set to be above the maximum load but not more than the maximum current
where the CTs still operate linearly (including residual flux) Assumption is that the CTs will be operating linearly (no
significant saturation effects up to 80% residual flux) up to the Low Breakpoint setting
72. Calculating Bus Differential Settings High Breakpoint Defines the minimum restraint currents that will be biased
according to the High Slope setting Should be set to be below the minimum current where the weakest CT will saturate with
no residual flux Assumption is that the CTs will be operating linearly (no significant saturation effects up to 80% residual flux)
up to the Low Breakpoint setting
73. Calculating Bus Differential Settings High Slope Defines the percent bias for the restraint currents IREST?High
Breakpoint Setting determines the stability of the differential element for high current external faults Traditionally, shoul d be
set high enough to accommodate the spurious differential current resulting from saturation of the CTs during heavy ext ernal
faults Setting can be relaxed in favour of sensitivity and speed as the relay detects CT saturation and applies the directional
principle to prevent maloperation Range: 50% to 100% in 1%. increments
74. Calculating Unrestrained Bus Differential Settings Defines the minimum differential current for unrestrained operation
Should be set to be above the maximum differential current under worst case CT saturation Range: 2.00 to 99.99 p.u. in
0.01 p.u. increments Can be effectively disabled by setting to 99.99 p.u.
75. Dual Percent Differential Characteristic
76. Reconfigurable Buses Complex busbars are re-configurable. In particular a given circuit having a single metering point
(CT) and single current interrupting device (CB) may be connected to more than one section depending on positions of
isolators. This requires to monitor positions of the isolators in order to determine if a given current shall be included in the
differential zone for a given section, and whether a given breaker shall be tripped upon detecting a fault in a given zone. This
calls for current switching (AC) and trip re-direction logic (DC). The second operation does not impose any technical
difficulties, but the first one is not a preferred solution in analog schemes as it may lead to damaging the CTs. Ability to
follow the actual busbar configuration is referred to as a dynamic bus image or dynamic bus replica and is one of the
strongest features of microprocessor-based busbar relays. Complex busbars are re-configurable. In particular a given circuit
having a single metering point (CT) and single current interrupting device (CB) may be connected to more than one section
depending on positions of isolators. This requires to monitor positions of the isolators in order to determine if a given current
shall be included in the differential zone for a given section, and whether a given breaker shall be tripped upon detecting a
fault in a given zone. This calls for current switching (AC) and trip re-direction logic (DC). The second operation does not
impose any technical difficulties, but the first one is not a preferred solution in analog schemes as it may lead to damaging
the CTs. Ability to follow the actual busbar configuration is referred to as a dynamic bus image or dynamic bus replica
and is one of the strongest features of microprocessor-based busbar relays.
77. Reconfigurable Buses Here, as an example one zone of protection shall cover the NORTH BUS. The figure shows zone
boundaries by indicating metering and current interruption points.Here, as an example one zone of protection shall cover the
NORTH BUS. The figure shows zone boundaries by indicating metering and current interruption points.
78. Reconfigurable Buses Here, another zone of protection is shown for the SOUTH BUS. The figure shows zone
boundaries by indicating metering and current interruption points. Note, for example that a pair of a metering point CT-2 and
a current interruption point B-2 belongs to the SOUTH zone only if the S-2 isolator is closed (S-1 is opened). The CT-2 / B-2
point belongs to the NORTH zone if the S-1 is closed (S-2 must be open). Here, another zone of protection is shown for the
SOUTH BUS. The figure shows zone boundaries by indicating metering and current interruption points. Note, for example
that a pair of a metering point CT-2 and a current interruption point B-2 belongs to the SOUTH zone only if the S-2 isolator is
closed (S-1 is opened). The CT-2 / B-2 point belongs to the NORTH zone if the S-1 is closed (S-2 must be open).
79. Reconfigurable Buses Ideally, zones shall overlap. This includes protection of the connected circuits as well. In this
example, two B30 relays could be used to protect this double-bus arrangement. In reality, there is a physical area between a
metering point (CT) and the associated current interruption point (CB). Depending on the mutual location of the two, certain
blind or over-tripping spots may occur. This issue can be resolved using dynamic bus replica, and is addressed later in this
material.Ideally, zones shall overlap. This includes protection of the connected circuits as well. In this example, two B30
relays could be used to protect this double-bus arrangement. In reality, there is a physical area between a metering point
(CT) and the associated current interruption point (CB). Depending on the mutual location of the two, certain blind or over-
tripping spots may occur. This issue can be resolved using dynamic bus replica, and is addressed later in this material.
80. Isolators Reliable Isolator Closed signals are needed for the Dynamic Bus Replica In simple applications, a single
normally closed contact may be sufficient For maximum safety: Both N.O. and N.C. contacts should be used Isolator Alarm
should be established and non-valid combinations (open-open, closed-closed) should be sorted out Switching operations
should be inhibited until bus image is recognized with 100% accuracy Optionally block 87B operation from Isolator Alarm
Each isolator position signal decides: Whether or not the associated current is to be included in the differential calculations
Whether or not the associated breaker is to be tripped
81. Isolator Typical Open/Closed Connections
82. Switch Status Logic and Dyanamic Bus Replica
83. Differential Zone CT Trouble Each Bus Differential Zone may a dedicated CT Trouble Monitor Definite time delay
overcurrent element operating on the zone differential current, based on the configured Dynamic Bus Replica Three
strategies to deal with CT problems: Trip the bus zone as the problem with a CT will likely evolve into a bus fault anyway Do
not trip the bus, raise an alarm and try to correct the problem manually Switch to setting group with 87B minimum pickup
setting above the maximum load current.
84. Strategies 2 and 3 can be accomplished by: Using undervoltage supervision to ride through the period from the
beginning of the problem with a CT until declaring a CT trouble condition Using an external check zone to supervise the 87B
function Using CT Trouble to prevent the Bus Differential tripping (2) Using setting groups to increase the pickup value for
the 87B function (3) Differential Zone CT Trouble
85. Differential Zone CT Trouble Strategy #2 Example
86. Example Architecture for Large Busbars
87. Example Architecture Dynamic Bus Replica and Isolator Position
88. Example Architecture BF Initiation & Current Supervision
89. Example Architecture Breaker Failure Tripping
90. IEEE 37.234 Guide for Protective Relay Applications to Power System Buses is currently being revised by the K14
Working Group of the IEEE Power System Relaying Committee.