Introduction Restricted Earth Fault (REF) prote- ction is a sensitive protection applied to protect star winding of transformer or generator. In this article, application of REF to LV and MV systems is explained. Four CT and five CT schemes for LY system are covered. Requirement of TPCT for current matching in MI system is brought out. The article ends with testing procedures for ensuring stability and sensitivity of REF scheme at site. REF vs Differential > REF compares summated line cu- rrent against neutral current on the same side of the object. Differential compares line currents on one side of object against line currents on the other side of the object (Fig 1). Al =A Fig 1 REF ws Differential > In REE, IPCT (Interposing CT) is re quired for matching current magnitude only. in differential, IPCT is required for matching both current magnitude and phase angle if required (Fig 2) Ro, le Fig 2 REF vs Differential > Differential responds to both phase -phase fault and ground fault within the protected zone. REF responds to ‘only ground fault within the protected zone. ‘The CT secondary current flow for ground fault is shown in Fig 3. For external fault, the current circulates between Line CT (LCT) and Neutral CT (NCT and no current flows through re- lay col. For internal fault, only NCT sees the current but not the LCT. The current from NCT is forced into the relay coil as LCT presents open circuit. Fig 3 Response to Ground Fault The current flow for phase-phase fault is shown in Fig 4. In case of extemal fault, the secondary current circulates between two LCTs. Both LCT and NCT do not see the current for intemal fault. Thus REF does not respond to phase-phase fault either within the protected zone or outside the protected zone. X Rajamani one Fig 4 Response to Phase-Phase Fault > For comparison of sensitivity of REF and Differential schemes, refer’. REF for LV System Restricted Earth Fault protection is ‘not too popular in LY system for the following reasons: > LY systems are solidly grounded. The earth fault currents are large even ifthe fault occurs very near to the neu- tral of the object on star side’. Sensitive earth faut protection is easily obtained by providing standby earth fault relay (615N) connected to CT on neutral (Fig 5). To provide REF protection, extra set of line and neutral CTs of special class are required in addition to the relay itself. The extra cost isnot justified for majority of LY systems a5 Aig 5 Earth Fault Relays JANUARY 2006 ¢ IEEMA JOURNALARTICLE > Unless proper care is taken during design stage itself, REF scheme for TPN (Three phase + Neutral) system can maffunction and through fault stability can be poor However there are entities which have standardized on REF prote- «tion for LY system. Also some local authorities insist on provision of REF protection for LV generators. A brief analysis on problems and available solutions when applying REF to LV system follows. NCT Located after Bifurcation The neutral current is not accounted for in REF scheme shown in Fig 6. ue | Fig 6 NCT Location - after Bitercation Two cases arise: > Due to large unbalance in loading condition, neutral current can be high. Ifthe setting is low, REF may pick up. This is wrong as there is no genuine ground faut, > A cardinal principle of system design is that neutral conductor must carry only unbalanced load current and earth conductor (eg 25x3 mm Gi) must carry returning ground fault current’. If this is violated, for ‘an external ground fault, the neutral may catty the returning ground fault current, leading to inadvertent REF pick up. NCT Located before Bifurcation To obviate the deficiencies men- tioned above, NCT is mounted before bifurcation (Fig 7). The neutral cu- rrent flows through NCT and balances against summated line current and REF will not pick yp. But mounting of NCT ‘as showin in Fig 7 may not be feasible JANUARY 2006 « IEEMA JOURNAL sometimes due to constructional dif- ficulties. Fig 7 NCT Location - before Bifurcation REF with 5CTs This isa straight forward implemen tation in TPN system but requires extra CT (Fig 8). The neutral curent flow is accounted for in REF scheme, Le Fig 8 REF with 5 CTs REF for MV System In low resistance grounded system the ground fault current is limited to ‘about 100 - 400A. in this case the LCT ratio will be much higher coresponding to rated load current, The NCT ratio is chosen lower corresponding to restricted ground fault current to improve sensitivity. Since LCTs and NCT are not of same rato, Interposing CT (PCT) is required for current matching IFLCT ratio is 1000/1 and NCT ratio is 250/1, 1:4 IPCT is required to balance the current on both sides. The current distributions for extemal and intemal faults are shown in Fig 9. In case of internal fault, LCT does not cary fault current and presents open circuit to IPT. Fig 9 REF with IPC Relay Location vs Sensitivity The relay (64) can be located on either side of IPCT (Fig 10). Assume the relay set curently, = 0.28, | Fi 10 Relay Location vs Sensitty Ifthe relay isTocated towards NCT, Tey = VA = 5 lace If the relay is located towards phase Iggy = .25A = 1.25 Ly Thus the relay sensitivity is much higher if itis connected towards NCT and is the preferred location, REF Scheme Testing Some times the malfunctioning of scheme is noticed during > Faults external to the protection zone, > Switching ina transformer, > Switching in a big motor The causes of mal-operation are: > Wrong CT polarity (PI, P2, S1, $2 = wrong markings), > Loose connection, > Wrong CT secondary wiring, > CT saturation (wrong KPV specitica- tion), > Absence or wrong IPCT ratio (in case of low resistance grounded MV system), > improper relay setting vis avis the CT characteristics (1, ) > Improper value of stabilizing res stor, > Faulty relay The purpose of testing is to en- sure: > Sensitivity of the scheme for inter nal zone ground faults (operate), > Stability of the scheme against intemal zone phase faults (not ope- rate), > Stability of the scheme against extemal zone ground and phase faults {not operate),ARTICLE Outline of Procedure The following broad steps cover testing of scheme used for trans: former: > Disconnect the transformer from both the sides, > Bypass NGR if present, > Create internal and extemal zone faults on star side, > Apply three phase test voltage to the other side of transformer, > Measure during various faults simulated - (a) CT Primary and secon- dary currents (b) Current through REF rely. Case Study Consider the transformer with parameters: 20MVA, 33KV/11KV, Delta Stat, T= 12% 1 = 20,000 / (V3 x 11) = 1050A With the secondary shorted, pr mary voltage required to circulate rated current is 3960V (33000 x 0.12). If 415V is applied to primary side with secondary shorted (Fig 11), 1) = 1, = 1050 x (41573960) = 1108 1, = 110 (11 133) In case of three phase fault, LN =1/Zpu zova, 212% jesus 1 Fig 11 Three Phase Short Circuit Line to Ground Fault In case of unsymmetrical line to ground short circuit, from theory of symmetrical components, 1g! =31(Z,+2,) pu Since delta offers open circuit to zero sequence currents, Z, does not appear in the above equation, 102) =15 1" = 15x Line to ground fault on star side gets reflected as line to line fault on delta side. Turns Ratio = 33 / (11 / 2 165 /5.2 = 31.8 The current distribution is shown in Fig 12 | Ase | Fig 12 Line to Ground Fault Line to Line Fault In case of line to line fault, from’, A, = 0,866 x 1% = 15 x 110 = 953A The current distribution is shown in Fig 13. Fig 13 Line to Line Fault External Fault Simulation > Short temporarily stabilizing resistor in relay circuit if provided. > Connect R phase to ground (Fig 14). > Apply 415V on delta side of trans- former. > Measure the current through CT secondaries and REF relay > Stability is ensured if current through relay is nearly zero, > Repeat the study for Y phase and B phase. > Remove phase to ground earthing > Greate (R -¥) short circuit (Fig 15). Fig 15 External Phase Fault > Stability is ensured if current ‘through relay is nearly zero. > Repeat the study for (Y -B) and (B A) short circuit ‘The current distribution shall be as per Table | r-elor| o | o [ors] 0 y-e| 0 [osa[ o [ota] o e-e[ 0 | 0 foros] o n-¥| 008 | oo | 0 | 0 Fig 14 External Ground Fault ° y-a| 0 | oos| oo] o | 0 a-a|oos| o [oo] o | 0 Internal Fault Simulation Repeat the above studies by shifting the fault point to within zone of protection (Fig 16 and Fig 17). Sensitivity is ensured if current through relay is maximum for ground faut. For phase - phase fault the current through relay shall be nearly zero. ‘The current distribution shall be as per Tablet JANUARY 2006 ¢ IEEMA JOURNALfaut | tau | ow: | Yow. | Bo wel o [oe [o [ar ve[ a] o | © [ots] on jee} o | o | o lor) or ay[o|ofojo]o ye} o[ofo]o|o feefelelofofe ‘The scheme is cet if following are observe fied acceptable Relay picks up| Relay picks up for Phaze to | for Phase to Earth Fault | Phase Fault xtra | No No tT 7 mal to Fig 17 Internal Phase Fault ni ae : Conclusion REF is one of the important unit protections available. In many sites REF schemes are disabled since perceived mal-operation has been observed. It could be either due to wrong design ‘or wrong engineering not detected due to inadequate testing, The ideas presented here give the road map to the practicing engineer to successfully ‘commission REF schemes ensuring sta- bility and sensitivity. REFERENCES 1 Senstviy comparison of oferentl, REF and orercurent protection K Rajan, EEMA ‘eumal Ot 2002, pp 28-33 2 Earthing of electrical systom - Part2, ‘accepted for publication in EEA Journal, 3 Smmmetncal components for power system ‘engineering J Leis Blackbur, Marcel Dekker Pb, 4 Peculaiies of deta conection in lec power systems, K Ralaman, IEMA Journal, Dec 2003, pp 38-42