Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

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Electrical Power and Energy Systems

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ijepes

Directional overcurrent and earth-fault protections for a biomass

microgrid system in Malaysia
A.H.A. Bakar a,⇑, BanJuan Ooi b, P. Govindasamy b, ChiaKwang Tan a, H.A. Illias c, H. Mokhlis c
a
University of Malaya Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Center (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D, Jalan Pantai Baharu, University of Malaya, 59990 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
b
ABB Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Block B, Level 3, Lot 608, Jalan SS 13/1K, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
c
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: Over-current protection is principally intended to counteract excessive current in power systems. In dis-
Received 24 May 2012 tribution systems in Malaysia, non-directional over-current protection is adopted because of the radial
Received in revised form 24 September nature of the power system used. Relay typically used in distribution network are designed to cater
2013
for current flow in one direction, i.e., from transmission network to load. However, with the forecasted
Accepted 9 October 2013
increase in generation from renewable sources, it is important that adequate codes are in place with
regards to their integration to sub-transmission/distribution network. Distribution network dynamically
changes from ‘‘passive’’ to ‘‘active’’ network. With distributed generation connected to distribution net-
Keywords:
Directional overcurrent relay
work, power flows bi-directionally. Hence, directional over-current protection is adopted along the line
Directional earth-fault relay between the transmission grid and the distributed generation. The bi-directional flow of power also com-
Micro grid plicates the earth fault protection. This is due to the presence of the distributed generation that will cause
the line near the delta side of the transformer to be still energized after the operation of earth fault relay
during single-phase-to-ground-fault. This paper investigates the directional over-current and earth fault
protections used to protect the microgrid (biomass generator) in Malaysia. In this study, under-voltage
relays are adopted at the delta side of the transformer to fully clear the single-line-to-ground fault, which
cannot be cleared by earth fault relay. Three-phase-balanced fault and single-line-to-ground-fault at all
possible locations in the network have been simulated. Simulation shows good coordination and discrim-
ination between over-current relays.
Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction configuration since the DG sources contribute to the fault. There-

One of the main objectives of most utilities is to provide secure
and reliable supply to their customers. However, the occurrence of
short-circuit fault affects the reliability and quality of power sup-
ply [1]. Radial system is the most common configuration in distri-
bution systems. In this type of configurations, only one source
feeds a downstream network [2,3]. Most protection systems for
distribution networks assume power flows from the grid supply
pointing to the downstream low voltage network [4]. Normally,
protection is done using overcurrent relays with settings selected
to ensure discrimination between upstream and downstream re-
lays [5]. In the event of electricity outage due to fault, fast isolation
and restoration are required to minimize customers lost.
With the presence of distributed generators (DG) in distribution
network, the complexity of protection relay coordination, control
and maintenance of power distribution systems increases. With
the connection of DG, in case of fault, the system can lose the radial
⇑ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: a.halim@um.edu.my (A.H.A. Bakar).
fore, the system coordination could be lost. High penetration of
DGs will have unfavourable impact on the traditional protection
methods because the distribution system is no longer radial in nat-
ure and is not supplied by a single main power source [6]. Power
flows bi-directionally and ordinary non-directional over-current
relay will not be able to fully clear the fault. When DG is present
in the system, an additional power flow appears from the load side
to the source side and vice versa. Hence, the opening of the main
feeder breaker does not assure that the fault is cleared. The short
circuit rating of the power system also changes with the installa-
tion of DG. If generation is embedded into the distribution system,
the fault current seen by the relay may increase or decrease,
depending on the location of the relay, the fault and the distributed
generators [7]. In a fault situation, distributed generators modify
the current contribution to the fault and therefore, it influences
the behavior of the network protection.
Distributed generations have posed some problems to protec-
tion, which are false tripping of feeders (sympathetic tripping),
nuisance tripping of production units, blinding of protection, in-
creased or decreased fault levels, unwanted islanding, prohibition

0142-0615/$ - see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijepes.2013.10.004
582 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

of automatic reclosing and unsynchronized reclosing [8]. Earth discrimination should be done properly to ensure no nuisance trip-
fault happening at the delta side of the transformer will not be fully ping of relays.
cleared by the earth fault relay with the presence of DG because
there are more than one power source in the network. When the
2.1. Need of directional element in over-current relay
main utility service provider is the only sole power source provider
to the customer load, the earth fault that happens between the
Directional over-current protection is used against fault current
utility source substation and delta-wye transformer can be fully
that could circulate in both directions through a system element
cleared or completely isolated by the tripping of the utility-source
and when non-directional over-current protection could produce
line breaker alone. Hence, when there is another generation source
unnecessary of disconnection of circuits [11–13]. This situation
(probably a distributed generator) being added in parallel with the
can happen in a ring circuit and a circuit with a number of infeed
utility power system at the customer load site, beyond a delta-wye
points. When distributed generator (DG) is present, there are mul-
transformer, the transformer becomes a source of fault current for
tiple power sources and the opening of the utility breaker only
faults on the utility source line [9].
does not guarantee that the fault will be cleared. Hence, the nature
This paper examined the use of directional over-current relays
of distribution network changes with multiple DG units and direc-
along the line connecting the two power sources in order to fully
tional relays are needed in the network [6]. Directional relays
clear the fault. Characteristics graph of relays were plotted and should be placed along the line that links the main grid and the
the tripping time of the primary protection and back-up protection
DG. For the branch that does not link the two power sources,
were recorded. The study also investigated the use of under-volt- non-directional relays could be used.
age relay at the delta side of the transformer to fully extinguish
the earth fault.
2.2. Relay characteristics

2. Over-current protection 2.2.1. Definite time

This characteristic makes use of time delay element to provide
Two types of over-current protections are discussed here, the means of discrimination [14]. The relay, which is installed at the
phase over-current and the earth fault over-current protections. furthest substation away from the source, is tripped in the shortest
It should be noted that the earth fault protection should not oper- time. The remaining relays are tripped in sequence having longer
ate for any phase to phase fault because there is no zero sequence time delays, moving back in the direction of the source. For the
current flowing [10]. However, the phase over-current protection purpose of this study, definite time characteristic is used for direc-
may operate when earth fault happens. Hence, coordination and tional earth fault protection. This characteristic has advantage

DIgSILENT
Biomass mechanical load(1)/415V
Biomass Generator ~
G 0.504
Existing 11kV System
1.214
21.593
0.000 -2.72 2.72
0.000 -0.95 0.95
67.94
0.00 0.00
11/0.43kV

50N/51N (Non-Directional E/F Relay M(E)) 0.00 50N/51N (Non-Directional E/F Relay H(E))
Essential and Other load for Gener(1) -0.00
50/51 (Non-Directional O/C Relay M) 11.77 2.72
0.00
0.00
50/51 (Non-Directional O/C Relay H)
2.68 1.03
80.49
0.00
67.94
0.00
50/51 (Non-Directional O/C Relay C)
Biomass substation/11kV FAULT 0.000
0.000
Existing System/11kV
0.000
-0.00
13.481
1.226
0.000
0.000 -0.00 67 (Directional O/C Relay G)
-6.908 0.00
0.000
0.000
9.05
1.65
67 (Directional O/C Relay L) 0.00
27 (Undervoltage Relay G)
50.02
0.00 27 (Undervoltage Relay L) DELTA
33/11kV(3)
33/11kV(2)

TX UTILITY
TX DG WYE
-9.05 67N (Directional E/F Relay De) 0.00 67N (Directional E/F Relay Ie)
-1.35 -0.00
50.02
0.00
67 (Directional O/C Relay D) 0.00
0.00
67 (Directional O/C Relay I)

Substation(1)/33kV 40.226 39.972

Substation(3)/33kV
1.219 1.211
21.241 20.986
9.05 -0.00
0.000
0.000 1.35 67 (Directional O/C Relay K) 0.000
0.000 0.00 67 (Directional O/C Relay F)
44.14 10.65
0.00
67N (Directional E/F Relay Ke) 0.00
67N (Directional E/F Relay Fe)
Line(3)

Line(4)

-8.99 0.00
-2.44 -2.25
44.14
0.00
67 (Directional O/C Relay E) 10.65
0.00
67 (Directional O/C Relay J)
67N (Directional E/F Relay Ee) 67N (Directional E/F Relay Je)
Substation(2)/33kV 39.930
1.210
21.079 8.98
0.000
0.000
4.69
50.70
50/51 (Non-Directional O/C Relay B)
0.00
50N/51N (Non-Directional E/F Relay B(E))
Line(5)

-8.90
-5.75
50.70
0.00

Substation(4)/33kV 39.572
1.199
21.056
8.90
0.000
0.000 5.75 50/51 (Non-Directional O/C Relay A)
44.19
0.00
33/0.43 kV(1)

-8.90
-5.51
44.19
0.00

Substation(5)/0.43kV 0.492
1.185
49.979
0.000 0.00 0.00 4.45 4.45 0.00
0.000 0.00 0.00 2.76 2.76 0.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

3.49 MW
2.47 MW 3.44 MW 2.91 MW(1)

2.91 MW

Fig. 1. Network model.

 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591
Fig. 2. Voltage phasor diagram for (a) unfaulted system, (b) faulted system during parallel operation and (c) faulted system during islanded operation.
when being applied in the earth fault protection because earth
fault relay is usually set at current setting of 20–40% of the loading
current. Therefore, earth fault relay with definite time characteris-
tic has faster operation time for back-up protection when the pri-
mary protection fails to operate.
2.2.2. Inverse current
These relays are classified based on their characteristic curves,
which define the speed of operation as inverse, very inverse or ex-
tremely inverse. IEC 60255 defines a number of standard charac-
teristics as follows [14]:
Standard Inverse ðSIÞ : t ¼ TMS  0:14=½ðIf =IS Þ0:02  1
Very Inverse ðVIÞ : t ¼ TMS  13:5=½ðIf =IS Þ  1
Extreme Inverse ðEIÞ : t ¼ TMS  80=½ðIf =IS Þ2  1
Long Time Standard Earth Fault : t ¼ TMS  120=½ðIf =IS Þ  1
2.2.3. Combined Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT) and high set
instantaneous over-current relays
These relays combine both the characteristic of the inverse cur-
rent and definite time to improve the overall system grading by
allowing the discriminating curves behind the high set instanta-
neous element to be lowered. The main advantage of relays with
this characteristic is the high-speed protection over a large section
of the protected circuit. In this study, this characteristic is used in
the phase over-current relays.
3. Current setting
3.1. Phase over-current
In general, for phase over-current protection, the current setting
is selected to be above the maximum short time rated current of
the circuit involved. The pick-up values of phase over-current re-
lays are normally set at 30% above the maximum load current, pro-
vided that sufficient short circuit current is available [15].
3.2. Earth fault over-current
Protection against earth faults can be obtained by using a relay
that responds only to the residual current of the system, since a
residual component only exists when fault current flows to earth.
The typical setting for earth fault relays are 30–40% of the full load
current or minimum earth fault current on the part of the system
being protected.
583
4. Unexpected delta sources protection
Conventionally, delta-wye transformers are used to connect
transmission and sub-transmission systems to distribution sys-
tems to improve a load balance and block zero sequence current
flow. However, when distributed generation is present, delta-wye
transformers become the sources of fault current that can be diffi-
cult to be detected and isolated. In other words, directional over-
current or distance protection at the interconnection point
between the utility system and source of distributed generation
can detect faults on the utility source line but cannot detect ground
faults on the high side of a delta-wye transformer when the utility
ð16Þ
source breaker is open [9]. Referring to Fig. 1 which shows a micro
grid system in Malaysia, when ground fault occurs at busbar of
ð17Þ
‘‘existing system/11 kV’’ (Delta side of the utility transformer),
the directional earth fault relay Je (Wye side of the utility trans-
ð18Þ former) is not able to detect the fault after the breaker of Relay
H(E) is opened.
When earth fault occurs at the delta side of the transformer, the
ð19Þ earth fault relay located between the fault point and the delta side
of the transformer will not be able to operate because there is no
zero sequence current being detected. When earth fault happens
at the delta side of the transformer, before the utility source break-
er is opened, the faulted phase voltage collapses. The unfaulted
phase voltages are held close to their nominal by the effectively
grounded utility source. However, when the utility source breaker
trips before the distributed generation trips, the faulted phase volt-
age remains zero in case of a bolted fault while the unfaulted phase
voltages are 1.73 times the nominal when supplied from a delta
source [9]. This is illustrated in Fig. 2.
Under and/or overvoltage detection on the high side of the delta
transformer winding supplements islanding protection and low-
side fault detection by providing ground fault detection before
and after the utility source breaker opens. Hence, voltage relays
can be used to solve this issue. Voltage relays that can be used in-
clude under voltage relays, overvoltage relays and zero sequence
voltage relay. The under voltage element can be set at some frac-
tion of nominal voltage, 50% and it picks up if the fault is the same
phase as the VT connection [9]. The overvoltage element can be set
above nominal voltage, 130% and it picks up if the fault is on one of
the other two phases [9].
5. Case studies
Simulation involves short circuit to obtain the fault current data
has been performed in order to study the over-current protection.
The obtained fault current data was then used to calculate the
grading of the over-current relays. The relay settings were applied
into the program that has been developed to verify the operation of
584 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

Table 1A Table 2B
Setting of phase over-current relays. Tripping time of relays for sungle-phase-ground-fault (bolted).

Relay Time-overcurrent (TOC) Instantaneous-overcurrent (IOC) Fault location Primary protection Back-up protection
TMS Current setting (A) Current setting (A) Time setting Relay Tripping t (s) Relay Tripping t (s)
(s)
Secondary Primary Secondary Primary Substation (4)/33 kV Be 0.02 Fe 0.4127
Ke 0.2027
A 0.05 5.53 442 18.75 1500 0.02
Line(5) Be 0.02 Fe 0.5128
B 0.11 5.36 429 26.25 2100 0.02
Ke 0.4123
C 0.06 3.6 143 62.5 2500 0.02
Substation (2)/33 kV Fe 0.4128 Ie 0.5128
D 0.10 3.9 156 23.75 950 0.02
Ke 0.4128 De 0.5128
E 0.17 3.9 156 32.5 1300 0.22
Line(4) Fe 0.4130 Ie 0.5130
F 0.17 5.36 429 18 1440 0.23
Je 0.2000 Ke 0.4197
G 0.26 6.44 1287 25 5000 0.235
Substation (3)/33 kV Ie 0.5128 G (U<) 0.5163
H 0.34 6.5 1300 50 10,000 0.24
Je 0.2001 Ke 0.4128
I 0.19 6.5 260 17.5 700 0.02
Existing system/11 kV He 0.2000 – –
J 0.17 4.77 286 13 780 0.2
G (U<) 0.5190 – –
K 0.16 5.69 455 10 800 0.21
Line (3) Ee 0.2000 Fe 0.4126
L 0.20 5.74 1387 11 2640 0.215
Ke 0.4126 De 0.5126
M 0.24 6.34 1521 12 2880 0.37
Substation (1)/33 kV De 0.5124 L (U<) 0.5290
Ee 0.2000 Fe 0.4124
Biomass substation/11 kV Me 0.02 – –
L (U<) 0.518 – –
Table 1B
Setting of earth fault over-current relays.

Relay Instantaneous-overcurrent (IOC)

Table 3A
Current setting (A) Time setting (s)
Fault current detected by phase overcurrent relays A, B, F, G and H.
Secondary Primary
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
Be 27.5 2 200 0.02
Ce 1.5 60 0.02 A Substation (5)/0.43 kV 1663
De 10 400 0.52 B Substation (4)/33 kV 2334
Ee 1 40 0.02 F Substation (2)/33 kV 1636
Fe 10 800 0.42 G Substation (3)/33 kV 5707
He 1 200 0.02 H Existing system/11 kV 12,000
Ie 10 400 0.52
Je 1 60 0.02
Ke 2 160 0.42
Me 0.8 192 0.02 Table 3B
Fault current detected by phase overcurrent relays A, B, K, L and M.

Relay Fault location Fault current/A

Table 2A A Substation (5)/0.43 kV 1663

Tripping time of relays for three-phase balanced fault (bolted). B Substation (4)/33 kV 2334
K Substation (2)/33 kV 994
Fault location Primary protection Back-up protection L Substation (1)/33 kV 3104
Relay Tripping t (s) Relay Tripping t (s) M Biomass substation/11 kV 4341

Substation (5)/0.43 kV A 0.02 B 0.5070

Substation (4)/33 kV B 0.02
Line(5) B 0.02
Substation (2)/33 kV F 0.2301
K 0.2101
Line(4) F 0.2301
J 0.2025
Substation (3)/33 kV G 0.2351
J 0.2025
Existing system/11 kV H 0.0224
I 0.2401
Line (3) E 0.2229
K 0.2101
Substation (1)/33 kV E 0.2229
L 0.2151
Biomass substation/11 kV D 0.3702
M 0.0229
the directional over-current (DOC) and directional earth-fault
(DEF) relays.
A power system software, DIgSILENT PowerFactory developed
by DIgSILENT GmbH was chosen to simulate the load flow and
short circuit fault on the 33/11 kV network. The chosen test system
is 33/11 kV micro grid system in Malaysia and the distributed gen-
erator is the biomass generator. The snap shot of the studied net-
F 0.4257
K 0.2101
F 0.2301 Table 3C
K 0.2101 Fault current detected by phase overcurrent relays C, D, E, F, G and H.
G 0.5191
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
L 0.2151
G 0.2351 C Biomass mechanical load (1)/415 V 2554
K 0.2101 D Biomass Substation/11 kV 1077
G (U<) 0.5139 E Substation (1)/33 kV 1516
K 0.2101 F Substation (2)/33 kV 1636
– – G Substation (3)/33 kV 5707
G (U<) 0.5163 H Existing system/11 kV 12,000
F 0.2301
L 0.2151
F 0.2301
L (U<) 0.5154 Table 3D
L (U<) 0.5151 Fault current detected by phase overcurrent relays I, J, K, L and M.
– –
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
I Existing system/11 kV 732
J Substation (3)/33 kV 920
K Substation (2)/33 kV 994
L Substation (1)/33 kV 3104
M Biomass substation/11 kV 4341
work is depicted in Fig. 1. After performing the grading on the
over-current relays, time-over-current plots between different
 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591 585

Table 4A to biomass distributed generation, i.e., between relays I, J, K, L

Fault current detected by earth fault overcurrent relays Be, Fe and Ie. and M and (d) from load up to biomass distributed generation,
Relay Fault location Fault current/A i.e., between relays A, B, K, L and M.
Be Substation (4)/33 kV 2364 For earth fault protection, coordination and discrimination
Fe Substation (2)/33 kV 1704 among relays need to be obeyed as follows: (a) from load up to
Ie Substation (3)/33 kV 2824 the 11 kV existing grid, i.e., between relays Be, Fe and Ie, (b) from
biomass distributed generation up to 11 kV existing grid, i.e.,
between relays Ee, Fe and Ie, (c) from 11 kV existing grid up to
Table 4B biomass distributed generation, i.e., between relays Je, Ke and De
Fault current detected by earth fault overcurrent relays Be, Ke and De. and (d) from load up to biomass distributed generation, i.e.,
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
between relays Be, Ke and De.
Short circuit calculation simulation was carried out using the
Be Substation (4)/33 kV 2364
simulation software to obtain the fault current at all possible loca-
Ke Substation (2)/33 kV 1486
De Substation (1)/33 kV 1969 tions of the fault. In order to grade the over-current relays for
phase fault protection, three phase balanced fault (LLLF) simulation
was selected. Network representation used was balanced, positive
sequence for LLLF simulation and the maximum short circuit cur-
Table 4C
Fault current detected by earth fault overcurrent relays Ee, Fe and Ie. rent was calculated. To grade the over-current relay for earth fault
protection, single line to ground fault (SLGF) simulation was se-
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
lected because this type of fault is the most common earth fault
Ee Substation (1)/33 kV 1452 and contributes to almost 80% of total number of fault occurrence.
Fe Substation (2)/33 kV 1704
For SLGF simulation, network representation used was unbalanced,
Ie Substation (3)/33 kV 2824
3-phase (ABC) and the maximum short circuit current was
calculated.

Table 4D
Fault current detected by earth fault overcurrent relays Je, Ke and De. 6. Simulation results
Relay Fault location Fault current/A
Je Substation (3)/33 kV 920
The results obtained were classified into two groups, the time-
Ke Substation (2)/33 kV 1486 over-current (TOC) – instantaneous over-current (IOC) plot for
De Substation (1)/33 kV 1969 phase over-current relays and the instantaneous over-current
(IOC) plot for earth over-current relays.
The settings for the Inverse Definite Minimum Time (IDMT)
phase over-current relays are based on the fault currents obtained
combinations of relays at different locations are plotted to verify from a three phase balanced fault. The values of these fault cur-
the coordination and discrimination. rents are presented in Tables 3A–D. The setting for IDMT relays
For phase fault protection, coordination and discrimination are presented in Table 1A. From the simulation, it is found that
among relays need to be obeyed as follows: (a) from load up to in primary protection, the shortest tripping time for phase over-
the 11 kV existing grid, i.e., between relays A, B, F, G and H, (b) from current fault takes only 0.02 s while the longest tripping time is
biomass distributed generation up to 11 kV existing grid, i.e., be- 0.3702 s. The tripping time for relays at different locations of fault
tween relays C, D, E, F, G and H, (c) from 11 kV existing grid up is presented in Table 2A.

Fig. 3A. Relays A, B, F, G and H.

586 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

Fig. 3B. Relays A, B, K, L and M.

Fig. 3C. Relays C, D, E, F, G and H.

The settings for the earth fault over-current relays are
based on the fault currents obtained from single line to ground
fault. The values of these fault currents are presented in Tables
4A–D. The settings for these relays are presented in Table 1B.
From the simulation, it is found that in primary protection, the
shortest tripping time for over-current earth fault takes only
0.02 s while the longest tripping time is 0.519 s. The tripping
time for relays at different locations of fault is presented in
Table 2B.
6.1. Phase over-current relay coordination (TOC-high set IOC plot)
6.1.1. Coordination between relays A, B, F, G and H
Fig. 3A shows the time-over-current (TOC) – instantaneous-
over-current (IOC) plot for coordination between relays A, B, F,
G and H. These relays are relays from the load side up to the
relays at the existing 11 kV system. In normal radial distribution
system, the over-current characteristic curves should discrimi-
nate each other by not overlapping with each other. However,
as shown in Fig. 3A, the characteristic curves for relay A and B
are actually overlapping with that from relays F, G and H but
coordination is still achieved. This is because in normal radial
distribution system (without the distributed generation (DG)),
the fault current increases from downstream towards upstream,
i.e., fault current nearer to the source is bigger. As shown in
Table 3A, the fault current detected by relay downstream, i.e.,
relays A and B (1663 A and 2334 A respectively) are bigger as
compared to fault current detected by relay upstream, i.e., relay
F (1636 A). This scenario is due to the fault current detected by
relays A and B are the total contribution from both existing
11 kV system (slack bus) and biomass generator (PV bus).
Another key point noted is that relays A, B and H are
 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591 587

Fig. 3D. Relays I, J, K, L and M.

Fig. 4A. Relays Be, Fe and Ie.

non-directional phase over-current relay while relays F and G
are directional phase over-current relays. The use of directional
element for relays F and G is needed because these relays are
placed along the line between the two power sources, that is
existing 11 kV system and the biomass generator. Along this line,
power flows bi-directionally.
6.1.2. Coordination between relays A, B, K, L and M
Fig. 3B shows the time-over-current (TOC) – instantaneous-
over-current (IOC) plot for coordination between relays A, B, K, L
and M. These relays are relays from the load side up to the relays
at the biomass generator. As shown in Fig. 3B, the characteristic
curves for relay A, B and K are overlapping with that from relays
L and M but coordination is still achieved. As shown in Table 3B,
the fault current detected by relay downstream, i.e., relays A and
B are 1663 A and 2334 A respectively while the fault current de-
tected by relay upstream relay L is 3104 A. Although the fault cur-
rent at relay L, 3104 A is bigger than 1663 A, fault current detected
by relay A. However, the 3104 A detected at relay L is after the 33/
11 kV step down transformer (current is stepped up). Therefore,
the equivalent fault current before passing through the trans-
former should be 3104/3, or 1034 A. Equivalently, this fault value
at upstream is still smaller than the fault downstream at relays A
and B. The relays A, B and M are non-directional phase over-cur-
rent relay while relays K and L are directional phase over-current
relays.
6.1.3. Coordination between relays C, D, E, F, G and H
Fig. 3C shows the time-over-current (TOC) – instantaneous-
over-current (IOC) plot for coordination between relays C, D, E, F,
G and H. These relays are relays from the DG up to the relays at
the existing 11 kV grid. As shown in Fig. 3C, the characteristic
588 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

Fig. 4B. Relays Be, Ke and De.

Fig. 4C. Relays Ee, Fe and Ie.

curves are not overlapping with each other and show good coordi-
nation. As can be seen from Table 3C, the fault currents value
increases from downstream to upstream. Relays D, E, F and G are
directional relays because they are placed along the line between
the two power sources.
6.1.4. Coordination between relays I, J, K, L and M
Fig. 3D shows the time-over-current (TOC) – instantaneous-
over-current (IOC) plot for coordination between relays I, J, K, L
and M. These relays are relays from the existing 11 kV grid up to
the relays at the DG. As shown in Fig. 3D, the characteristic curves
do not overlap each other and show good coordination. Table 3D
shows the fault currents value increases from downstream to up-
stream. Relays I, J, K and L are directional relays.
7. Earth fault over-current relay coordination (TOC-high set IOC
plot)
Fig. 4A shows the instantaneous-over-current (IOC) plot for
coordination between relays Be, Fe and Ie. These relays are from
the load side up to the Y-side of the 33/11 kV transformer near
the existing system/11 kV busbar. Coordination of relay is done
up to the Y-side of transformer only because it is the source of zero
sequence current flow. The relay Be used is non-directional earth
fault relay and it is an IDMT relay. Relays Fe and Ie used are direc-
tional earth fault relay which uses only the definite time character-
istic which enhances the speed of operation during earth fault
occurrence. For relay with definite time characteristic, the time de-
lay setting is the most crucial part. The current setting of earth
 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591 589

Fig. 4D. Relays Je, Ke and De.

Fig. 5A. Zero sequence voltage at existing system/11 kV (without undervoltage relay).

fault relay is normally taken to be 20–40% of loading current be-
cause it only operates for earth fault detection and not for ordinary
phase over-current condition. It can be seen that from Fig. 4A, the
current setting of the relay Ie is smaller than Fe. This is because the
large setting of relay Ie will cause the tripping of under-voltage re-
lay G instead of relay Ie when there is earth fault happening at bus-
bar Substation(3)/33 kV.
Fig. 4B shows the instantaneous-over-current (IOC) plot for
coordination between relays Be, Ke and De. These relays are from
the load side up to the Y-side of the 33/11 kV transformer near
the biomass substation/11 kV busbar. The relay Be used is non-
directional IDMT earth fault relay whereas relays Ke and De used
are directional earth fault relay with definite time characteristic.
Fig. 4C shows the instantaneous-over-current (IOC) plot for coordi-
nation between relays Ee, Fe and Ie. All relays Ee, Fe and Ie used are
directional earth fault relay with definite time characteristic
because they are located along the line between two power
sources. Fig. 4D shows the instantaneous-over-current (IOC) plot
for coordination between relays Je, Ke and De. All relays Je, Ke
and De used are directional earth fault relay with definite time
characteristic.
8. Case study: earth fault at the delta side of the transformer
When single phase to ground fault occurs at busbar on the
existing system/11 kV system, that is at the delta side of the trans-
former TX UTILITY, earth fault relay H(E) will trip to isolate the
earth fault from the transmission grid. The tripping mechanism is
safe when the system is normal radial without embedded genera-
tion. With the installation of biomass generator, power flows bi-
directionally and tripping relay H(E) will not fully clear the earth
590 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591

Fig. 5B. Three phase voltage at existing system/11 kV (without undervoltage relay).

Fig. 6A. Zero sequence voltage at existing system/11 kV (with undervoltage relay).

fault. As shown in Fig. 5A, by just tripping the earth fault relay H(E)
when earth fault occurs at busbar on the existing system/11 kV, the
earth fault is not fully cleared. The zero sequence voltage at busbar
on the existing system/11 kV does not fall to zero after the opera-
tion of relay H(E). This shows that the line is still energized and
poses certain degree of danger. Fig. 5B shows phase A, B and C volt-
ages at busbar on the existing system/11 kV, which when single
phase to ground fault occurs at phase A, voltage at phase A drops
but voltage at phases B and C increases.
Therefore, in order to solve the unexpected delta source prob-
lem, under voltage relay G is used to detect the single phase to
ground fault. As shown in Fig. 6A, after under voltage relay G is
used, the zero sequence voltage at busbar on the existing sys-
tem/11 kV falls to zero, which indicates the complete clearance
of the fault. Fig. 6B shows the phase A, B and C voltage at busbar
on the existing system/11 kV before, during and after the fault.
After the fault is cleared, voltage of all three phases falls to zero,
which indicates that the line is totally de-energized.
 A.H.A. Bakar et al. / Electrical Power and Energy Systems 55 (2014) 581–591
Fig. 6B. Three phase voltage at existing system/11 kV (with undervoltage relay).
The same phenomena happen when earth fault occurs at busbar
on the biomass substation/11 kV. Under voltage relay L is used to
fully clear the earth fault.
9. Conclusion
The simulation results obtained in this study shows that direc-
tional over-current and directional earth-fault relays should be
used along the line connecting the two power sources because
power flows bi-directionally. For the load side that branches out
from the source, non-directional relays may be used. In a micro
grid system, earth fault that happens at the delta side of the trans-
former cannot be fully cleared by the use of earth fault relay. This is
because the relay at the delta side of the transformer will not be
able to detect the zero sequence current flow. Therefore, proper
operation has to be carried out by using an under voltage relay
to detect the collapse of phase voltage for the earth fault
occurrence.
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