It is said that behind every successful man,

there is a woman……
Thanks to the woman behind me……….
who is my biggest critic, cheer leader,
support, guide & friend.
PLCC Protection coupler
Basic Concepts & Demonstration

S.V. Kulkarni DyEE PLCC MSETCL Pune

 PLCC Protection coupler
• Visit to Learning center PLCC 30 min
• PLCC introduction 15 min.
• PLCT 15 min.
• PLCC outdoor equipment 15 min.
• Coupling schemes 15 min.
• Tea Break 15 min
• Conventional & CAP 15 min.
• NSD 50 Transmitter & Receiver 15 min.
• G4AA G4AC 15 min.
• QA 15 min.
• Protection coupler demo 30 min.
 To communicate is Human Nature

• We communicate to
–Convey feelings.
–Express
agreements.
–Express love.
–Learn/ Teach
–Share knowledge
–Communico (Latin)
PLCC & OPGW
The PLCC is a technology which uses power line
as physical media for speech, Data & protection
signal transmission.
PLCC Network
 Exercise
Look at the pictures & write their names
PLCC Indoor & Outdoor equipment
 Power Line Carrier Terminal
• PLCT converts a input signal of 4 KHz bandwidth to the RF signal &
amplifies this signal to the desired output power levels up to 40
watts.

• The RF range in PLCC system is 50 KHz to 500 KHz

 Modulation & Demodulation
• Modulation is a technique used to convert a low
freq signal( information signal) to a higher freq
signal ( modulated signal) using high freq signal
(carrier)

• Demodulation is the opposite technique where

information signal is extracted from the carrier.

• Modulation & Demodulation requires Carrier

frequency which is generated in PLCT.
PLCC Panel ( type: ABB ETL
41/42)

Modules
Cabinet
 ( 232/108 UL KHz)
( 428/456 U KHz)
Or 480/ 488 UL KHz
Or (96/92 U KHz)

Rx Rx Tx Tx
Tx Rx

Frequency space
4 + 4 = 8 KHz required

Frequency space
4 + 4 +4 +4 = 16 KHz required
Telephone Bandwidth

•1000 Hz • 4000 Hz
•2000 Hz • 5000 Hz
•3000 Hz • 6000 Hz
Human voice 4 KHz, Music 15 KHz, TV 6 MHz BW
 Twin Channel
Single Channel
ABB Make ETL 42
ABB Make ETL 41
PLCC Panel
PLCC Panel
( 480/488 UL KHz)
( 96/92 U KHz)
Adjacent Frequency Adjacent Frequency

L KHz
U KHz

Tx band – 476-480 K
Rx band- 484-488 K

U KHz
Tx band – 96-100 KHz
Tx band – 480-484 K
Rx band – 92- 96 KHz Rx band- 488-492 K

Rx Tx Tx Tx Rx Rx
Frequency Spectrum
BW 4+4= 8 KHz BW 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 =16KHz
 Twin Channel
Single Channel
ABB Make ETL 42
ABB Make ETL 41
PLCC Panel
PLCC Panel
( 232/108 UL KHz)
( 428/456 U KHz)
Separate Frequency Separate Frequency

L KHz
U KHz

Tx band – 228-232 K
Rx band- 104-108 K

U KHz
Tx band – 428-432 KHz
Tx band – 232-236 K
Rx band – 456-460 KHz Rx band- 108-112 K

Tx Rx Rx Rx Tx Tx
Frequency Spectrum
BW 4+4= 8 KHz BW 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 =16KHz
Single channel Maximum 56 no. of PLCC panels for 50 to 500 KHz range

Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx

Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx

Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx

Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx
/ / / / / / / / / / / /
Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx

Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx Tx
/ / / / / / / /
Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx Rx
 Twin channel Maximum 28 no. of PLCC panels for 50 to 500 KHz range

Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I

Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II

Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I

Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II

Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I

Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II

Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I Tx/Rx I

Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II Tx/Rx II

Modulating signal
Speech Carrier Amplitude Modulated Signal
Data
Protection

AM signal

fc + fm
fm fc

fc

fc - fm
 Modulating signal
Speech Carrier Amplitude Modulated Signal
Data
Protection

Lower Sideband f c – f m 1
fm1 fc Carrier & USB removed
Channel I Input signal Carrier signal

Upper Sideband f c – f m 2
fm2 fc Carrier & LSB removed
Carrier signal
Channel II Input signal
 T R
x x
Amplitude
Speech signal fm Modulated
Signal

T
Protection signal fm x fc + fm

R AM
x fc signal

Data Signal fm Carrier fc fc - fm

PLCC Applications
 PLCC link

• PLCT are used as a pair one at each end

• Each PLCT is designated for a set of Tx & Rx freq.
• These freq may be Separate Or Adjacent.
• The corresponding PLCT at the other end will be
designated for the reverse value of Tx/Rx freq.
• The ch freq. will be either in 4 KHz or 8 KHz BW
depending upon single ch or Twin ch.
 Protection Pilot
Guard
Frequency Frequency Frequency

Carrier
Frequency

Data Freq. Dial Freq. Speech Freq.

 Exercise

7. Data frequency band ______________________KHz

 Exercise

Hints – 1. Make ,Type & Frequency of PLCT

2. Selection of Pass band of LMU
3. Selection of Blocking band of LMU
4. PLCC Phase to phase coupling
5. Main HF cable & HF loop connection.
 Coupling schemes---
Economic ,Engineering & common sense…

• Mode 1 coupling
• Center ph to Outer ph (No Mode 3)
• Center ph to Ground ( No mode 2)
• Outer ph to outer ph with Ground
return (No mode 2)
• Outer ph to Ground ( All 3 modes)
 PLCC Coupling

LT

LT

Cc LT

Cc Cc
PLC LMU

PLC LMDU LMU

LT
LT

Cc Cc
Phase-to-Ground

LMDU LMU
Inter circuit
PLC

Phase-to-Phase
 Modal analysis
• Modal analysis is a mathematical tool similar to
symmetrical components used for analyzing
unbalanced faults on three ph power system.
• It can be shown that no. of natural Nodes is
equal to the no. of conductors involved in the
propagation.
• For example, 3 nodes in the case of a single
circuit line with 2 earth wires earthed at each
tower.
• The ph conductor V or I can be resolved into 3
sets of natural mode components at any point on
a lossy, reflection free three ph line.
 Mode distribution for a 3 ph line

Mode 3 is the highest attenuated mode &

more
Mode frequency
is propagated 1 isallleast
on dependent
& returns&
attenuated
3 phases &has
via least
more attenuation than Mode1
the ground dependent
frequency
 Mode components for various
types of coupling
a) Center phase to Ground coupling
b) Outer phase to Ground coupling
c) Center to Outer Push Pull coupling
d) Outer to Outer Push push coupling
Protection
Line Fault …PUTT…Distance relay( 21), Main I, Main II

Substation B
Substation A

Zone 1 (A) Zone 1 (A & B) Zone 1 (B)

Zone 2 (B)  Conductor snapping Zone 2 (A)
 Tree fault
 Bird fault
In case of 400 KV line, Main I & Main II are parallel commands.
M I ,M II should be operated simultaneously.
 Substation Fault…Direct Trip Protection

Substation A
 Over Voltage Substation B

 LBB
 Reactor Protection
 Busbar
 Hand trip
 86ROV all commands are routed through 86ROV except
Hand trip
 85 LO receive command is routed through 85LO
relay.
 Conventional 3 Zone Protection

Distance Distance
Relay 21 Relay 21

400 220

Z1 0 0
Z2 300 400
Z3 500 700
 Carrier aided Protection

Distance Protection Protection Distance

Relay 21 Coupler Coupler Relay 21
 Trip logic
Conventional & Carrier aided protection
Carrier Aided Protection
 Carrier aided Protection
• In the absence of communication link,
the operation of End zone fault is
longer & auto reclosing is not possible.

• Carrier aided protection scheme is used

for simultaneous tripping of near & far end
circuit breakers

• Protection Coupler equipments can be

used along with PLCC terminals for Tele
protection requirements.
Protection Coupler ABB Make NSD 50 (Full version)
DSP Card Relay Interface 1 Relay Interface 2
G4AC G4AC
G4AA
DSP

Opto coupler Opto coupler

Alarm Contact

Solid state C Solid state C

Opto coupler Opto coupler

Alarm Contact

Solid state C Solid state C

Slot no. 10 Slot no. 15 Slot no. 21

 Protection coupler Protection coupler
At S/s A At S/s B

Opto coupler
Distance
Relay 21 85X

Solid state
Contact

Alarm Contact Alarm Contact

Protection coupler Protection coupler
At S/s A At S/s B

Opto coupler
Distance
Relay 21

85X

Solid state
Contact

Alarm Contact Alarm Contact

 Protection coupler Protection coupler
At S/s A At S/s B

Opto coupler
Opto coupler

85X 85X

Solid state
Solid state Contact
30X Contact 30X

Alarm Contact Alarm Contact

 Principle of operation
• Under normal conditions, i.e. when there is no fault in the
line, guard frequency or frequencies G1 & G2 will be
continuously transmitted through the PLC channel for
monitoring the healthiness of the equipment.

• In the event of operation of protection due to fault the guard

signals will be cut & corresponding trip signals will be
transmitted in the Speech band.

• Speech & any other Data transmission are interrupted while

the trip signals are being transmitted.
 DSP Module G4AA Slot no.10
Start A
Tx Command A Relay AF Tx
Interfac
e DA
1
G4AC
A BOOST
Slot no. DA
D
15 Pilot
DSP C Tx Speech
Relay
Interfac
e
2
G4AC
Slot no.
21
 DSP Module G4AA Slot no.10

Relay
Interfac
e DA
AF Rx
Rx command A 1
Rx aux O/P A G4AC
A
Slot no. DA
D
15
DSP C
Relay
Interfac
Rx Speech
e
2 AGC
G4AC
ALARM
Slot no.
21
Alarm
Tx,Rx,COM 1,2
NSD 50 Transmitter & Receiver
• Transmitter
• Applying DC voltage to the input Tx command interrupts
the Pilot /Guard signal.
• Tx Speech cut off.
• Protection coupler will generate trip frequency which will
be fed to PLCC panel & Tx Counter increments.

• Receiver
• Continuously monitor guard signal.
• When found any trip frequency with absence of guard
signal, Rx Speech is interrupted & Rx counter
increments.
• At the same time Rx command on the protection relay
is activated.
 NSD 50 Trip Frequencies
• Command A 872 Hz
• Command B 1090 Hz
• A & B Permissive Trip/ Uncoded Commands
• Command C 654 Hz / 1526 Hz
• Command D 654 Hz / 1745 Hz
• C &D Direct Trip / Coded Commands
• A,B,C & D Commands are transmitted in
Speech band
Transmission time ,Security & Dependability
• The Performance of a protection coupler is
assessed by means of three criteria.
• The Transmission time
• The Security ( Unwanted command probability)
• The Dependability ( Missing command probability)
 Permissive & Direct
• This scheme is used for protection of power line with
Distance relay.
• Tripping can only take place at the receiving end if a
tripping signal is being received and local protection relay
detects a fault.
• Transmission Time – 12ms
• Command Prolongation (Trip Extension) time- 20ms

• The tripping command from the protection coupler goes

directly to the circuit breaker.

• Transmission Time – 26 ms
• Command Prolongation time- 100 ms
Utilization of PLCC panels (3P+2S)

Main I Main II Direct Trip Sp Dialing Sp Express

ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41
A B A B C

M II Parallel
v
M I Parallel
M I Own M II Own Direct trip Own
 Modified Utilization (2P+2/1S)
Channel I Channel II Speech Dialing Speech Express

ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41

A B C A B C
M I Parallel
v
M II Parallel
v
M I Own Direct trip Parallel
v
M II Own Direct trip Own

OR
Channel I Channel II Speech Dialing/Express

ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 41 ABB ETL 42 Twin Channel Panel

A B C A B C
M I Parallel
v
M II Parallel
v
Direct trip Parallel
M I Own v
M II Own
Direct trip Own
 Relay Interface 1 G4AC
I/P Volt 125 V DC…250 V DC CA,CC,CG,CI
I/P Volt 48 V DC…110 V DC CB,CD,CH,CK

Trip signal A / C CE,CP,CF,CQ

Trip signal B / D CL,CU,CM,CV
Rack slot N15/ N21 CN / CO

Com Prol. A 5ms/20ms/100ms CR/CS/CT

Com Prol. B 5ms/20ms/100ms CW/CX/CY
Stand-by Battery ON/OFF BA / BB
 Programming DSP Switch S3 Command Settings
ON /OFF

Settings for Coded tripping signals (C,D)

[ x ] (8) Security : Step 2 (increased) / step 1

[ x ] (7) T03 nominal Transmission time T0 = 46 ms

[ x ] (6) T02 nominal Transmission time T0 = 26 ms

[ x ] (5) T01 nominal Transmission time T0 = 16 ms

Settings for Uncoded Tripping signals ( A,B)

[ x ] (4) Security : Step 2 (increased) / step 1

[ x ] (3) T03 nominal Transmission time T0 = 19 ms
[ x ] (2) T02 nominal Transmission time T0 = 12 ms
[ x ] (1) T01 nominal Transmission time T0 = 10 ms
 Programming DSP Switch S4 Guard Setting
ON /OFF
[ x ] (8) Not used
[ x ] (7) Local Test ON / OFF
[ x ] (6) -10 dBm0 / -14 dBm0 unblocking threshold
[ x ] (5) 200 Bd /100 Bd Pi filter
[ x ] (4) ETL Pilot / own guard
S4 (3) (2) (1) = pilot
[ x ] (3) Setting of 0 0 0 = 3780 Hz
[ x ] (2) Guard or Pilot Freq 0 0 1 = 3600 Hz
0 1 0 = 3360 Hz
[ x ] (1) (Default = 3780 Hz) 0 1 1 = 3120 Hz
1 0 0 = 2880 Hz
1 0 1 = 2640 Hz
1 1 0 = 2400 Hz
1 1 1 = 2160 Hz
 Programming DSP Switch S5 Alarm Setting
ON /OFF
[ x ] (8) Not used
[ x ] (7) Not used
[ x ] (6) Interface in Slot N 21 ? Yes / No
[ x ] (5) Interface in Slot N 15 ? Yes / No
[ x ] (4) Command output latching status for
[ x ] (3) An alarm condition ( SNR/ Level Alarm)
[ x ] (2) 6 dB / 12 dB SNR alarm threshold
[ x ] (1) Cyclic loop test ON/ OFF
S5 (4) (3) = statuses of the com O/P for an alarm
0 0 = no influence on receiver contacts
0 1 = uncoded tripped, coded contacts quiescent
1 0 = all receiver contacts quiescent.
1 1 = no influence on receiver contacts.
 Programming DSP Switch S6 Alarm Delay
Common alarm contacts ALARM 1, ALARM 2
Contact closes in alarm state ( N/C) AB,AD (default)
Contact opens in alarm state ( N/O) AA, AC

[ x ] (8) 27 6.5 s
[ x ] (7) 26 3.3 s
[ x ] (6) 25 1.6 s
Alarm Relay delay =
[ x ] (5) 24 0.8 s Sum of ON values
[ x ] (4) 23 0.4 s (settings in steps of 50
ms)
[ x ] (3) 22 0.2 s Default setting = 10 s
[ x ] (2) 21 0.1 s
[ x ] (1) 20 0.05 s
ON /OFF
Serial Interface Signal Processor
LEDs
Data & Program
Memories
Digital
signals

Aux Alarm Relay

Tx command A

Start A
Tx command B

Start B
Rx command A

AUX A

Rx command B

AUX B

Unblocking 1

Unblocking 2
Relay Panel Protection coupler

Distance RP K102
Relay 21
Opto coupler
Trip Send Contact in RP RP K877
85X

RP K173
Carrier Receive Relay in RP

RP K169 Solid state

30X Contact

Carrier Healthy relay in RP RP K161

Alarm Contact
RP K169
 Relay Panel Protection coupler

Distance
Relay 21
Trip Send Contact in RP Opto coupler
85X
CR relay in RP

Solid state C
Distance
Relay 21
Trip Send Contact in RP Opto coupler
85X
CR relay in RP

Solid state C
30X

Carrier Healthy relay in RP

Alarm Contact
 WT WT

Protection coupler Protection coupler

Relay Panel Relay Panel

RP K102
21 RP K102
21
Opto coupler Opto coupler
Trip Send Contact in RP RP K877
RP K877
85X Trip Send Contact in RP
85X

RP K173
Carrier Receive Relay in RP RP K173 Carrier Receive Relay in RP
Solid state
RP K169 Solid state
30X Contact RP K169
Contact 30X

Carrier Healthy relay in RP RP K161 RP K161 Carrier Healthy relay in RP

Alarm Contact
Alarm Contact
RP K169 RP K169
Own Commands & Parallel commands
84 + 0.872
=84.872 KHz
ETL 41 & ETL 41
80 + 0.872
PLCC =80.872 KHz PLCC MI
MI
Panel Panel
Having Having
Freq Freq M II
M II
84/80 80/84
KHz KHz
with with DT
DT
NSD 50 NSD 50
MI ETL 41 ETL 41 MI
84/80 80/84
M II KHz KHz M II
with with
NSD NSD
DT 50 DT
50

ETL 41 ETL 41
96/92 92/96
KHz KHz
with with
NSD NSD
50 50
 Exercise
Refer Fig A & B and Complete the following table
 BPL DC 42 Protection Coupler
• The DC 42 series Digital Protection coupler can be
directly inserted into the BPL Make 9505 V3 Power line
carrier equipment.

• Under normal conditions i.e. when there is no fault in the

line, two guard frequencies G1 & G2 will be continuously
transmitted through the PLC channel for monitoring the
healthiness of the equipment.

• When there is a fault the guard signals will be cut &

corresponding trip signals will be transmitted in the
speech band.

• Speech & any other Data transmission are interrupted

while the Trip signals are being transmitted.
 Guard & Trip frequencies of DC 42

• Guard 1- 2146 Hz
• Guard 2 – 2341 Hz
• Trip F1- 1171 Hz
• Trip F2 – 1366 Hz
• Trip F3 – 1561 Hz
• Trip F4 – 1756 Hz
• Trip F5 – 1951 Hz
• Loop Test Frequency – 3902 Hz
Block Diagram of DC 4
 DC 42 Transmitter & Receiver
 When there is a fault, the trip signals will be extended to the
DC CPU through DC COMIO module.
 The DC CPC sends the corresponding command to the DC
REC module.
 DC REC module decodes the command and corresponding
frequency /frequencies are transmitted.
 At the receiving end, the composite signals from the DC
REC is fed to DC CPU module which detects the presence
of trip signal ( only in absence of the guard signals ) & gives
the corresponding command logic high /low & also logic
lines corresponding to frequencies to DC CPU module.
 DC CPU module decodes the logic lines and corresponding
relays are activated.
 The remote end breakers will be tripped only when the
protection receiver depending on the nature of the fault
receives the assigned combination of Trip frequencies.
 Face plan of DC 42

•The DC PSU Module provides dual 12 V DC outputs & 5 V DC

output.
•DC CPU module provides the commands necessary to generate
the Guard & Trip frequencies.
•DC REC module is responsible for transmitting the frequency
corresponding to command issued by DC CPU as well detecting the
trip frequency and issuing corresponding trip command to DC CPU.
• DC COMIO consists of DC CIC & DC COC
•DC CIC provides the interface between the local distance protection
relays & protection relaying equipment.
•DC COC provides the necessary interface for transferring the trip
command received from the distant protection equipment to the local
distance protection relays.
Permissive & Direct Commands
• Command I – F1 + F3
• Command II – F2 + F4
• Command III – F5 F1 F5
• Command IV – F5 F2 F5
Permissive & Direct Commands
• The Transmission time permissive command is < 20
msec & for Direct command is < 30 msec.

• The trip frequency level is 11dB higher than guard

frequency level in permissive & 17 dB higher in Direct
scheme.

• The Direct commands are more secure whereas

permissive commands are more dependable in nature.
 Seek Excellence,
Success will follow……