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generators in case of a
failure at the generation
station
By Edvard | December, 4th 2019 | 0 comments | Save to PDF
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Home / Technical Articles / Backup fault protection for generators in case of a failure at the generation station
Table of contents:
1. Implementation of backup fault protection
2. Standard overcurrent relays
3. Voltage-dependent relays
4. Voltage supervised overcurrent relays
1. Voltage-controlled and voltage-restrained relays
2. Application options and fault sensitivity
5. Other distance relay applications
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The neutral end configuration is preferred because this connection will allow the
relaying to provide protection when the unit is off line. Terminal connected
relays will not see internal generator faults for this condition, because there is
no relay current.
When relays are applied solely to backup transmission line relaying, only the
GSU transformer or generator breaker need be tripped. This would allow a
faster resynchronizing after the failure has been isolated. This assumes the unit
can withstand the effects of the full load rejection that will occur when the outlet
breaker opens.
If the unit cannot withstand this transient, a unit shutdown must be initiated.
Figure 2 plots the decaying current for the minimum fault condition on the
sample system generator vs. an overcurrent relay set to carry full load. The
figure shows that the relay must be set with a very short time delay (Time Dial
= 1/4) to intersect the current plot to assure tripping.
3. Voltage-Dependent relays
The problems associated with standard overcurrent protection can be
overcome if fault detection is based on current and voltage. At full load, the
generator terminal voltage will be near rated voltage. Under sustained three-
phase fault conditions, the internal generator impedance will increase to the
synchronous value and the terminal voltage will decrease sharply.
Both distance relays and voltage supervised overcurrent relays use the voltage
degradation to differentiate between load current and a sustained fault
current condition. Because of this design, these backup relays are supervised
by a potential failure detection element, device 60. This element blocks tripping
in the event of an open phase or blown fuse in the potential circuit.
Without this blocking feature, these instrument circuit malfunctions would trip
the fully loaded unit.
At rated voltage, a current equal to the setpoint is required to actuate the relay.
As input voltage decreases, presumably
due to a short circuit, the overcurrent setpoint also decreases. Typically a
current equal to 25% of the setpoint is require to operate the relay at zero volts
input.
Figure 3 is a typical pickup characteristic for a voltage-restrained relay.
The voltage-controlled relay is set below full load with sufficient margin to
detect the minimum fault current. The relay includes an undervoltage
element that senses generator terminal voltage. If the voltage is above the
undervoltage element setting, the overcurrent unit is not functional.
When voltage is depressed by a fault, the undervoltage element drops out,
allowing the relay to operate as a standard overcurrent relay in accordance with
its pickup and time delay settings.
Figure 3 –
Voltage-restrained overcurrent relay characteristic
The voltage-restrained relay is more difficult to apply because operating time is
a function of both current and voltage.
5. Distance Relays
The term distance relays refers to a general class of relays that measure circuit
impedance. The relay distinguishes between fault current and load current in
a manner similar to the 51 V functions. The voltage applied to the distance
relay tends to restrain operation, while current promotes operation.
Both phase and ground distance relays are applied on the transmission system.
Unique relay designs are required for phase and ground fault protection.
There are many different algorithms used in these relays, but in all cases the
common goal is to measure the positive sequence impedance from the
relay to the fault. When full fault protection is provided by distance relaying, six
elements are required, phase elements A–B, B–C, C–A and ground elements
A–G, B–G, and C–G.
Phase distance relays are applied at generators for system backup
protection. Ground distance relays are not applied. Most generators are
grounded through impedance to limit the ground fault current. Specialized
ground fault protection schemes are required.
For example, SEL-700G protection relay offers three choices for system backup
protection. You can select one or more of the available elements:
Distance (DC),
Voltage Restraint (V), or
Voltage Controlled (C) Overcurrent elements.
Modern protective relays provide four zones of phase step distance protection.
Functions are positive sequence voltage polarized mho characteristics. The
reach of the three forward looking zones can be compensated for a delta-wye
transformer.
Zone 4 is reversed and disregards any transformer between the relay and the
fault in the forward direction. Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4 each include independent
timers for phase step distance protection.
Out-of-step blocking monitors swing condition and blocks tripping. Out-of-step
tripping logic is provided with a choice of two or three mho type characteristics
with adjustable shapes.
Sources:
1. Protective relaying for power generation systems by Donald Reimert
2. SEL-700G Generator Protection Relay by SEL
3. LPS-O System backup for generators and transmission lines by GE