Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

2.2.1 Stability Requirement

All CTs must have the same ratio.
The use of class PX CTs (IEC60044) is recommended and ensures steady state CT errors are minimised. A
class PX CT has a defined secondary excitation characteristic and secondary winding resistance, this is sufficient
to allow an assessment of it’s transient performance. Transient CT errors are caused by CT saturation e.g. due to
high currents flowing at times of through faults. Where CT saturation conditions are different in each CT this will
cause differential current to flow in the CT secondary circuit wiring. The highest level of differential current will flow
when one set of CTs is fully saturated, providing zero output and all other CTs transform normally.
When fully saturated the CT secondary provides no current and it behaves as a resistance in the secondary
circuit. Differential current in the secondary circuit will flow either through this ‘resistance’ or through the relay. A
‘stabilising’ resistance is added in series with the relay input to ensure that the operate voltage at the current
setting is greater than the maximum voltage which can appear across the element/stabilising resistor during the
maximum assigned through fault current. It is assumed that any earthing resistor can become short-circuit.
The maximum assigned through fault current for transformer REF protection is typically 16 x rated current of the
protected winding. Other values used for assigning a value of through fault current for all plant types are:
x Impedance of the protected plant e.g. IF = 1/Zpu x Irated,
or
x Switchgear short circuit rating

The maximum voltage that can appear across the relay circuit can be determined by a simple calculation which
makes the following assumptions:
One current transformer is fully saturated making its excitation current negligible.
The remaining current transformers maintain their ratio.
The resistance of the secondary winding of the saturated CT together with the leads connecting it to the
relay circuit terminals constitute the only burden in parallel with the relay.

The minimum required relay operate voltage setting (Vs) is given by:

VS t IF (RCT  RL ) u T (1)

To ensure high speed relay operation the relay circuit operating voltage should be selected in accordance with the
stability requirement above (equation 1), also, the operate voltage should not exceed 0.5 x CT knee point voltage
(Vk).

VK
VS d (2)
2

2.2.2 Operation Requirement

For internal faults the relay will operate at the calculated ‘Voltage Setting’ Vs. This operating voltage will also be
applied across the CT secondary windings of all the CT secondaries connected in parallel with the relay. This
voltage will drive a magnetising current in each of the CT secondary windings and this must be added to the relay
operate current when calculating the operate current of the high impedance protection scheme.

In general: P.O.C. I S  INLR  ¦ IMAG /T (3)

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

2.2.3 Relay Types

2.2.3.1 7SR Relay

The REF function of the 7SR series relays is a current operated device typically with a setting range of 0.005 to
2.0 x In (In = 1A or 5A). Typical installations require the addition of an external series stabilising resistor (Rstab)
and a voltage limiting resistor (Metrosil).
The relay burden need not be considered as it is effectively negligible relative to the burden of the stabilising
resistor. The setting (operate) voltage (Vs) across the Relay and Stabilising Resistor at the Relay operating
current (Is):
Vs = Is x Rstab (4)

Rstab

CT
Circuits
NLR
7SR

Figure 2-6 Typical Connections for 7SR Relay REF protection

2.2.3.2 7PG23 (5B3) Relay

The 7PG23 Restricted Earth fault protection relay is a voltage operated device with a setting range of 15V to
270V. The 7PG23 has an integral 75mm Metrosil with a constant ‘C’ value = 1000 and thermal rating of 8kJ.
Where a thermal rating of greater than 8kJ is required an external 150mm Metrosil can be connected in parallel.
The ‘C’ value of this additional Metrosil is chosen <1000 to ensure that current flows through the external device.
The relay has an operate current (Is) of 20mA. The operate current can be increased where necessary by the
addition of a shunt setting resistor Rshunt). The total operate current at setting Vs is calculated from:
Istotal = Is + Ishunt
Istotal = 0.02 + Vs/Rshunt (5)

Figure 2-7 Typical Connections for 7PG23 Relay REF protection

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

2.2.4 Voltage Limiting Non-Linear Resistors (Metrosils)

When the relay circuit operates for an internal fault the circuit breakers are opened and the flow of fault current
ceases.
Where a CB fails to trip then fault current will flow in the high impedance circuit until the fault is cleared by the
operation of CB failure or back up protection. The fault clearance time for failed CB conditions should be
considered when specifying the thermal rating of the relay circuit components.
Alternatively the high impedance circuit can be arranged to short circuit the external components after operation.

Non-linear resistors are connected in parallel with the relay circuit to limit the peak voltage developed across the
high impedance components during internal faults to a ‘safe’ level below 3kV peak. Where a Metrosil is not
connected in circuit the peak voltage can be calculated from:

VPk 2 x 2 x VK x (IFint u Rstab  - VK) (6)

Notwithstanding the above calculation it is recommended that a Metrosil is always fitted in the high impedance
relay circuit.
The use of non-linear resistors manufactured by Metrosil is recommended. The operate characteristic is defined
by:-

Voltage characteristic: V C.I E For dc or instantaneous values. (7)

1
§ Vrms 2 · ȕ
Irms 0.52¨¨ ¸
¸
For applied sinusoidal voltages (8)
© C ¹
Vpeak 1.09C(Irms)ȕ For applied sinusoidal currents (9)

Where: C and ȕ are Metrosil constants

Where an external Metrosil is used a single pole 7XG14 can be specified. Metrosils can be specified with a
diameter of 75mm or 150mm and ‘C’ values of 450, 900 or 1000. Metrosils of diameter 75mm have a thermal
rating of 8kJ. Where a higher thermal rating is required Metrosils of 150mm diameter with a thermal rating of 33kJ
should be used.
The 7SG23 relay has an integral 75mm Metrosil with a constant ‘C’ value = 1000.
All Metrosils have a ȕ value = 0.22 to 0.25

The chosen Metrosil ‘C’ value must;

1) Ensure negligible current flows through the Metrosil at relay operate voltage (Vs), and,
2) Limit over-voltages for operational and safety reasons i.e. 1.09C (IFintȕ ) < 3kV

A ‘C’ value of 450 can be used where the relay operate voltage is less than 100V, a ‘C’ value of 1000 is
recommended for settings above 100V. These values have a negligible effect on the relay circuit operate
current.

Metrosil short time power rating must;

Be sufficient to dissipate the heat created by the flow of maximum secondary internal fault current. The
Metrosil is chosen so that it can withstand IFint for the maximum fault clearance time. For a failed circuit
breaker condition the back up protection clearance time must be considered – typically a one second
rating is sufficient.

4
P1SEC• u IF u T u VK (10)
ʌ

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

2.2.5 Resistors
When the relay circuit operates for an internal fault the circuit breakers are opened and the flow of fault current
ceases. Where a CB fails to trip then fault current will flow in the high impedance circuit until the fault is cleared by
the operation of CB fail or back up protection. The fault clearance time for failed CB conditions should be
considered when specifying the thermal rating of the relay circuit components.
Alternatively the high impedance circuit can be arranged to short circuit the external components after operation.

The resistor continuous power rating must:

Be sufficient for continuous operation at the circuit operate voltage (Vs) and/or operate setting:
PCONT >= I2 x R or PCONT >= Vs2/R

Short time rated to withstand IFint for the maximum fault clearance time. For a failed circuit breaker
condition the back up protection clearance time is considered – typically a one second rating is sufficient.

VFint 2
P1SEC t Where: VFint t 4 (VK 3 x R x IFint) x 1.3 (11)
R
Where IFint is not known, the breaking capacity current of the Circuit Breaker can be used.

As stated in section 2.2.3 the 7SR relays have a stabilising resistor connected in series with the REF
current input. 7PG23 relays use a shunt connected resistor to increase the operate current where
required.

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

3. 7SR Relays: Example Calculations

Figure 3-1 AC Connections – Balanced/Restricted Earth Fault Protection

Figure 3-2 Calculation Procedure – 7SR Series Relay

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

3.1 7SR Relay: Balanced EF Protection - 3 Wire System

Figure 3-3 Example System – Balanced Earth Fault Protection

Line CT (LCT) and Connection Details

Turns ratio (T) 1/200
Voltage Knee Point (VK) 120V
Magnetising Current (Imag) @ VK 30mA
CT secondary resistance (RCT) 2.5 Ohms
CT lead loop resistance (RL) 0.15 Ohms max.

Settings Requirements
Rated current = VA / (¥3 x VL)
Rated current = 10 x 106 / (¥3 x 33000) = 175A
Assigned through fault current (rated stability limit) = 16 x rated current = 2.8kA. See section 2.2.1
Required Primary Operate Current
Typically 10 – 25% of protected winding rated current (Irated), or as specified by the user.
POCprov (10 – 25% of Irated) = 17.5 – 43.8A. Say 20A. (0.1A secondary). See section 2.2.2

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

Calculation of Required Stability Voltage Limits

The assigned through fault current is 2800A.
With reference to section 2.2.1
2800
VS t IF (RCT  RL ) u T u 2.5  0.15  37.1V
200
VK 120
VS d 60V
2 2
? 37.1  Vs  60

Calculation of Stabilising Resistor Value

The required relay setting (Is) can be calculated from:

POC = ( 3(IMAGLCT) + Is ) / T
Therefore: Is = POC x T – 3(IMAGLCT) = 20/200 – 3(IMAGLCT)
Is = 0.1 – 3(IMAGLCT)

Say Vsprov = 50V (from requirement 37.1 < Vs < 60)

From CT magnetising curve (see appendix) : At 50V IMAGLCT = 8mA
Is = 0.1 – 3(0.008) = 0.076A say 0.08A
Rstab = 50/.08 = 625 Ohms (Say 600 Ohms giving Vs = 600 x 0.08 = 48V)

Metrosil Specification
With reference to section 2.2.4

‘C’ Value
Vs = 48V (i.e. < 100V) so a ‘C’ value of 450 is chosen

Short Time Power Rating

From equation 10:
4
P1SEC t u IF u T u VK
ʌ
4 1
P1SEC t u 2800 u u 120 2139 W
ʌ 200

For values < 8kW/s a 75mm Metrosil is used.

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 Technical Guidance Notes - Restricted Earth Fault Protection

Stabilising Resistor Specification

With reference to section 2.2.5

Continuous Power Rating

PCONT t Is 2 x Rstab
PCONT t 0.08 2 x 600
PCONT t 3.8W

Short Time Power Rating

VFint 2
P1SEC t Where: V Fint t 4
(V K 3 x R stab x I Fint ) x 1.3
Rstab

2800
IFint 14A
200
VFint t 4 (VK 3 x Rstab x IFint) x 1.3
VFint t 4 (120 3 x 600 x 14 u 1.3 451V
2
451
P1SEC t 339 W
600

Summary of Relay Settings and Components

REF Element = Enabled

REF Setting (Is) = 0.08A
REF Delay = 0s

Rstab = 600 Ohms, 30W continuous (typical manufacturers data)

Metrosil: diameter = 75mm, ‘C’ value = 450

POC (Fault Setting) = ( 3(IMAGLCT) + Is ) / T

POC = (3(0.008) + 0.08) x 200 = 20.8A

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