13th International Conference on Protection & Automation
in Power System
January 8 and 9, 2019
Sharif University of Technology, Tehran
Design and Implementation of an Over-Current Relay for
the Power Electronic-based Converters Protection
Majid Ebadifard Hamidreza Zaker
Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department
Shahid Beheshti University Shahid Beheshti University
Tehran, Iran Tehran, Iran
Ebadifardmajid@gmail.com Hamidreza.zaker1228@gmail.com
Abstract—In this paper, a new method used in over-current relay
for power electronic-based converters protection is presented.
Firstly, the proposed method operation is described and proved
the fact that, without using DFT algorithm, this method can
quickly detect the fault current to prevent the damage of power
electronic components. Further, it is concluded that by applying
the proposed method, the harmonics produced by converters don’t
affect the over-current relay operation. The simulation studies
performed in PSCAD/EMTDC software compare the main
harmonic amplitude with the other harmonics amplitude. It is
deduced that the harmonic orders more than the main harmonic
have higher amplitudes. Thus, all harmonics amplitude must be
considered in the current calculation. Finally, the suggested relay
is made and tested in a laboratory environment.
Keywords- Protection; Power Electronic Converters; Over-
Current Relay; Discrete Fourier Transform; Harmonic
I. INTRODUCTION
The fault is defined as an undesirable condition in a power
system that requires protection. These unfavorable conditions
are: three-phase short-circuit, single-phase short-circuit to the
ground, Internal short circuit, over-current, and so on.
Nowadays, development of power electronic-based converters
[1], protection of them is an important issue. Protection systems
capability of power electronic-based converters are important
for users in terms of economically and reliability. Specifically
for the inverters, a fuse is usually used proportional to their
range of current to protect them precisely.
Various methods considering the over-current relays have
been investigated in literature. In [2], the over-current relay is
considered by using a neural network method. A
multifunctional relay with interoperability in a module by using
DSP is introduced in [3]. The innovation of this relay is the
inclusion of different protections in a small relay. The operation
principle of the simulated numerical relay is based on the IEEE
Standard Inverse-Time Characteristic Equations of the Over-
current Relays [4]. A unidirectional and double-sided relay is
simulated in [5]. The principle of this simulation is based on the
equations specified in IEEE for over-current relays. A multi-
purpose relay is described in [6] by using the Atmega328
microcontroller to protect the distribution system against over-
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Hossein Kazemi Kargar
Electrical Engineering Department
Shahid Beheshti University
Tehran, Iran
H_kazemi@sbu.ac.ir
current and over-voltage. Variety of current protection, voltage
protection and other issues related to protection have been
investigated for three phase diode bridge rectifiers in Siemens
company [7]. Digital relays are able to meet safety requirements
such as reliability, sensitivity and speed; thus digital relays are
going to be replaced instead of old relay technologies [8].
In this paper, an over-current relay is proposed to protect
power electronic converters. Typical digital relays use the DFT
(Discrete Fourier transform) calculation method for over-
current protection, which only the first harmonic of the current
signal is achieved and the trip command will be sent to the
circuit breaker. On the other hand, in power electronic
converters, due to the existence of different high-amplitude
harmonics, the calculation of all current harmonics is very
important. This matter leads to burning of converter
components. For example, the dominant harmonics in six-pulse
inverters are 5 and 7 harmonics, which their amplitudes are
also high. For this purpose, in this paper, instead of using the
DFT, a new method is proposed to calculate all effective
harmonics.
The proposed method is applied in an over-current relay to
measure all current harmonics which can detect the fault and
trip it quickly. By utilizing this method the safety of power
electronic components that are sensitive to over current will be
guaranteed.
II. REVIEW OF CURRENT MEASUREMENT AND FAULT
DETECTION IN DIGITAL RELAYS
Performance of a digital relay can be summarized in 7
sections as follows [9].
1. Current Transformer and isolating Transformer
2. Filtering signal conditioning
3. Sampling and holding
4. Analog to digital conversion
5. Algorithm for extraction of information from raw
samples
 6. Algorithm for implementation of relay characteristics burden resistance, DC offset resistances which are signed by
or protection scheme Vcc, , R1 and R2, respectively and C1 is to suppress
noise [10].
7. Algorithm for control, automation and monitoring
functions Digital Relay Case

In the first step, the current transformer and the isolating Current Isolation
Transformer Transformer
transformer are as the interface between the power system and
the measuring system. After filtering signal conditioning step,

Current
R

Li ne
sampling and holding step of data are performed [9].Since, the Burd en
current values in a power system are analog and also the digital
relay operation is based on the digital signal processing, first
the analog signals must be converted to the digital signal by
using an analog-to-digital converter. Conversion of the analog Figure 1. Current transformer and isolating transformer
to digital can be implemented by using various techniques
which each technique has its own advantages and Digital Relay Case
disadvantages. By converting the analog signal, we will have n-
Isolation Input Signa l to
bit digital signal. In the next step, the discrete Fourier Transfo rmer Microcontroll er Vcc=3.3V
Transform (DFT) algorithm is performed on the digital signal.
Vin
If the obtained DFT value exceeds the set value, the
R
microcontroller sends the interrupt command to the switch [9]. Vout
Burden R1

III. PROPOSED DIGITAL RELAY STRUCTURE

In power system, due to the high range of current, the signals
cannot be sampled directly for over-current protections. C1 R2
Therefore, by placing a current transformer (CT), it is tried to
decrease the signals of the system current. After reducing the
current value by current transformer, various ways are used to
convert the signal into a proportional signal for the
Figure 2. DC offset cicuit
microcontroller. Then, current signals are measured by using
software algorithms and needed processing is performed.
Therefore, when a fault occurs in the system, the relay sends the
trip command to the circuit breaker. The proposed digital relay
are described in detailed in the following sections.
A. Current transformer and isolating transformer
In this paper, a current transformer is needed to reduce the
power system current to inject it to the relay. According to the
relay position, the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI)
should be considered. Also, due to the performance of high-
frequency microcontrollers, the relays are influenced by the
EMI. The EMI noise is created because of various reasons such Figure 3. DC offset waveform
as the relay's closeness to transmission lines, sudden over-
As shown in Fig. 3, the sinusoidal waveform of voltage is
voltages, radio interference, switching operations and etc.,
transferred to the needed amount of positive axis of diagram
which impede the appropriate operation of the relay. Therefore,
without changing in its nature.
it must be ensured that relay has electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC) with the environment; there are several methods for this To calculate the burden resistance value, the ratio effect of
operation; such as: putting all the relay components in a both the current transformer and the isolating transformer
Faraday Cage and putting an isolating transformer in relay should be considered. The current value in the primary side of
entrance as seen in Fig. 1. current transformer can be represented as follows:
B. Preparation of proportional signal to microcontroller = √2 × (1)
The current transformer and isolating transformer reduce the
power system current. Since the input signal of microcontroller Current value on the secondary side of isolating transformer
must be a positive voltage, first, by setting a resistance, the is calculated by (2):
voltage value of the component is read. Then, the negative part
of the voltage must be transferred to the positive axis by using (2)
various methods. In [6], the conversion of the negative part to =
+
the positive part is done by a diode bridge. One of the problems
of this method is the voltage drop on diodes that should be According to (1) and (2), burden resistance value can be
considered. The second method is to add a DC offset to the obtained by (3):
voltage waveform. To this aim, there are several methods
including the use of an op-amp, special ICs and also a simple (3)
=
resistive which is demonstrated in Fig. 2. The DC offset circuit,
shown in Fig. 2, includes the microcontroller reference voltage,

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 The values of DC offset resistances must be exactly equal to controller. The proposed over-current relay in this paper has
the DC offset value . It should be noted that the values of both Definite Time and Inverse Time options. Different modes
2 of inverse time curve defined in IEC60255 standard is given in
these two resistances should be large enough to keep the
Table I. In this work, the type of this curve should be selected
accuracy of the voltage measurement. In this work, each DC
based on the inverter performance; the mentioned curves are
offset resistance value is equal to 10k Ω and the C1 value is
determined by (5) and using Table I:
also 10 .
×( )
C. Filter design = (5)
( ) −1
The input signal of microcontroller requires a suitable filter
to attenuate the noise and high-frequency disturbances and also In (5), I is the load current, t is the operating time, is the
increase the accuracy of measurement [11]. In over-current over-current setting, TMS is the time multiplier setting and α, β
relays, a variety of first or second order filters can be used. First are the constant values.
order filters like RC filters are rarely used due to their high
losses in system. Among the second-order filters, Chebyshev, TABLE I. DIFFERENT TYPES OF RELAY CHARACTERISTICS CURVE
Butterworth filter, LC filters are referred. Second-order low
pass filters are used in high precision relays due to their proper Curve Type α β
slope in cut off frequency and a low voltage drop across the
Normal Inverse 0.02 0.14
passband. In this paper, the Butterworth filter, as a second-order
low pass filter, is used with a cut off frequency of 400 Hz which Very Inverse 1 13.5
is shown in Fig. 4. Extremely Inverse 2 80
Long time Inverse 1 120

Input signal In Fig. 5, the overall process of the proposed over-current

Ouput signal relay is specified in a flowchart. The k is the variable parameter
which is determined according to the motor starting current.

start
NO

Sense I

Figure 4. Second-order Butterworth filter circuit

D. The proposed algorithm for Over-current Relay I set < I < 1.2*K*I nom-Motor NO I > 1.2*K*I nom-Motor

In order to have reliable operation of the over-current relay

for power electronic converters protection, a suitable algorithm
YES YES
is needed. Therefore, as mentioned before the precise protection
will be resulted by considering all of the harmonics. This goal Inverse Time Curve & Definite Time Curve &
is achieved by (4). Calculate Trip Time Calculate Trip Time

∑( ( )) (4) Send Trip Signal

=
Figure 5. Flowchart of over-current relay
where is the value of the current sample, is the
number of samples and is the input current extracted
according to TRUE RMS method and measured by the micro

Figure 6. Model of proposed system in PSCAD

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 IV. SIMULATION RESULTS TABLE II. CURRENT HARMONICS DURING TWO-PHASE FAULT

To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method used in Main All

Fault
the over-current relay, the simulation studies are done in Harmonic Harmonics
Resistance
PSCAD software. The purpose of this simulation is to Amplitude Amplitude
(Ω)
investigate the external fault effect at motor side on the input (A) (A)
current of inverter. The circuit configuration simulated in 0.001 885.79 1380.00 1.55
PSCAD is shown in Fig. 6. A 1600KVA transformer with 0.1 94.00 168.84 1.79
0.5 110.71 214.00 1.93
Delta-Star (Dy) connection is placed between a three-phase AC
1 56.01 132.00 2.36
power supply and a three-phase rectifier and inverter to convert
3 19.23 58.00 3.02
the voltage of 6 kV to 690 V. The described structure feeds an 5 12.86 41.90 3.26
induction motor. The purpose is to determine the current values Without
of all harmonics in the secondary side of power transformer 3.16 10.26 3.25
Fault
when a two-phase and a three-phase short-circuit fault with
different short-circuit resistances is applied at the motor side.
70
62.46
60

50

Current (A)
40
29.90
30 22.98
20 15.56

10 3.21 3.00
0.70 2.15
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Harmonic Order

Figure 9. Current harmonic values during two-phase fault

Figure 7. Two-phase short circuit fault current 0.18

0.16
At first, by applying two-phase short-circuit fault at the
CURRENT (KA)

0.14
motor side, the measured secondary side current of transformer, 0.12
are given in Table II. The first harmonic values of current are 0.1
obtained by using the DFT method and the sum of the all 0.08
harmonics are achieved by using the proposed method. The 0.06
data listed in this table are the averaged current values in the 0.04
interval of 0.1 seconds after the fault occurrence. In the last 0.02
column, the ratio of all the harmonics to the main harmonic is 0
calculated that are relatively large values. The current
1
137
273
409
545
681
817
953
1089
1225
1361
1497
1633
1769
1905
2041
2177
2313
2449
2585
2721
2857
2993
3129
waveform on the secondary side of power transformer by
applying two-phase short-circuit fault at the motor side with a Main Harmonic Sum of all Harmonics
short-circuit resistance of 1Ω, is depicted in Fig. 7. Figs. 9 and
8 depict the column graphs of current harmonics amplitude Figure 10. Main harmonic and sum of all harmonics during Two-phase fault
considering the described two-phase short-circuit fault and not
TABLE III. CURRENT HARMONICS DURING THREE-PHASE FAULT
considering it, respectively.
Main All
Fault
Harmonic Harmonics
Resistance
Amplitude Amplitude
3.5 (Ω)
3.16 (A) (A)
3 2.77 1531.17 1854.74 1.21
2.46
0.001
2.5 0.1 80.97 109.00 1.35
Current (A)

2 0.5 297.16 425.00 1.43

1.5 1 165.14 243.00 1.47
3 60.22 111.66 1.85
1
0.54 0.59
0.45 5 37.77 85.25 2.26
0.5 0.16 0.13 Without
3.16 10.26 3.25
0 Fault
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Harmonic Order
The column graph of current harmonics amplitude on the
Figure 8. Current harmonics value during normal operation secondary side of power transformer after two-phase short-
circuit fault at the motor side assuming the short-circuit
resistance of 1Ω, is indicated in Fig. 9.

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 Comparison of Figs. (8) and (9) shows the fact that when In Fig. 14, a sample of proposed relay is represented by an
two-phase short-circuit fault occurs on the motor side in the ARM microcontroller which is tested in the laboratory
presence of an inverter, the currents including high harmonic environment using the described algorithms in this paper. The
amplitude are achieved. Thus, the significance of calculation of proposed relay is composed of several parts, as shown in Fig.
these harmonics is resulted. In Fig. 10, the main harmonic curve 14 which are followed by:
and the sum of all harmonics are compared.
1. Current Transformer
In the next step, by applying the three-phase short circuit
2. Isolating Transformer
fault at the motor side, the current is measured on the secondary
side of power transformer. As previously described, the 3. Burden resistance, DC offset and filter
measured values are given in Table III. As it is shown in Fig.
11, the current waveform on the secondary side of power 4. Module with ARM microcontroller
transformer is observed after three-phase short circuit fault at 5. LCD
the motor side considering the short-circuit resistance of 1Ω.
Fig. 12 also indicates the column graph of current harmonics 6. Key pad
amplitude of this scenario.
By comparing Figs. 8 and 12, when three-phase short-circuit
fault occurs on the motor side in the presence of inverter, the
high amplitude of current harmonics is obtained. In Fig. 13, the
main harmonic curve and the sum of all harmonics are
compared.

Figure 11. Three-phase short circuit fault current

200 Figure 14. Test of the proposal over-current relay

182
180
160 V. CONCLUSION
140
In this paper, a new method is presented along with the
Current (A)

120
100 design and construction of an over-current relay to protect the
80 power electronic-based converters. The proposed method does
60 not require the DFT algorithm to calculate the fault current. It
38.74
40 is noteworthy that this method is not affected by the generated
20 12.88
2.52 2.17 5.04 2.67 1.19 current harmonics of power electronic converters either during
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 normal operation or during fault operation. The performance
Harmonic Order speed of the introduced method is such that it quickly detects
the fault and prevents the power electronic components to be
Figure 12. Current harmonic values during three-phase fault damaged. The validity of proposed method is confirmed by
considering various types of faults in simulation studies.
0.35
0.3 VI. REFERENCES
CURRENT (KA)

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Grid Conference (SGC), Kurdistan, Sanandaj, 2018.
0.05
[2] Subhrajit Mitra, Paramita Chattopadhyay, Design and
implementation of flexible Numerical Overcurrent Relay
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