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Introduction through one or both running rails. Single end fed track section –
(Referred to as Third Rail overcurrent protection
Many electrified rapid transit systems Electrification).
are operational, or under Feeding to the train via a positive live Track feeder circuit breakers generally
construction, worldwide. Urban and rail, with current return along a incorporate an overcurrent trip, fitted
regional systems commonly employ negative live rail. (Referred to as by the switchgear manufacturer.
medium voltage direct current Fourth Rail Electrification). This is usually an electromagnetically
feeding. The ultimate method of operated release, with a high set
Note that current paralleling between
power distribution to the train or tram threshold above the maximum load
positive and negative paths, to a load
can be via a live rail (or live rails), or and starting current for the feeder.
or fault, must be considered, this
an overhead catenary.
includes pairs or running rails. Due to the relatively low system
The live rails or catenary are Similarly, Figure 1 shows only a voltage, load currents will be high.
vulnerable to short circuit faults, single track configuration. Also, the loop resistance of the
therefore a suitable protection scheme In practice, transit systems are positive and negative rails or catenary
must be applied to ensure rapid fault generally multiple track, increasing will greatly limit fault current
clearance. Well proven techniques the number of parallel feeding paths, magnitude. In most instances, load
include undervoltage, and overcurrent and reducing the effective feeding current can exceed the fault current
protection, or a scheme combination impedance. for distant faults. Thus, overcurrent
of the two. These application notes
describe the use of undervoltage 3 phase HV
relays as the main dc system distribution
protection. system
RA
2
protection alone is only suitable for Train on-board undervoltage trip Track end undervoltage relay setting
very short track lengths. Note that an undervoltage trip The track end undervoltage relay can
The overcurrent trip is normally set to mechanism is generally fitted on- be set to discriminate between trains
allow two trains to start simultaneously board trains. Typically, this is set at starting, and short circuit faults,
in the same track section. Typically on 60% of the supply voltage. irrespective of the location of either
a 750V system, a 4 car train may The maximum current that can be along the section. The former must
draw 2500A peak starting current. drawn by a train at any location correspond to a restrain condition,
The circuit breaker overcurrent trip along the track section, without and the latter cause the relay to
would be set to operate at causing operation of the on-board operate, and trip the circuit breaker.
approximately 6kA. undervoltage trip, is given by: To allow for relay and system
impedance tolerances, the track end
VS(1.0 – 0.6) undervoltage relay must be set no
Single end fed track section – ISmax =
RS + RLT greater than 85% of the train
undervoltage protection
Where: undervoltage trip setting.
The addition of an undervoltage relay ISmax = Maximum train current, For the track end undervoltage relay
allows discrimination between load generally for starting to operate, the minimum current which
and distant faults. Figure 2 shows an must flow for a fault at any point on
RLT = Loop resistance from
undervoltage relay connected at the the track is given by:
substation to the train
remote track end of a single end fed VS – VUV
section. IUVmin =
RS + RLF
Where:
Maximum fault current
VUV = Track end undervoltage relay
The maximum current which would
drop-off setting
flow for a short circuit at any point
along the section, is given by: Figure 2 shows how a track end
undervoltage relay setting of 50% of
VS the supply voltage gives adequate
ISC =
RS + RLF discrimination on a typical system.
Substituting: The graph uses the following typical
r1 r2 values for a Third Rail electrified
RLF = LF ( + ) = LFρ system:
n1 n2
Where: VS = 750V
RS = 0.02
VS = DC source voltage (V)
RLF/LF = 0.08Ω/km
RS = Source impedance (Ω)
LF = Distance from supply Source
substation to fault (km)
r1 = Positive feeding circuit
km
resistance, in ohms per
kilometre of the catenary or Fault
Undervoltage
conductor rail V relay
n1 = Number of parallel conductors
in the positive feeding path 100
r2 = Resistance of a single rail in
the negative return, in ohms 10
Current (kA)
per kilometre
n2 = Number of traction current 1
return rails
ρ = Effective section loop resistivity 0.1
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
0
(Ω/km)
RLF = Loop resistance from Location (km)
substation to fault point ISC Prospective short circuit current. Curves plotted for: VS = 750V
Note how the circuit breaker RS = 0.02Ω
IS max Maximum train current at location.
= 0.08Ω/km
overcurrent trip can only operate for
IUV min Minimum fault current for track end VUV = 50% Vs
faults close to the substation, a reach relay operation.
coverage of only 1.3km is determined
from Figure 2 in our example. Figure 2: Schematic diagram and current curves for a typical single end fed track section.
3
Double end fed track sections Note that the fault short-circuit path Double end fed track sections
with track end relays will usually comprise of a certain with additional mid-point
amount of fault resistance, plus current undervoltage relays
Observing Figure 2, it can be noted transfer through an arc. Insulator
how the prospective short circuit flashover can be approximated as a Simple calculation neglecting fault arc
current decreases dramatically with resistance (due to the conducting voltage
the distance from the feeding surface contaminants on the insulator),
Where a track section is too long to
substation. As the maximum load plus the arcing voltage. In practice, it
be protected by a track end relay
current can never exceed this figure, is easier to represent the fault only as
scheme, a mid-point undervoltage
it is obvious that single end feeding is a single voltage drop. Although there
relay can be connected as shown in
only suitable for short track sections. is no exact method for calculating this
Figure 3. This relay detects the
In practice, double end feeding is voltage drop, a modified form of the
voltage dip caused by a fault near the
common, and the protection of these Van Warrington formula should give
centre of the section, and trips both
systems will now be considered. a reasonable estimate.
circuit breakers feeding the track
When track sections are fed from LARC x 29 section.
VF =
each end, an undervoltage relay is I0.4 The simplest method of ascertaining
required at each track end.
Where: the effectiveness of a mid-point
A common two wire pilot circuit
LARC = Maximum arc length for fault undervoltage relay, is as follows:
connects each relay to intertrip both
track feeder breakers. Because of the coverage (mm) Determine the current drawn from
low source impedance, when both I = Minimum expected fault each source due to a short circuit at
circuit breakers are initially closed, current (A) any point along the line. For source A
only faults occuring very close to the (ISCA), this is a similar equation as in
Choosing LARC greater than the length
substations will cause either the train on-board undervoltage
of the insulators used is the ideal
undervoltage relay to drop out. section. If the source impedances are
solution; it should be considered that
The maximum fault reach coverage similar, the short circuit current curve
in many systems the ‘dead’ side of
from either end is given by: for track end B (ISCB ) will be the
insulators are not bonded solidly to
mirror image. Curves for a typical
(RS • VUV) earth. For third rail systems, insulator
LFmax < ρ (km) 5km long section are shown in Figure
(VS – VUV) flashover is unlikely if the sleepers on
3; also shown is the total short circuit
which they stand are dry.
Where undervoltage relays are fitted current at the fault point, ISC.
A typical figure for VF of 100 volts
at track ends only, it is essential that
the circuit breaker overcurrent trip is will be used in these notes. This is
set to cover more than 50% of the based on 1kA fault current and 50mm
track section. Thus for any fault, the arc length allowance.
sequence of events will be as follows:
Source A Source B
Fault inception
The circuit breaker overcurrent trip
operates to trip the circuit breaker km
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
0
LFmax = 2 – RS ρ (km)
IOC
Location (km)
Where:
ISCA Short circuit current drawn from source A. Curves plotted for: VS = 750V
VF = Maximum expected voltage
RS = 0.02Ω
across a fault or arc ISCB Short circuit current drawn from source B.
= 0.08Ω/km
resistance, in volts. ISC Total short circuit current. VF = 0
IOC = Circuit breaker overcurrent
trip setting (A) Figure 3: Schematic diagram and fault current curves for double end fed track section.
(Simplified – neglecting fault arc voltage).
4
Perform a simple Ohm’s Law Source A Source B
calculation to determine the track
voltage measured at the mid-point
relay. For a short circuit beyond the km
mid-point, the voltage measured by Fault
Mid-point
the mid-point relay (VMP) will be: V undervoltage relay
L
VMP = ISCA LFA – ρ
2
800
Where: 700
600
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
to the fault from the mid-point.
Location (km)
For a short circuit closer to track end
A than end B: VA Voltage at track end A. Curves plotted for: VS = 750V
RS = 0.02Ω
VB Voltage at track end B.
L = 0.08Ω/km
VMP = ISCB – LFA ρ
2 VMP Voltage at mid-point. VUF = 50% VS
VF = 0
Figure 4 plots the voltages which VUV Undervoltage relay setting
would be measured at the mid-point,
and track ends, for a typical 5km long Figure 4: Schematic diagram and voltages at relaying points for a short circuit fault at
section. The mid-point undervoltage different points along a track section. (Fault arc voltage neglected).
relay provides short circuit fault
protection where VMP would fall
below the VUV drop-out setting. Source A Source B
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
0
5
Mid-point undervoltage relay.
Source A Source B
The mid-point voltage calculation is as
below. Thus, for a short circuit beyond
the midpoint: km
L
VMP = VF + ISCA LFA – ρ (V) Fault
Mid-point
2 V undervoltage relay
As can be seen from Figure 6, the
mid-point undervoltage relay provides
800
short circuit protection for fault 700
inception between 0.5km and 4.5km 600
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
At first look it would appear that track
end undervoltage relays are Location (km)
Where: 350
300
IOC = Circuit breaker overcurrent
trip setting. 250
200
In this instance, two quarter point
150
undervoltage relays may be added to
complete adequate protection of the 100
track section. These relays are located 50
at points 25% and 75% along the 0
0.5
1.5
2.5
3.5
4.5
5
0
6
Sensitivity and fault coverage substation will detect the voltage dip. adjacent substations must be
To avoid spurious tripping of healthy extended.
Sensitivity for resistive and arcing track sections, track end relays should This shall ensure that a faulted section
faults be time delayed in operation. will be completely isolated from all
Figure 7 shows the typical sensitivity The time delay allows the appropriate sources of supply.
of undervoltage relays at section circuit breaker to be tripped by its Note: It is recommended that pilot
ends, quarter points, and mid-point. overcurrent trip. Typical circuit circuits are supplied from an insulated
The parameters for our typical Third breaker trip times for overcurrent are battery, separate from other
Rail system are again used (the around 0.45 to 0.6s, with a delay substation batteries. Each pilot loop
quarter point relay curves are shown setting of one second for track end must be well screened to minimise
dotted, as the Mid-point relay undervoltage relays common. induction from neighbouring dc and
practical application section showed For faults remote from a substation, ac conductors.
these relays to be unnecessary). the undervoltage relays will Descriptions of scheme operation,
The following is evident from the discriminate correctly because track for various scenarios, now follow.
graph: section impedances are high
The mid-point of the section is the compared with the source impedance.
Track section energisation
optimum location in terms of sensitivity
Assuming that the track section from
to most arcing or resistive faults. Typical pilot wire protection substation B to C is dead. Thus, track
Should a mid-point relay offer scheme feeder circuit breakers BC and CB,
insufficient fault coverage, and and bypass switch CB/CD are all
additional quarter point relays Figure 8 shows a typical pilot wire initially open. The section is to be
provide much greater arcing fault protection scheme for a dc rapid energised on closure of breaker BC,
sensitivity than is required, relays at transit system. The operating criteria then closure of breaker CB.
33% and 67% of the section may be are as follows:
As breaker BC is closed, its auxiliary
adequate. Drop out of any undervoltage relay contact energises timer 62BC, which
Track end voltage relays are must lead to circuit breaker operation starts timing. The track voltage causes
insensitive to almost all faults until one at both ends of the faulted section. all undervoltage relays protecting the
circuit breaker operates. Undervoltage tripping must be time track section to pick up, completing
delayed to avoid nuisance trips when the pilot circuit (auxiliary contact
Discrimination faults are close to substations. CB/CD is closed when the bypass
When a short circuit occurs close to a If a substation is bypassed, eg. during switch is open). Pilot wire relay 85BC
substation, the undervoltage relays maintenance, the protection zones at picks up, and de-energises timer
connected to all track feeders at the 62BC.
CB/CD
B/RC C/RC
27 27 27 27 27
BA Source BC MP CB Source CD
Return rail(s)
Substation A Substation B Substation C Substation D
85 85
BC CB
27BC 27MP 27CB 85
Pilot circuit
CD
7
The timer immediately resets, and no Relays required for the protection scheme
circuit breaker tripping occurs.
Track feeder breaker CB can be The relays required are as follows:
closed in similar fashion. Track end undervoltage relays (27)
incorporating a pilot wire auxiliary
Short circuit of the track section relay element (85): MVAG12
Suppose that a short circuit occurs on Time delay on pick-up relay (62): MVUA11
section B to C, causing one or more Mid-point and quarter point
of the undervoltage relays to drop out. undervoltage relays (27MP, 27QP): MVAG11
The pilot circuit is broken, and pilot
wire relays 85BC and 85CB drop out.
As the auxiliary contacts for track
feeder breakers BC and CB are
closed, timers 62BC and 62CB begin Technical data
to time out. After the preset delay,
both track feeder breakers BC and CB The circuit diagrams of the MVAG11, MVAG12 and MVUA11 relays are
trip. shown as Figures 9, 10 and 11 respectively.
8
Operation indicator A hand reset indicator, which shows
that an undervoltage condition has
persisted for long enough to operate
the time delay circuit, is fitted to the
MVUA11.
Voltage withstand
Insulation IEC 255-5 2kV rms for 1 minute between all case
terminals connected together and the
case earth terminal.
2kV rms for 1 minute between
independent circuits including
contact circuits.
Environmental withstand
Temperature Storage and transit: –25°C to +70°C.
IEC 68-2-1/IEC 68-2-2 Operating: –25°C to +55°C.
Humidity
IEC 68-2-3 56 days at 93% RH and +40°C.
Enclosure protection
IEC529 IP50 dust protected.
Vibration
IEC 255-21-1 0.5g between 10Hz and 300Hz.
Mechanical durability
Loaded contact 10,000 operations minimum.
Unloaded contact 100,000 operations minimum.
9
Case Earth Output contacts
3 5 4 6
3 4 RL1–1 RL1–2
5 6
7 8
9 10 25
Vn– RL1
11 12
Track voltage
RL1–A R1
26
Vn+
Rext
25 26
Break contacts MVAG 11 Relay
Figure 9: Circuit diagram for MVAG 11 instantaneous undervoltage relay with 5kV insulation dc.
RL1–1
Case Earth
3 4 25
Vn– RL1
5 6
MVAG 12
7 8 Track voltage RL2–A Undervoltage element (27)
9 10 26
Vn+
Rext
13 14
13
RL1–A MVAG 12
Pilot circuit
Pilot wire element (85)
14
RL2
25 26
Break contacts
Figure 10: Circuit diagram for MVAG 12 instantaneous undervoltage relay with 5kV insulation dc.
Figure 11: Circuit diagram for MVAG 11 time delay relay with operation delayed on pick-up.
10
Case dimensions
13
MVAG11 and MVUA11 relays are
45
housed in size 2 cases, MVAG12 4 holes 4.4
24
relays are housed in size 3 cases.
The dimensions for these cases are
shown in Figures 12 and 13. All dimensions in mm.
168 159
Information required with order
32 212
25 min.
Reset
51
Flush mounting.
71 26
4 holes Ø4.4
23.5
168 159
Push button
projection 10 max. 73
Panel cut-out:
Flush mounting fixing details.
212
32 25 min.
Reset
77 Flush mounting 11
11