1.3 Protective Relays All diagrams will show relays in the de-energised position and will be drawn so that, when the relay operates, its contacts move upwards (as if against gravity). Where it is inconvenient to draw the relay with its contacts moving upwards they will be drawn moving to the left. Relays are shown with their coils and contacts together where convenient. In schematic diagrams of complicated circuits, the contacts may be separated from the coils but they will be identified by a similar letter or number. 1.3.4. Glossary of Common Relay Terms Operating Force or Torque Restraining Force or Torque Pick-up (Level) Drop-out or Reset (Level) Characteristic (of a relay in the steady-state) Reinforcing Relay Seal-in Relay Back-up Relay Primary Relays Secondary Relays Selectivity Consistency Power Swing That which tends to close the contacts of the relay. That which opposes the operating force or torque and tends to prevent the closure of the relay contacts. The value of current or voltage, etc., which is the threshold above which the relay will close its contacts. The value of current or voltage, etc., which is the threshold below which the relay will open its contacts and return to normal position or state. The locus of the pick-up or reset when drawn on a graph. In some relays the two curves are coincident and become the locus of balance or zero torque. One which is energised by the contacts of the main relay and, with its contacts in parallel with those of the main relay, relieves them of their current carrying duty. The seal-in contacts are usually heavier than those of the main relay. Similar to a reinforcing relay except connected to stay until its coil circuit is interrupted by a switch on the circuit breaker. A relay which operates, usually after a slight delay, if the normal relay does not operate to trip its circuit breaker. Those which are connected directly in the protected circuit. Those which are connected to the protected circuit through current transformers (c.t’s) and potential transformers (p.t’s). The ability of the relay to discriminate between a fault in the protected section and normal conditions or a fault elsewhere on the system. The accuracy with which the relay can repeat its elec- trical or time characteristics. An oscillation between groups of synchronous a.c. machines caused by an abrupt change in load condi- tions.Purpose of Protective Relays and Relaying 1.3 Flag or Target _A visual device, usually spring or gravity operated, for indicating the operation of a relay. Instantaneous Relay One which has no intentional time delay and operates in less than 0-1 second. Time Delay Relay One which is designed with a delaying means. Unit A self-contained relay unit which, in conjunction with one or more other relay units in a relay case, consti- tutes a complete protective relay. Element A part of a relay unit, such as an electromagnet or damping magnet or an induction disc. Power Consumption The power absorbed by the circuits of the relay, (Burden) expressed in volt-amperes if alternating current (a.c.) and in watts if direct current (d.c.), at the rated current or voltage. Operating time The time which elapses from the moment when the actuating quantity attains a value equal to the pick-up value until the relay operates its contacts. Reach The remote limit of the zone of protection provided by the relay; used mostly in connection with distance relays to indicate how far along a line the tripping zone of the relay extends. Overreach; Errors in relay measurement resulting in wrong opera- underreach tion or failure to operate, respectively. Blocking Preventing the protective relay from tripping, either due to its own characteristic or to an additional relay. Tapped Line One which has one or more tapped lines connected to it for supplying loads. Multi-terminal One with three or more terminals which can be power Line sources. An interesting reference is the I.E.C. document on definitions for the technical committee No. 41 on protective relays. 1.3.2. Vectors An electrical vector (phasor) has magnitude and phase relation. Phase relation means the time in a cycle relative to a reference moment. Current vectors are standardised in meaning but there is some divergence in the inter- pretation of potential vectors. In this book V, or Vq, will be taken as the voltage of the phase a conductor relative to the neutral and V, will be taken as the voltage of the phase a conductor relative to the phase 6 conductor, ie. Vay = Von—Viq. The arrowhead will be drawn at the end of the vector corresponding to the conductor under consideration (fig. 1.3a). Voltage drop (IZ) will be drawn with the arrowhead in the other direction. 7