1- to avoid undesired tripping due to overreach

2-inorder to take into account the effects of underreach

3-its reach is extended beyond C under maximum underreach.

Zone -1 relays are phase distance relays that are set to detect faults on the first 80-90% of the
protected line. Zone -1 relays operate with no intentional time delay.

Zone-2 relays are phase distance relays that are set to detect faults any-where on the protected line.
Zone -2 relays need to be set at a minimum of 125% of the protected line impedance. A timer is
utilized to delay tripping until after instantaneous relays associated with other remote line terminals
operate.
Zone-3 relays are phase distance relays that are set to detect close-in faults on lines at remote line
terminals. Zone-3 relays need to set at a minimum of 150% of the protected line impedance. A timer
is utilized to delay ripping until after Zone-2 relays associated with other remote line terminals
operate.
The idea of three-zone protection is to have each point in the system fall within at least two zones of
protection, so there is a primary and backup protection everywhere.
In order to save cost and panel space, it is not desirable to use three units of impedance relays at a
particular location for three zones of protection. Present practice is to use only one measuring unit
for all the three zones of protection. The ohmic reach is progressively increased by the timing unit to
obtain the distance settings for the second and third zones.
Causes of Overreach:
Transients during fault conditions.

Causes of Underreach:
Arc resistance
Intermediate current sources
Errors in CT and/or VT
Errors in measuring units
Errors in data available for initial setting of the relay
 SELECTION OF DISTANCE RELAYS

The effect of arc resistance and power surges plays an important role in the selection of distance relays for a
particular distance protective scheme.

As the reactance relay remains unaffected by arc resistance, it is preferred for ground fault relaying.

A reactance relay is also used for phase fault relaying in case of a short line.

As the impedance of a short line is small, the value of arc resistance is comparable to the line impedance and it may
cause an appreciable error.

Therefore, a relaying unit independent of arc resistance, i.e. a reactance relay is suitable for the protection of short
lines against phase faults.

But the reactance relay is more affected by power surges than the MHO and impedance relays.

In case of short lines, power surges remain for a shorter period and hence their effect is unimportant. The
predominating factor is therefore, the effect of arc resistance.

As reactance relays are affected by power surges more than impedance and MHO relays, they are not suitable for
longer lines.
 SELECTION OF DISTANCE RELAYS …..

The effect of power surges stays for a longer period in case of long lines and hence, a relay which is least affected
by power surges is preferred for the protection of long lines.

The MHO unit is less affected by power surges than the impedance and reactance relays and hence, it is best suited
for the protection of long lines against phase faults.

But it is most affected by arc resistance.

As the impedance of a long line is large, the arc resistance will not cause appreciable error and its effect can be
neglected.

Thus, the predominating factor for the selection of a distance relay for long lines is the effect of power surges.

In case of very long line, elliptical or quadrilateral relays are best suited as they occupy the least area on the R-X
diagram and hence are least affected by power surges.
 SELECTION OF DISTANCE RELAYS …..

An impedance relay is moderately affected by both power surges as well as arc resistance.

So it is better suited for medium lines for phase fault relaying.

There is no sharp dividing line which can decide the choice of a distance relay for a particular application.

Actually there is a lot of overlapping between the areas of application where one or another type of distance relay
is best suited.

Practical experience also plays an important role in the selection of distance relays for a particular situation.