OVERCURRENT

PROTECTION
Dr. Attaullah Khidran

1
 Overcurrent protection
Protection against excess current / overload
Non unit protection
Relay coordination can be achieved by using either
 Time
 Current
 Combination of both time and current

2
 Discrimination by time

An appropriate time interval is given to ensure that

the breaker nearest to the fault opens first.
Comprises a definite time delay overcurrent relay
The disadvantage is that the longest fault clearance
time occurs for faults in the section closest to the
power source where the fault level (MVA) is highest.

3
 Discrimination by currents
 The fault currents varies with the location of faults.

 Source impedance, 𝑍𝑠 = 112 Τ250 = 0.485

 Fault at F1, 𝐼𝐹 = 11kൗ 3 × 0.485 + 0.24 = 8800𝐴

 Relay setting of 8800 A at bus A will protect section A-B

 Fault at F2, 𝐼𝐹 = 11kൗ 3 × 0.485 + 0.24 + 0.27 = 6400𝐴

 Relay setting of 6400 A at bus B will protect section B-C
 Fault at F3 (in section B-C), IF does not vary too much from fault
at F1 (in section A-B)
 It is not practical to distinguish F1 and F3
 It might cause relay at bus A to trip.
4
 Discrimination by
both time and currents
 The relay operation time is inversely proportional to the fault current
level.
 The actual characteristic is a function of both ‘time’ and ‘current’ settings.

5
 Relay characteristics
Instantaneous
Definite time
Inverse Definite Minimum
Time (IDMT)
Very inverse time
Extremely inverse time

 GOOGLE
 Equation
 IEEE vs IEC
6
 IDMT Relay Adjustments
→Current Setting
Relay Setting Current (RSI)
 aka Pick Up Current.
 Current value that will initiate relay operation.
 Standard relay rating : 1 A or 5 A.
o 5 A relay will operate when the current is 5 A.
• The RSI is 5 A
o 1 A relay will operate when the current is 1 A.
• The RSI is 1 A

7
 Current Setting
Relay Setting Current (RSI)
 Line is connected to relay via CT.
o We can express normal RSI in term of line current.
 5 A relay paired with 400/5 CT.
400
o The RSI will be 5 × 5
= 400 A.
 5 A relay paired with 400/1 CT.
400
o The RSI will be 5 × = 2000 A.
1
 1 A relay paired with 400/1 CT.
400
o The RSI will be 1 × = 400 A.
1

𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜.

8
 Current Setting
Relay Setting Current (RSI)
 1 A relay paired with 400/1 CT
o Current of 400 A in the line will cause the relay to trip (RSI = 400 A)
 How do we make the relay trip with current of 500 A? (RSI
= 500 A)
o Use 500/1 CT:
o Use another feature of the relay – Plug Setting (PS).

9
 Current Setting
Plug Setting.
 Tapping in the relay coil
 Range between 50 % to 200% in steps of ie. 25%
 1 A relay paired with 400/1 CT.
o Plug setting of 100% will give RSI of 400 A.
o Plug setting of 125% will give RSI of 400 A × (125/100) = 500 A.
𝑃𝑆
𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 × 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 × .
100
𝑃𝑆
𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 × 100
.
 If relay rating = CT secondary

10
 Current Setting
Selecting PS for overcurrent protection
 Relay should not trip when the line is carrying full load
current (IN)
oIN < RSI
𝑃𝑆
 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 ×
100
𝑃𝑆
 𝐼𝑁 < 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 ×
100
𝐼𝑁
 𝑃𝑆 > × 100.
𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜

11
 IDMT Relay Adjustments
→Time Setting
Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM)
 Relay will trip when line is carrying current (fault current -
FC) greater than RSI
 This fault current can be expressed in term of ratio of its
value to RSI
𝐹𝐶
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 =
𝑅𝑆𝐼
o How many times the FC is larger than RSI

12
 Time Setting
The relay characteristic curve indicate the operation
time of the relay for a specific PSM.
 Relay Characteristic Operating Time (RCOT)
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓(𝑃𝑆𝑀)
 E.g. PSM of X will give RCOT of XX
RCOT might be different from the desired relay
operating time (ROT). How do we make the relay trip
at YY for PSM of X?
 Use another feature of the relay – Time Setting Multiplier
(TSM).

13
 Time Setting
IDMT curve

14
 Time Setting
Time Setting Multiplier
 Setting (multiplier) that will make the relay trip faster
 In case where ROT is specified
𝑅𝑂𝑇
o 𝑇𝑆𝑀 =
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
 In case where TSM is specified
o 𝑅𝑂𝑇 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇

15
 Discrimination Time
 Fault to the right side of relay A can be seen by both Relay A
and Relay B.
 Relay A tripped – CB A opened – section A will be interrupted.
 Relay B tripped – CB A opened – section A and B will be
interrupted.
 ROTB > ROTA
 ROTB = ROTA + DT

16
 Factors Affecting Discrimination Time
 Errors
 All measuring devices, including the relay, are subject to
manufacturer's error. A tolerance must be allowed.
 CB operating time
 The circuit breaker must interrupt the fault current completely before
the back up relay ceases to be energized.
 Overshoot time
 When the driving torque is removed, the relay disc continues to
rotate. The time of rotation after the relay is de-energised is called the
overshoot time.
 Final margin
 Some extra allowance is required to ensure that a satisfactory
operation of the relay is obtained. This is also called safety margin.

17
 Recommended
Discrimination Time
0.5 s – Conservative setting.
0.4 s – With faster breaker, lower relay overshoot
time.
0.35 s – Under best / favourable conditions
Variable time – google it

18
 Example
 PS range between 50 % to 200% in steps of 25%
 TSM range between 0.1 to 1 in step of 0.01
 DT = 0.4s

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
A 100/1 50 ? 1000 ?
B 200/1 130 ? 2500 ?
C 400/1 300 ? 4500 ?
D 400/1 420 ? 7850 ?

19
 Example – PS of all relays
𝐼𝑁
𝑃𝑆 > × 100.
𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
𝑃𝑆
𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 ×
100

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
A 100/1 50 75 75 1000 ?
B 200/1 130 75 150 2500 ?
C 400/1 300 100 400 4500 ?
D 400/1 420 125 500 7850 ?
20
 Example – time setting of Relay A

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
A 100/1 50 75 75 1000 ?
 Fault downstream of Relay A
 Relay A can see 1000 A.
𝐹𝐶 1000
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 75
= 13.33
𝐴
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 13.33 = 2.63s
 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐴 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐴 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
 Choose the lowest TSM is 0.1
 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐴 = 0.1 × 2.63 = 0.26𝑠
 The fastest ROT.
 We can also set ROT instead of TSM
21
 Example – time setting of Relay B

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
B 200/1 130 75 150 2500 ?
 Fault downstream of Relay A  Fault downstream of Relay B
 Relay B can see 1000 A.  Relay B can see 2500 A.
𝐹𝐶 1000 𝐹𝐶 2500
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 150
= 6.67  𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 150
= 16.67
𝐵 𝐵
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 6.67 = 3.62s  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 16.67 = 2.42s
 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐵 = 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐴 + 𝐷𝑇  𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐵 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐵 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
= 0.26 + 0.4 = 0.66𝑠 = 0.18 × 2.42 = 0.44𝑠
𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐵 0.66  𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐵 has already been set with
 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐵 = = = 0.18 1000 A fault
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3.62

22
 Example – time setting of Relay C

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
C 400/1 300 100 400 4500 ?
 Fault downstream of Relay B  Fault downstream of Relay C
 Relay C can see 2500 A.  Relay C can see 4500 A.
𝐹𝐶 2500 𝐹𝐶 4500
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 400
= 6.25  𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 400
= 11.25
𝐶 𝐶
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 6.25 = 3.75s  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 11.25 = 2.82s
 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐶 = 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐵 + 𝐷𝑇  𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐶 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐶 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
= 0.44 + 0.4 = 0.84𝑠 = 0.22 × 2.82 = 0.62𝑠
𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐶 0.84  𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐶 has already been set with
 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐶 = = = 0.22 2500 A fault
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3.75

23
 Example – time setting of Relay D

Relay CT Max load Plug RSI Max fault Time

ratio current (A) setting (A) current (A) setting
D 400/1 420 125 500 7850 ?
 Fault downstream of Relay C  Fault downstream of Relay D
 Relay D can see 4500 A.  Relay D can see 7850 A.
𝐹𝐶 4500 𝐹𝐶 7850
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 500
=9  𝑃𝑆𝑀 = 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 500
= 15.7
𝐷 𝐷
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 9 = 3.12s  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 15.7 = 2.47s
 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐷 = 𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐶 + 𝐷𝑇  𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐷 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐷 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
= 0.62 + 0.4 = 1.02𝑠 = 0.33 × 2.47 = 0.82𝑠
𝑅𝑂𝑇𝐷 1.02  𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐶 has already been set with
 𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐷 = = = 0.33 4500 A fault
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3.12

24
25
 Problem 1
Determine the relay
settings at A, B and C:
 Max load at each feeder
of the 415 V bus is 750 A
 When fault occur near C,
relay C will operate at
0.25 s while relay B and
A will operate with 0.4 s
delay
 Fault current at 415 V is
23.68 kA

26
 Problem 1
 At C  𝑃𝑆𝑀 =
23680
= 29.6. > 21
800
 Max load = 750 A
 CT ratio = 800/5
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 2.2𝑠
0.25
 FC = 23.68 kA  𝑇𝑆𝑀 = = 0.11
2.2
 ROT = 0.25s
750
 𝑃𝑆 > × 100 = 93.75
800
∴ PS = 100
100
 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 800 × = 800𝐴
100

28
 Problem 1
 At B – LV side  𝑃𝑆𝑀 =
23680
= 14.8
1600
 Max load = transformer
rating  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 2.5𝑠
𝟏𝑴 0.65
= = 1391A  𝑇𝑆𝑀𝐵 = = 0.26
3×415 2.5
 CT ratio = 1600/5
 FC = 23.68 kA
 ROT = 0.25 + 0.4 = 0.65𝑠
1391
 𝑃𝑆 > × 100 = 87
1600
∴ PS = 100%
100
 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 1600 × =
100
1600𝐴
29
 Problem 1
 At A – HV side  𝑃𝑆𝑀 =
893
= 15.9
56.25
 Max load = transformer
rating  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 2.5𝑠
1𝑀 0.65
= = 52.49A  𝑇𝑆𝑀 = = 0.26
3×11𝑘 2.5
 CT ratio = 75/5
415
 FC =23.68k × = 0.893kA
11𝑘
 ROT = 0.25 + 0.4 = 0.65𝑠
52.49
 𝑃𝑆 > × 100 = 70
75
∴ PS = 75%
75
 𝑅𝑆𝐼 = 75 × = 56.25𝐴
100
30
Test 1 201620172
Test 1 201720181

31
32
 Problem 2

34.5 kV 13.2 kV 13.2 kV

10 MVA 4 MVA
100 MVA 34.5/13.2 kV
34.5 kV R3
Z = 20 % Z = 1.5 pu
R7 R5 R4 3 MVA

R2
R6
2 MVA
2 MVA
R1
Relay R7 R6 R5 R4 R3, R2, R1
CT Ratio 200/5 50/5 200/5 400/5 200/5

33
 Problem 2
 Propose the relay setting (nearest value of PS and TSM) for all relays in the
network.
 PS : 50 % to 200% in step of 25%
 TSM : 0.05 to 1.0 in step of 0.01
 Choose the discrimination time (DT) equal to 0.4 second in your
calculation.
 Assume that relays R1, R2 and R3 will operate with 0.36 second when a
three-phase fault occurs downstream close to the relay while R6 will
operate with 0.22 second when a three-phase fault occurs downstream
close to the relay.
 Use IDMT relay characteristic given by Figure Q.2(b) in your calculation.
 All impedance values are referred to its own rating. The impedance of the
transmission line is 1.5 pu with base of 100 MVA, 13.2 kV. Assume that all
impedances are pure reactance..
34
Relay CT ratio Max load Max load Plug Setting RSI
(MVA) current (A) (A)
1 200/5 2 87.48 50 100
2 200/5 3 131.22 75 150
3 200/5 4 174.95 100 200
4 400/5 2+3+4 = 9 393.65 100 400
5 200/5 10 (Tx rating) 167.35 100 200
6 50/5 2 33.47 75 37.5
7 200/5 2+ 10 = 12 200.82 125 250
35
Relay RSI (A) Maximum fault
current (A)
1 100
2 150
3 200
4 400
5 200
6 37.5
7 250
36
 Problem 2 – Fault Analysis
34.5𝑘 2
𝑍𝑠 = 100𝑀
= j11.90Ω
34.5𝑘 2
𝑍𝑠,𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 = = j11.90Ω
100𝑀
11.9
𝑍𝑠,𝑝𝑢 = 11.9 = 1.0pu
100
𝑍𝑇,𝑝𝑢 = 0.2 × 10 = 2.0pu
𝑍𝐿,𝑝𝑢 = 1.5pu

37
 Problem 2 – Fault Analysis
 Maximum fault current of R1,R2 and R3
1
• 𝐼𝐹,𝑝𝑢 = = 0.2222
1.0+2.0+1.5
100𝑀
• 𝐼𝐹 = 0.2222 × 3×13.2𝑘 = 972 A
 Maximum fault current of R4
1
• 𝐼𝐹,𝑝𝑢 = 1.0+2.0 = 0.3333
100𝑀
• 𝐼𝐹,𝑠𝑒𝑐 = 0.3333 × 3×13.2𝑘
= 1458 A
100𝑀
• 𝐼𝐹,𝑝𝑟𝑖 = 0.3333 × 3×34.5𝑘
= 558 A
 Maximum fault current of R5,R6 and R7
1
• 𝐼𝐹,𝑝𝑢 = =1
1.0
100𝑀
• 𝐼𝐹 = 1 × 3×34.5𝑘
= 1673 A

38
Relay RSI (A) Maximum fault Fault current of
current (A) downstream relay (A)
1 100 972 -
2 150 972 -
3 200 972 -
4 400 1458 972
5 200 1673 558 (1458 on sec)
6 37.5 1673 -
7 250 1673 1673
39
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R1)
 Fault downstream of R1
 R1 can see 972 A.
𝐹𝐶 972
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 9.72
𝑅𝑆𝐼1 100
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 9.72 = 3s
𝑅𝑂𝑇1 0.36
 𝑇𝑆𝑀1 = = = 0.12
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3

40
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R2)
 Fault downstream of R2
 R2 can see 972 A.
𝐹𝐶 972
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 6.48
𝑅𝑆𝐼2 150
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 6.48 = 3.7s
𝑅𝑂𝑇2 0.36
 𝑇𝑆𝑀2 = = = 0.09 0.1
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3.7
 Minimum TSM is 0.1 for this relay

41
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R3)
 Fault downstream of R3
 R3 can see 972 A.
𝐹𝐶 972
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 4.86
𝑅𝑆𝐼3 200
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 4.86 = 4.4s
𝑅𝑂𝑇3 0.36
 𝑇𝑆𝑀3 = = = 0.08
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 4.4

42
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R4)
 Fault downstream of R1,2,3  Fault downstream of R4
 R4 can see 972 A.  R4 can see 1458 A.
(maximum current (maximum current
downstream of downstream of R4)
R1,R2,R3) 𝐹𝐶 1458
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 3.65
𝐹𝐶 972 𝑅𝑆𝐼4 400
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 2.43
𝑅𝑆𝐼4 400  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 3.65 = 5.3s
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 2.43 = 7.8s  𝑅𝑂𝑇 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀4 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
 𝑅𝑂𝑇 = 0.36 + 0.4 = 0.76s = 0.1 × 5.3 = 0.53s
𝑅𝑂𝑇 0.76
 𝑇𝑆𝑀4 = = = 0.1
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 7.8

43
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R5)
 Fault downstream of R4  Fault downstream of R5
 R5 can see 558 A.  R5 can see 1673 A.
(maximum current (maximum current
downstream of R4 - downstream of R5)
1458 A on the LV side) 𝐹𝐶 1673
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 8.37
𝐹𝐶 558 𝑅𝑆𝐼5 200
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 2.79
𝑅𝑆𝐼5 200  𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 8.37 = 3.2s
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 2.79 = 6.8s  𝑅𝑂𝑇 = 𝑇𝑆𝑀5 × 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇
 𝑅𝑂𝑇 = 0.53 + 0.4 = 0.94s = 0.14 × 3.2 = 0.45s
𝑅𝑂𝑇 0.94
 𝑇𝑆𝑀5 = = = 0.14
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 6.8

44
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R6)
 Fault downstream of R6
 R6 can see 1673 A.
𝐹𝐶 1673
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 44.6
𝑅𝑆𝐼6 37.2
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 22 = 2.2s
𝑅𝑂𝑇6 0.22
 𝑇𝑆𝑀6 = = = 0.1
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 2.2

45
 Problem 2 – TSM setting (R7)
 Fault downstream of R5,6
 R7 can see 1673 A. (maximum current downstream of
R5,R6)
𝐹𝐶 1673
 𝑃𝑆𝑀 = = = 6.69
𝑅𝑆𝐼7 250
 𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 = 𝑓 6.69 = 3.6s
 𝑅𝑂𝑇 = max(𝑅𝑂𝑇5 , 𝑅𝑂𝑇6 ) + 0.4 = max 0.45,0.22 + 0.4 =
0.85s
𝑅𝑂𝑇 0.85
 𝑇𝑆𝑀7 = = = 0.24
𝑅𝐶𝑂𝑇 3.6

46
Final 201620172
Test 1 201720181

47
 Directional Overcurrent Relay
Fault at point X
 Fault current?
 Breaker to open?
 Set faster breaker to isolate X
Fault at point Y
 Fault current?
 Breaker to open?
 Isolated sections?
We need directional relay

48
 Earth Fault Protection
 Normal overcurrent protection can cater for earth fault
provided the minimum earth fault current has sufficient
magnitude.
 At distribution circuit – provide separate relay at each phase
or at two phase – the second scheme is sufficient for solidly
earthed system.
 Relay can be set independent from load current and setting
below load current – (10%-40%)

49
 Instantaneous high-set relay
 Combined with IDMT relay.
 For long transmission line or
transformer feeder where
source impedance is small
compared to circuit
impedance.
 Instantaneous high set relay
reduce tripping time at
maximum short circuit
current and shorten grading
margin time between circuit
breakers
50
 It is given that fault current level at 33 kV side is 2,700 A, CT
ratio at 33 kV side is 200 : 1 and 132 kV side is 100 : 1. If both
relays R1 and R2 are set for 100% plug setting, determine the
operation time for both relays when time grading margin of
0.6 second is given and TSM for relay R1 is 0.15. Calculate also
TSM for R2.
 SPACE KL 30.9.12
33kV
132kV
100/1 132/33kV 200/1

IF = 2700A
R2 R1

51