SAP(22524) 2022

UNIT 3
Protective Relays

 Relay: Relay is device that detects abnormal circuit conditions by sensing voltage/ currents &
operates the trip/ alarm section of protection.

 Fundamental requirements of protective relaying:

i) Selectivity: It is the ability of protective system to select correctly that part of system in
trouble and disconnect the faulty part without disturbing the rest of the system.
ii) Speed: The relay system should disconnect the faulty section as fast as possible to prevent the
electrical apparatus from damage and for system stability.
iii) Sensitivity: It is the ability of the relay system to operate with low value of actuating quantity.
iv) Reliability: It is the ability of the relay system to operate under predetermined conditions.
v) Simplicity: The relay system should be simple so that it can be easily maintained.
vi) Economy: The most important factor in the choice of particular protection scheme is the
economic aspect. The protective gear should not cost more than 5% of the total cost of
equipment to be protected.
OR

Fundamental Requirements:

1) Detect abnormal conditions

2) Disconnect abnormally operating part so as to prevent the subsequent fault.
3) Disconnect faulty part quickly so as to improve system stability, service continuity and
system performance
4) Improve Transient stability

 Terms related to protective relaying:

1. Time Setting Multiplier : The adjustment arrangement provided for setting the operation time of
induction relay is known as Time Setting Multiplier. TSM dial is calibrated from 0 to 1.
2. Pickup current: The threshold value of operating current above which the relay operates.
OR
It is the minimum current in the relay coil at which the relay starts to operate.
3. Reset current: The value of current below which the relay resets and comes back to its original
state is called as reset current or dropout.
4. Plug setting multiplier: It is the ratio of fault current in relay coil to pickup current.
PSM = ( Fault current in relay coil) / ( Pickup current)

Plug setting multiplier (PSM):

It is related to the current setting of the over current relays.

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The plug setting multiplier is defined as the ratio of the ‘transformed fault current onthe relay side’ to the
‘relay pickup current’.

𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑇 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒/

PSM =
𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝑓𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑇 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 (𝑖.𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑡 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡)/

=
𝑟𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑦 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 X 𝐶𝑇 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜
Time setting multiplier(TSM):
It is related to the operating time of the relay during faults. The angular distance through which the relay disc
travels during faults before the trip contacts close is varied to get different times of operation of the relay. This
is time setting. These times of motion of the disc are set in 10 steps starting with maximum time setting of 1
(when disc is set farthest) to minimum (when disc is nearest) of 0 (instantaneous). For
example if the angular travel from trip contacts is set to maximum then TSM =1, then for a
particular PSM if the operating time of relay is 1 second then for the same PSM if the TSM is set
to 0.4 then the time of operation will be (1 second x TSM)
= 1 x 0.4 = 0.4 seconds.
Thus TSM is used to define the steps for time setting of relay operation.

 Numerical
1. Determine the time of operation of a 1A, 3 seconds over current relay having plug setting of
125% and a time multiplier of 0.6. The supplying CT is rated 400:1 A and fault current is 4000
A. The relay characteristics is as given below
Ans
PSM 1.3 2 4 8 10 20
Time of operation in 30 10 5 3.3 3 2.2
Seconds
Rated secondary current of C.T. = 1A
Pick up current = 1 × 1.25 = 1.25𝐴

Fault current in relay coil = 4000 /400 =10A

Pick up value of relay =current setting*rating secondary current

=1.25*1= 1.25
PSM of relay =Relay current/Pick up value =10/1.25 =8
Actual operating time of relay =3.33*0.6 =1.98 sec

2 Ms. Kashid M.T.| V.V.P Polytechnic , Solapur

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 Type of Relay
I) Electromagnetic Relay

 Attracted armature type relay:

It consists of a laminated electromagnet M carrying a coil C and a pivoted laminated armature. The
armature is balanced by a counterweight and carries a pair of contacts at its end. Under normal operating
conditions, the current through the relay coil C, is such that counterweight holds the armature in the
position shown. However when a short circuit occurs, the current through relay coil increases sufficiently
and armature is attracted upwards which shorts the pair of contacts and completes the trip circuit.

 Merits:
1. Simple construction.
2. Reliable operation.
3. Unaffected by temperature changes.
4. Long life.
5. Robust construction.
 Demerits:
1. Somewhat less accurate than static/ microprocessor based relay.
2. Require maintenance.
3. Wrongly operated sometimes because of vibrations.
4. Counter weight has to be adjusted for every setting

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 Solenoid Type Relay / Plunger Type Relay

During the normal operation the current in solenoid coil is not sufficient enough to pull the plunger up by
magnetic force, whereas on over current condition (current exceeds pickup value) the magnetic pull of the
solenoid coil overcomes the restraining force on the plunger (spring or gravity) and pulls the plunger up to
close the trip contacts. This operates the relay circuit causing the opening of the CB and disconnecting the
overload.

 Balanced Beam Relay

Fig. shows the arrangement for balanced beam relay. It consist of an iron armature fixed to a balance beam.
Under normal operating conditions, the current through the relay coil is such that the beam is held in the
horizontal position by the spring. However, when the fault occurs, the current through the relay coil becomes
greater than the pickup value & the beam is attracted to close the trip circuit. This causes the opening of the
circuit breaker to isolate the faulty circuit.

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II) Induction Relay

 Electromagnetic Disc Type Relay ( Induction Relay)

This structure consists E shape electromagnet and a U shape electromagnet with a disc-free to rotate in
between them. At normal condition the driving torque act on disc is zero. Thus disc does not rotating

If the fault is occur, the primary winding carries relay current I 1 while the secondary current induces
the emf in the secondary and so circulate the current I 2 in it. The flux φ1 induces in the E shed magnet,
and the flux φ induces in the U-shaped magnet. These fluxes induced in the upper and lower magnetic
differs in phase by angle θ which will develop a driving torque on the disc. And disc starts rotating &
triping signal to CB. And isolate faulty part.

 Shaded Pole Type Electromagnetic Induction Relay

Explanation:

It consists of a pivoted aluminum disc free to rotate in the air gap of an electromagnet. One half of each pole
of the magnet is surrounded by a copper band known as shaded ring. The alternating flux S in the shaded

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portion of the poles will, owing to the reaction of the current induced in the ring lags behind the flux U in the
unshaded portion by an angle α. These two ac fluxes produce the necessary torque to rotate the disc.

 Thermal Relay

Construction:

Fig. shows the constructional details of thermal relay using bimetallic strip. It consists of two different metals
having different coefficient of expansion. The relay contacts are arranged on the upper strip as shown. A
heating element is kept near the bimetallic strip bias adjustment is provided. It is a mechanical arrangement in
form of a screw. By adjusting screw tension, the bending of bimetallic strip can be adjusted hence operating
time of relay can be adjusted.

Working:

Normal Condition: The heating element carries normal current. This current produces heat = I2Rt. This heat
is not sufficient to bend the bimetallic strip. Hence the relay contact remain open.

Abnormal Condition: The heating element carries abnormal or fault current hence heat developed is more.
The bimetallic strip bends and closes the relay contacts. The trip circuit operates the circuit breaker. The CB
operates & disconnects the faulty part from the system. These are mostly used as overload relays.

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Thermocouple can also be used. The thermocouple generates differential voltage across its terminal which can
be used to operate the trip circuit.

 Static over current relay

The current derived from the main CT is feed to the input transformer which gives a proportional output
voltage. The input transformer has an air gap in the iron core to give linearity in the current voltage
relationship up to the highest value of current expected and is provided with taping on its secondary to
obtain different current settings. The output voltage is then rectified and then filtered at a single stage to
avoid undesirable time delay in filtering so as to excurse high speed of operation. A zener diode is also
incorporated in the circuit to limit the rectified voltage to safe values even when the input current is very
high under fault conditions. A fixed portion of the rectified filtered voltage is compared against a preset
pickup value by a level detector and if exceeds the pick-up value, a singal through an amplifier is given to
the output device which issues the trip signal.

 Advantages of static over current relay:

1) Low power required hence less burden.
2) No motional parts hence bouncing, friction, erosion, arcing etc. eliminated.
3) Not affected by gravity, may be used in any position.
4) Improved selectivity as resetting and overshoot times is reduced.
5) Lower operating times.
6) One static relay can be used for multiple purposes.
7) Higher torque /weight ratio.
8) Compact.
9) Good discriminating characteristics and reliability.
10) Suitable for reliable remote operation with PLCC.
11) Can be programmed as per requirement.

 Disadvantages of static over current relay:

1) Affected by voltage transients.
2) Affected by electrostatic discharges.
3) Sensitive to temperature.
4) Auxiliary power supply is needed.
5) Higher skilled manpower required to handle/program/install.

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6) Operating characteristics may be affected by operation of output device.
7) Delicate construction.

 Over Current Relay – Time Current Characteristics

1. Instantaneous relay :

 An instantaneous relay is one in which there is no time delay provided intentionally. More specifically
ideally there is no time required to operate the relay.
 As the current coil is an inductor, there would be a certain delay to reach the current in the coil to its
maximum Value.
 There is also some time required for mechanical movement plunger in the relay.
 This time delays are inherent in the instantaneous relay but no other time relay is intentionally added.
These relays can be operated in less than 0.1sec.

2. Inverse time relay :

 In this type of relays, the time of operation depends upon the magnitude of actuating quantity.
 If the magnitude of actuating quantity is very high, the relay operation is very fast.
 The relay operating time is inversely proportional to the magnitude of actuating quantities.
 The general characteristics of an inverse time relay are shown in figure below.

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3. Definite time lag relay :

 In this type of relay there is some definite time elapse intentionally.
 Definite time lag relays are these which operate after a specific time.
 The time lag between the instant when the actuating current crosses the pick level and the instant when
relay contacts are closed is constant.
 This relay does not depend up on magnitude of actuating quantity.
 For all actuating quantity, above pick up values, the relay operating is constant.
4. IDMT relay

It is a protection type relay whose operating time is inversely proportional to the magnitude of the fault
current. The full form of the IDMT Relay is Inverse Definite Minimum Time Relay. So, when the amount
of fault current is more it will operate quickly and when the amount of fault current is less it will take a
long time to operate.The IDMT relay is generally used with a circuit breaker, so when the relay senses a
fault it will send a signal to the circuit breaker and the circuit breaker will break the circuit. The IDMT
relay comes under the category of Overcurrent Relay. In fact, most of the overcurrent relays are works on
the IDMT principle.For example, if an IDMT Relay takes 2 seconds to operate for 25Kilo Ampere
Current, it will take 1.5 seconds to operate for 30Killo Ampere Current. So you can understand more
current means less time and less current means more time. Here, you can see the graph for IDMT Relay
operating time with respect to fault current.

 Microprocessor Based Overcurrent Relay:

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The ac voltage proportional to the load current is converted into dc through a precision rectifier. Thus the
microprocessor accepts dc voltage proportional to the load current. The schematic diagram is shown in the
figure. The output of rectifier is fed to the multiplexer. The output of multiplexer is fed to the A/D
converter to obtain the signal in digital form. The A/D converter ADC 0800 is used for this purpose. The
microprocessor sends signal to the ADC for starting the conversion. The microprocessor reads the end of
conversion signal to examine whether the conversion is over or not. As soon as conversion is over, the
microprocessor reads the current signal in digital form and then compares it with the pickup value. The
microprocessor first determines the magnitude of the fault current and then selects the corresponding time
of operation from the look up table. Then it goes in delay subroutine and sends a trip signal to the circuit
breaker after the predetermined time delay

OR

The inputs from the power system through CTs and PTS are received by the analog Input receiver; they
are sampled simultaneously or sequentially at uniform time intervals. They are then converted into digital
form through A/D converter and transferred to micro-processor. Digital signals are in the form of coded
square pulses which represent discrete data. The signals are fed to micro-processor which is being set with
the recommended values, compares the dynamic inputs and decides accordingly to generate trip/alarm
signal to the output device.

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 Salient Features of Microprocessor Relay :

-Single relay for multiple functions.

-High flexibility Digital display of quantities.
-Intelligent Self monitoring feature.

-Increased reliability.
-Data interface access.
-User friendly.
-High speed.

 Induction type over current relay

Here the upper electromagnet has a primary and a secondary winding. The primary is connected to the
secondary of a CT in the line to be protected and is tapped at intervals. The tapings are connected to
plug setting bridge by which the number of active turns on the relay operating coil can be varied there
by giving the desired current setting
 Working:
Torque is produced on Al disc due to interaction of eddy current in the disc & two fluxes produced by
upper & lower magnet. Under normal working condition restraining torque is greater than driving
torque which is produced by relay coil current. So Al disc doesn’t rotate. If current exceeds preset

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value, driving torque is greater than restraining torque. And disc rotates through preset angle causing
bridging of trip circuit contacts. The trip circuit operates causing the opening of C.B., fault is cleared.

 Distance Relay
 Principle
Principle of Distance relaying:

In distance relaying the action of relay depends upon distance (or impedance) between the point where
the relay is installed and the point of fault. It is nothing but an impedance relay. It is double actuating
quantity relay with one coil is energized by voltage and other coil is energized by current. The relay
operates when ratio (V/I) reduces below a set value. Since it protects a certain length of line, it is
called as distance relay. In distance relay the ratio (V/I) is measured. The current gives operating
torque and voltage gives restraining torque. Hence for values of ‘Z’ above certain settings, the relay
does not operate. This type of protection is used for high voltage long distance transmission lines

1. Definite Distance Relay:

Figure shows schematic arrangement of definite distance type impedance relay. It consists of a pivoted
beam F and two electromagnets energized respectively by a current and voltage transformer in the
protected circuit. The beam is provided with a bridging piece for the trip contacts. Under normal operating
conditions, the pull due to voltage element is greater than current element. Hence relay contacts remains
open. Under fault conditions current increases while voltage decreases and the ratio of voltage to current
i.e. impedance falls below the predetermined value, ultimately pull from CT side increases, resulting in
closing the trip contacts.
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2. Time Distance Relay:

Construction:

The relay mainly consists of a current driven element like double winding type induction over current
relay. The spindle carrying the disc of this element is connected by means of a spiral spring coupling to a
second spindle which carries the bridging piece of the relay contacts. The bridge is normally held in the
open position by an armature held against the pole face of an electromagnet excited by the voltage of the
circuit to be protected

Working:
During normal operating condition the attraction force of armature fed from PT is more than force generated
by induction element, hence relay contacts remain in open position when a short circuit fault occurs in the
transmission line, the - in the induction element increases. Then the induction in the induction element
increases. Then the induction element starts rotating. The speed of rotation of induction elements depends
upon the level of fault i.e. quantity of current in the induction element. As the rotation of the disc proceeds,
the spiral spring coupling is wound up till the tension of the spring is sufficient to pull the armature away from
the pole face of the voltage excited magnet.
The angle through which the disc travels the disc travel before relay operate depends upon the pull of the
voltage excited magnet. The greater the pull, the greater will be the travel of the disc. The pull of this magnet
depends upon the line voltage. The greater the line voltage the greater the pull hence longer will be the travel
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of the disc i.e. operating time is proportional to V.
Again, speed of rotation of induction element approximately proportional to current in this element. Hence,
time of operation is inversely proportional to current.

Therefore time of operation of relay,

 Directional Relay
 Induction type directional over current relay

It consist of two elements as shown- directional element & non directional element.
The directional element operates when the current flows in a specific direction. It is not concerned with
the magnitude of the current but with the direction w. r. t. the voltage referred by the PT plug setting can
be done to set the current.
The non directional element is the over current relay which operates when only over current condition in
reached.
Hence tripping occurs under the following condition:
- Excess current in non directional element (more than set value)
- Excessive current in directional element in reverse direction for considerable amount of time.

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 MHO Relay:
In this relay, poles 1, 2, 3 areenergized by a voltage V throughpolarizing coil to produce flux, the
capacitor connected provides phase shift. The left pole 4 is energized by a current which is the
operating quantity.Here the rotor is hollow cylindrical type which turns around its axis. Inside the
rotor stationary core is there. The rotating field is produced by operating coil flux and polarized
flux. This rotating field induces currents in the cup to provide necessary driving torque, which closes
the trip contacts of CB.The relay operation depends upon polarized flux because of voltage and
operating flux because of current hence on the ratio (I/V) = Y i.e. admittance, hence called asMHO
relay.

 Differential Relay
A differential relay is one that operates when the phasor difference of two or more similar electrical
quantities exceeds a pre-determined value.
1. Current Differential Relay

Construction:

Fig. shows an over current relay connected to operate as a differential relay. A pair of identical transformers is
fitted on either side of winding to be protected. The secondary’s of CT are connected in series in such a way
that they carry induced currents in same direction. The operating coil of over current relay is connected across
the CT secondary’s .

Operation:

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The differential relay compares the current at the two ends of alternator winding. Under normal operating
conditions, the currents in the two secondary’s of CT’s are equal. Therefore no current will flow in the relay.
When fault occurs on the alternator winding the two secondary currents will not be equal and the difference in
the current flows through the operating coil of the relay, causing the relay to operate.

2. Voltage Differential Relay

Here two similar CTs are connected at either end of the element to be protected by means of pilot wires. The
secondaries of CTs are connected in series with a relay such a way that under normal conditions their induced
e.m.f. s are in opposition. Under healthy conditions, because of equal incoming and outgoing currents, the
secondary voltages of two CTs are balanced against each other and no current flows in relay operating coil.
When a fault occurs in the protected zone , the currents in two primaries will differ and their secondary
voltages will also differ causing a current to flow through relay operating coil and relay operates.

 Safety precautions while using C.T. and P.T.:

1) CT secondary terminals should never be kept open. CTs must be energized only after connecting the burden across
them.
2) PT secondary should never be shorted as they are designed for high impedance burdens (extremely low currents). 3)
To be used as per the specified rating of voltage, current & burdens only. The burdens should never be exceeded when
multiple ones are connected across one instrument transformer. They are designed to give the highest accuracy at the
rated burdens only, else for lower and slightly higher burdens, ratio & phase angle errors are present and compensation
is needed.

4) CTs for measurement must not be interchanged with those for protection and vice versa.
5) PTs for measurement must not be interchanged with those for protection and vice versa.

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QUESTION BANK

1. Draw neat circuit diagram of Balanced beam type relay

2. Explain in brief the operation of microprocessor based over current relay used for protection
system.
3. Explain with neat diagram shaded pole type relay.
4. Write the principle of distance relaying and mention the part of power system at which this type of
protection is used.
5. Explain definite distance relay with neat diagram.
6. What are fundamental requirements of protective relaying ? What qualities relay must posses for
satisfactory functioning.
7. Define the following terms related to relay : i) Relay time ii) Pick up iii) Reset iv) Fault clearing
time
8. Describe with the help of neat diagram the construction and operation of Induction type over
current relay.
9. Explain how the plug setting and time setting can be done in induction relay.
10. State advantages and disadvantages of static relays over electromagnetic relays.
11. State salient features of microprocessor based protection relay.
12. Define : a) Pick up current b) Relay time c) Plug setting multiplier d) Reset current.
13. Write any four safety precautions while using CT and PT.
14. Describe with neat sketch the operation of Induction type Directional overcurrent Relay

17 Ms. Kashid M.T.| V.V.P Polytechnic , Solapur