SPARK/STAR/2023/01

Tripping of 33 KV line on idle charging at 132/33 kv GSS

SITUATION: At 132/33 KV grid sub-station, one 33 KV feeder tripped during initial
charging repeatedly but stood OK once among such charging. Station engineer
apprehended, the reason could be the clearance issues. Because there were of three
transmission line of 132 KV level had been crossing this 33 KV system of clearance.

TASK:
1. TASK was framed for detail checking of the line.
2. Retrieval of DR report of the relay for study of the incidences.
3. Discussion with remote Engineers regarding the setting of the relays.

ACTION and ANALYSIS:

1. The length of the line was of 11.3 Kms and passing through jungle area.
2. So the clearance with tree and structures were checked and found with required
clearance.
3. The condition of the insulators was also checked by insulation tester and found
in order.
4. The actual clearance of the 132KV line with this 33 KV line was checked and
found with the range of clearance ranging from 2.5 mtrs to 3.5 mtrs. So this
could not be the cause of tripping of the line during idle charging.
5. The relays indications were analyzed and found with tripping on Earth fault
protection. The relay was featured with non-directional feature of EF protection.
6. Each time the relay issues the tripping command for the current of around 80
to 100 ampere with the setting of 40 amperes on Earth fault feature.
7. As the line was tripping on idle charging the remote end points were checked.
8. It was confirmed that the line was getting charged with 2 nos of 8 MVA
transformer at the remote end.
9. So the line was again allowed to charge without the connection of the
transformer at the remote. This time the line stood OK without causing the
tripping of the line.
10. So it was confirmed that it was resulting due to the 2nd harmonics feature and
sudden rise of unbalance current was causing the tripping of the line.
11. So finally in the relay the feature of 2nd harmonics restraint was enabled and
allowed with the transformers on the remote end.

RESULT and Recommendations:

1. After provision of 2nd harmonics feature, the tripping issue was completely
rectified.
2. So, it was recommended that the 33 KV feeder line used for charging the
remote stations if provided with numerical relay, then 2nd harmonics feature has
to be initiated to block the un-wanted tripping of the line during idle charging.

SPARK/STAR/2023