Paper accepted for presentation at 2003 IEEE Bologna PowerTech Conference, June 23-26, Bologna, Italy

New Line Current Differential Relay using GPS

Synchronization
Ian Hall, Phil G. Beaumont, Gareth P. Baber, Itsuo Shuto,
Masamichi Saga, Koichi Okuno, and Hachidai Ito

characteristics of the communication me:dium. Each relay

Abstract-- The "numerical line current differential relay" has
proved to be one of the most successful types of transmission line
protection system, and advances in communication technology
have facilitated its ever wider application. However, more
recently, the adoption of SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy)
as the international standard for high speed data communication
over optical fiber and microwave has given rise to
communications links with characteristics which are unsuitable
for traditional numerical line current differential relays.
Therefore, we have developed a new "line current differential
relay" using GPS (Global Positioning System) synchronization
that is applicable for use over SDH communication networks.
Following successful completion of type testing and twelve month
field trials with NG, (TVational Grid) in the United Kingdom, type
registration was achieved in April 2001. Subsequently, the first
commercial units were delivered in September 2001 and
commissioned in June 2002.
I n k Term--Power system protection, Protective relaying,
Global Positioning System, Synchronization, Synchronous digital
hierarchy, Pulse code modulation
I. INTRODUCTION
T M T&D Corporation's "line current differential relay"
samples the power system current at a sampling fkequency
of 600Hz, quantizing the sampled data to 12 bit resolution.
The instantaneous sampled data for each of the three phases is
transmitted at a rate of 64kbit/s. In the conventional relay, a
method of synchronization has been applied to ensure that
samples are taken simultaneously by relays in substations at
opposite ends of the power transmission linekable, on the
premise that the propagation delays in the communication
link are equal for the send and receive paths. However, the
recently adopted technology of SDH communications for
high speed data communication can exhibit different
propagation delays between the send and receive paths, with
the result that the conventional method of achieving
receives synchronizing information fiom the satellite based
timing system via GPS receivers installed in the substations,
and samples the power system ament according to this time
information. Furthermore, we have applied a unique back-up
mode function which can maintain the performance of the
protection in the unlikely event of'failure of the GPS reception
system.
11. SDH COMMUNICATION NETWO M S AND THEIR IMPACT ON
LINE CURRENT DIFFEliENTIAL RELAYS
The rapid growth of digital networks and the convergence
of telephone and high-speed data networks have enforced the
development of new standards. Proposals in ITU-T, (formerly
CCITT) for a Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network
(E3-ISDN) were an enabler for a new synchronous
multiplexing standard that would better support switched
broadband services. The new standard first appeared as
SONET (SynchronousOptical Network) in the United States.
Initially, the objective of the SONET standard was to
establish a North American standard that would permit inter-
working of equipment fiom multiple vendors. Also at that
time, a different standard for digital hierarchies was in use in
Japan. Subsequently, the ITU-T was approached with the
objective of developing a world-wide standard. Despite the
historical differences between the North American, European
and Japanese digital hierarchies, 1:his goal was achieved with
the adoption of the SDH standards (1988). Fig. 1 shows these
different standards in Europe, North America & Japan and

-ye
synchronized sampling cannot be applied. Therefore, we have
developed a new "line current differential relay" that can
achieve synchronization based on GPS (Global Positioning
System) time information, independently of the
2.048Mb s . Si%T;tbn of -
iii Shortening of
1 Kjagationdelay
0
1
Ian Hall is with National Grid Transco plc, Wokingham, UK.
Phil G. Beaumont and Gareth P. Baber are with TM T&D Corporation, mi World-standard
transmsion
Durham, UK. speed
Itsuo Shuto, Masamichi Saga, Koichi Okuno and Hachidai Ito are with
TM T&D Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. Fig. 1 Conventional propagation method and SDH in respective
countrie:s

02003 EEE
0-7803-7967-5/03/$17.00
 (Back u p path)
Fig. 2 SDH network (‘normal’)
e l S u b s t a t i o o A -1Substation B ,
Fig. 3 SDH network (with defective propagation route)
SDH hierarchies.
In synchronous networks, all multiplexing functions
operate synchronously using clocks derived from a common
source. SDHBONET are expected to dominate transmission
for decades to come, as the multiplexing structure has been
designed to carry not only current services but also emerging
ones using ATM andor IP framing structures for example.
SDH allows the development of network topologies that
are able to achieve ‘network protection’, that is, they are able
to survive failures in the network by reconfiguring and
maintaining services by alternate means. One of the methods
that can be employed to provide network protection is by the
use of self-healing ring architectures. Protection switching in a
ring topology can be either -mi-directional’ or ‘bi-
directional’. Uni-directional means that only the faulted path
is switched whilst the non-faulted path follows the original
route.
With bi-directional protection both the go and return path
are switched to follow the opposite direction along the ring.
The important point to note is that bi-directional switching
will maintain equal signal propagation delays for the go and
- return path (any differences will be transient), whilst uni-
directional switching may introduce permanent, unequal
propagation delays that can cause severe difficulties for
current differential relays. The creation of unequal delays is
illustrated in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, and Fig. 4.
Comparison of measured quantities from differential
protection relays must be based on pairs of samples that were
taken at the same sampling instant. As samples are transferred
to the remote end of the protected circuit for comparison, the
delay that is introduced by the telecommunications link has to
be compensated by the protection relay that performs the
Fig. 4 SDH network (Occurrence of different propagation delay
time between send and receive paths - ‘splitpath ’)
differential relay -
sampling
synchronization error
---
+
I-_-
I M l-J X N n d r
._. I
1 M..
I J X N n._.
de1-
From BSS to A S S
Propagation delay time: X ms I
Fig. 5 Influence on Line Current Differential Relay
comparison. However, if the sampling clocks are
synchronised at each terminal (see later), the process is
simplified to one of comparing referenced current samples
which are derived fkom synchronous clocks. With the
introduction of SDH communication systems it is essential
that the comparison of the respective samples does not depend
on equal signal propagation delay times for the send and
receive paths nor on stringent limitations for signal
propagation time variations. Fig. 5 shows that the occurrence
of a different propagation delay time between the send and
receive paths in the communication network will result in a
sampling synchronization error for a conventional current
differential relay.
111. NEWLINECURRENT DIFFERENTIAL RELAY USING GPS
SYNCHRONISATION FOR NG IN THE UK
A. Line Current Diflerential Relay Scheme using
Instantaneous Current Values
1)Segregated-phase current drfferential protection using
instantaneous current data:
Current differential protection is an ideal protection for
transmission lines and has the following features:-
- High selectivity for all types of fault even on complex
power systems with multi-terminal transmission lines
and series compensation
 - High speed operation with high sensitivity even for
transmission lines with weak infeed or no-infeed
terminals
- Stable operation in the presence of high frequency ac
components and dc components generated during power
system faults
- Not reliant on complex starting arrangements to obviate
the effect of capacitance current at low loads, for
example, as in phase comparison systems.
TM T&D's current differential relay provides segregated-
phase current differential protection for both phase to phase
and phase to ground faults. The segregated-phase current
differential protection ensures high selectivity and sensitivity
for various types of fault. Figure 6 shows its dual slope bias
characteristic.
Terminal X TerminalY Fig. 7 Concept of current differential calculation
lY
the current differential calculation can be correctly performed
IV I using synchronized samples having the same sampling
reference number.
The current differential relay has a typical operating time
of 16ms following the occurrence of a fault.

2) Sampling timing synchronization with communication

system:

Ry-B

Operating zone
Id
characteristic
Iset Ry-A

I characteristic
(Slope = 1/6) (a) No sampling timing error (b) Sampling liming error = dt

= t.j - At
I
Id. Differential curr&~x + I~ + I ~ I ) t, = t 2 = td 1:1 = j.t + At
:ut= tq t2 -
t2

XI: Restraining current (IIxl + \Iv\ + )Iz))

Fig. 8 Sampling timirig synchronisation
Fig. 6 Percentage ratio differential characteristics
In order to carry out the cun-ent differential calculation
Sampled instantaneous current values are sent from one described previously, it is necessary to perf;ormsynchronized
terminal to the other every 30 electrical degrees, as illustrated sampling at all terminals. In order to achieve this, Toshiba's
for the case of a two-terminal power transmission line in Fig. conventional current differential relay performs sampling
7. Relays 'A' and 'Byinstalled at respective ends of the timing synchronization by assuming that the propagation
protected circuit, sample the power system current data delay t h e , (td) of the send and receive communication paths
simultaneously using the sampling synchronization method between the two terminals are equal. Fig. 8 shows the method
described later in clause (2). Relay-B transmits the current used to achieve sampling timing r;ynchronization. In case (a)
data sample (ib) complete with reference number to relay-A. No sampling timing error, t~t2-1; and in case (b) Sampling
Relay-A then performs a current differential calculation using timing error of At, tl-t2=2At. The values of ti and t2 are used to
the referenced current data sample (ia) from its own terminal calculate the sampling timing error and hence sampling timing
and (ib) from the remote terminal, where the samples (ia) and control.
(ib) have the same sample reference number. Even if the
reception of the transmitted data fiame from the remote
terminal is delayed to the extent of the propagation delay time,
 3) Sampling synchronization with SDH communication: sampling of the current data and a resultant increase in the
calculated differential current (Id). Therefore, it is not
In the case of an SDH communication network, where the advisable to apply a conventional current differential relay
propagation delays of the send and receive transmission paths using an SDH communication network. However, the method
(td, and tdd) may be different, the conventional method of of conventional sampling synchronisation employed by the
sampling timing synchronization cannot be employed, for the relay (see earlier) provides a high degree of tolerance to the
reasons illustrated in figure 9-(b). This is because the transient unequal delay which arises from bi-directional
conventional method will adjust the clock relationships to switching. This is because the relay takes a finite time to
cause t l and t2 (as seen by the relay) to be equal, when in adjust the clock relationships and it takes longer to generate a
reality they are not. A sampling timing error of t = (tdu - significant error than the transient period of the unequal delay.
tdd)/2 is thereby generated. Consequently, an erroneous This may be an important consideration in using the
differential current, Id is measured by the relay which will conventional relay as the final part of a fallback strategy in the
cause the relay to operate incorrectly if the Id setting value is unlikely event where GPS signals are not available.
exceeded. B. GPS Synchronization Scheme
1)SDH communicationsystem:

In an SDH communication network, the propagation delays

in the send and receive paths between the relays may change
dynamically as a result of automatic, uni-directional switching
of the communication route. The conventional
synchronization system for current differential relays requires
that the propagation delay times be equal and therefore,
cannot be utilized.
-- Sampling synchronization is accomplished in the new relay
(a) tdu=tdd :No sampling timing error by using GPS time information, and as such, synchronization
is independent of the characteristics of the communication
medium. Furthermore, the relay provides a unique GPS
synchronization back-up mode function, which can maintain
-1
the performance of the protection despite changes in the
propagation delay time, even in the unlikely event of failure of
the GPS reception system.

2)GPS Synchronizationsystem:
I
Relay-A

(b) tdu f tdd

Sampling timing error: At+,,& )/2
in spite of tl- t2= 0
Fig. 9 Sampling timing synchronization with different
propagation delays between send and receive paths I

communication
The SDH communication network established in the UK
i
I
GPS
receiver-@ +
I
system
Sampling j
uses a ring topology within which the communication route is I osc
I j I

automatically switched from the main (worker) path to the

- back-up (protection) path in the event of a failure occurring in 8

the main path. The switching protocol depends on the
communication provider, and may be uni-directional. In fact,
mi-directional switching is normally preferred, because only
one communication disturbance arises as a result of path
switching. In the case of mi-directional switching, a
difference in the propagation delay between the transmit and
receive paths is generated in the event of a defect in one of the
paths. As stated previously, the difference in propagation
delay times may result in mal-operation of a conventional
current differential relay, since it causes a timing error in the
Fig. 10 Configuration of GPS synchronous
Current Differential relay
Each relay measures the time difference between the output
of its own sampling oscillator and the one pulse per second
(lpps) GPS signal. Each relay then corrects the oscillation
fiequency of its sampling oscillator so that the time difference
becomes zero. The relay continuously updates the correction
factor and stores it as the absolute accuracy of the oscillator.
In the event of the GPS signal being lost, the relay is able to
control the oscillator's fiee-running ftequency error to within
0.2ppm, by using the correction factor stored immediately U7
prior to the loss of the GPS signal. By this method, the
sampling synchronization error between two relays can be
limited to within 1S p .

Fig. 11 shows the GPS standard time signal that is provided

to the relay fiom the GPS receiver. The standard time data is
encoded so that any failure or corruption of the standard time
signal can be detected by the relays, thus ensuring that
\ /
sampling synchronizationcontrol is not adversely affected.

/
Standard lpps signal
A/
myTime data
. . . . .
nll
. . . . .. .. ..
Fig. 12@) Synchronizationcontrol using recorded
transmission delay time
-! IIL
1 the signal received fiom the other terminal. Because the
1 1 second i
i sampling time of relays A and B are synchronized by GPS, tl
and t2 are equal to the propagation delay time between relays
Fig. 11 GPS standard time signal
A and B respectively. Changes in communication path
propagation delay time caused by switching of the SDH
3) GPS backup system:
network have no effect on the sampling timing of the relays.
Since the alignment of GPS satellites changes during the
b)MODE I : operationfollowifig loss of the GPS signal:
course of a day, the GPS antenna must be installed carefully
with an unobstructed view of the sky, otherwise reception of
Fig. 12@) shows sampling synchronization control
the GPS time signal may be interrupted. In order to alleviate
following loss of the GPS signal at terminal B. The relay at
this problem and other potential causes of interruption of the
the terminal which has lost its GPS standard time signal
GPS time signal, a back-up function has been developed that
becomes the ‘slave’ and controls the fiequency of its internal
allows sampling synchronizationcontrol to continue during an
oscillator so that the signal timing information for the signal
interruption to the GPS time synchronization signal. Further,
received from the other end is maintained at a value of tl,
the back-up function can maintain sampling synchronization
where tl is the propagation delay recorded immediately prior
even in the event of the SDH communication path being
to loss of the GPS signal. In the event that the GPS time signal
switched during the period of interruption to the GPS time
is lost at both terminals then the relay which lost its signal first
synchronizationsignal.
becomes the slave, and synchronization is maintained at both
Fig.12 (a) (b) (c) shows the sampling synchronization
ends by carrying out sampling synchronization control in the
control system during periods of normal mode operation and
back-up mode.
backup mode operation.
Fig. 12(c) shows sampling synchronization control in the
event of the SDH communication path being switched during
a)MODE 0: operation under normal conditions:
the period of interruption to the GPS time synchronization
signal. Relay B will detect the sudden change in the timing of
Fig. 12(a) shows the operating state during normal
reception of the GPS standard time signal. In this state, relays
A and B continuously record timing information tl and t2 for
L R Y

Fig. 12(c)Changeof transmission delay time during

Fig. 12(a) Synchronization control by GPS signal Synchronizationcontrol by recorded
(normal state) transmission delay time
the received signal since switching of a path in the SDH
network takes a period of several milliseconds. Having
detected a sudden change of propagation delay time, the relay
records the new value of delay time tl’, and continues to carry
out sampling synchronization control according to the new
delay time.
MODE 0 GPS lost
GPS
current phase difference may be greatly influenced by the line
charging current, particularly in cases of low load current.
Fig. 13 shows the transition diagram for the sampling
synchronization control modes described previously.
C. Site Trial
As part of the type registration process for the line current
differential relay operating over an SDH communication
network, the following site trial was carried out with NG in
the UK.

-Trial operation: Duration 12 months commencing 12

October 2000
- Location: Bramley and West Weybridge 400kV
substations (line length approx. 50km)
\
Phase difference > P, The site trial was performed with the relays connected in
the main protection current transformer secondary circuit and
Fig. 13 Mode transition diagram
If relay B is unable to receive the signal sent from relay A communication was via an SDH network. Fig. 14 shows the
due to a failure in the communication link, then it cannot trial relay set installed at West Weybridge substation. A
continue to perform sampling synchronization control. Under modem was connected to each line current differential relay so
these conditions the sampling oscillator is allowed to run fi-ee. that recorded data could be accessed remotely. No system
After subsequent recovery of the communication link, the malfunctions were experienced during the trial period.
actual transmission time of signals received fi-om relay A Furthermore, sampling synchronization was successfully
differs fi-om the recorded time by an error which is maintained when the GPS standard time signal was
proportional to the length of time for which the oscillator was deliberately interrupted.
in a free-running condition. Therefore, Mode 1 operation
incorporates a limitation of allowable fi-ee-runningtime, after - Sampling synchronization tests: Duration 2 days
which the differential protection element is locked, since commencing 30 January 200 1
sampling synchronization can no longer be guaranteed. - Location: Bramley and West Weybridge substations

Extensive testing of the relay sampling synchronization

c) MODE 2: operation without GPS time signal and
following a prolongedperiod of communicationfailure:
If, during MODE 1 operation, the allowable free-running
time is exceeded, or if the dc power supply to the relays is
removed causing loss of recorded propagation delay data, then
back-up operation changes fkom MODE 1 to MODE 2.
MODE 2 operation provides sampling synchronization control
based on the assumption that the propagation delay times of
the send and receive paths are approximately equal. This
mode is used after having checked the difference in
propagation delay times of the SDH communication link.
However, the transition from MODE 1 to MODE 2 may be
made automatically by using a check of the phase difference
of the current between the terminals at each line end (see
below).
@Current phase diflerence monitoring system:
In order to continuously monitor the performance of the
sampling synchronization control system, the relay is provided
with a function for checking the phase difference between the
currents at the relay terminals. The function operates when the
measured current phase difference exceeds a specified
threshold. The threshold can be adjusted since the measured
control system was carried out with the assistance of NG
engineering staff. The purpose of these tests was to c o n f m
that sampling synchronization was maintained despite
interruption of the GPS standard time signal, and also to
c o n f m the stability of the system in the event of the
communication path being switched or becoming defective.
The tests were undertaken for all modes of operation and were
completed successfully with type registration being achieved
for two-terminal operation on April 23, 2001, and for three-
terminal operation on March 6,2002.
- It was confirmed that the current differential protection
was blocked in the event of the communication channel
becoming defective.
- It was confirmed that sampling synchronization was
maintained even in the event of switching of the SDH
communication path.
- It was confirmed that the sampling synchronization error
did not increase in the event of the GPS standard time
signal being interrupted, even with repeated switching of
the SDH communication path during the period of GPS
interruption.
- It was confirmed that, during GPS back-up mode
operation, the differential protection was locked (MODE
 2A) in the event that sampling synchronizationcould not
be maintained due to the communication path being
defective for a prolonged period.
- It was confirmed that the current differential protection
relay system performed correctly for uni-directional and
bi-directional switching tests, automatic reversion and
‘split path’ conditions on the SDH communication
network.
- It was confirmed that the relay could also operate optical output ports, and can supply the GPS standard time
correctly when using canventional synchronisation
during network bi-directional switching operations.
D. Practical Relay Systemfor NG
The Configuration of GPS-based Current Differential
Protection System is shown in Fig. 15. The GRLlOO line
current differential relay is connected to the GPS receiver
using optical fiber cable. The GPS receiver provides eight
signal to a maximum of eight relays. The: GRLlOO relay is
also connected to the Cross-Site Fiber Link (CSFL) unit using
optical fiber cables. Optical fibers of graded-indexmulti-mode
5 0 / 1 2 5 p type are used. The Cross-Site Fiber Link (CSFL)
unit converts the optical signal:; to CCIlrT X.21 electrical
signals for connection to the primary multiplexer at 64Kbits/s.
The primary multiplexer connects to the SDH network.

IV. CONCLLJSION
This paper described a newly developed “line current
differential relay” which achieves synchronization of
sampling timing between two or more substations using GPS
standard time information, and has a powerfd back up system
allowing performance to be maintained even in the unlikely

Fig. 14 Trial System of GPS-based Current

Differential Protection

1, P P 3
3
Optical fibre
I
Gpr,nacable Antenna cable

I Terminal B

I
MUX: Multiplexer (SDH terminal) \
Optical fibres Metallic cables
CSFL : Cross -Site Fibre Link unit
Fig. 15 Configurationof GPS-based Current DifferentialProtection Systt:m
event of the GPS signal being interrupted. The back up
system is capable of maintaining synchronism for multiple
Itsuo Shuto received his BS and ME degrees in
SDH path switching events during the period of GPS engineering 6-om Tokyo Institute of Technology,
interruption. Furthermore, a current phase detector allows Tokyo Japan. He joined Toshiba now TM T&D
automatic safe transition to conventional synchronisation Corporation, in 1978, and is currently responsible for
when no current phase errors are detected. Conventional development of protection and control systems.
synchronisation also performs correctly during SDH network
bi-directional switching. As a result of this development, the
“line current differential relay” can be applied to transmission
line protection with communication over increasingly
prevalent SDH networks, which exhibit different propagation
delays between the send and receive paths as well as
Masamichi Saga graduated from The University of
automatic switching of the communication route during Electro-Communications,Tokyo. He joined Toshiba,
operation. now TM T&D corporation, in 1991. His special fields
The newly developed “line current differential relay” was of interest included software development of
numerical protection relays.
installed in the North Hyde and Iver substations of National
Grid Company plc in the UK, and was successfully
commissioned in June 2002. More relays are expected to be
installed in other substations in the future.

V. REFERENCES
111 M Yamaura, J Inagaki, K. Igarashi, I Shuto, K Fiashisako, C Shilomi, Koichi Okuno graduated from Yokohania National
N lnoue “Development of digital current differential relay built-m University. His employment experience has been
sampling synchronization function” at K(Korea)KE annual conference with TM T&D Corporation since 1994 working in
Power systems and apparatus, 1988-11 R&D and applications. He is now based in TM
[2] M Yamaura, Y Rurosawa, H. Ayakawa “Improvemeiit of internal T&Ds protection and control office in the UK.
charging current compensation for transmission h e differential
protection” at 6th IEE International conference, 1997-3
131 K Igarashi, Y Sukegawa, I Shuto, H Amoh and M Saga
“Development of high-speed numerical line differential relay“ at
InternationalConference on Electrical Engineering ‘99. 1999-8
[4] Y Serizawa, S Miyazaki, K Shimizu, S Suzuki, M IIori, J Takeuchi,
M Inukru, “Wide-Band Digital Communication Requrrements for
Differential Teleprotection Signalling” at CIGRE Symposium, Helsinlu,
I995 Gareth P. Baber graduated from the University of
[ 5 ] CIGRE Joint F G 34/35 I I Protection icsing Telecommunications, Salford in 1991. He is Product Development
August 2001 Manager at TM T&D Corporation, Protection
Systems Division, and is responsible for development
VI. BIOGRAPHIES of protection and control systems. He is a member of
the IEE.
Ian Hall graduated fTom Imperial College. and i s a
member of the IEF He has held senior system
engineermg posts in the computer industry and
joined NG in 1988 At NG he has been a senior
technical specialist with responsibility for the
specification and performance of protection control
and communication systems and is currently
responsible for the management of NGs
conmumcation providers Hachidai Ito received his BS and ME degrees in
electrical engineering fkom Kyoto University, Kyoto,
Japan and his MS degree in Computer Science from
University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. He
joined Toshiba Corporation in 1981 and is currently
Phil G. Beaumont is chief engineer for protection manager of the Protection and Control Development
and control at TM T&D Corporation, Protection Department or the Protection Systems Division at TM
Systems Division. He is principally responsible for T&D Corporation. He is principally responsible for
product development and technical marketing of product development of protection equipment and
protection and control systems. Phil Beaumont is a control systems. He is a member of IEEE, IEEJ and
member of the IEEE and IEE. IEICE.