12/4/23, 6:28 PM Relay Setting in Real Power System

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Relay Settings in Real Power

System: Requirements And
Consideration

Last updated: OCT 29, 2022

This blog consists of a discussion on the parameters and rules in the relay
setting and how they are implemented.

The power system consists of generators, transformers, transmission lines,

and other equipment whose costs is in millions of dollars. Power system
equipment can severely be affected by faults, reducing their lifespan, or even
getting burst or damaged which also reduces reliability and increases utility
costs.

Power protection devices can be used to protect power systems equipment

from getting damaged due to heavy faults and surges. Protective devices
ensure the reliable operation of the system by sensing faults, surges, or any
abnormal condition and according to the severity takes the right decision at
the right time.

To configure protective devices such as making a relay setting, having all the
consideration of the fault severity and decision-making time, it is important
to know parameters, rules, and protection zone so that the reliability of the
power system having continuous supply, is not compromised. Without prior
knowledge of relay settings, reliability is affected badly and it can cause a
penalty to the distributor.

Types of Relay
Based on Operating Mechanism:
Electromagnetic (mechanical type)

Static (electronics type)/ Solid State Relay

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Microprocessor-based (programmable and communicating type)

We've also written a blog on Electromechanical Relays and Numerical

Relays. If this grabs your interest, check it out and let us know your
feedback.

Based on Actuating Parameter:

Overcurrent
Under/over voltage
Impedance
Under/over frequency

Based on Application:
Primary
Backup

Based on Protection Scheme:

Differential protection (difference in current)
Distance protection (V/I and time + distance)
Directional protection (time + direction of current)
Reverse power relay (negative sequence component)

Read this blog to learn more about Protection Schemes for Electrical
Power Systems.

Overcurrent Relay
Overcurrent is the most used relay protective scheme as compared to others.

Definition:
An overcurrent relay works on sensing current. It operates whenever the
current exceeds a permissible value or pickup value.

Layout:

An overcurrent relay works such that the system current is sensed by a

current transformer (C.T). The primary side of C.T is connected to the system
and the secondary side with a relay. In case of:

Fault/overload/ overcurrent: the relay operates and gives a trip signal

to the breaker with respect to time.
No fault: the relay performs no operation

Types:
Instantaneous OCR Definite time OCR Inverse time OCR

Trips after the current

Trips after the current exceed Tripping time is inversely
exceed the allowable
the allowable range with proportional to the
range with a certain
negligible delay magnitude of current
time delay

Be cleared to avoid damage to the apparatus. Following inverse time

characteristics have been standarized.

1. Inverse definite minimum time (IDMT) OC relay.

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2. Very Inverse time OC relay.

3. Extremely inverse time OC relay

Characteristics of various over-current relays: (a) definite time, (b) IDMT, (c)
very inverse, and (d) extremely inverse.

Common Terms
Pickup Current (Ipu):
Definition:
Minimum amount of current required for the operation of the relay.

Objective:
Power system components work properly at a certain allowed current and
when the magnitude of current exceeds a certain value (as in case of a fault),
it can cause damage to the component and the entire system reliability is
compromised. The relays are designed to operate above these rated currents.
The pickup current is thus set at the maximum allowed current.

Formula:
Ipu = Rated CT output * %current setting

where,

Rated CT output is the rated current at the secondary side of the current
transformer, typically 1A or 5A.

Current Setting:
Definition:
To adjust the pickup current (Ipu) to the desired value.

Objective:
C.T output comes in standard for example: 5A according to IEC and 1A
according to IEEE.

The current setting sets the pickup value according to it so that the relay can
operate at pickup current instead of working at rated C.T output

Plug Setting Multiplier (PSM):

Definition:
The ratio of fault current in the relay coil and the pickup current.

Objective:
It defines the severity of a fault. According to the severity of the fault, the
relay may decide the time of operation.

For example:

1. if overcurrent occurs the P.S.M would be low, and tripping may take
after some delay
2. if a short circuit occurs then PSM would be high, and tripping would be
instantaneous

Formula:

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(fault current in relay coil)

PSM =
Ipu
(fault current in relay coil)
PSM =
%Current Setting x CT ratio
(fault current)
fault in relay coil =
CT ratio
Time Setting Multiplier (TSM):
Definition:
A relay time of operation can be adjusted using a time setting multiplier.
Gives the real time of operation (TOP) with respect to time/PSM curve

Objective:
Sometimes it is desired to trip the relay much earlier than the provided time
from its time/PSM curve.

A dial is provided whose value ranges from 0 to 1, with step of 0.05, the dial
is adjusted at the required value and multiplied with the relay operating time
from time/PSM curve to obtain required time of operation

Formula:
top = TSM * time PSM curve time

Time/PSM Curve:
Definition:
Time/PSM curve represents graph between time (y-axis) and PSM (x-axis). It
represents the time of operation of a relay according to PSM, when TSM is 1.

Objective:
The time/PSM curve helps in achieving the time of tripping according to the
severity of overcurrent or fault. The manufacturer provides the relay
time/PSM curve of a relay and it can be created/varied in microprocessor
based relay.

Calculation of Relay Operation Time

Procedure:
Step1: Calculating pickup-current.
Step2: Converting fault current into relay coil current by dividing fault
current with C.T ratio.
Step3: Calculating PSM
Step4: From the time/PSM curve of a provided relay, determine the
value of time of operation (at TSM=1) from the calculated PSM.
Step5: Multiplying the time from time/PSM curve with the required
TSM to get the time of operation.

Solved Example:
Considering the following data:

C.T = 100 / 1

Breaker continuous current = 80 A

TSM = 50%

Fault current = 800 A

Time = 2s (at PSM=10 for time / PSM curve)

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Solution:

Current setting = 80 / 100 (from eq2)

Current setting = 0.8 or 80%

Ipu = 1*0.8 (from eq 1)

Ipu = 0.8 A

Relay coil current = 800 / (100 / 1) (from eq 4)

Relay coil current = 8

PSM = 8 / 0.8 (from eq 3)

PSM = 10

top = 2 * 50 / 100 (from eq 5)

top = 1s

Principle of Time/Current Grading

A time/PSM curve for relays can be set in any of the three ways, which are
described as:

1. Discrimination by Time:
A constant time setting is given to each relay irrespective of the
magnitude of the current.

The issue with this method is that the relay closest to the source
has the largest delay while it has the maximum fault current that
could flow within the system, which can damage the system due
to a large time delay.

2. Discrimination by Current:
This method is based on the phenomenon that fault current
amplitude varies with a change in impedance between source and
fault.

The main issue with this method is that there should be a good
distance between two breakers as the relay would not be able to
detect faults if the distance between two zones breaker is less.

3. Discrimination by both Time and

Current:
This method is based on the fact that with an increase in fault
current, the clearance time should reduce.

There are three types of inverse time-current characteristic curves:

Inverse definite minimum time (standard inverse)

Very inverse time

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Extremely inverse time

Extremely inverse time has the minimum clearance time with an
increase in fault current than very inverse time and lastly inverse
definite minimum time.

Primary and Backup Protection

Zones of Protection:
For better security of elements that is relay associated with faulty area sense
and clear the fault on first priority power system components are divided into
the region. Faults can be classified into two with respect to the defined zone:

1. Internal fault: fault within the zone

2. External fault: fault outside the zone

Reach point: The farthest point from a relay in a specified zone.

Reach of the relay: Distance between relay and reach point.

Here the power system zones are being overlapped due to reason that no
zones remain unprotected.

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As each power system element generator, transformer, transmission lines,

and others have a different structure, cost, and functionality, they are divided
into a separate zone for better security. As fault within a zone can be internal
and external, depending upon the type of fault protection scheme can be
classified into two types:

Primary Protection:
They are concerned with internal fault and are efficient enough to detect a
fault in the least possible time within a zone and gives a trip signal. Primary
protection schemes are usually implemented using differential, distance, and
directional overcurrent protection.

Differential Protection:
Differential protection works on the current matching principle that is two
CTs are connected in a region in such a way that whenever there is a
difference in current within that region, the relay gives a trip signal, else no
tripping.

They are used in power transformers, generators, and bus bar protection
schemes.

Distance Protection:
In transmission lines, it is not possible to implement differential protection.
For transmission line protection, distance protection is used which is based
on ohm’s law that measures voltage and current, if the measured impedance
is less than the transmission line impedance then the relay gives a trip signal.

Directional Overcurrent Protection:

A directional protection scheme becomes functional in the case of a double-
end feed system or parallel lines or a ring main system, where a fault gets fed
from both sides. It senses the current magnitude and direction for the
decision-making purpose.

Backup Protection:
For better reliability purposes, backup protection schemes are used. They are
less efficient than primary protection but are used for the purpose, if primary
protection does not give a trip signal due to some reason in case of fault, the
backup protection trips after some delay. They are also used in detecting
external faults. Backup protection is achieved using overcurrent relay.

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