Islamic University of Science & Technology

University Avenue I, Awantipora, Pulwama, J & K

Unit-I/Lecture-6

SWITCHGEAR AND PROTECTION

ELE402C

Dr. Ahmed Sharique Anees

Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical Engineering
Islamic University of Science & Technology
University Avenue I, Awantipora, Pulwama, J & K

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 Outline of the lecture

1. Electromechanical Relays
a. Hinged Armature Type
b. Plunger Type
c. Beam Balance Type
d. Moving Coil Type
e. Polarised Moving Iron Type

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 Electromechanical Relays
• Electromechanical relays operate by mechanical forces
developed on the moving parts due to electromagnetic forces
produced by the flow of electric current
• Hence, It is also called as an electromagnetic relay
• The mechanical forces causes the movement of the moving part
which resulting in the closing of relay contacts for its operation
• Most of these relays use either the electromagnetic attraction or
electromagnetic induction as their principle of operation
• Based on the principle of operation electromechanical relays are
of two types:
a. Attracted armature type
b. Induction Type
• Some electromechanical relays use electrothermic
principle (Thermal Relays)
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 A. Attracted Armature Relays
• These are the simplest type of electromechanical
relay and can be used for both ac and dc
• They operate through an armature which is attracted
to an electromagnet or through a plunger which is
drawn into a solenoid
• They all are based on the electromagnetic attraction
principle
• The electromagnetic force exerted on the moving
element (i.e. armature or plunger) is directly
proportional to the square of the flux in the air gap or
the square of the current

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• In dc relays this force is constant while in ac this
force pulsates at double the frequency
• The movement of the moving element is controlled
by an opposing force produced by spring or gravity
• The different types of attracted armature relay
based on their construction are:

1. Hinged Armature Type 4. Moving Coil Type

2. Plunger Type 5. Polarised Moving Iron

Type
3. Beam Balance Type
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 1. Hinged Armature Type Relay

Hinged Armature Type Relay
• The coil of a Hinged Armature
Type relay is energized by an
operating quantity proportional to
the system I or V
• The actuating quantity produces
a magnetic flux which in turn
produces the electromagnetic
force.
• The electromagnetic force is
proportional to the square of the
flux in the air gap or the square of
the current
• The attraction force increases as
the armature comes closer to the
pole of the electromagnet
USES
• For protection of small machines,
equipment etc.
• As an auxiliary relay (flag
indicator, slave relay, alarm relay,
annunciators etc.)
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• The actuating quantity of the relay is either ac or dc
The force of attraction is given by:
F=KI2
In case of dc this force is constant; for ac
I= Imax sinωt
Therefore; F=K(Imax sinωt)2
F=0.5K(I2max – I2max cos2ωt)

F=0.5KI2max – 0.5KI2max cos2ωt

• Therefore, there are two components: 1. a constant component
(0.5KI2max) and 2. a time dependent component (0.5KI2max cos2ωt)
pulsating at double the frequency of the applied ac
• Resultant is a double frequency pulsating force

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 • This pulsating force is the cause of humming sound in relays
• This problem can be corrected by using a shaded pole
construction of the electromagnet
• Another method is by using two coils;
• One coil is energized by the actuating quantity
• The other coil is supplied through a phase shifting circuit
• The restraining force is provided by a
spring
• It has low burden
• Instantaneous relay
• Operating speed is very high (5 ms)
• Faster than induction disk and cup type
relays
• They are compact, robust and Reliable
• They are affected by transients as they
operate fast for both ac and dc (fault
have dc transients for the initial few
cycles which may be taken as fault
Modified Hinged Armature Type current even though the steady state
value maybe less than pick-up value)
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 2. Plunger Type Relay
• Relay has a plunger and a
solenoid
• The iron plunger moves in
and out of the solenoid to
make or brake the
contact
• The spring restrains the
movement of the plunger
• Obsolete
• Draws more current
Plunger type Relay

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 3. Balanced Beam Relay
• Beam like structure
• Carries electromagnets at its two ends
• One of them produces the operating torque while the other
produces the restraining torque
• Under normal condition the beam remains horizontal about
the pivot (Operating and restraining torques are equal)

Balanced Beam Relay

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• When the operating torque exceeds the restraining
torque the armature is pulled by the electromagnet and
the contacts close

• These relay are now Obsolete

• Used in the past for constructing impedance relay and
differencial relay
• Superseded by rectifier bridge comparators and
permanent magnet moving coil relays
• Robust and Fast in operation (requiring 1 cycle)
• Affected by transients (not accurate)

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 4. Moving coil Relays
• For ac quantities, rectifier
needs to be added
• Most sensitive type
electromagnetic relays
• Costlier than induction cup or
moving iron type relays
• VA burden is very small
Rotating • Used as slave relays along
Moving Coil Relay
with rectifier bridge
Fig shows a permanent magnet comparators
moving coil relay • They are of two types:
Also called a Polarised dc Moving a. Rotating coil Type
Coil Relay
Only responds to dc actuating b. Axially moving coil type
quantity
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• Rotating moving coil type is similar to moving
coil instruments
• Components are: Permanent magnet, coil wound
on a non-magnetic former, iron core, spindle,
bearings, a phosphor bronze spiral spring etc.
• The assemble carries an arm which closes the
contacts
• Damping is provided by an aluminum former
• Operating Time 2 cycles

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• Copper former can be used for providing
heavier damping and slower operation
• Operating torque is produced by the interaction
of the fields of permanent magnet and coil
• Operating torque is proportional to current in
the coil
• Restraining torque exerted by the spring is
proportional to deflection
• Relay has inverse time-current characteristics

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 • Axially Moving Coil Relay is
more sensitive than rotating
moving coil relay
• It is faster also due to lighter
parts
• Operating time of 30ms can be
obtained
• Coil is wound on cylindrical
former which is suspended
horizontally
• Coil can move only axially
• Relay has inverse time-current
Axially characteristics
Moving Coil Relay
• Delicate relay, requires care
while handling

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 5. Polarised Moving Iron Relay
Polarised
Moving Iron Relay
An ordinary attracted armature type relay
is not sensitive to the polarity whereas
the Polarised relay operates only when the
Actuating qty is of a particular polarity
• It is a dc polarization relay
meant for dc actuating
quantities only
• Permanent Magnet is used for
polarization
• It produces flux in addition to
main flux
• Used as a slave relay with
rectifier bridge comparator
• More robust than moving coil
type (it has stationary coil)
• Operating time 2ms to 15ms
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 After this lecture you should be able to answer the following:
What makes electromagnetic relay exist in the times of
Numerical relays?
What are the current application areas of electromagnetic relays?

Any Other Queries?

Next Lecture: Induction Relays, their

types, construction and operation

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