Microprocessor based relays

• It came in 1970s
• Advantages:
• They provide many functions such as multiple setting groups,
programmable logic, adaptive logic, self monitoring, self
testing and ability to communicate with other relays and
control computers.
• The cost per function of microprocessor based relays is lower
as compared to the cost of their electromechanical and solid
state counterparts
• It allows user to develop their own logic schemes including
dynamic changes in that logic.
• Place significantly less burden on the instrument
transformers than the burden placed by relays
of previous technologies.
• Microprocessor based protection systems
requires significantly less panel space than the
space required by electromechanical and solid
state relays.
• Reporting feature including sequence of event
recording and oscillography are another feature
of microprocessor based protection systems.
 Disadvantages:
• These relays will always remain more susceptible to
problems like EMI and RFI etc
• They have short life cycles . While each generation of
microprocessorbased systems increases the functionality
compared to previous generation the pace of advancement
makes the equipment obsolete. This makes it difficult for
user to maintain expertise with latest designs/versions of
equipment.
• Large number of settings- difficult to understand and
change the functionality or conducting the functionality
test
 Digital Relays/Numerical Relays
• Introduced in 1970s
• Have special functions, mathematical functions
• These relays acquire the sequential samples of the ac quantities
in numeric (digital) data form through the data acquisition
system, and process the data numerically using an algorithm
to calculate the fault discriminants and make trip decisions.
• Numerical relays have been developed because of tremendous
advancement in VLSI and computer hardware technology.
• They are based on numerical (digital) devices, e.g.,
microprocessors, microcontrollers, Digital Signal Processors
(DSPs), etc
• At present microprocessor/ microcontroller-based numerical
relays are widely used.
• These relays use different relaying algorithms to process the
acquired information.
• Provide long term storage for prefault data or post fault data
• Intelligent numerical relays using artificial Intelligence
techniques such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) and
Fuzzy Logic Systems are presently under active research and
development stage.
• Main features of numerical relays are their economy,
compactness, flexibility reliability, self-monitoring and self-
checking capability, multiple functions, low burden on
instruments transformers and improved performance over
conventional relays of electromechanical and static type
 Adaptive Relays
• Introduced in 1989
• All the settings are usually selected on the basis of
worst case and changed only when a major change in
the system configuration is made. This require high
degree of professionalism on the part of user to decide
as to when and what changes to be made in settings.
• Relay settings which are generally selected for the
worst case would generally give slow speed low
sensitivity or poor selectivity on other conditions in
protected system.
• A fixed operating characteristics of a given
relay may not be able to give the requisite
speed selectivity and sensitivity on all the
operating conditions of protective systems.
• Engineers have dreamt that relay could adapt
to system changes
• With the development of microprocessors
new tools for signal processing and digital
communication techniques this dream is fast
coming true.
 Intelligent Electronic devices
• These relays have capabilities of protection,
monitoring ,control measurement and
communication.
• IEDs are designed to support the IEC 61850
standard for substation automation which provides
interoperability and advanced communication
capabilities.
• A typical IED can contain many protection functions
and control functions autorecloser function self
monitoring function communication functions.
 Thermal Relay
• Thermal relays are used to protect the
equipment against overload conditions.
• Overload situation occurs many times during
the operation of electrical equipment.
• Any electrical equipment has the ability to
withstand the overload condition for a definite
period of time depending on the severity of
overload
 Thermal Relay(Contd.)
Percentage of Overload Time to withstand
with respect to full load overload
120% Continously
140% An Hour
150% Half an hour
160% Several Minutes
170% Few seconds
Thank You