3.6 Substation Protection Basics

BASICS OF SUBSTATION PROTECTION
TOPICS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. OVERCURRENT PROTECTION
3. DIFFERENTIAL RELAY
4. RESTRICTED EARTH FAULT PROTECTION
5. BUSBAR PROTECTION
6. PILOT WIRE PROTECTION
7. DISTANCE PROTECTION
Substation Erection, Construction, Operation Maintenance & Testing and Commissioning Training © CHMC, 2023
BASICS OF SUBSTATION PROTECTION
TOPICS
8. OTHER TYPES OF PROTECTIVE RELAYS USED IN SUBSTATION
9. BREAKERVFAILURE (BFR)
10.LOW SF6 ALARM LOCK-OUT RELAY
11.CONTROL RELAY
12.TRANSORMER MECHANICAL PROTECTION RELAYS

(NON-ELECTRIC PROTECTION)
13.PROTECTION SETTINGS
14.STANDARD DEVICE NUMBER

1. Protection Why is it needed?
1. Faults Are Mainly Caused By Insulation Failure
Underground Cables
Diggers
Overloading
Oil Leakage
Ageing
The relay can guide the circuit breaker so that any defective
element is isolated in the system. A protective relay can be
installed in the electrical system to keep track of the abnormal
conditions in the circuits.
1. TYPES OF FAULTS
Single Phase to Ground 2 phase to ground

a
b
c
Phase to phase
3 Phase 3 Phase to ground
1. Introduction to Protection Relay
Elements of Protective system
EQUIPTMENT /
CT
FEEDER
BREAKER
PT
RELA
Y
BATTERY INSTRUMENT
TRANSFORMERS
1. Introduction to Protection Relay
Types of Protection - Principles
Most of the protective relays in substation works in the

following fundamental principles.
1. Over current Protection Principle
2. Differential Protection
3. Pilot wire protection
4. Distance Protection
2. Overcurrent Protection
An overcurrent relay is a type of IF

protective relay which operates IF'
when the load current exceeds a
pickup value. It is of two types:
instantaneous over current (IOC) 51
relay and definite time
overcurrent (DTOC) relay. The
ANSI device number is 50/51 for
an IOC relay or a DTOC relay.
DC SHUNT
BATTER TRIP COIL
Y
• Relay acts when current through the relay exceeds set value
• Requires secure DC auxiliary
• No trip if DC fails
Instantaneous Overcurrent (ANSI/IEEE Code 50)

Instantaneous overcurrent protection is where a protective
relay initiates a breaker trip based on current exceeding
a pre-programmed “pickup” value for any length of time.
Time Overcurrent (ANSI/IEEE Code 51)

Time overcurrent protection is where a protective relay
initiates a breaker trip based on the combination of
overcurrent magnitude and overcurrent duration, the relay
tripping sooner with greater current magnitude.
O/C O/C O/C O/C O/C

E/F E/F
O/C – overcurrent relay

E/F – Earth fault relay
E/F relays are Combined with O/C relays.
2. Overcurrent Protection, Parallel Feeders
a) Consider fault on one feeder:-
I1 + I2
I1
51 A I2 C 51 LOAD
51 B D 51
Relays ‘C’ and ‘D’ see the same fault current (I2).As ‘C’
and ‘D’ have similar settings both feeders will be tripped.
2. Overcurrent Protection, Parallel Feeders
Solution:- Directional Control at ‘C’ and ‘D’
I1 + I2
I1
C
51 A I2 67 LOAD
51 B D 67
Relay ‘D’ does not operate due to current flow in the

reverse direction.
2. Overcurrent Protection, Applications
Overcurrent & Earth fault Protection is used.

 HV lines
 Transformers
 Generators
 Reactors
 Capacitor Banks
 Motors
 Neutral displacement relays in capacitor banks
 EHT lines (Directional overcurrent &E/F)
 Breaker failure Protection
3. Differential Protection Relay
Principle
It works on the principle of comparing the current entering
and leaving a protected object. If there is a difference,
It is assumed that there is some internal fault and relay
operates according to the setting
Protected object
Relay
CT Polarity
The DIRECTION of Alternating Current may only
be determined with respect to a COMMON
REFERENCE. CT polarities are represented by
P1, P2 in primary side and S1,S2…. In
secondary side. Similar Polarities are also P1 P2
represented by “dots”.
S1
S2
When Current flows from P1 to P2 direction
through the primary of CT, current flows out
S1 to S2 direction from CT secondaries. When
Relay
primary current is reversed (P2 to P1)
secondary current direction is also reversed
(S2 to S1)
Note : Clear idea about CT polarity and Why P1 should be always
output current direction is required to connected to bus ?
understand working of Differential
Protection
Principle
P1 P2 Protected P2 P1
Circuit
S S S S1
1 2 2
I1 I2
I1 = I2
R
IR = 0
External fault – Both CT secondary currents are in same direction. The Current
circulates between the HV & LV CTs; being the high impedance path. no current
thro’ the relay
No Trip
Principle
Protected P2 P1
P P2
Circuit
1
S S1
S S
1 2 2
I2
IR = I1 + I2
I1
For an internal fault, the current in HV CT (I1) and LV
side CT( I2) are in opposite direction. They add up and the
sum of currents ( I1 + I2) current flows thro’ the relay.
So Relay operates
Applications
Differential Relays are widely used for:-

 Transformer protection
 Busbar protection
 Generator protection
 Motor protection
4. Restricted Earth fault Protection
 Uses differential principle by comparing currents in Main

CT and Neutral CT
 Increased sensitivity for internal earth faults
(Sensitivity). No operation for external faults
(Stability)
Applied for Star Winding .
In auto transformers one REF
relay for both HV and LV
windings.
In Delta windings E/F relay

itself has restricted
operation.
Case I : Normal Condition
P2 P1
S2 1
P2 P1
S2 S1
P2
P1
S2
S1
IF
S2
FAULT
P2
Under normal conditions CURREN
T
and external faults the P1 IS
S1
current in Main CT and IF
Neutral CT are in same IS
direction. They circulates REF
through Main CT and Relay
Neutral CT. No current
flows thro’ the Relay.
So, relay will not operate
Case II: Internal Earth Fault
I Fault
For an internal earth fault the unbalanced

current from main CT and neutral CT are
REF
in opposite directions. They adds and
Relay
flows thro’ the relay causing it to operate.
5. Bus bar Protection Relay
The most com
monly used schemes for busbar protection is
Differential Protection
Differential Protection: The

basic method for busbar
protection is the differential
scheme in which currents
entering and leaving the bus
are totalised. During normal
load condition, the sum of
these currents is equal to
zero. When a fault occurs, the
fault current upsets the
balance and produces a
differential current to
operate a relay.
Bus bar protection works on the differential principle
BUSBAR
ZONE
F1
• Fast clearance by breakers at
the busbars
The main requirements for busbar protection include:
 Security - probability of an unnecessary protection

operation for through faults (“Out-of-Zone” faults) is
low.
 Dependability - probability that the protection will
not operate for a fault on the bus (“In-Zone faults”)
is low.
 Speed – high-speed operation is required to limit
equipment damage, and to preserve system transient
stability.
 Sensitivity – the ability to detect and clear high
resistance faults.
 Selectivity – the ability to isolate only the faulty
bus section
Bus bar protection works on the differential principle
BUSBAR
ZONE
F1
• Fast clearance by breakers at
the busbars
Kirchoff’s current law states that the vectorial sum of all
currents at a node or bus is equal to zero.
This principle is applied to bus protection in power system

networks. Current transformers (CTs) are installed to monitor
all currents entering and leaving a bus through the normal
circuits connected to the bus.
A bus differential protection scheme, regardless of the

type of relay used, simply compares the current entering
the bus with the current leaving the bus. Any difference in
the current entering and leaving the bus, above some
predetermined threshold, is an indication of a bus fault
that must be isolated quickly.
Bus differential relays perform this function by detecting
the differential current and tripping all breakers
directly associated with the bus to isolate the fault.
All paralleled
CTs must have the
same ratio to
ensure that all
secondary
currents are
compared on the
same base as the
primary currents.
The sum of the current on each phase
for all normal through-load and
external through-fault conditions is
zero, as shown in FIGURE 2.
6. Pilot wire Protection
using OFC communication
Station -A Station - B
Communication
Channel
Relaying Relaying
Point Point
R R
Trip A Trip B
Relay at End ‘B’ measures current and transmits the value to Relay at end ‘A’ thru optical
fibre cable. Relay ‘A’ compares measured value and the value recived from ‘B’.
If both values are same, relay keeps restraint state. If there is difference
in values. Relays operates.
6. Pilot wire Protection
Applied for Protection of:
 EHT Cables
 Short distance EHT transmission lines
Type of Pilot wires
 Copper cable was used pilot wire in early
days
 Fiber optic cables is now used as pilot wire
6. Line Current Differential Protection
The principle of operation of line differential protection

is same as transformer differential protection. The only
difference is transformer differential protection uses
only one differential relay whereas line differential
protection relay uses two or more differential relays at
each end of the line. Communication is established among
these relays.
These relays require a high speed and secure communication

medium such as fibre-optics in order to transfer all of
Working
the of Line Current
collected Differential
analog dataRelay:among all of the relays.
Line differential relays basically operate on a difference in current into the line, compared to the
current out of the line.
For an internal fault, the current will flow into the line from both line terminals, with the
polarity of the current transformers as shown in Figure.
6. Line Current Differential Protection
Working of Line Current Differential Relay:

Line differential relays basically operate on a
difference in current into the line, compared to the
current out of the line.
For an internal fault, the current will flow into the
line from both line terminals, with the polarity of the
current transformers as shown in Figure.
7. Distance Protection
Measures line impedance from line current (I) and Line voltage (V) Line
impedance Z= V/I
IF zF
IZ
V1
V2
VF V3
IR
Trip TRIP STABL

E
Spring
Restrain Voltage to Relay = V

Operate Current to Relay = I
Ampere Turns : Replica Impedance = Z
Trip Conditions : Trip Condition : S2 < S1
VF
IZ where : S1 = IZ  Z
Substation Erection, Construction, Operation Maintenance & Testing and Commissioning
S2 =Training
VZ © CHMC, 2023
VF < F
7. Basic Principle of Distance Protection
Relay
ZS PT. IR ZL
Normal
VS VR ZLOAD Load
Impedance measured Z R  VR  Z L  Z LOAD

R
The relay is set based on the line impedance.
The measured ZR is more than the relay setting Z , hence relay restrains
Application of Distance Protection
Distance Protection is applied to
 Transmission Lines
 Sub-Transmission Lines (33 KV and 66 KV)
 Back-up Protection for Transformers and Generators
• It is assumed that there will be an
error up to 20% in distance relay jX
measurements due to CT
inaccuracies and calculation of line C Z3A
parameters. Hence distance relay
setting is divided into Zones
• Normally 4 zones are for distance Z2A
B
relay Z1A
• Zone-1 is instantaneous and
covers 80% of protected line .
• Zone- 2 covers 120% of line & is
normally with 0.4 s time delay R
• Zone -3 covers next line from the

substation also & 0.75 seconds time
delay.
Zones of Protection
C Z3A
B Z2A
Z1A
Zone 1= 0.8 * AB
Zone 2= AB + 1.5 * BC (Adjusted if there is shorter line from Station– B) Zone 3 = 1.2
(AB + BC) (It should cover the farthest line from station-B)
Zones of Protection
Z1A = 80% of ZAB
Time Z2A = 120% of ZAB
Z3A(FORWARD)
Z3A Z3B
T3 = 120% of {ZAB +
ZBC}
Z2A Z2B
T2
Z1A Z1B
A Z1B B C D
T2
Z2B
7. Distance Protection Feautures
AUTORECLOSING RELAY
In a three-phase system synchronization can be maintained

by 2 phases in case of single-phase tripping.
MAINTAINS STABILITY AND SUPPLY BY FAST RECLOSING OF THE

TRIPPED FEEDER.
Carrier Intertrips
Are provided for fast clearance of faults for entire line
beyond Zone-1.
Zone -1 is set to cover only 80% of the line .
Tripping for a fault in remaining portion of line beyond
in the protected line beyond Zone -1 (ie, 80 % - 100 %
length of line ) is covered by Zone-2, which is time
delayed for 0.4 Sec, which is not desirable in a power
system.
Tripping for faults beyond zone-1 (up to next station -B)
can be made fast by providing a signaling system which
communicates between distance relays of both ends of line
in Station-A and Station-B .
Distance Relay Application
 Transmission lines
 Sub transmission line
 Backup protection for generators
8. Other type of Protective relays used in
substation
8.1 Under / Over Voltage Relays
 Used for protection of capacitor banks.

 for interlocking like Earth switches.
8.2 Under Frequency Relays
 Monitors the frequency of Power system

 Initiates commands for load shedding if system
frequency goes below specified value.
8. Other type of Protective relays used in substation
8.3 DC Supervision Relay
 Indicates the failure of DC supply to the panel.
 DC source holds the flag in reset condition.
 When DC fails, the flag drops giving mechanical indication.
 Signal goes to annunciator and SCADA circuits also.
8.4 AC Supervision Relay
 Indicates the failure of AC to the panel.
 AC is necessary for the operation of space heaters.
 Signal goes to Annunciator and SCADA.

8. Other type of Protective relays used in substation
8.5 Trip circuit Supervision Relay
It supervises trip circuit healthiness

Pre close supervision
Checks the healthiness of CB when the CB is open
condition.
(It is wired through the Normally Closed (52b) auxiliary
contact of the CB).
Post close supervision

Checks the healthiness of CB when the CB is in Closed
condition. (it is wired though Normally Open (52b)
auxiliary contact of the CB).
8. Other type of Protective relays used in
substation
8.6 Pole discordance Relay
 Used in CBs with single pole

tripping
 This relay confirm whether

all poles are Opened or
Closed, if not it will
generate a trip signal.
9. Breaker Failure Relay (BFR)
A PROTECTION WHICH IS DESIGNED TO CLEAR A SYSTEM FAULTY BY

INITIATING TRIPPING OTHER CIRCUIT BREAKER(S) IN THE CASE
OF FAILURE TO TRIP OF THE APPROPRIATE CIRCUIT BREAKER.
IN MODERN NETWORKS THE CRITICAL FAULT CLEARING TIME MAY BE

LESS THAN 200ms. HENCE, IF THE FAULT IS NOT CLEARED DUE TO
FAILURE OF THE PRIMARY PROTECTIVE RELAYS OR THEIR
ASSOCIATED CIRCUIT BREAKER, A FAST ACTING BACK-UP PROTECTIVE
RELAY MUST CLEAR THE FAULT.
9. Breaker Failure Relay (BFR)
FLOW CHART
MAIN YES YES RESET

TRIP
PROTECTION FAULT BREAKER
MAIN
OPERATED CLEARED FAILURE
BREAKER
SCHEME
NO
YES
INITIAT WAIT FOR AND
E BFR FAULT
CLEARENCE
TRIP
BACK-UP
BREAKE
RS
10.Low SF6 alarm/lockout
A lock out and tripping feature shall be incorporated to prevent operation
of the circuit breaker whenever the gas pressure falls to a value below,
which it would be incapable of performing in accordance with its rated duty.
Monitors SF6 pressure inside Circuit breaker

Stage-1 : Alarm
 Alarm stage indicates the inadequate gas pressure inside CB.
 Action shall be immediately taken to top up gas level
Stage-2 :Lockout.
 Operates when pressure reduces below permitted operating
level.
 Lock out stage blocks the operation of CB. No tripping or
closing will happen then.
11.Control Relays
Auto Reclosing relay is used to avoid tripping during transient fault of the line.
This function is available in the distance relay or separate auto recloser relay.
 Auto-Reclose Relay
In some schemes modern numerical distance relay

itself acts as a reclosing relay.
Some schemes use separate auto reclosure relay for auto

reclosing of feeder.
 Tap change control Relay
Used for regulating the output voltage of transformer

by raising/lowering the tap.
12.Transformer Mechanical Protection Relays
(Non-Electric Protection)
1) Oil Temperature Indicator.

2) Winding Temperature Indicator.
3) Buchholz Relay.
4) Pressure relief device (PDR).
(Non- Electric Protection)
Capilary
12.1 Oil Temperature Indicator tube
• Indicates the
temperature of
the oil inside
Temperatur
transformer.
e
• Gives alarm/Trip indicator
signal
Sensing device
12.1 Oil Temperature Indicator
Oil Temperature Indicator

Fitted on the Thermometer pocket.
12.2 Winding Temperature Indicator
• Give indications about the

temperature of winding
temperature.
• WTI works with HOT spot

simulation CT arrangement.
12.2 Winding Temperature Indicator
Winding
temperature
or Oil
temperature
relays S1=alarm S2=trip
initiates
operation of
cooler fans.
S3=cooler control 1
S4=cooler control 2
Winding temperature or Oil temperature relays initiates operation of
12.3 Pressure Relief Device
• When pressure inside transformer exceeds the PRV will

operate to release excessive pressure inside the
transformer.
• It issues a trip command and visual indication by

operation of a liver (from horizontal position to
vertical position)
Spring operated
Pressure Relief
Device
12.4 Buchholz Relay
Each transformer shall be equipped with Buchholz relays provided

with contacts for alarm and tripping. The relay shall be
responsive to gas accumulation in the relay float chamber and to
oil flow between transformer and conservator tank caused by
transformer fault. The Buchholz relay must be accessible when
the transformer is in operation.
The Buchholz relay is palced between the main tank and the
conservator.
Winding temperature or Oil temperature relays initiates operation of
Conservator
5 x internal pipe
diameter (minimum)
12.4 Buchholz Relay
Oil conservator
3 minimum
Transformer
12.4 Buchholz Relay
13. Protection Settings
14. Standard Device Number
Protective Device Numbers

Protective relays are
commonly referred to by
standard device numbers. For
example, a time overcurrent
relay is designated a 51
device, while an
instantaneous overcurrent is
a 50 device. Multifunction
relays have combinations of
device numbers. A 27/59
device, for example, is a
combination under/over
voltage relay. Letters can be
added to clarify application
(87T for transformer
differential, 59G for ground
overvoltage).
14. Standard Device Number, cont
5. Trainers Example
1. List HV line bay feeder protection relays.

2. List Transformer bay protection relays.
3. List Transformer Non-electric protection.

3.6 Substation Protection Basics

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3.6 Substation Protection Basics

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BASICS OF SUBSTATION PROTECTION

4. RESTRICTED EARTH FAULT PROTECTION

6. PILOT WIRE PROTECTION

8. OTHER TYPES OF PROTECTIVE RELAYS USED IN SUBSTATION

10.LOW SF6 ALARM LOCK-OUT RELAY

12.TRANSORMER MECHANICAL PROTECTION RELAYS

14.STANDARD DEVICE NUMBER

Single Phase to Ground 2 phase to ground

3 Phase 3 Phase to ground

Types of Protection - Principles

Most of the protective relays in substation works in the

An overcurrent relay is a type of IF

Instantaneous Overcurrent (ANSI/IEEE Code 50)

Time Overcurrent (ANSI/IEEE Code 51)

O/C O/C O/C O/C O/C

O/C – overcurrent relay

a) Consider fault on one feeder:-

Solution:- Directional Control at ‘C’ and ‘D’

Relay ‘D’ does not operate due to current flow in the

Overcurrent & Earth fault Protection is used.

Differential Relays are widely used for:-

 Uses differential principle by comparing currents in Main

In Delta windings E/F relay

For an internal earth fault the unbalanced

Differential Protection: The

The main requirements for busbar protection include:

 Security - probability of an unnecessary protection

This principle is applied to bus protection in power system

A bus differential protection scheme, regardless of the

Applied for Protection of:

The principle of operation of line differential protection

These relays require a high speed and secure communication

Working of Line Current Differential Relay:

Trip TRIP STABL

Restrain Voltage to Relay = V

Impedance measured Z R  VR  Z L  Z LOAD

Application of Distance Protection

Distance Protection is applied to

• Zone -3 covers next line from the

In a three-phase system synchronization can be maintained

MAINTAINS STABILITY AND SUPPLY BY FAST RECLOSING OF THE

Distance Relay Application

 Sub transmission line

 Backup protection for generators

8.1 Under / Over Voltage Relays

 Used for protection of capacitor banks.

8.2 Under Frequency Relays

 Monitors the frequency of Power system

8.3 DC Supervision Relay

 Indicates the failure of DC supply to the panel.

 DC source holds the flag in reset condition.

 When DC fails, the flag drops giving mechanical indication.

 Signal goes to annunciator and SCADA circuits also.

8.4 AC Supervision Relay

 Indicates the failure of AC to the panel.

 AC is necessary for the operation of space heaters.

 Signal goes to Annunciator and SCADA.

8.5 Trip circuit Supervision Relay

It supervises trip circuit healthiness

Post close supervision

8.6 Pole discordance Relay

 Used in CBs with single pole

 This relay confirm whether

A PROTECTION WHICH IS DESIGNED TO CLEAR A SYSTEM FAULTY BY