Introduction to Static & Numerical relay

P. R. Bharambe
 Evolution of Relays

 Electromechanical Relays
 Static Relay
 Microprocessor based Relay
 Numerical relay.
Limitations of Electromechanical relay
•Speed of operation

•More Power requirement in protective circuit

•Accuracy in setting

•Bulky

•No data storage

 Static relays
• The static relay is the next generation relay after electromechanical type. The
term ‘static’ implies that the relay has no moving parts in it.
• A static relay uses solid state components like transistors , diodes, SCRs etc for
the measurement & comparison of electrical quantities and to develop all those
characteristics which are achieved by moving parts in an electro-magnetic relay.
• The static relay is so designed that it gives an output signal in the tripping
direction which operates a tripping device whenever a threshold conditions
reached.
• For example, in an induction type relay, the operating time can be adjusted by
changing the distance travelled by the disc whereas in a static relay it can be
achieved by adjusting the value of the resistance in the R-C time delay circuit.
Block diagram of Static Relay
 Structure of Static relay
Static relay consists of following units:
• Auxiliary Voltage Supply: 24 V DC supply is required for static relay. It is obtained either
by converting 230 V AC to 24 V DC or from station battery voltage of 110 V to 24 V DC.
• Comparator: It compares the actual quantity with the pre-set (Reference) value of that
quantity.
• Logic Circuit: By using the logical gate circuits conditions of operation of relays are set
and relay can only be operated when these conditions are satisfied.
• Time delay Circuit: The required operating time is achieved by adjusting the values of R
and C in time delay circuit.
• Output Device: The actual tripping of relay can be achieved by firing the SCR or
operating the attracted armature type relay by feeding the signal coming from logic
circuit output.
 Operation of Static Relay
• The output of CT and PT are not suitable for static components so they are brought
down to suitable level by auxiliary CT / PT.
• Then auxiliary CT output is given to rectifier.
• Rectifier rectifies the relaying quantity i.e., the output from a CT or PT or a Transducer
• The rectified output is supplied to a measuring unit comprising of comparators, level
detectors, filters, logic circuits.
• The output is actuated when the dynamic input (i.e., the relaying quantity) attains the
threshold value.
• This output of the measuring unit is amplified by amplifier and fed to the output unit,
which is usually an electromagnetic one.
• The output unit energizes the trip coil only when relay operates.
 Comparison of static relay with
Electromechanical relay
Static relays are superior to electro-magnetic relays in the following aspects:
1. The moving parts and the contacts are largely eliminated. The only
moving element in a static relay is the final tripping contact.
2. CT’s and PT’s employed are of lesser VA rating (burden) as static relays
require a very less volt-ampere for their operation.
3. More precise and high speed operation.
4. the Solid Static relay has longer life-span, decreased noise.

However, it is not as robust as the Electromechanical Relay.

 Advantages of Solid State Relay
• No moving parts
• No mechanical contact bounce or arcing
• Low input signal levels
• Cost Issues
• Static Relay burden is less than Electromagnetic type
of relays. Hence error is less.
• Low Weight
• Required Less Space which results in panel space
saving.
• Arc less switching
• No acoustical noise.
• Multi-function integration.
• Fast response.
• Long life (High Reliability)
• High Range of Setting compared to
electromechanical Relay
• More Accurate compared to electromechanical
Relay
• Low Electromagnetic Interference.
• Less power consumption.
• Shock and vibration resistant
• Microprocessor compatible.
• Isolation of Voltage
 Limitations of static relays
• Auxiliary voltage requirement for Relay Operation.
• Static relays are sensitive to voltage transients which are caused
by operation of breaker and isolator in the primary circuit of CTs
and PTs.
• Serious over voltage is also caused by breaking of control circuit,
relay contacts etc. Such voltage spikes of small duration can
damage the semiconductor components and also cause mal
operation of relays.
• Temperature dependence of static relays: The characteristics of
semiconductor devices are affected by ambient temperature.
• Highly sophisticated isolation and filter circuits are required
to be built into the relay design to take care of
electromagnetic interference and transient switching
disturbances in the power system.
• Highly reliable power supply circuits are required.
• Effect of environmental conditions like humidity, high ambient
temperature, dust accumulation on PCB leading to tracking.
• The component failure.
• Non availability of fault data.
• Characteristic variations with passage of time.
Block diagram of Static Instantaneous OC relay
Block diagram of Static Definite Time
OC relay
Block diagram of Static Inverse Time OC relay
Block diagram of Static OC directional relay
Static Impedance relay
Static Impedance relay
Static Reactance relay
Static Mho relay
  Microprocessor Based Relay

Definition:-
 A static relay may have one or more programmable units
such as microprocessor. Such relays are called programmable
relays or microprocessor based relays.
 This performs several function including protection,
monitoring, controlling.
Microprocessor Based Relay

Trip

Micro
I/P Unit A/D conversion processor

Data request
And Display

Data Logger
Microprocessor Based Relay
Merits of the Microprocessor Based Relays

• Self-checking capability
• Flexibility
• Reliability
• Easy to obtain different characteristics
• Arithmetic & logical function ability
• Digital communication
• Modular frame
• Low burden
• Cost reduction
 Numerical Relay
• History of Relay: The first and foremost driving force for advances in relaying
systems is the need to improve reliability. The first protection devices based on
microprocessors were employed in 1985. The widespread acceptance of numerical
technology by the customer and the experiences of the user helped in developing
the second generation numerical relays in 1990.
• Conventional electromechanical and static relays are hard wired relays. Their
wiring is fixed, only their setting can be manually changed. Numeric relays are
programmable relays.
• Numeric relays have inherent self checking facility. when we boot a computer, it
goes through a self checking phase where in it checks RAM, hard disk, etc.
 Numerical relays
First generation numerical relays were mainly designed to meet the static relay
protection characteristic, whereas modern numeric protection devices are
capable of providing complete protection with added functions like control
and monitoring. Numerical protection devices offer several advantages in
terms of protection, reliability, and trouble shooting and fault information
It involves A/D conversion of analog voltage and currents obtained from
secondary of CTs and VTs. These current and voltage samples are fed to the
microprocessor or Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) where the protection
algorithms or programs process the signals and decide whether a fault exists
in the apparatus under consideration or not. In case, a fault is diagnosed, a
trip decision is issued.
Numerical relays permit much more flexibility than their electromechanical
and solid state counterparts. In electromechanical relays, the constructional
details like magnetic path, air gap etc., are used to design various operating
characteristics. Since, solid state relays mainly use analog circuit, they
permit more innovation than corresponding electromechanical relays which
are no doubt robust. However, solid state relays can not have the kind
of flexibility that computer aided relaying can have. For example, providing
magnitude scaling and phase shift to a voltage signal to generate line to line
voltage from phase to neutral voltage is much simpler with computer aided
relaying because it can be handled by the program. A computer relay can be
programmed. Further, due to the programming feature, it is possible to have
generic hardware for multiple relays, which reduces the cost of inventory.
 Relay Hardware

A digital relay consists of:

Analog input subsystem

Digital input subsystem

Digital output subsystem

A processor along with RAM (data scratch pad), main

memory (historical data file) and power supply.
Numerical relays
 Numerical relays
Its advantages are
Maximum flexibility.
Provides multiple functionality.
Self checking and communication facility.
It can be made adaptive.
Greater sensitivity
Low burden
High Speed of operation
Data History
Self Diagnosis
Compact Size & Modular frame
More reliability of relay
 Limitation of numerical relay
• Costly.
Complexity of Relays
Complex Networks
Managerial Environment
Protection quality
Faster Decisions
Risk of Hacking
Interference
Failure Impact
 Comparison of Different Type Relay
Electro Mech Microprocessor
Characteristic Static Relay Numerical Relay
Relay based Relay
2nd generation third generation Present generation
Generation 1st generation Relays.
Relays. Relays. Relays.
They use
They use principle of In this relays Microprocessor.
They use
Operating Principle electro-magnetic transistors and IC’s r Within built software
Microprocessor.
principle. been used with predefined
values
Induction Microprocessor
R, L, C, Transistors, Microprocessors,
Measuring elements/ disc,Electromagnets, s,Digital ICs,
Analogue ICs Digital ICs, Digital
Hardware Induction cup, Balance DigitalSignal
comparators Signal Processors
Beam processors
Level detects,
Electrical Qtys A/D A/D
comparison with
Measuring method converted into conversion,Numerical conversion,Numerical
reference value in
mechanical force, torque algorithmtechniques algorithmtechniques
analogue Comparator
 Comparison of Different Type Relay
Electromechanical Microprocessor
Characteristics Static Relay Numerical Relay
Relay based Relay
Relay Size Bulky Small Small Compact
Speed of Response Slow Fast Fast Very Fast
Mechanical clock
Timing function Static timers Counter Counter
works, dashpot
Time of Accuracy Temp .Dependant Temp. Dependant Stable Stable
Reliability High Low High High
Vibration Proof No Yes Yes Yes
CT Burden High Low Low Low
Maintenance Frequent Frequent Low Very Low
Relay
No Partially Programmable Programmable
Programming
SCADA
No No Possible Yes
Compatibility
 Comparison of Different Type Relay
Electro Mech Microprocessor
Characteristic Static Relay Numerical Relay
Relay based Relay
Operational value
Not Possible Possible Possible Possible
indication
Visual indication Flags, targets LEDs LEDs, LCD LEDs, LCD
Self monitoring No Yes Yes Yes
Keypad for numeric Keypad for numeric
Plug setting, dial Thumb wheel,dual
Parameter setting values,through values,through
setting in line switches
computer computer
Fault Disturbance
Not possible Not possible possible possible
Recording
Reset Time Very High Less Less Less
Auxiliary supply Required Required Required Required
 Digital Relay
• Digital protection relays introduced in 1980. The digital relay
takes the advantages of the development of microprocessors
and microcontrollers. Instead of using analog signals, the digital
relay converts all measured analog quantities into digital
signals.
• Digital protection relays is a revolution step in changing Relay
technology. In Digital Relay Microprocessors and micro
controllers are used in replacement of analogue circuits used in
static relays to implement relay functions.
• However, such technology will be completely superseded within
the next five years by numerical relays.
 Digital relay
• Measuring principles: Compared to static relays, digital relays
introduce Analogue to Digital Convertor (A/D conversion) of
all measured analogue quantities and use a microprocessor to
implement the protection algorithm. The microprocessor may
use some kind of counting technique, or use the Discrete
Fourier Transform (DFT) to implement the algorithm.
The Microprocessors used in Digital Relay have limited
processing capacity and memory compared to that provided
in numerical relays.
• Function of Relay: The functionality tends therefore to be
limited and restricted largely to the protection function itself.
Additional functionality compared to that provided by an
electromechanical or static relay is usually available, typically
taking the form of a wider range of settings, and greater
accuracy. A communications link to a remote computer may
also be provided.
• The limited power of the microprocessors used in digital relays
restricts the number of samples of the waveform that can be
measured per cycle. This, in turn, limits the speed of operation
of the relay in certain applications. Therefore, a digital relay for
a particular protection function may have a longer operation
time than the static relay equivalent. However, the extra time is
not significant in terms of overall tripping time and possible
effects of power system stability.
 Operation of Relay
• Digital relay consists of:
1. Analogue input subsystem,
2. Digital input subsystem,
3. Digital output subsystem,
4. A processor along with RAM (data scratch pad), main memory
(historical data file) and Power supply

• Digital relaying involves digital processing of one or more analog

signals in three steps: Conversion of analogue signal to digital form
Processing of digital form Boolean decision to trip or not to trip
 Advantages of Digital Relay:
• High level of functionality integration.
• Additional monitoring functions.
• Functional flexibility.
• Capable of working under a wide range of temperatures.
• They can implement more complex function and are generally
more accurate
• Self-checking and self-adaptability.
• Able to communicate with other digital equipment (pear to pear).
• Less sensitive to temperature, aging
• Economical because can be produced in volumes
• More Accurate.
• plane for distance relaying is possible
• Signal storage is possible
 Limitations of Digital Relay
• Short lifetime due to the continuous
development of new technologies.
• The devices become obsolete rapidly.
• Susceptibility to power system transients.
• As digital systems become increasingly more
complex they require specially trained staff for
Operation.
• Proper maintenance of the settings and
monitoring data.
THE END

45