TESTS ON PROTECTIVE RELAYS

Dr. R. P. Maheshwari, Professor Department of Electrical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee Roorkee 247 667 (India) (rudrafee@iitr.ernet.in) Relays are an important integral part of any power system. As generating stations are the first element in the chain, the requirement of protection starts right from this point. The relays employed in the generating station can be grouped into two categories on the basis of their application. The first category is used to protect the generator and the other is used to protect the system which is used to connect the power evacuating system to the grid. There importance can not be linked with the size of power station. Only the type of relays being used depends on the size of power station. At the time of design of power station the protection scheme and relays to be used is decided. Once the station is commissioned these relays are required to perform the assigned task meticulously. Although, some of the relays used may not be required to operate for years but once the need arise there failure may result in sever damage to station. All the relays present in any power station can be subdivided into following four categories: i. All or nothing Relay: An electrical relay which is intended to be energized by a quantity whose value is either higher than that at which it picks up or lower than that at which it drops out. ii. Auxiliary Relay: An all or nothing relay energized via the contacts of another relay, for example a measuring relay, for the purpose of providing higher rated contacts or introducing a time delay. iii. Measuring Relay: An electrical relay intended to switch when its characteristic quantity, under specified conditions and with a specified accuracy attains its operating value. iv. Dependent time measuring relay: A measuring relay for which times depend, in a specified manner, on the value of the characteristic quantity. Functionally the relays can be subdivided into six categories: i. Protective relays ii. Monitoring relays iii. Reclosing relays iv. Regulating relays v. Auxiliary relays vi. Synchronizing relays With the developments in relay technology not only relays have undergone through a major development in terms of hardware but protection philosophy as such is deferent now. The first generation relays which were electromechanical in hardware and were designed to perform a single task. Yet another limitation with them was that they were not able to provide operating region of the choice of relay engineers. Only a best compromise was achieved. These relays also used to consume sufficient amount of power and had movable parts, hence their upkeep was a bit difficult task and a matter of concern. The second generation relays were the result of developments in semiconductor devices and in general they were one is to one functional replacement of their electromechanical counterparts. Because of all static hardware these relays require lesser maintenance. These type of relays also suffered with limitation that not all relay characteristics could be realized. For the relay designers, development of programmable devices provided a big leap. With the use of programmable devices general purpose

hardware could be used for implementation of any type of relaying function. In the initial phase of developments once again the relay characteristics which could be implemented in electromechanical or static relays were considered. But later on more characteristics were considered. The presence of programmable devices any relay characteristic which can be expressed mathematically is possible to realize. As the processor speed is more so implementation of single protection function leaves the processor ideal of a significant time. This led to development of multifunction relay. These relays not only provide a system based protection; they are able to provide monitoring and metering function as well. These relays are very accurate in their operation and are quite reliable. As the complete protection, monitoring and even alarm functions are provided by a single device, the number of devices on the protection panel is reduces drastically which in turn reduces the wiring requirements in the panel. Yet another advantage is in terms ease in settings which is possible through keyboard and generally password protected. Now a days these type of relays, management relays, are finding wide spread application in power stations. Besides all these protection, monitoring and alarm functions these relays are generally provided with the history feature so that in the event of fault the variation of parameter can be studied to find the probable cause of fault. The modern power stations are generally having SCADA system and these relays fits very well in that environment also. As a typical example Generator Management relay from GE provide the following protection, alarm and metering functions: Protection Functions ANSI Device Code 12 21 24 27 50/27 32 38 39 40 40Q 46 47 49 50 50BF 50 50/51GN 51V 59 59GN/27TN 60FL 67 76 81 86 87G

Protection Overspeed Distance Volt/hertz Undervoltage Inadvertent generator energization Reverse power/ low forward power Bearing overtemperature (RTD) Bearing vibration (analog inputs) Loss of excitation (impedance) Loss of field (reactive power) Negative sequence current (I22t) Voltage phase reversal Stator thermal High-set phase overcurrent Breaker failure detection Offline overcurrent Ground overcurrent Voltage restrained phase overcurrent Overvoltage 100% stator ground VT fuse failure Ground directional Overexcitation (analog input) Overfrequency/ underfrequency Electrical lockout Percentage differential Sequential tripping logic Trip coil supervision Generator running hours alarm

Alarm Functions 7 assignable general purpose inputs Overload Negative Sequence Ground Overcurrent Ground Directional Undervoltage Overvoltage Volts per hertz Underfrequency Overfrequency Neutral Overvoltage (fundamental) Neutral Undervoltage (3rd Harmonic) Reactive Power Reverse Power Low Forward Power RTD: Stator, Bearing, Ambient, Other Short/Low RTD Open RTD Thermal Overload Trip Counter Breaker Failure Trip Coil Monitor VT Fuse Failure Demand: Current, MW, Mvar, MVA Generator Running Hours Analog Inputs 1 to 4 Service (Self Test) IDIG-B Failure Metering Voltage (phasors) Current (phasors) and Amp Demand Real Power, MW Demand, MWhr Apparent Power and MVA Demand Reactive Power, Mvar Demand, Positive and Negative MVarh Frequency Power Factor RTD Speed in RPM with a Key Phasor Input User-Programmable Analog Inputs 1. Introduction

Tests on relays can be divided into four categories depending upon the stage at which they are being performed. As the purpose of the test changes with stage so the details and test equipment also change.

1.1 Factory Test: These tests are done at the manufacturers premises. These tests are very detailed in nature and are done to verify the relay performance as per the declared/ agreed specifications and relevant standards. 1.2 Commissioning Tests: These tests are done at the time of commissioning of the relays at the power station. The purpose being to ascertain that (i) no damage has been done to the relay during transit, (ii) the relay has been installed correctly, and (iii) the protection system works correctly as per the design and purchase order. The test results obtained at this stage forms the permanent record and are used for future reference. At this stage primary injection test is also required to be performed. 1.3 Maintenance Tests: As the protective device once installed may not be required to operate for significantly long time but if required due to fault in the protected equipment it should operate. Moreover, it should not operate for any fault outside the protected element. Due to these reasons periodic maintenance tests on protective relays are more important than any other equipment. These tests need to be done according to very carefully prepared maintenance schedule. The test is done to ensure that the protective relays and allied devices which are normally in dormant state will sense and act to selectively isolate the fault at the expected speed. All the relays including auxiliary relays must be tested and cleanliness of the contacts and correct operations etc. are to be ensured periodically. Preferably circuit breaker should be allowed to be tripped. 1.4 Performance Tests: The purpose of these tests is to obtain information on the ability of the relay to discharge the assigned task with expected accuracy. These tests are done by secondary injection method and operating parameters measured are compared against those obtained at the time of commissioning. 2. SECONDARY INJECTION TEST EQUIPMENT As the testing of the relays is done with those inputs which will be actually there while station is in operation, i.e., the inputs being fed from the secondary of instruments transformer. For this reason all operational tests are performed with the help of secondary injection test equipment. A general purpose portable relay test set with the following facilities would generally allow secondary injection testing of almost all type of relays: a. AC voltage source (typically 0 250 V, 3A) and a digital voltmeter connected to measure the output voltage. b. AC current source (typically 0 100 A in multiple ranges) and a digital ammeter connected to measure the output current. c. Phase shift impedances (resistors and capacitors) or a phase shifting transformer that allows selection of the phase angle in several steps between the voltage and current outputs. d. An auxiliary AC voltage source (typically 0 250 V, 2 A) e. An auxiliary DC voltage source (typically 0 250 V, 2 A) f. A high resolution, high accuracy (generally quartz controlled) digital timer with start/ stop controls for measurement of the relay operating times ranging from a few ms to several hundreds of seconds.

Testing of some of the relays may require more current or voltage outputs than those available on the relay test equipment, such tests can be performed using external rheostats, autotransformers and meters. 3. TESTING OF RELAYS Relays should be examined for the following: i. Damage like dents, broken glass covers, loose parts etc. ii. Iron fillings in the air gaps of magnets iii. Moving parts getting jammed etc., iv. Conforming to rating, correct auxiliary supply voltage etc. To achieve these requirements the tests to be performed can be grouped in the following two categories: 3.1 General inspection of the relays and relay panels This is the first step in the relays and relay panels testing. A general but very meticulous inspection of the following parts is done: a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h. Cabinet glass cover and gasket of each relay Flag reset lever of each relay Setting switches, potentiometers, knobs, plugs etc. The relay structure, finger contacts, C.T. shorting switch and DC supply switch of each draw-out type relay Relay terminals and cable terminations on the relays Panel terminals and cable terminations on them Fuses and links in the relay panel Panel lights and heaters

3.2 Electrical tests on relays These tests can be further subdivided into two categories: i. Insulation resistance ii. Secondary injection tests 3.2.1 Insulation Resistance Test The insulation resistance of each isolated circuit in the control panel is checked individually with a 500 V megger without removing any connections to the relays. Each CT and VT circuit, which is isolated from the other circuits, is tested and if the IR value is below 5 megohms, the insulation of the wires and terminals should be carefully checked for problems. 3.2.2 Secondary Injection Tests These tests include one or more among the following depending upon the type of relay under test: (a) Pick-up value (b) Drop out value (c) Timing (d) Polarity check (e) Directional sensitivity (f) Stray operation check

(g) Slope characteristic (h) Flag indication and auxiliary contactors The following sections describe the general method of performing these tests. Pick-up and drop out values: i. Instantaneous Relays: Current/voltage is applied suddenly in increasing steps, till the relay operates - this gives pick-up value. Then the operating quantity is increased by 20% and reduced sharply till the relay resets - this gives drop-out values. Near the pick-up value, the relay operation should not be oscillatory. ii. Time Delay Relays: Current/ voltage applied in steps and the operating value noted. Reset value is also noted. In each case sufficient time is to be allowed to see if the relay operates. The above value is compared with the manufactures values. iii. Time Test: The time of operation is noted by a time interval meter started at the same time as the operating quantity and stopped by the output circuit operation. iv. Polarity check and directional sensitivity: For directional relays the correct relative polarity of current and voltage should give operating torque. One of the quantities should be reversed to check non operation or restraint. In phase values of current and voltage are applied and the minimum value to cause operation checked. Using the phase shifting arrangements, the characteristic angle (or angle of maximum torque in electromechanical relays) and the minimum value of current required for operation should be noted. This gives the directional sensitivity on directional relays. During this test, the operating and reset zones are also noted. v. Stray operation test: Current alone is applied upto 10 15 times the tap value and voltage terminals kept shorted. The rated voltage is then applied and current terminals shorted. The relay should not operate in the above case. The manufacturer recommendations in respect of actual values of currents and voltages should be followed. vi. Slope characteristics: Restraint current of two or four times rated tap is applied suddenly and the operating current applied in increasing steps until the relay operates. For every reading of slope, two readings are taken with restraint terminals connected one way and also interchanged to check for any stray effects. These two readings of the slope should be identical. 4. TESTING OF SPECIFIC RELAYS 4.1 Overcurrent Relays: Each phase, pole or element of an overcurrent relay is tested by injecting AC current into it from the relay test set as shown in figure 1. Measurements are done to determine the pick-up value for the relay. The test is done for several current settings. Operating time test is also performed. For instantaneous overcurrent relays this test is usually conducted at a current twice the current setting. On an inverse time lag overcurrent relay, this test is performed at two or more currents, for example 2 and 10 times the current setting.

The results obtained are compared with the expected/ specified to ascertain operational worthiness of the relay.

4.2

Voltage Relays: Ac voltage is applied to the relay (figure 2). The operating value and operating time are measured. However, for an under voltage relay, the operating value is obtained by gradually reducing the input voltage from the rated value and the operating time at a suitably selected voltage which should be well within the operating range of the test relay.

4.3

Time Delay relay: The time delay can be either on pick-p or on drop out. The same is measured at the rated input voltage. All-or-Nothing Relays: A simple checking of the operation of all auxiliary (all-or-nothing) relays is done by applying the rated input AC or DC voltage, as the case may be. Operating time, not being a critical parameter, is generally not measured. Distance Relays: The following tests are performed (a) verification of polar characteristic in the R-X plane with particular reference to distance setting along the relay impedance angle, (b) Accuracy (ZL/ZR) versus range (ZL/ZR), and (c) verification of time setting for different zones. A stability test should also be conducted on directionally sensitive distance relays. It consists in adjusting the phase angle between the voltage and the current inputs such that the operating point

4.4

4.5

is clearly in the restraining zone of the relay. When the current is increased (with voltage kept constant), the relay must remain stable (inoperative). 4.6 Directional Relays: The directional element, of say directional overcurrent relays, can be tested for operation (sensitivity) and non-operation (stability) as suggested for directionally sensitive distance relays in the last section. Operating time test is not required. Differential Relays: An unbiased differential relay can be tested in the same way as an overcurrent relay (figure 3). For testing a biased differential relay, the test setup suggested in figure 4 can be used. Here two rheostats and two ammeters along with the current source of relay test set are employed. Differential (operating) current is given by the reading of ammeter A1 and the through (restraining) current by the reading of A2 plus half of the reading of A1. It should generally suffice to take two operating points on the bias curve of the relay. One measurement can be taken with no current passing through A2 and gradually increasing the current through A1 until the relay just operates. The operating point is nearly at the bottom of the bias curve and should tally with the curve. The second measurement should be taken with a large current passing through A2 and once again increasing the current through A1. This time, the operating point is high on the bias curve and should match with the curve.

4.7

4.8

Testing of Management Relays: As these types of relays provide metering, protection, alarm and monitoring, they should be tested for all these features. For metering function testing these relays are injected with the required secondary side test signal with the help of secondary injection test set. As this quantity may initiate one or more of the protection function therefore all protection functions be blocked. As the quantities being measured are also used for the purpose of protection the measurement accuracy of the protection function can also be ascertained. The testing of these relays for their protection functions are done in a similar way as that for their conventional counter parts. Since in these relays all the three phases are processed simultaneously this require that all the three phase be energized simultaneously. In case the all the phases are not energized relay will detect it as PT fuse failure condition and accordingly alarm and trip signals will be issued. Similarly in the event of not all the phases being injected with current signal the relay take it as unbalance loading resulting alarm and trip signals for the condition being issued. Therefore, in nut shell for testing of protection function of such relays three phase voltage and current sources are required. Moreover, only the function being under test is left unblocked and all others being blocked. Since these relays employ active programmable devices they need to be supplied with auxiliary power also.