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Discrimination of Overcurrent Relays in Distribution System*

Lee Ho Ping (Student No: 11514330G)

Abstract

The paper presents a

II.

Introduction

general approach of the overcurrent protection in distribution system by using overcurrent relays. Various types of overcurrent relays on the market are considered. Different type of

Over the past decade, the protection system has been evolved a lot. In earliest stage, fuse is used as the protection device. Fuse is by using current operating principle, as it isolate fault by melting itself, it is non-usable after fault occurs. In the beginning of 20th Century, Relay and circuit breaker is introduced. Due to its various operating principle, accuracy, reusable and alarm flag for fault investigation, it has been well adopted in electrical distribution industry. In a large-scale electrical distribution system, the system will be divided into several section by protection relay and circuit breaker. And the idea of discrimination comes out with minimize the fault affected area. By using either time or overcurrent, or a

overcurrent relays can be characteristic by time-current characteristic curves. By considering time, current and both of them, it is possible to discriminate adjacent over current relays and hence to isolate only the faulty section of the distribution general system. Moreover, and rules the of

procedure

discrimination method are presented in this paper.

Index Terms- Inverse time overcurrent protection relay characteristic curves

combination of both, faulty section of the system could be isolated and leaving the remaining system unaffected.

I.
t tI I Is

NOMENCLATURE
tripping time. time multiplier. fault current starting current

Subject: Modern Protection Methods (EE502)

Year: 2013

III.

Types of overcurrent relay

(B) Definite Time Over current Relay

(A) Instantaneous Over Current (Define Current) Relay

Fig. 3.2 Define Time Over current curve Fig. 3.1 Define current curve

Operating Principle: Definite Time Over current Relay operate by considering the current and fault duration. When the current exceeded the

Operating Principle: Instantaneous Over Current (Define Current) Relay operate instantaneously when the

current reaches the pick-up valve. The operating principle is current magnitude only.

predetermined valve over a time equal to the time setting of the relay, it operates.

Discrimination: As Instantaneous Over Current (Define

Discrimination: The operating time of Definite Time Over current Relay is constant. Apart from the current magnitude setting, time dial setting would be beneficial for discrimination, as desired time delay could be set for

Current) Relay use current magnitude as the only basis of tripping, discrimination could only be based on the fact that the fault current varies with the position of the fault because of the difference in the impedance between the fault and the source (The relay located furthest from the source operate for a low current value).

discriminate various relays.

(C) Inverse Time Over current Relay (IDMT Relay)

Fig. 3.3 IDMT Relay

Operating Principle: For the Inverse Time Over current Relay (IDMT Relay), operating time is inversely changed with current. Thus, the higher fault current, the lower operating time. The relay could be divided into standard(normal) inverse, (C1) Standard Inverse Type very inverse and extremely inverse types. Discrimination: The operating time of the Inverse Time Over current Relay (IDMT Relay) depends on the magnitude of current. The relays has a definite time characteristics at high values of fault current, whereas an inverse time current characteristics at lower values of fault current. Due to the flexibility, it is widely used for the protection of distribution lines.
Fig. 3.3 Different types of IDMT Relays

Fig. 3.4 Standard Inverse Type

According to IEC 255-4 or BS 142 Standard Inverse Type is defined as follows:

Very Inverse Type is defined as follows:

..(2) ..(1) Where t is the tripping time; tI is the time multiplier; I is the fault current; Is is the starting current. In compare with Standard inverse(SI), Very In compare with very inverse(VI) and inverse(VI) get more inverse characteristics. It could be used for the relays far from the source (after a branch of substation and has a a substantial reduction of fault current). Where t is the tripping time; tI is the time multiplier; I is the fault current; Is is the starting current.

extremely inverse(EI), Standard inverse(SI) is relatively small change in time per unit of change of current. It is most frequently used in utility and industrial circuits.

(C3) Extremely Inverse Type (C2) Very Inverse Type

Fig. 3.6 Extremely Inverse Type

Fig. 3.5 Standard Inverse Type

According to IEC 255-4 or BS 142

According to IEC 255-4 or BS 142 Extremely Inverse is defined as follows:

..(3) Where t is the tripping time; tI is the time multiplier; I is the fault current; Is is the starting current.

In compare with Standard inverse(SI) and very inverse(VI), Extremely inverse(EI) has the largest change in time per unit of change of current, this characteristic makes it possible to use a short time delay in spite of high switching-in currents. It is most frequently used protection of distribution feeders with high starting current and expensive equipment. Moreover, due to its similar characteristic with fuse, it is suitable for discrimination with fuses.
Fig. 4.1 one-line diagram of the power system

2. Calculate the impedance of all power transformer, rotating machine and feeder circuit. 3. Calculate the maximum load current through the protection device in normal condition.

IV.

Discrimination Setting General Procedure

4. Calculate the starting current requirement for locked induction motors. 5. Consider the transformer inrush, thermal withstand and damage characteristics. 6. Calculate the fault current by assume various potential fault points. 7. Plot time-discrimination curve with the designed setting of the relays.

1. Draw the one-line diagram of the power system and show the type and rating of the protection devices and their C.T.

discrimination method are stated in this paper. With the aim of difference type of protection relays, it is possible to achieve a safety and fault isolated distribution system nowadays.

Fig. 4.2 Time-discrimination curve

V.

Discrimination Setting General Rules

1. The relay settings should be set to have the shortest operating time when maximum fault levels occurred. 2. The relay should be set to be able to operate expected. 3. Whenever possible, use relays with the same operating characteristic in series with each other. 4. Ensure the relay downstream has current settings equal to or less than the upstream As the primary current required to operate the relay downstream is always equal to or less than the primary current required to operate the relay upstream. with minimum fault current

VI.

CONCLUSIONS

The paper presents a different overcurrent protection relays on the market with the operating principle and characteristic.

Moreover, the general procedure and rules of

VII.
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References

FECIME, Overcurrent Protection for Phase and Earth Faults. Jignesh.Parmar, Over Current Relay (Type-Application-Connection) W.K Sonnemann, Directional Element Connections for Phase Relays

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