DIRECTIONAL RELAYS OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC

ATTRACTION Type

Directional relays of the electromagnetic-attraction

type are actuated by d-c or by rectified a-c
quantities. The most common use of such relays is
for protection of d-c circuits where the actuating
quantity is obtained either from a shunt or directly
from the circuit.
1.1.1

THE CONSTRUCTION AND PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION.

The figure illustrates schematically the operating

principle of this type of relay.
A movable armature is shown magnetized by
current flowing in an actuating coil encircling the
armature and with such polarity as to close the
contacts.

A reversal of the polarity of the actuating quantity

will reverse the magnetic polarities of the ends of
the armature and cause the contacts to stay open.
Although a "polarizing," or "field," coil is shown for
magnetizing the polarizing magnet, this coil may be
replaced by replaced by a permanent magnet in
the section between x and y.
1.1.2 FORCE EQUATIONS.
There are many physical variations possible in
carrying out The force tending to move the
armature

may be expressed as follows, if we neglect

saturation:
F=K1*Ip* Ia- K2
F = net force
Where
K1 = a force-conveIprsion constant.
Ip = the magnitude of the current in the polarizing
coil.
Ia = the magnitude of the current in the armature
coil.
K2 = the restraining force (including friction).
At the balance point when F = 0, the relay is on the
verge of operating, and the operating characteristic
is:
Ia*Ip=K2/K1=constant
Ip and Ia are assumed to flow through the coils in
such directions that a pickup force is produced, as in
Fig. It will be evident that, if the direction of either Ip
or Ia (but not of both) is reversed, the direction of

the force will be reversed. Therefore, this relay gets

its name from its ability to distinguish between
opposite directions of actuating-coil current flow, or
opposite polarities. If the relative directions are
correct for operation, the relay will pick up at a
constant magnitude of the product of the two
currents.
If permanent-magnet polarization is used, or if the
polarizing coil is connected to a source that will
cause a constant magnitude of current to flow, the
operating characteristic becomes:
Ia =K2/K1*Ip=constant
Ia still must have the correct polarity, as well as the
correct magnitude, for the relay to pick up.
1.1.3 EFFICIENCY.
This type of relay in much more efficient than
hinged-armature or plunger relays, from the
standpoint of the energy required from the
actuating-coil circuit. For this reason, such action is

required or not. Occasionally, such a relay may be

actuated from an a-c quantity through a full-wave
rectifier when a low-energy a-c relay is required.
1.1.4 INDUCTION TYPE DIRECTIONAL POWER RELAY
This type of relay operates when power in
the circuit flows in a specific direction. It is so
designed that it obtains its operating torque the
interaction of magnetic fields derived from both
voltage and current source of the circuit it protect.
This relay is essentially wattmeter, And the direction
of the torque set up in the relay depend upon the
direction of the current relative to the voltage with
which it is associated.
1.1.5 THE CONSTRUCTION
This figure shows the essential parts of
atypical induction type directional power relay.
It consist of an aluminum disc which is free to rotate
in between the poles of two electro magnets.

The upper electromagnet carries a winding

(potential coil) on the central limb which is
connected through a potential transformer (P.T) to
the circuit voltage source. The lower electromagnet
has a separate winding (current coil) connected to
the secondary of a C.T in the line to be protected.
The current coil is provided with a number of
tapping connected to the plug setting bridge.

The spindle of the disc carries a moving bridges two

fixed contacts when the disc has rotated through a
pre-set angle.

By adjusting this angle, the travel of the moving

disc can be adjusted and hence any desired timesetting can be given to the relay.
1.1.6 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
The flux 1 due to current in the potential coil
will nearly 90 lagging behind the applied voltage V.
The flux 2 due to current coil will be nearly in
phase with the operating current I.
The interaction of fluxes 1and 2 with the eddy
currents induced in the disc produces a driving
torque given by:
T 1 2sin
1 V,

2 I

and (alpha)=90-

T V I sin (90- )

V I cos
power in the circuit
The direction of driving torque on the disc depends
upon direction of power flow in the circuit to which
relay is associated.

When the power in the circuit flows in the normal

direction, the driving torque and the restraining
torque (due to spring) help each other to turn away
the moving contact from the fixed contacts.
Consequently ,the relay remains in operative.
However the reversal of current in the circuit
reverses the direction of driving torque on the disc.
When the reversed driving torque is large enough,
the disc rotates in the reverse direction and the
moving contact closes the trip circuit. This causes
the operation of circuit breaker which disconnects
the faulty section.
1.2.1 INDUCTION TYPE DIRECTIONAL OVERCURRENT RELAY
The directional power relay in unsuitable for use a
directional protective relay under short circuit
conditions.
1.2.1 THE CONSTRUCTION

1-DIRECTIONAL ELEMENTS
Potential coil connected through potential
transformer (P.T).
The current coil is energized through a C.T by the
circuit current. This winding is carried over the upper
magnet of the non directional element.
The trip contacts (1&2) of the directional element
are connected in series with the secondary circuit of
the over current element.

2-NON DIRECTIONAL ELEMENTS

Overcurrent element similar in all respects to
anon directional overcurrent relay.
The spindle of the disc of this element carries a
moving contact which closes the fixed contacts after
the operation of directional element
1.2.3 THE PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
Under normal operation power flows in normal
direction in the circuit protected by the relay. So
directional power relay does not operate, thereby
keeping the overcurrent element (lower element) un
energized.
When short circuit occurs, there is tendency for flow
current or power to flow in the reverse direction.
The disc of the upper element rotates to bridge the
fixed contacts 1and2. This complete the circuit for
overcurrent element.
The disc of this element rotates and moving contact
attached to it closes the trip circuit.

This operates the circuit breaker which isolate the

faulty section. The two relay elements are arranged
that final tripping of the current controlled by them
is not made till the following condition:
1-current flows in a direction such as to operate the
directional element.
2-current in the reverse direction exceeds the preset value.
3-excessive current persists for a period
corresponding to the time of overcurrent element.