Power Systems Automation

Generic Training
in Medium
Voltages
Protection Units
Technology that
moves the world

Andr Salvado
Training
Jan. 2012
SAS, Protections

Goals

Basic protections functions applied on distribution

substations
Most common equipment's and solutions
Protections interface with external equipment

The objective of this presentation is not an exhaustive detail

on protection functions
 Either it is not to present system interfaces


Basic protection functions

Overcurrent Protection
Distance Protection (+SOTF and teleprotection schemes)
Line Differential Protection
Transformer Differential Protection
Centralized Busbar Differential Protection
Distributed Busbar Differential Protection

Overcurrent Protection
Only depends on the current, based on the simple fact which is:
if there is a default, the current rises.
The most common protection function in MV or radial networks. Used
also as a backup protection.

Pros
4 Only depends on the current (except directional functions)
4 Simple to configure and test (few parameters)
4 Simple to coordinate in radial networks

Cons
4 Trip times can be long to ensure selectivity
4 Dont guarantee selectivity on non radial networks (meshed or rings)
4 Sensitivity problems to detect high resistance fault
4

Directional Earth Fault



This function allows the correct discrimination of faults in the direction of the
protected line from the external faults in the other direction, using the phase
information of the zero sequence short-circuit current.
This fault occurs when there is a current that closes itself by the lines
capacitances when occurring a short-circuit to earth in some point of the
network.

Directional Earth Fault

In a healthy line, the residual current is in quadrature and in advance
towards the residual voltage (capacitive current).
In the faulty line, the phase ratio depends on the way neutral is connected to
earth:


For isolated neutral systems, the

residual current on the faulty line is in
quadrature but delayed towards the
residual voltage, the residual reactive
power sign can be used to describe the
fault location;

For compensated neutral systems, the
fault can be detected by the presence of
an active component on the residual
power

The previous criterion can also be
applied to neutral systems with limitation
impedance, since it has a minimum of
resistive component.

Relay non-operation zone

Application and Equipment

Used:
 In distribution or radial networks (feeders, incoming)
 As backup, in all panels (integrated in multifunctional
equipment)
 In capacitor banks
Examples of equipment:
 EFACEC: TPU S100, TPU S420
 SIEMENS: 7SJ6xx
 ABB: REF, SPAJ 140
 SEL: SEL 451
7

Distance Protection
Z = U/I
Zline = 10
Zd < 10
Zd > 10

1st step (or zone), with instantaneous trip

2nd step (or zone) timed to coordinate with downstream
protections (typical 0,5 s)
3rd step (or zone) backup, with long temporization (typical 1s)

Distance Protection


Pros

Suitable for meshed networks

Short trip times in the 1st and 2nd zone
Easy to coordinate
Selectivity and actuation speed improved with teleprotection scheme
Allows multiple network backups
Suitable for long lines

Cons

Very dependent on protected line or equipment data

Complex to set (too many settings)
Depends on the voltage (needs overcurrent backup)
Selectivity problems for short lines (mainly if there is no teleprotection
scheme)
9

Distance Protection Schemes



Teleprotection

SOTF (Switch On- To- Fault)

Usually with hard-wired interface, however can be done trough a

communication channel
A reception signal and a transmission signal are transmitted (dependent on the
number of available channels, can go trough more than one channel)
Aims to accelerate the distance trip protection (is not intertrip)
Can be used multiple teleprotection schemes

Needs to detect the circuit breaker closure (manual closing order signal or by
analogue quantities)
Active for some fractions of a second after closing the circuit breaker to prevent
against fault at the time of the line energization (eg, grounded line)

Power Swing

Uses current and voltage measures to distinguish between faults, which are
fast variations, and network oscillations, that are slow variations
10

Application and Equipment

Used in:
 Lines and cables VHV, HV and MV of meshed or ring
networks
Examples of equipment:
 EFACEC: TPU L420; TPU L500
 SIEMENS: 7SA612, 7SA522
 ABB: REL 670, REL 511, REL 521
 SEL: SEL 421

11

Line Differential Protection

Pros

4 Ensures high selectivity, sensibility and fast trip

4 Very easy to set
4 Does not depend on the voltage
4 Suitable for short distance lines

Cons

4 Depends on the current measure on the other(s) end(s) of the line

4 Does not guarantee backup (needs overcurrent backup)
4 Depends on a telecommunication channel
4 Must have the same protection model on all the other ends of the line

12

Application and Equipment

Used in:
 Can be used in any type of line or cable, but is more
usual in HV and VHV
Examples of equipment:
 EFACEC: TPU D500
 SIEMENS: 7SD523, 7SD610
 ABB: RED 670
 SEL: SEL 311L

13

Line Differential Interface



Direct fibber, typical distances:

Multimode: up to 3,5 Km
Singlemode: up to 80 Km (can have different transceivers)

Convertor (eg 7XV5662)

Optical Fibber Convertor to G703 or X21

Pilot wire (no longer used)

1 OR 2 INTERFACES

14

Interface between 2 ends

15

Transformer Differential Protection

Pros
4 Ensures high selectivity, sensibility and fast trip
4 Very easy to set
4 Does not depend on the voltage

Cons
4 Very dependent on the correct configuration of the

machine and the CTs

4 To transformers with more than 2 windings needs several
current inputs
4 Does not guarantee backup (needs overcurrent backup)

16

Application and Equipment

Used in:
 Transformers, very short lines and simple busbar
Examples of equipment:
 EFACEC: TPU TD420, TPU T500
 SIEMENS: 7UT633
 ABB: RET 670
 SEL: SEL 487, SEL 387

17

Special Cases

3 winding Transformer

Simple busbar protection

with phase-selective
configuration
Generator
With several measure points

18

Busbar Differential Protection

Basic principle of Kirchoff law: the sum of all currents on the bus must be null.

Pros
4 Ensures high selectivity, sensibility and fast actuation
4 Very easy to set
4 Does not depend on the voltage
4 Protects a critical element, very difficult to be selective

Cons
4 Price
4 Delicate and critical commissioning
4 Unwanted trip may cause serious malfunction in the network
4 Must be configured for the substations final configuration since the

beginning

19

2 typical solutions
substation
substation
central unit
.

50

50

1,5 km
2
2
terminal panel terminal panel

terminal panel
terminal panel 50
50
terminal panelterminal panel
bay unit
50

50

50

fibre optics
2
2
terminal panel terminal panel

50
50

Centralized Solution

50

50

50

Distributed Solution

20

Centralized Vs Distributed
Centralized Solution

Every current and state must be

wired to the same cabinet
The trips are sent from the central
cabinet to the each panel
May be needed to be separated per
phase or busbar
Requires a larger quantity of I/O on
the central cabinet

Distributed Solution

The states and measures are

acquired by the unit panel
Decisions are taken by the central
unit and executed by the bay units
Strongly depends on the optical
fibre, dedicated
The central unit has little I/O
Only the central unit is integrated on
the scada network
Is a more expensive solution

21

Equipment
Centralized Solution

ABB REB 521

ABB REB 670
SEL 487B
SEL 587B (High-Impedance)

Distributed Solution

Siemens 7SS52x
7SS522 Central Unit
7SS523 Panel Unit

ABB REB500

EFACEC will have a busbar differential protection in the 500

series (TPU B500), a solution has not been defined yet
22

Protections related functions







Auto reclosing
Voltage and frequency sheding and restoration
Circuit Breaker failure
Reverse Interlocking
Trip transfer

23

Auto Reclosing


Main purpose is the service restoration of the line after the clearance
of temporary or intermittent faults, common in aerial networks.

Consistes in:

disconnection of a line after fault detection for a specified time.

followed by the reclosing command based on the probability that the fault was
cleared in the meantime.
 if the fault is cleared, there is a blocking time fault in order to confirm the
absence of fault.


If the fault remains, after all reclosing cycles definitive trip is signalized. Each
one of these cycles can still be configured according with two pre-defined
types, namely fast cycles and slow cycles.

24

Auto Reclosing - Fast Cycles

Intended for transient fault situations with very low clearance time. When in
a fast cycle phase, the Reclosing function working makes an instantaneous
disconnection followed by the restoration command.


The circuit-breaker command, given by the Automatic Reclosing, is

generated after any pickup of the Overcurrent Protection functions, without
expecting its trip.

Fast cycles may imply a slight delay in the trip command, in order to avoid
reconnections caused by very fast disturbances that do not provoke trip, but
only the protection functions pickup.


Protcion
Protection
Pick-up
Pick-up
Open cmd
Close cmd

Ttrip

Tisol

Treclaim
25

Auto Reclosing - Slow Cycles

In the slow cycles the protection functions give the opening
command of the circuit-breaker, and the Automatic Reclosing is
responsible by its restoration.


The slow reclosing is intended to clear faults with bigger

extinction time, as the case of an earth short-circuit through a
tree.


Protection
Pick-up
Open cmd

Close cmd

Ttrip

Tisol

Treclaim

Tisol_l

Top
26

Voltage Restoration






The main purpose of this function is the disconnection after a

voltage drop and the after its regularization an automatic reclosing
This function is made independently in each one of the output
substation protections. To make a sequential restoration of all
loads it is necessary to properly scale the stable voltage
confirmation time of each one of the protections inserted in the
restoration cycle
The voltage measure (VT) has to be upstream
If a circuit breaker was open before the fault this bay remains open.

27/25

Frequency Restoration


The frequency instability is basically due to differences between

the generated and consumed power on the system

The main goal of this function is the very fast loads shedding
caused by a frequency drop and an automatic reclosing after the
frequency restoration or after a remote order (by dispatch center,
for example)

This function is independently made in each one of the substation

outputs protections. In order to do the load sequential restoration,
as shown on the Voltage Restoration, it is necessary to stage the
constant frequency confirmation time or after the remote order

28

Circuit-breaker failure


Detects that the current exists after a trip

Requires the current measure and one input to excitation

Can be an autonomous unit or integrated into protection equipment
The trip can be only to the incoming(s) bay(s) or to all bays connected to
the same busbar
If there is busbar differential protection, uses the same trip scheme
May send a intertrip to ensure the openness and inhibit the circuit
breaker recloser on the other end






29

Reverse Interlocking



The Reverse Interlocking intends to accelerate the unit trip that protects the bus-bar,
through the interaction of the downstream protections.
Only applicable in radial networks, when the energy flows only by one direction
The operational time of the bus-bar high threshold can be effectively reduced,
and it is enough to engage a security margin sufficient to receive the indication
Notice: substations with 2 or more depending on the position of the bus coupler,
the blocking signal should arrive at all the connected incomings.

Protection Pick-up

If the fault is on the busbar,

only the incoming protection
will see it, eliminating it after
that short timer.

If the fault occurs on an feeder,

the corresponding protection
will pickup and block
immediately the upstream
protection trip.
30

Protection process interface

Electrical wiring










Substations topologies
Circuit breaker
Isolators
CTs and VTs
Teleprotetion and intertrip
Close order permission by protections OK
Trip circuit supervision
Auxiliary relays

31

SUBSTATION TOPOLOGIES
Protection System aspects
DOUBLE BUSBAR
 Line current and voltage measure or busbar voltage measure
 The synchronism voltage for recloser, needs to be selected depending on
busbar isolators position (if there is a VT line)
 In some cases, the line isolator cuts off the trips to the circuit breaker
 The busbar protection needs the currents and the busbar isolators state
(eventually, the line isolator) and the eventual bypass isolator, for busbar
selectivity
 Can have bypass, however, if the bus coupler/bypass bay is equipped with
protections, one of the busbars will be selected to be the bypass busbar,
ensuring that there is no inversion of the CT current direction
TRIPLE BUSBAR
 Same considerations as for the double busbar, but the bypass can be done
in any bar.
32

Circuit-breaker Information


Tree-phase trip only or also with single-phase shot

(only VHV networks)




Single-phase trips only when the recloser is ready

If there is single-phase reclores, must have at least one trip
output per phase, per coil
The recloser is always three-phasic

It is necessary the circuit-breaker spring charged

information (if there is autorecloser function)
Manual order to close to the SOFT function

33

Isolators Information
In some cases, the line isolator state or the circuit-breaker isolation cuts off the trips
to the circuit breaker or inhibits the
The state of the bypass isolator selects the bay in bypass. It will make a trip transfer or
protection transfer
Isolator
Open
closing

Closed

Open
closing

Mains
Contacts

Closed
Open

For busbar protection, the isolator state

must be close, unless it is completely
opened: Important to choose the correct
isolator state contacts.

34

CTs and VTs Schemes






Always check if they are protection cores and their

characteristics (eg TI 5P20 30 VA)
Check the CTs core polarization (s1 and s2 connection in the
secondary)
The centralized non-digital bar protections need adaptation
CTs because of the different transformer ratio
The VTs have mini circuit breakers to separate the circuits
This mini circuit breaker should have an auxiliary fast contact
(Z curve) to inform the protection about voltage failure,
mainly with distance protections

35

Teleprotection


Only applicable in lines, mostly in HV

36

Intertrip



More used in HV networks

In the double busbar, sent by the Circuit Breaker Failure
Protectin trip or the bar differential protection (not always
used)
Sent and received by 2 channels for operation safety reasons
(just one unwanted shunt does not provoke the opening
the circuit-breaker at the other end)
The line isolator state cuts off the emission and the reception
of the intertrip
Used also in transformer-line bay, when the circuit breaker in
on other end of the line

37

Permission to close for protections OK



The objective is that wont be

possible to close the circuitbreaker if the protections are
nor OK
Only needs a protection
system to be OK to allow the
closure
Protections OK is not only the
state of the equipment watchdog. Considers the disposal of
protection functions, circuitbreaker failure,
analogue
measure supervision...
If the line isolator is open, Iit is
usual that the supervision by
protections OK is bypassed.

C+

Trip

SCC
XHQ50

11

Line Isolater
Open
+H1

SP OK

SP OK

SP1

SP2
XHQ50

12

Contact for active

protection functions
and supervision OK

Close breaker order

38

Auxiliary Trip Relay

The trigger circuit of the breaker is very
inductive and with more current than
the protection output contacts can
cut off. For example, trip coil 300 W
=> trip current around 3 A (100 Vcc).
The protection output breaking
capacity is typically around 25 or 30
VA => 0,3 A.
Is an auxiliary contact that should open
the trigger circuit
Use of auxiliary relays:
PROS

Does not depend on auxiliary breaker

contact to cut off the trip current
CONS

Inevitably leads to a trip delay

More equipment is needed

P+

SP1/2

D+

TRIP

Fast Trip Unit

Unit with
breaking
capacity

High breaking capacity trip

Fast Trip

PXSP

+H1

71

XHQ50

Auxiliary circuit-breaker
contact that must cut off
the trip current

BD
D-




Typical relay with braking capacity:

RXMH2
Typical fast relay: RXMS1

Circuit-breaker

39

Auxiliary Trip Relays

Used with single-phase trips or
breaker with only 3 phase tripping

P+

SP1/2
TRIP

PROS
Direct trip from the protection to
the circuit-breaker (fast)
Uses less auxiliary relays

TRIP

High capacity trip

CONS
Doubles the need of output
contacts (limited to the number
of protection outputs)
Increase the complexity of the
protection configuration

D+

Fast trip

+H1

Contact in seris to
increase (double)
the cut off power

PXSP

71

XHQ50

BD
D-

Typical relay : RXME

Circuit breaker

40

Auxiliary Relays Important

Characteristics

Fast relay
Fast, but no cut off
power!!

Needs contact in serie

to souble the cut off
power
Cut off power
Making capacity

41

Trip Supervision Scheme

The objective is to check the

connectivity and the polarity of
the trip circuit.
As the CB contact opens the trip
circuit it is needed a parallel
resistance with this contact, to
keep the complete circuit
This resistance can not be too
low, or else the circulating
current would trip the circuit
breaker, or too high because the
current would not be enough to
activate the protection input
The typical value is 22 k, but
depends on the trigger circuit
voltage (value for 110 Vcc)
Can also be used an external
relay (eg SPER from ABBT)

Permanent
Positive

P+

SP1/2

D+

Negative is
the coils
return

Supervision
Input

TRIP

When the contacts

close, the input is
short-circuited and is
no longer active-need
to temporize the alarm
Nearst trip
contact point

PXSP

+H1

71

XHQ50

1
TRIP

Resistance to
ensure
connectivity
when the circuit
breaker is open

BD
D-

Circuit Breaker

42