OVERCURRENT PROTECTION

Consider fig given below

IF1

Here we have a feeder with three relays A,B,C,

if zone for each relay is not specified and a fault occurred as shown in fig, all
relays will operate simultaneously, disconnecting whole the system,

to avoid this condition so that in case of faults only faulty system is disconnected
for healthy system, we specified the zone for each relay , this is achieved by
grading

we have three types of grading

time grading

current grading

combination of time and current

Time grading

In time grading we provide a delay in operation time between the relays

Relay away from the source has shortest time of operation as compared to relay
near to the relay nearest to the source

C
0.5

0.3

0.1

IF1

Now in this case if fault occurs the relay nearer to the fault operates first

Disadvantage with this system is that the fault nearer to the source take more time
for clearance

Current grading

In current grading system the operating current of relays will be different, as we

know that the value of fault current near to source is more as compare to away
from source because of the impedance of the line , so the operating current(pickup) current of relay is more as compare to the relay away from the source

Here the fault currents have different values at position C,B,A and based on
that the operating current is set
But the problem is that if the distance between the relays is small relays will
not be able to discriminate the position of fault, for eg. If the distance between
f1 and f2 is small both relays (C,B) can operate.

Time and current grading

Both the disadvantages of above grading is overcome in this combination of both
time and current grading
In this we use relay with inverse time over-current characteristic
For higher fault current near to source operate in shortest time, operating time is
inversely proportional to the current

We have no characteristics in different standards according to IEC

Where TMS time multiplier setting, Ir is equal to I/Is I is the primary fault
current, Is is the setting current

Now for TMS is equal to 1 ,we get the following characteristics

And for different TMS for standard IDMT relay we get

Over current relay has minimum operating current known as current setting of the
relay
This current setting should be such that the relay should not operate at or below
maximum load current and should operate at or above the expected minimum
fault current.
Time interval is provided between the adjacent relays so that the relays should
not operate simultaneously this is called grading margin

This grading margin depends upon the CB interrupting time(time required by the
circuit breaker to operate), relay error, ct error, overshoot ,final margin
Recommended relay grading margin based on technology of relay is as shown
below(relay to relay grading)

In past 0.5s grading margin was used but now days 0.4 is reasonable and even
less than is obtained in case of relay to relay grading.

For grading between fuse and inverse time relay, the purpose of the relay is to
provide backup to the fuse, so fuse is near to the source

When fuse is used in coordination with relay, EI characteristic ia best suited

with fuse characteristic

Grading margin in this case is given as t=0.4t+.15 sec, t is operating time of

fuse

Directional over current relay

when fault current can flow both side of the relay, realy can be made directional
by introducing voltage based element
if non directional units are used in parallel circuit with same source , the fault
occurring in one line will disconnects both lines
therefore it is necessary to apply directional relays
consider the parallel line given below

Here we have directional units at receiving end and non directional units at
generating end
Now if fault occurs as shown in fig , relay R1and R1 will operate and R2
remains inactive

Earth fault protection

Earth fault protection is obtain by relay that is residual current sensitive
Residual current is obtained by connecting current transformers in parallel as
shown below