Presentation Numerical Relays (MICOM) for Industrial Application by Alstom at Worli

Office on 03.03.2005

Mr. Anjan Banerjee, Chennai

e-mail: anjan.banerjee@tde.alstom..com

Mr. Anjan Banerjee gave a Presentation on Numerical Relays for Industrial Application. He
elaborated on nomenclature of MICOM Series Numerical Relays where MICOM P stands for
Modular Integrated Communicable Protection Relays. Application wise the Relays are designated as
follows:

P1XX Series Feeder Protection

P2XX Series Motor Protection
P3XX Series Generator Protection
P4XX Series Distance protection
P5XX Series Line/ Current Differential Protection
P6XX Series Transformer Differential Protection
P7XX Series Busbar Differential Protection
P8XX Series Breaker Failure Protection
P9XX Series Abnormal Voltage/ Frequency Protection

Alstom indicated that MICOM Numerical Relays have Integrated functions of Protection,
Monitoring, Fault Recording etc. Front Panel has RS232 FOR Local setting and Rear port RS485 is
compatible with MODBUS, Courier, IEC 60870-5-130 or DNP 3 protocols. Critical points as noted
during the presentation are as follows

P1XX Series: MICOM P1XX are the universal overcurrent relay range starting with single phase
P120 up to multi-function three phase & earth P123 Relay. It also includes P143 Feeder Management
relay.
Alstom elaborated on Blocking of High set overcurrent protection in case of Radial network by co-
ordinating the down stream feeder relay with Incomer.
Broken conductor detection - Alstom explained that earlier electromechanical Relay used to work
based on Negative sequence current only. Some times this used to lead to false tripping depending on
various load conditions. To avoid this, MICOM relay uses the ratio of Positive & Negative sequence
current for detection of broken conductor.

P2XX Series: MICOM P220 Relay performs a full range of motor protection such as thermal
overload, short circuit, excessive start time, locked rotor, unbalance, loss of load, earth fault etc.
Thermal Overload Protection MICOM protection function do not take into account the overheating
that occurs in the rotor during current unbalance. The relay calculates the effect of overheating by
separating the positive & negative sequence component of line current, which is absorbed by motor.
The thermal image can be corrected by a RTD measuring the ambient temperature, which acts as a
reference. For this protection function setting the thermal characteristics of motor including cooling
time constant shall be obtained from the motor manufacturer. Generally the setting shall be 15% less
that the Thermal image/ constant of motor.

P341 Series: MICOM P341 is basically an Interconnection Protection Relay. The relay can be used
for Islanding operation for operating machines in parallel with the main power supply network. The
relay detects the Islanding phenomenon on Voltage Vector shift calculation. In addition to Voltage
Vector shift it also have the feature of Rate of change of Frequency. However Alstom clarified that
this can not be used in an application where different utilities/ networks are connected. In such case
P9XX Series relays with abnormal voltage/ frequency & rate of change of frequency inputs can be
used for detection of Islanding.

P630 Series: MICOM P63X series differential protection devices are intended for fast & selective
short circuit protection of Transformers, Motors & other installations with two, three or four
windings respectively.
Though Restricted earth Fault Protection function is provided in the Relay Alstom clarified that this
shall be used for MV application only. For HV Transformers separate/ dedicated REF Relay shall be
used.

Separate presentation on Generator, Line & Busbar Protection Numerical Relays shall arranged in
the next month at Matulya.