3.

Over current relays

Grading margin :-
The time interval between the operation of two adjacent relays
depends on
1) the circuit breaker operating time
2) overshoot time of the relay, i.e. disc movement after the removal of
the current
3) error due to variation in the ideal characteristic curve
4) contact gap, i.e. final margin on completion of operation.

A margin of 0.5s is normal grading margin. With faster modern

circuit breakers and lower over shoot times 0.4s is reasonable.

Operating characteristic of over current relays :-

characteristic operating time

1
RI curves t = x K
0.339- 0.236/ I
0.14
Normal inverse t = x K
I0.02 - 1
13.5
very inverse t = x K
I-1
80
Extremely inverse t = x K
2
I -1
120
Long time stand by earth fault t = x K
I-1

Logarithmic inverse t = 5.8 - 1.35 log n (I / I n )

where t = relay operating time
K = scale constant or TMS according to curve
I = multiple of set current Is or PSM

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.1

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Illustration on over current relay calculation 1 :-

fig 3.2
Calculate the maximum and minimum load currents bus. Provide
current transformers of ratio as per system load requirements. Set the
relay with an equivalent primary current well above the maximum load
current. The relay setting must be well below the minimum fault current.
Complete the datas in a table as given below:

Table 3.1
loc Total Fault Total CT. Relay
ati impedance current in load Ratio current
on in ohms Amps current setting
Min Max Max Min per prima
cen ry
t curre
nt
A 0.81 1.62 7840 3920 500 400/5 150 600
B 1.41 2.22 4504 2860 350 400/5 125 500
C 2.36 3.17 2694 2003 175 200/5 100 200
D 4.56 5.37 1393 1183 75 100/3 100 100

Over current relays are intended to provide a discriminative

protection against system faults and they do not give precise overload
protection

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Starting with the relay in substation D farther from the power

source, the relay plug setting multiplier (PSM) is calculated from the
knowledge of the maximum fault current flowing from this point and the
relay setting
Substation D
CT ratio 100/5A
Relay used Normal inverse
Current setting 100% i.e. 100A
Max fault level at substation D 1393A
Therefore relay PSM 1393/100=13.93

From the normal inverse characteristics of the relay the

operating time of the relay at 13.93 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
time multiplier setting (TMS) is 2.6 seconds. There is no relay follow ing
relay at D. Still a small delay is required for better discrimination.
Further for electromagnetic relays the contact travel of the relay at D
should not be unduly small so as to avoid the possibility of tripping due
to mechanical shock. So a TMS of 0.05 is a wise option.
Hence the actual tripping of the relay at D is
0.05x 2.6 = 0.13 secs
A grading margin of 0.5 sec is adopted in this example, so that
the relay at substation C should have an operating time for fault at
substation D.
Substation C:-
CT ratio 200/5A
Relay used normal inverse
Current setting 100% i.e. 200A
Max fault level grading level C with D is 1393A
Therefore relay PSM is 1393/200=6.965

From the normal inverse characteristic of the relay the

operating time of the relay at 6.95 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
TMS is 3.6 sec.
Required relay discriminating time = 0.13 + 0.5 = 0.63 sec
Therefore the required relay TMS = 0.63 / 3.6 = 0.175

The calculations now proceeded for relay C with a close-up

faults at substation C.
The maximum fault current for a fault

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

just outside substation C bus bars =2691A

Therefore relay PSM =2691/200 = 13.45
Now from the normal inverse characteristic of the relay the
operating time of the relay at 13.45 times the relay plug setting and 1.0
TMS is 2.6 sec. The TMS previously calculated for the relay C is 0.175.
This gives an actual relay operating time for a close-up fault at
maximum fault level.
ie 0.175 x 2.6=0.455 sec.
Table 3.2

Relay setting
PSM Tc TMS Ta
Relay at D Fault at D 13.93 2.6 0.05 0.13
Relay at C Fault at D 6.965 3.6 0.175 0.13 + 0.5 = 0.63
Relay at C Fault at C 13.45 2.6 0.175 0.455
Relay at B Fault at C 5.382 4.1 0.233 0.455 + 0.5 = 0.955
Relay at B Fault at B 9 3.15 0.233 0.734
Relay at A Fault at B 7.5 3.45 0.358 0.734 + 0.5 = 1.234
Relay at A Fault at A 13.06 2.65 0.358 0.95

Tc :- Relay operating time from standard curve for the given PSM
Ta :- relay actual operating time

The grading of the remaining relays are proceeded in similar

way as illustrated above and tabulated.
Finally the discriminating curves of relay at substation A,B,C
and D are plotted on log-log sheet (fig). This can be done using a
template of relay operating characteristic at TMS of 1.0. From the plot it
can be seen that a grading margin of 0.5 sec has been achieved.

P rocedure for plotting discriminating curve :-

For this purpose it is necessary to prepare a transparent
template of the time current curve of the relay on a log - log paper
corresponding to TSM = 1. The template is so made that the origin of
the log - log paper corresponds to 1 - second of the curve along the Y -
axis and 100% plug setting for 1 - multiple P.S along the X - axis as in
fig 3.2(a).

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.2(a)
After having made the template the values of the current (in
amps) are plotted on a log -log paper along the X - axis and the time of
operating of the relay ( in seconds) along the Y - axis.
For plotting the characteristic of the relay - D in the above
illustration, the origin of the template is kept at 100 amps and 0.05 secs
and the curve of the template is transferred on the log - log paper.
Similarly for plotting the characteristic of the relay - C the orgin of the
template should be kept at 200 amps and 0.175 secs and the transfered to
the log - log paper. Repeat the procedure for B and A relays with the
origin of the of template kept at ( 500A, 0.233 s ) and ( 600A, 0.358 s )
respectively.

relays by both time

Discrimination of over current relay and current :-
timeand
Relay co-ordination in the case of discrimination by time alone
has the disadvantage of, more severe faults are cleared in the longest
operating time. Discrimination by current can be applied only when
there is appreciable impedance between two circuit breakers. With the
use of inverse characteristic the time of operation is inversely
proportional to the fault current and the actual characteristic is a
function of time and current setting.

Illustration 2 :-

fig 3
It is necessary to convert all the system imped ance to a
common base.
Common base used :10 MVA

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

percentage imped ance of 4 MVA transfer MVA base

to common base : =Z% x
MVArated
10
= 7 x = 17.5%
4
Percentage impedance of cable between MVAbase
D &E to a common base of 10 MVA : = Z ohm 100
( KV )2
10
= 0.04 x x 100 = 0.33%
112
Percentage impedance of cable between 10
C&D to a common base of 10 MVA : = 0.24 x x 100 =1.98%
112
percentage imped ance of 30 MVA 10
transformer : = 22.5 x =7.5%
30
10
Percentage impedance of 132KV line = 6.2 x x100 = 0.36%
1322

Base MVA
Percentage impedance of 132KV source = x 100
Fault MVA
10
= x 100 =0.29%
3500

Table 1

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

R Total impedance in Fault current in Total CT. CT. Ratio Relay current
el Z pu Amps at 3.3KV base load Ratio to the setting
ay current base of
lo at 33kv
ca 3.3KV
ti base
on
Min Max Max Min perc primary
ent current
at 3.3kv
base
D 0.1013 0.2795 17268 6257 700 250/5 833/5 100 833
C 0.0815 0.1013 21466 17268 1500 500/5 1666.6/5 100 1666.6
B 0.0065 0.0815 269160 21466 6000 150/1 6000/1 100 6000
A 0.0029 0.0065 603292 269160 20000 500/1 20000/1 100 20000

Table 2

PSM Tc TMS TC
Relay at D Fault at D 20.7 0.2 0.05 0.1
Relay at C Fault at D 10.36 0.8 0.625 0.1 + 0.4 = 0.5
Relay at C Fault at C 12.88 0.47 0.625 0.29
Relay at B Fault at C 3.58 6 0.115 0.29 + 0.4 = 0.69
Relay at B fault at B 44.8 0.2 0.115 0.023
Relay at A Fault at B 13.458 0.43 1 0.023 + 0.4 =0.423
Relay at A Fault at A 30.1 0.2 1 0.2

A voltage base of 3.3KV has been chosen and the operating

characteristic of the highest rated fuse, that is 200A on the outgoing
3.3KV circuit is plotted on a log-log sheet. The grading of the over
current relays at various substations of the radial system is carried out as
detailed below. A grading margin of 0.4 is adopted in this example

R elay location D:-

Relay used :- Extremely inverse characteristic

Base MVA

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Fault level up to 3.3KV bus =

Z pu

10
=
0.175+0.0033+0.0198+0.075+0.0036+0.0029
10
= = 35.76 MVA
0.2796
Fault MVA 35.76
Fault current = =
3 x base KV 3 x 3.3
= 6257Amps at 3.3KV
or 35.76
= = 1877Amps at 11KV
3 x 11
10
Fault level close to bus D =
0.0198+0.075+0.0036+0.0029
10
= = 98.7 MVA
0.1013
98.7MVA
Full load current at 3.3KV base = = 1.7268KAmps
3 x3.3KV

4MVA
Maximum load current at 3.3Kv base = = 0.7KA
3 x3.3KV
CT ratio adopted 250/5A
corresponding CT ratio to the base of 3.3KV = 250 x (11/3.3) / 5
=833.3/5A
So a relay of 100% P.S (plug setting) corresponds to a current
of 833.3Amps(3.3KV base).
The calculations for the remaining relay locations are
proceeded in similar way as illustrated above and tabulated

Calculations were made for all the relay locations for the TMS
(time lever setting) in the same way as explained in the previous
example and tabulated in Table 2

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

The discriminating curves were plotted for all the relays at sub
stations A, B, C, D &E on a log-log sheet (fig).

ILLUSTRAT ION 3
Coordination of over current relays for an industrial system :-

fig 3.4
The relays used for protection are :
i) for motor protection (relay G) a thermal relay with high set unit for
instantaneous over current element
ii) for transformer protection (relay H) over current relay with very
inverse characteristic and high over current element
iii) for feeder protection (relay J) a normal inverse characteristic
iv) for generator a voltage controlled normal inverse characteristic
with dual characteristic

For convenience a common voltage base of 6.6KV chosen and

scheme for relay co-ordination redrawn with this base.

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.5
Fuse characteristic :- The operating characteristic of the fuse should be
plotted on a log-log sheet with a suitable scale for maximum fault levels
on a common base voltage of 6.6KV.
Table 1
Operating current at Operating Time
415V Base 6.6KV Base
795 50 40
955 60 13
1160 70 6
1270 80 3
1590 100 0.9
2700 170 0.1

Induction motor :-
Rating of the motor =100KW.
Full load current =139 Amps at 415V base
ie =8.75 Amps at 6.6KV base
Motor starting current ( 6 times full load current) =6 x 139 = 834 Amps
ie 52.48 Amps at 6.6KV base
Starting time = 10 secs
The relay may be set for 100% setting corresponding to 9.43Amps at
6.6KV base ie. 13% overload.
The thermal characteristic of the relay is

Table 2

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11
3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

multiples of current operating current operating time

415v 6.6KV Hot Cold
base base
1.25 187.5 11.79 1400 550
1.5 225 14.15 700 240
2 300 18.85 300 100
3 450 28.3 105 35
4 600 37.5 55 18
5 750 47.2 33 11
6 900 56.6 23 7.5

Plot the above characteristic on the same log-log sheet. The

instantaneous unit may be set at 1.3 times the starting current ie 1.3 x
840 = 1090 amps at 415 V base or 68.25amps at 6.6 KV base. Plot these
instantaneous characteristic also.

Transformer protection:

Relay used . Very inverse time over current plus instantaneous

element.
CT ratio 75/5A.
750 x 103
full load current of transformer = = 65.6Amps
3 x6.6 x 103
The relay current setting . = 100% ie 75Amps.
This setting will provide adequate margin and better co-ordination with
the fuse

10 x 106
Max fault level = = 874.7 Amp
3 x 6.6 x103
Relay PSM = 847.7/75 = 11.6
Relay operating time at 11.6 times plug setting and 1.0 TMS is
1.41secs. The grading margin between relay and fuse will be
t = 0.4t + 0.15 sec
were t = nominal operating time.
So the grading margin = 0.4 x 0.01 + 0.15 =0.154 (say 0.16)

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet to the

common 6.6KV voltage base using a template of the ver inverse
characteristic.
The instantaneous element must be set above the maximum through
fault current.

Fault MVA of the transformer = MVA/Z pu = 0.75 / 0.07 =10.714 MVA

Fault MVA 10.714

Through fault current = = = 0.93725KA
3 x KV 3 x 6.6
The relay must be set at 1.3 x937.25 ie 1218Amps.
Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet.

Feeder protection:

Relay used = normal inverse characteristic.

CT Ratio = 200 / 5
The current setting on this relay should be based on the
maximum load of the 6.6 KV bus, plus a suitable margin for over load
on the transformer. Since no load values are specified the requirement
may assumed as 100%
Maximum fault for grading = 1218amps
Relay PSM = 1218 / 200 = 6.1
Relay operating time for6.1 times PS and 1.0 TMS is =3.8 secs
To grade relay J with relay H the operating time of relay H at
1218amps must be added to the fixed grading margin of 0.5sec.
ie 0.19 + 0.5 = 0.69sec.
So required TMS =0.69 / 3.8 = 0.18
Plot the operating characteristic on the log-log sheet.

Generator :
Relay used . The relay used is with a duel characteristic
which changes its pick-up value to 40% of its nominal plug setting and

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

the operating characteristic changes from a long IDMT characteristic to

standard IDMT characteristic.
CT Ratio = 500 / 5 A
Under close-up fault condition the voltage at the bus bars dorps
below the setting of the under voltage units, the over current relay
changes its characteristic from the over load curve to the fault curve.
Then the effective setting becomes (0.4 x 500 )Amps ie 200Amps which
happens to be the current setting of the 6.6KV feeder relay J with which
it has to grade. So a setting of 100% can be used.

The possible fault MVA of the 5MVA generator is

MVA Rating 5
= x 100 =33.33MVA
Xd ` 15
33.33
So the fault current = = 2.916 KA
3 x 6.6
Relay PSM = 2916 / 200 = 14.57
Relay operating time for 14.57 times PS and 1.0 TMS is 2.5 secs.
Relay J operating time at 2916 Amps is 0.38 secs.
Grading margin 0.5 sec.
Hence operating time on fault curve should be
0.38 + 0.5 = 0.88 secs
So TMS = 0.88 / 2.5 = 0.352
Plot the operating characteristic of the fault curve and over load
curve on the log-log sheet.

Exam ples of earth relay connections :

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

Earth fault relays protecting over head lines are normally

connected to three CTs in a residual current circuit. (fig 3.6).

fig 3.6
Instead of three separate CTs one open core CT (Core Balance
CT) can be used in networks three cable (Fig 3.7).

fig 3.7

In case of non-directional earth fault relays a capacitor across

the CBCT terminal will increase the sensitivity of the relay.( Fig 3.8)

The sensitivity of the relay can be increased by running the cable

several times through the CBCT. The sensitivity will increase twice for
two turns. (Fig3.9)

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3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.8 fig 3.9

The sensitivity of the relay may be increased by mounting two

CBCTs on the cable and CT terminal connected in parallel (fig 3.10)

It is possible two parallel cables through same CBCT (fig

3.11). However if the cables cannot be arranged symmetrically ,there is
a possibility of undue current to relay. This may operate the relay
unnecessarily for high short circuit currents.

fig 3.10 fig 3.11

In case of two or more cables operating in parallel and fitted

with one CBCT for each cable, it is possible to connect all the CTs in
parallel and connected to the same relay (fig 3.12).

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16
3.OVER CURRENT RELAYS

fig 3.12

Page 57 / 153
17