3/7/2019 Protective Relaying Terminologies Definition | Electrical4u

Protective Relaying Terminologies Definition

Protective Relaying Terminologies De nition:

The various terminologies used in the protec ve relaying are,

Protec ve Relay
Relay Time
Breaker Time
Pickup
Pickup Value
Dropout or Reset
Time Delay
Sealing Relays or Holding Relays
Current Se ng
Trip Circuit
Phase Fault
Earth Fault
Phase Fault
Protec ve System
Unit Protec on
Reach

Protective Relay
This is a master mind control of an electrical relay, which closes its contacts when an actua ng
quan ty (the value of incoming current or voltage) reaches a certain preset value. It contains
some mechanical switch i.e closing contacts and opening contacts typically NO and NCs. Due to
closing of contacts, relay ini ates a trip circuit of circuit breaker or an alarm circuit.

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Relay Time:
Each relays are having its own characteris cs. The me between the instant of fault occurrence
and the instant of closure of relay contacts. As per Government rule, we should calibrate each
relay to find out the relay me.
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Never Forget to see: Relay sec on Explana on

Breaker Time:
It is the me between the instant at circuit breaker operates and opens the contacts, to the
instant of ex nguishing the arc completely.

Also Know About: Rotating Diode Failure Relay Working Principle

Fault Clearing Time:

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The total me required between the instant of fault and the instant of final are interrup on in
the circuit breaker is fault clearing me. It is sum of the relay me and circuit breaker mes.

Pickup :
A relay is said to be picked up when it moves from the OFF posi on to ‘ON posi on. Thus when
relay operates it is said that relay has picked up.

Pickup Value:
It is the minimum value of an actua ng quan ty at which relay starts opera ng, in most of the
relays actua ng quan ty is current in the relay coil and pickup value of current is indicated
along with the relay

Dropout or Reset:
A relay is said to dropout or reset when it comes back to original posi on ie. when relay
contacts open from its closed posi on. The value of an actua ng quan ty current or voltage
below which the relay resets is called reset value of that relay.

Time Delay:
The me taken by relay to operate a er it has sensed the fault is called me delay of relay.
Some relays are instantaneous while in some relays inten onally a me delay is provided.

Also Know About: Distance Protection Working Principle & Fault Location Detection

Sealing Relays or Holding Relays:

The relay contacts are designed for light weight and hence they are therefore very delicate.
When the protec ve relay closes its contacts, it is relieved from other du es such as me lag,
tripping etc. These du es are performed by auxiliary relays which are also called sealing relays
or holding relays 10.

Current Setting:
The pickup value of current can be adjusted to the required level in the relays which is called
current se ng of that relay. It is achieved by use of tapings on the relay coil, which are brought
out to a plug bridge as shown in the Figure. The tap values are expressed in terms of percentage
full load ra ng of current transformer (C.T) with which relay is associated.
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Also see: What is voltage transformer

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Trip Circuit:
The opening opera on of circuit breaker is controlled by a circuit which consists of trip coil,
relay contacts, auxiliary switch, ba ery supply etc. which is called trip circuit

Also Know About: Contact Multiplier Relay Working Function & Wiring diagram

Earth Fault:
The fault involving earth ie called earth fault. The examples of earth fault are single line to
ground fault, double line to ground fault etc. More about Earth fault

Phase Fault:
The fault which does not involve earth is called phase fault. Example: Line to Line Fault

Protective Scheme:
The combina on of various protec ve systems covering a par cular zone for a equipment is
called protec ve scheme. For example a generator may be provided with protec ve systems
like overcurrent, differen al, earth fault etc. The combina on of all these systems is called
generator protec ve scheme

Protective System :
The combina on of circuit breakers, trip circuits, CT. and other protec ve relaying equipments
is called protec ve system.

Unit Protection:
A protec ve system in which the protec on zone is clearly defined by the C.T. boundaries is
called unit protec on. Such systems work for internal faults only

Reach:
The limi ng distance in which protec ve system responds to the faults is called reach of the
protec ve system. The opera on beyond the set distance is called over-reach while failure of
distance relay within set distance is called under-reach.

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