Distance relays

Introduction

Distance protection is a widely used protective scheme for the

protection of high and extra high voltage(EHV) transmission
and sub transmission lines.
This scheme employs a number of distance relays. In distance
relays, there is a balance between the voltage and current the
ratio(V/I) of which can expressed in terms of impendence .i.e.
which measure the impendence at the relay location.
The measured quantity is proportional to the line-length
between the location of the relay and the point where the fault
has occurred.
The measured quantity is proportional to the distance along
the line, the measuring relay is called a distance relay.
 Distance relays are double actuating quantity relays with one coil is
energized by voltage and other coil is energized by current.
This relay operates when the ratio of V/I is less than a pre determined
value and is also termed as ratio relays.
The torque produced is such that when V/I reduces below a set value, the
relay operates.
During a fault on a transmission line the fault current increases and the
voltage at fault point reduces. The ratio V/I is measured at the location of
CT's and VT's.
The voltage at VT location depends on the distance between the VT and
the fault.
If fault is nearer, measured voltage is leaser. If fault is further, measured
voltage is more. Hence assuming constant fault resistance each value of V/I
measured from relay location corresponds to distance between the relaying
point and the fault along the line. Hence such protection is called
Impedance Protection or Distance Protection.
 Types of distance relays
Impendence
Reactance
MHO
Angle impendence
Quadrilateral
Elliptical and other conic section
 Operating principle of an Impendence relay

To realize the characteristics of an impendence relay, current is

compared with voltage at the relay location.
The current produces a positive torque(operating torque) and
the voltage produces a negative torque(restraining torque)
The operating torque equation:
T=K1*I^2-K2*V^2-K3
K1,K2 and K3 are constants, K3 being the torque due to control
spring control effect. Neglecting the effect of spring used then
torque equation becomes
T=K1*I^2-K2*V^2
 Cont
For the operation of relay
K1*I^2 > K2*V^2 or K2*V^2 < K1*I^2
V^2/I^2 < K1/K2
V/I < K where k is constant
Z<K
The relay operates if the measured impendence Z is less than the
given constant
 R-X diagram

Where Z=K represents a circle and Z<K indicates the area within
the circle
 Torque Equation of Directional Impedance Relay
The directional relay responds to the phase angle between V and I at
relay location.
Suppose torque of directional unit is given by,
T = K1 VI cos ( - )
Where T = Torque.
K1 = Constant.
V = Voltage supplied to relay coil
I = Current supplied to relay coil
= Phase angle between V and I
= Angle of maximum torque
When the relay is on verge of operation.
T=0
Hence cos( - ) = 0
i.e. ( - ) = 90
Hence for positive torque, should be within 90
 Reactance relay
A reactance relay measures the reactance of the line at the
relay location. The reactance type distance relay has reactance
measuring unit. The reactance measuring unit has an
overcurrent element developing positive torque and a
directional element which either gives a positive or negative
torque.
Hence reactance relay is an over-current relay with
directional restraint.
 In this relay the operating torque is
obtained by current and the
restraining torque due to a current-
voltage directional element.
The directional element is so
designed that its maximum torque
angle is 90 degrees i.e =90degrees
 Operating principle of reactance
relay
Torque equation becomes
T=K1 I^2-K3VI COS(-)
T=K1 I^2-K3VI COS(-90)
T=K1I^2-K3VI SIN
For the operation of relay
K1I^2 > K3VI SIN
V/I SIN <K1/K3
Z SIN <K1/K3
X<K1/K3
Reactance relay
 MHO RELAY
Mho relay is also known as admittance relay and measures a
component of admittance Y< . It is also called as angle impedance
relay.
The characteristic of Mho relay on admittance diagram is a
straight line.
The Mho characteristic on R-X diagram is a circle passing
through origin. This characteristic is obtained by polarizing the
impedance relay and directional relay
The following point can be noted :
Characteristic is directional and will operate for faults in one direction
relay only.
Relative reach of the relay goes on changing for various ratios of R/X.
 Operating principle of MHO relay

The torque equation is given by

T =K1 VI COS(-)-K2 V^2-K3
The relay will operate when
K1 VI COS(-) > K2 V^2
Y COS(-) > K2 /k1
1/ Y COS(-) <k2/k1
1/Y COS(-) < K
Z/ COS(-) < k
M<K
 Summary
The distance protection responds to
the ratio V/I. The impedance relay is
set for a value Z such that when the
value V/I measured by the relay is
less than the set value Z, the relay
operates. Characteristic of Distance
Relay are plotted on a R-X plane.
Distance Relays are used for
protection of transmission lines,
distribution lines etc.These relays are