Proven Measurement Principles

Up To Date Technology

Block 8 represents the protection

power supply DC-DC converter.
Block 9 includes step time delays.
Block 10 represents optical
indications.
Block 11 includes indication and
tripping contacts.
Block 12 receives data from the
outside (fuse failure, line closing, ...).
Block 13 includes an optional power
swing detection circuit.

Fields of application
PXLC 3000 is a static switch distance
protection capable of detecting all
types of faults. It is used as main
protection in high voltage networks up
to 225 kV with solidly earthed neutral
or using impedance earthing
(reactance or Petersen coil). This unit
is particularly suitable for overhead
lines and can also be used for
protecting underground cables. It is
capable of detecting faults with
current far below the rated line
current.

Main characteristics
- Circular form under impedance
starting with off set capability.
- Three forward zones, one reverse
zone.
- Four tripping steps.
- Reactance type zone measurement
for eliminating the influence of fault
resistance and load current.
- Electronic voltage memory slaved
onto the network frequency permitting
directional operation even in the
event of close-up three-phase faults.
- Fuse failure detection.
- Instantaneous tripping in the event of
closing onto fault.
- Locking device in event of power
swing detection.
- All signalling schemes available :
step acceleration,
permissive overreach,
blocking,

zone extension,
direct inter-tripping.
- Programming of single phase or
three-phase tripping modes for
various steps.
- Built-in single phase/three-phase
auto-recloser.

Operation
The three voltages and three currents
from the measurement reducers feed
transformers ensuring galvanic
insulation and reducing levels to
values compatible with the electronics.
In block 1, the signals from the
transformers are added to generate
zero sequence quantities Vo, Io, Ko.
Block 2 includes three underimpedance relays and their settings.
These relays serve to start the
protection.
Block 3 includes the optional voltage
memory circuit.
Block 4 ensures bandpass filtering of
input quantities, thus eliminating all
signals which are harmful for
measurement : aperiodic component,
line oscillation, CVT transients,
harmonics... It also ensures electronic
switching of significant quantities of
the faulty loop.
Block 5 carries out zone setting.
Block 6 carries out measurement.
Block 7 receives measurement data,
processes it, dialogues with the step
time delay and generates output
signals (tripping and indication).

Starting
For each of the three starting elements,
the protection generates two
differential voltages whose phase shift
is measured. The impedance point
falls within starting when the
measured phase shift is greater than
90.
Distance measurement
A differential voltage is generated for
the faulty loop detected by phase
selection, itself generated from starting.
In the same way as for starting, the
phase-shift of this voltage is measured
with respect to a current image
voltage. The impedance point is within
the zone in question when the phaseshift is greater than 90. For earth
faults, distance measurement in the
first zone is carried out when the
voltage drop in the fault resistance is
zero (zero instantaneous residual
current), rendering this measurement
particularly insensitive to fault
resistance. It is also insensitive to
frequency, aperiodics and loads.
Direction measurement without dead
zone
To obtain directional sensitivity for all
types of faults, two bias voltages are
used :
- Healthy voltage
The voltage representing the direction
of fault current flow is compared with
the opposite healthy phase voltage,
phase-shifted by 60.
- Positive sequence stored voltage
In the event of a three-phase close-up
fault, a voltage stored in electronic
form is used, preserving the frequency
and phase of the voltage existing
before the fault. This type of

Modular And Compact Presentation

directional principles does not include

any dead zones, whatever the
position or type of fault encountered.
Fault on secondary side of voltage
reducer
A logic checking the presence of
residual voltage and the absence of
residual current detects the blowing of
one of the fuses across the secondary
of the VT or the breaking of one of the
connection circuits. This detection
instantly blocks the protection and
triggers an alrm by contact after a
time delay has elapsed. Blocking can
also be controlled by an external
device (protection of reducers by
miniature circuit-breaker).

includes six tripping contacts (two per

phase), providing direct control of the
circuit-breaker coils. To prevent any
deterioration, the contacts are held as
long as the current conducted through
them is greater than 0.2 A.

Closing on to fault
In the event of a circuit-breaker
closing on a faulty line, the protection
trips on a starting criterion.
Signalling
On the front panel of the protection,
there are indicator lamps which
indicate the faulty phase or phases
and the tripping step. The indication
is stored (bistables) even in the event
of auxiliary supply loss. Many
polarity-free contacts are provided to
permit remote signalling.

Complementary modules
- Voltage memory
A memory voltage module can be
included in the protection to
guarantee good directional sensitivity
in the event of a nearby three-phase
fault.
- Power swing detection
The module measures the speed of
variation of the impedance point

Tripping
In its basic version, the protection

Operation block diagram

9

13

8
CC

7
12

3I

U, I

Logical

11

(Vo, Io, Ko)

3U

10
3

VD
memory

CC

between two circular characteristics,

one of which is the starting
characteristic. After initial detection,
the protection is blocked for one
second and blocking is rearmed after
each further passage through the
power swing band. In the event of a
simultaneous single phase fault, the
protection is unlocked immediately.
- Auto-recloser
The protection can incorporate a
single phase/three-phase auto-recloser
module. It includes a six position
selector for choosing the desired
operating mode.

A Single Standardized Presentation

Presentation
PXLC 3000 is a modular range
protection. It is built in the form of a
4 U 19 standardized rack, whatever
the model. All these models include
the following basic parts :
- transformer unit,
- card for low level testing,
- starting, zone measurement and
time delay modules,
- indication modules,
- input-output and tripping module. At
all stages of manufacture, from
component incoming checking to final
inspection, protection is put through a
severe quality control plan designed
to ensure optimum reliability. To
eliminate faults in the early stage, the
protection undergoes oven
debugging for a period of 168 hours.

L3 L2 L1

Common
Auto-recloser lock 2
Auto-recloser lock 1
Remote control common
Auto-recloser out
Auto-recloser in
Tripping common
Tripping C input
Tripping B input

Fuse failure input

Protection locking + input
Protection locking + input
HF presence + input
Reception common and HF
Reception + input
Remote clearing - / input
Closing - pulse
Remote clearing + / input
Closing + pulse

Tripping A input

Circuit-breaker closing
Single phase cycle
in progress
Three-phase standardization
Common
Three-phase standardization
Three-phase cycle
Single phase cycle
Blocking indication
Common

Phase A tripping (P1)

Phase B tripping
Phase C tripping

+ P1
Phase A tripping (P2)
Phase C tripping (P2)
Auxiliary supply + P
Phase B tripping (P2)
Auxiliary supply - P
Auto-recloser locking
control

Adaptation for chassis

Testing and maintenance

In the same way as all the modular
range protections, PXLC 3000 can be
tested at low level by means of a
card interfacing with the DLF 3000
device. During testing, all the tripping
signals can be inhibited to prevent
any inadvertent tripping.
Documentation
On request :
- descriptive leaflet : ND 1.6866
- commissioning leaflet : MS 1.6866
- maintenance leaflet : M 1.6866

Phase A selection (from P4)

Phase A selection (from P3)

Tripping indication

Phase B selection (from P4)

Phase B selection (from P3)

Starting indication

Tripping indication

Starting indication
Phase C selection (from P4)
Phase C selection (from P3)

+ P2

Earth fault (from P4)

Earth fault (from P3)
Step 2 indication (from P4)
Step 1 indication (from P3)
Step 3 indication (from P4)

Auto-recloser locking
control
HF transmission

Step 4 indication (from P4)

+ P3
Fuse failure
indication (from P4)
+ P4
Auxiliary supply
failure (from P4)

Phase A tripping indication

Phase B tripping indication
Phase C tripping indication

Power swing indicator

Simplified diagram of PXLC 3000 connections

Technical Characteristics

Input circuits
Rated voltage Un
Constantly permissible voltage
Burden
Frequency
Rated current In
Constant overload current
Overload current for 10 s
Overload current for 1 s
Burden measured across rack terminal

100 to 130 V
(or 200 to 260 V for non-standard model)
2 Un
0.1 VA
50 or 60 Hz
1 or 5 A
4 In
30 In
100 In
0.1 VA (1 A) ; 0.5 VA (5 A)

Auxiliary supply
Inaudible DC/DC converter
Tolerance
Standby state consumption
Fault state consumption

48,110, 125, 220, 250 V DC

-20%, +20%
except for 250 V DC : -20%, +10%
30 W
55 W

Settings
Forward supervision limit : X4

X4 = 10
x Fn ohms/phase
In
N4 + 1
N4 adjustable from 0 to 99 on
thumbwheels switches
Table of X4 limits (in ohms/phase)
In

Fn
1A
5A

50 Hz

60 Hz

5 to 125
1 to 25

6 to 50
1.2 to 30

Reverse supervision limit : X5

X5 = K5 x X4 with K5 = 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8

First zone limit : X1

X1 = a1 x

0.4
x Fn ohms/phase
In
N1 +1

a1 = 1, 5, 25, 100
thumbwheel switches
N1 = 0 to 99
Second zone limit : X2
(same equation as for X1 with index 2)
The settings for the two zones are
independent

Earth coefficient : Ko = Xo - Xd
3 Xd
Reference impedance characteristic
angle :

Table of X1 limits
(in steps equal or less than 5%)
In

Fn
1A
5A

50 Hz
60 Hz
0.2 to 100 0.24 to 120
0.04 to 20 0.048 to 24

Setting from 0 to 1.5 in steps of 0.1

(thumbwheel switch)
F = 50 Hz : 45 to 86 in 16 steps
F = 60 Hz : 50 to 87 (thumbwheel
switch)

Settings
Time delays : step 1 T1
step 2 T2

X1
R

step 3 T3
step 4 T4
Sensitivity : phase current threshold
Earth current threshold
Directional sensitivity
Power swing blocking bandwidth

First zone forward

X

X2
R

Second zone forward

Accuracy
Distance measurements for 1st and 2nd
zone for an SIR from 0.1 to 30 and
current from 0.25 to 30 In
Starting
Time delays

5% of set value
10% of set value
2% of set value

Operating time
Minimum value
typical value

30 ms
35 ms

Auto-recloser
Single phase cycle
Fast three-phase cycle
Slow three-phase cycle
Reclaim time

0.1 to 9.9 s in steps of 0.1 s

0.05 to 4.95 s in steps of 0.05 s
1 to 9 s in steps of 1 s
1 to 99 s in steps of 1 s

Tripping circuits
2 tripping contacts per phase, self-held for current greater than 0.2 A

X
X4

Contacts
Tripping :
Max service voltage
Making current (0.5 s)
Permanent current
Breaking capacity (L/R = 40 ms)
R
Indication :
Max service voltage
Permanent current
Breaking capacity (L/R = 40 ms)

Third zone forward

X

X5

Fourth zone reverse

0 to 495 ms in steps of 5 ms
0 to 990 ms in steps of 10 ms
thumbor 0 to 9.9 s in steps of 0.1 s
wheel
0 to 9.9 s in steps of 0.1 s
switches
0 to 9.9 s in steps of 0.1 s
0.2 In
0.2 to 3.2 In step
or percentage relay (thumbwheel switch)
unlimited for all unbalance faults
unlimited for 0.5 s for nearby three-phase
faults (memory voltage)
X4 with X4 : forward zone value
: setting : 0.1 ; 0.2 ; 0.4 ; 1

250 V
30 A
5A
0.75 A at 48 VDC
0.30 A at 125 VDC
0.15 A at 220-250 VDC
250 V
5A
0.75 A at 48 VDC
0.30 A at 125 VDC
0.15 A at 220-250 VDC

Environment
In operation
Storage
Relative humidity

-10 C to +55 C
-40 C to +70 C
less than 95% without condensation

Insulation
(International standard IEC 255)
Dielectric strength
Impulse wave withstand
High frequency perturbation

2 kV, 50 Hz, 1 mn
5 kV, 1.2/50 s, 0.5 J
2.5 kV, 1 MHz

Presentation
Size : one 19 rack, 4 U
Width
Height
Depth
Weight of complete model

483 mm
177 mm
304 mm
10 kg

Complete Equipment
In Its Basic Version

Variants
protection is codified as follows :

Depending on the built-in

complementary modules, the
Code

P/S
blocking

Memory

Auto-recloser

3001
3002

3003
3004

3005
3006

3007
3008

Auto-recloser module

Signalling schemes
By means of internal selectors, the following signalling schemes can be selected :
- step acceleration,
- permissive overreach,
- blocking,
- intertripping.
The zone extension scheme, which does not require any transmission means, is
also available.
Z2A
A

Step acceleration
B detects the fault in zone 1 and sends a signal to A which switches its
measurement reach in zone 2 without waiting for the second step. Thus, a fault
near B, normally eliminated at T2 by A, will be eliminated at T1.

Z2B

Permissive overreach
A sees the fault in extended zone 1 and sends the signal to B which trips if it has
detected the fault in its extended zone 1.

Blocking
(2) : B detects the reverse fault and sends a signal to A, inhibiting it from
tripping.
(1) : A and B both detect the fault in extended zone 1 and trip after a slight
waiting delay for a possible blocking order.

Zone extension
Initially, the protection is set to a supervision reach in zone 2. During a tripping
and reclosing cycle, the supervision reach is brought to the value of Z1 to obtain
the best possible selectivity in the event of a permanent fault.

Z1A

Z1B

Z1A or Z2A
B

Z1B or Z2B
Z4A
A

Z1B or Z2B

Z1A or Z2A
B
(1)

(2)

Z4B
Z2A

A
Z1A
Z2A

B Z1A

4 holes M6

37.7

37.7
450 min.

466.7
482.6

40

465.1

316

(19'')

Information required when ordering

Code
Rated current
Rated voltage
Frequency
Auxiliary
supply

300

(see table on page 6)

1A
100 3
130 3
50 Hz

5A
200 3
260 3
60 Hz

48 Vcc

110 Vcc

101.6

177 (4 U)

101.6

177 (4 U)

Overall dimensions

125 Vcc

220 Vcc

250 Vcc

Note : on leaving the works, and unless the above information is given, model
configuration will be as follows :
Basic model : 3001
Rated current : 5 A (transformable to 1 A)
Rated voltage : 100/ 3 V
Rated frequency : 50 Hz (transformable to 60 Hz)

Saturation Of Current Transformers

The PXLC Solution

Current measurement transformers are

subject to saturation, which can come
from an increase of TCs load or from
severe short circuit conditions. These
saturation conditions interfere with
conventional protections by distorting
the start-up, direction indication and
zone computation functions. This
results in accidental trip-outs or in
delays of several hundreds milliseconds.
The solution sought could consist in an
increase in the size of the magnetic
circuit of the transformer. In addition
to the fact that the remanence
acquired with TPX transformers during
a fault can last a substantial period of
time and produce subsequent
saturations, this solution represents a
major overcost.
The PXLC version with MTS module
provides an efficient solution by
limiting computation to the moments
where the signal is not saturated.

Description of MTS module

The start-up, phase selection and
distance measurement functions are
achieved by detecting the sign of the
cosine of the phase shift between the
electrical values. The MTS module
performs these measurements without
interference by the moments during
which the cycles are saturated.
Let A and B be the electrical values
A = a sin wt
B = b sin (wt + )
and let :
P = A.B - (dA/dt) Bdt

Options
PXLC options comprising the MTS
module and memory voltage :
Code

Power-swing
detection

Recloser

3011
3014

3015
3016

Operation with saturation

The curve (I) represents the fault
voltage.
The curve (II) represents the fault
current seen by the protection when
saturation of a line transformer
occurs.
The areas without hachure represent
the portions during which the current
and voltage are linear, and can be
used by the algorithms.
The hachure areas represent the
moments of saturation.
During these moments, the current
being near-null, the product P is also
null.
Therefore, by integrating all these
areas, the average power sign (cos )
remains true.

(I)

Therefore :
A.B = (a.b/2).(cos - cos (2wt + ))
(dA/dt) Bdt = - (a.b/2).(cos + cos
(2wt + ))
This results in :
P = a.b.cos
Detection of the sign is achieved by
integrating the expression in time.

(II)