Finding the Direction in Directional Overcurrent Relays

Cheat Sheet: Transmission Line Example

Under Normal Current Conditions

Normal Current, Breaker 3 Normal Current, Breaker 4

Current flows into Current flows

the protected = FORWARD DIRECTION away from = REVERSE DIRECTION
device of CT on protected device
Breaker 3 of CT on Breaker
4

© 2018 Chris Werstiuk and Valence Electrical Training Services. All rights reserved.
5005 S Kipling Pkwy Suite A7 PMB 395, Littleton CO 80127-1375
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 Under Fault Current Conditions

Fault Current, On Transmission Line Fault Current, Off Transmission Line

Both currents flow Current flows

into transmission = FORWARD DIRECTION into the protected = FORWARD DIRECTION
line and protected device of CT on
device of CTs Breaker 3

Current flows away

from protected
= REVERSE DIRECTION
device of CT on
Breaker 4

And if you ever have doubts about the

direction, you can also:

(1) Ask the design engineer, “Did you mean to

trip if the fault is on the transmission line, or on
the buss?”

(2) Or perform a test in either direction first to

see which direction the relay is set to trip.

© 2018 Chris Werstiuk and Valence Electrical Training Services. All rights reserved.
5005 S Kipling Pkwy Suite A7 PMB 395, Littleton CO 80127-1375
store@relaytraining.com relaytraining.com 303-250-8257